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Trump, Clinton clash in fiery U.S. presidential debate


PanArmenian.Net
27 Sep 2016

PanARMENIAN.Net - Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump traded insults and sparred over temperament, stamina and judgment, in a fiery U.S. presidential debate that often saw the Republican on the back foot, AFP reports.

With six weeks until election day and polls showing a virtual dead heat, the Democrat Clinton on Monday, September 26 repeatedly questioned her rival's fitness to serve in the Oval Office.

Before an anticipated television audience of up to 100 million, Clinton painted the celebrity real estate mogul as fatally out of touch and willing to say "crazy things" to get elected.

"You live in your own reality" said the 68-year old Democrat, accusing Trump of launching his political career on the "racist lie" that Barack Obama is not American.

As Clinton projected steady experience, casting herself as the voice of reason, Trump played the populist bruiser, pitching to frustrated blue-collar voters fed up with politicians and wanting change.

"Let me tell you, Hillary has experience. But it's bad, bad experience," quipped the billionaire, accusing the former secretary of state, first lady and U.S. senator of being a "typical politician. All talk, no action. Sounds good, doesn't work."

The 70-year-old Trump has faced tough questions about his temperament during a deeply polarizing 15 month campaign that has brought right wing populism to the American political mainstream, AFP says.

He began the keenly awaited debate at New York's Hofstra University with a more restrained tone, even ditching his red power tie for a more statesmanlike blue.

But as the temperature rose, he quickly brought out the verbal brickbats, repeatedly interrupting Clinton and even questioning her stamina after a bout of pneumonia.

"Well, as soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal, a ceasefire, a release of dissidents... or even spends 11 hours testifying in front of a congressional committee, he can talk to me about stamina," Clinton shot back.

If they were evenly matched at first, Trump appeared to get more irritated and riled, at one point rolling his eyes and emitting a frustrated "ugh."

In a snap CNN poll of 521 voters, 62 percent judged that Clinton had won the debate, against 27 percent for Trump.

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