Tonight’s debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at Hofstra University may well wind up being the defining moment in a race for the White House which has already seen more than a few surprises. But as you view the debate, here are five things to watch for as the two nominees seek to make a final push that will propel them to 270 electoral votes:
1. Body Language of the Candidates
Trump is fond of using his hands as he talks, and he also puts on facial expressions that make him look a bit ridiculous. Can he control those and dial back some of the venom that he so often expresses with his body movements? If not, it could give the impression that he is out of control and unstable.
Clinton, on the other hand, can come across as cold and lacking passion. She needs to come across as warm, understanding, and showcase her mastery of the issues.
2. The Moderator
Will NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt fact-check the candidates when they stray from the truth? In some ways, Holt is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. But should he choose to call out Trump for his frequent lies, he could appear to be favoring Clinton. And yet, isn’t a moderator supposed to make sure the debate is kept on topic and that facts are presented instead of propaganda?
3. What Voters Do Clinton and Trump Speak To?
Clinton and Trump both have to try and energize their base and assure high turnout from their most devoted supporters, but they also have to reach out to voters in the middle.
Also, Clinton may seek to appeal to Republicans who don’t trust Trump and cannot see themselves voting for the GOP nominee. She may steer to the center in order to pick up their votes.
Trump, on the other hand might make an appeal to young voters and millennials, but will it help?
4. Black Lives Matter vs. Blue Lives Matter
Expect this topic to come up near the beginning of the debate since the killings of two black men by police in both Charlotte and Tulsa are on the public’s mind. Both candidates will have to walk a very fine line to prove they support police and also sympathize with African-Americans. This challenge may wind up being more of a balancing act for Clinton than Trump, who cannot reasonably expect black voters to cast a ballot for him.
5. Will Trump Bring Up (Fill in the Blank)?
Perhaps the greatest unknown is whether or not Trump will pursue the low road and bring up subjects such as:
- The Monica Lewinsky matter or other alleged dalliances by former President Bill Clinton
- Will Trump verge into conspiracy theory as he’s done in the past?
- If Clinton is able to really get under Trump’s skin, how will he react to that? With threats or rude statements?
One thing you can count on: It should be an exciting and revealing 90 minutes.
h/t The Hill
Featured Image Via Wikimedia available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License
