WCCO's Esme Murphy Recaps Debate, Says Presidential Election Is 'Over'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump faced off for 90 minutes in Las Vegas Wednesday evening to discuss issues like Russia, the economy and immigration.
It marked the third and final presidential debate in the 2016 election cycle, one which WCCO political reporter Esme Murphy said may represent the final nail in the coffin for Trump and tip the election into landslide territory.
Murphy said that Trump already faces an uphill battle due to President Barack Obama's approval ratings being currently above 50 percent, and pointed out that many took exception to his comment directed at Clinton: "What a nasty woman."
Murphy said that the debate represented Trump's best performance in any of his debates with Clinton. However, the most controversial moment of night came when Trump refused to say whether he would accept the outcome of the election should he lose. For days leading up to the third and final debate, Trump had been warning voters that the election would be rigged.
When asked by debate moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News whether he will accept the results of the election, Trump replied: "I will look at the time. I'm not looking at anything now, I will look at it at the time ... I will keep you in suspense."
During the debate, Clinton called the comment "horrifying," but his comments immediately drew condemnation from some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The Republican National Committee immediately denounced Trump's statement, saying there's no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
Clinton also forcefully accused Trump of favoring Russia's President. She cited the findings of several U.S. intelligence agencies that found the Russian Government had committed espionage, including hacking her top advisor's emails, to interfere with the election.
Murphy added, "Hillary Clinton is fortunate, because she has some major failings as a candidate."
Despite the arguing between the two candidates in the latter half, pundits called the third debate was the most focused of the three. Wallace was able to keep the candidates on track to answer questions regarding national security, immigration, the Supreme Court nominee, the 2nd Amendment, and abortion. Among the topics not brought up at any debate was climate change.
This was the only debate where the candidates did not shake hands at the beginning or the end.
A Facebook poll on WCCO's Facebook page found more viewers thought Clinton had won the debate over Trump. As of 9 a.m. Thursday morning, Clinton led Trump 54-46.
