Trump And Clinton Square Off In Spirited Second Presidential Debate
CBS 11's Jack Fink and Scott Herndon, Director of Debate at UT Dallas, recapped and answered questions from viewers about the second presidential debate on Facebook Live (video above).
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ST. LOUIS (CBSDFW.COM) - Debate day fireworks began before the main event when real estate mogul and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump appeared at an event with women who accused former President Bill Clinton of rape and unwanted sexual advances. The Republican nominee did not take questions as he appeared with Paula Jones, Juanita Broaddrick and Kathleen Willey.
When the candidates met on stage, it only took two questions before the subject of a salacious recording -- in which Trump spoke in a derogatory manner about women -- to be brought up. After that, the blow by blow debate continued with jabs from both candidates. Last Friday, a video recording of Trump using -- what he called -- 'locker-room' talk surfaced and quickly went viral.
"This was locker-room talk. I'm not proud of it. I apologize to my family. I apologize to the American People," said Trump.
Clinton reiterated, "I said starting back in June that he was not fit to be president and commander in chief." She also said that Trump owes the American people an apology. Clinton went on to say that Trump never apologizes to anyone.
The tense moments did not stop there. Trump mentioned issues that Clinton's husband and Former President William Jefferson Clinton faced while he was in office including accusations of sexual assault while he was in office and also while Governor of Arkansas.
Later, the subject turned to an email scandal in which Clinton has been embroiled. During her tenure as Secretary of State, she used a private email server prompting some to say that she has been less than responsible with some of the nation's secrets.
Trump promised that -- if elected -- he would be sure to prosecute Clinton. "I didn't think I'd say it but I'm going to say it... If I win... I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation," he said referring to Clinton's missing emails from when she was Secretary of State. "There has never been anything like this... After getting a subpoena, you delete thirty-three thousand emails," he continued. "It's a disgrace and honestly you should be ashamed of yourself," he concluded.
"Everything he just said is absolutely false, but I'm not surprised," responded Clinton. "It's just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country," she said. Trump responded, "Because you'd be in jail." The crowd responded with cheers. Moderators admonished the crowd at that point not to react to the candidates.
The candidates sparred over the subject of what Trump refers to as 'extreme vetting' of refugees and immigrants. Trump said that the Clinton plan would allow 550 percent more refugees into the country without knowing whether their intentions were good or bad. "This is going to be the great Trojan Horse of all time," said Trump.
Clinton said she would not let anyone into the country who poses a risk. "We need to do our part. We are by no means carrying anywhere near the load that Europe and others are," said Clinton. Trump responded saying that Clinton wants "amnesty for everybody."
Trump and Clinton both discussed their tax plans. The subject of Trumps tax returns also came up during this exchange. He has been accused of not paying his 'fair share' in taxes after copies some of his returns from 1995 showed he took a loss of almost a billion dollars. Trump said many of Clinton's friends took bigger deductions on taxes than he did.
Trump said he is cutting taxes for the middle class and that the current corporate tax is "just about the highest in the world." He said he would cut that from 35 percent to 15 percent as well because companies are leaving. He said Clinton is planning to "raise your taxes."
Clinton said everything Trump said was not true and that he "lives in an alternative reality" and that Trump's tax plan will give corporations the biggest tax cuts they've ever had."
At the end of the debate, the candidates were asked to name one positive thing that they respect about each other.
Clinton complimented Trump's kids. "I respect his children. His children are incredibly able and devoted and I think that says a lot about Donald," she said. "I don't agree with nearly anything else he says or does but I do respect that," she continued.
Trump said Clinton doesn't quit. "I will say this about Hillary. She doesn't quit; she doesn't give up. I respect that," said Trump. "She's a fighter. I disagree with much of what she's fighting for," he continued.
At one point in the debate Trump complained to the moderators about being interrupted. "She went over a minute over and you don't stop her. When I go one second over it's like a big deal."
Scott Herndon, Director of Debate at UT Dallas told CBS 11's Jack Fink that he thought Trump won the debate. "I would have to say that Donald Trump might have been the winner by a narrow margin," said Herndon. He said it seemed like Trump was more prepared. "He seemed more policy oriented as well; taking Hillary head on," Herndon continued.
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The third and final debate takes place in Las Vegas on Wednesday, October 19. CBS DFW will have complete coverage.
Watch the entire second debate here:
Follow political reporter Jack Fink on Twitter @cbs11jack. CBS DFW's Geoff Petrulis contributed to this report.
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