It is a feeling that has been associated with the entire presidential campaign of 2016 by many American voters — “wrong.”
According to junior Sammy Zhang, this word described the emotion felt by many Carlmont students as they saw the man who endorsed both misogyny and racism, ascend to the nomination of the Republican Party.
“I am still surprised that [Donald Trump] became the nominee for the Republicans,” said Zhang. “I always saw him with the air of a businessman, and never really as a politician. On the other hand, Hillary Clinton usually provides many statistics and examples of past achievements, so I feel like she’s more presidential.”
On Sept. 26, Hillary Clinton and Trump faced off against each other for the first time at Hofstra University. According to Business Insider, 86 million people were watching the debate on television. The conversation started out informatively as both Trump and Clinton politely addressed each other.
The debate took a turn as moderator Lester Holt asked more questions about what one candidate would do better over the other. As the debate progressed, the candidates dug further into the other’s personal reputation.
Zhang believes one of the most noteworthy points of the debate was the long-awaited settlement of Clinton’s current state of health. In early September, the Clinton campaign revealed that Clinton had been diagnosed with pneumonia.
At the debate, former Secretary of State countered Trump’s line of question that pertained to this matter, responding, “As soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal… [Trump] can talk to me about stamina.”
On the other hand, some voters thought Trump made the crucial mistake of entering the debate without preparing for the incoming arguments, which he openly admitted.
Clinton pointed out that Trump did not lay out many plans, facts, or solutions during the program. He had several brief ideas about trickle-down economics, but many viewers thought he did not explain these in depth.
Likewise, Holt noted that Trump evaded many of his questions. Trump chose to build on top of Clinton’s numbers or deny her claims by interrupting her with “Wrong!”
Despite being the most-watched debate of all time, many Americans thought that the program contributed very little to influence undecided voters. The media was more focused on how easily the candidates went off-topic.
Overall, many felt that the first official debate between the nominees did not meet the standards established by former presidential candidates.
Zhang said, “I thought both of the candidates would act at least a tiny bit more dignified.”
