[ot-caption title=”Freshman Liza Goldstone watches the president debate. (via Ava Goldstone, junior)”]

With all the anticipation and fanfare of a world heavyweight boxing title bout, the first presidential debate of 2016 was held at 9 PM EST on Monday, September 26 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. With Superbowl-type hype and viewing numbers, this was, by far, the most-watched presidential debate in history, with over 84 million viewers. The moderator was Lester Holt, anchor for the NBC Nightly News. Even before the debate began there were many questions from both candidates over if Lester would be impartial and fair. [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

The debate was divided into six 15-minute time segments with the subjects of “America’s Direction,” “Achieving Prosperity,” and “Securing America.”  By virtue of a pre-debate coin toss, Clinton got the first question and went on the offensive: her responses appeared to be well-rehearsed, indicative of her admitted extensive debate preparation. In contrast, Trump started with more spontaneous, ad lib responses — consistent with his more freewheeling approach to the debate. Regardless of their style, each contestant faithfully stuck to their pre-debate narratives. [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Prior to the contest, there was a great deal of interest as to whether Trump could appear presidential and whether Clinton could appear trustworthy. As the two most unfavorably-rated major party candidates in U.S. history, each candidate had major burdens to overcome and, in a way, more emphasis was being placed on style rather than substance.

Most polls and the media suggest that Clinton won this first debate. Those who thought Clinton won said that she presented herself as the reliable candidate who demonstrated her experience and contrasted it with her opponent’s inexperience. She also seemed to be ahead on the race debate presenting far more comprehensive options contrasted to Trump’s backpedaling on the Birtherism question and how to fix race relations. She also effectively communicated the problems with Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns. [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

However, those who thought Clinton struggled in the debate said she lacked emotion throughout the debate and struggled to keep many American viewers engaged. She struggled in the first part of the debate on questions related to her husband’s legacy on free trade including signing NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and her flip flop on support for the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership). [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

By appearing spontaneous and unrehearsed, Trump seemed genuine and credible when, from the outset, he asserted that America needs an economic jolt that could be achieved by reducing corporate taxes from 35% to 15%. Overall, Trump’s strong point was this first part of the debate, according to Fortune, and his talking style, as he displayed more emotion and connected with the audience through anecdotes. [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

His mannerisms shifted as the debate progressed. He interrupted Clinton on numerous occasions and based on Politifact’s fact check of the debate, he had many comments that were untrue. Clinton also had some untrue statements, but she had much less than her opponent. Trump struggled in pointing out Clinton’s weaknesses with her emails and other scandals while playing into discussions on many of his weaker arguments like his tax returns where he took great pride in being smart when he did not pay full taxes. [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

As expected, Lester Holt was carefully monitored and there are those who contend that he was biased against Trump, as he periodically “fact-checked” and interrupted his answers (while never doing so to Clinton), in addition to asking Trump harder, more sensitive questions while not doing the same to Clinton. Others felt he did a fine job and stayed out of the debate allowing for a steady dialogue between the two candidates. [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

All in all, there were no knockout blows, each opponent got in some good shots, but in the end, the debate will probably not shift much.  A CNN poll shows that 47% said the debate did not make a difference in their voting preference, however, 34% admitted that they leaned in Clinton’s direction while 18% found that they were more keen of Trump. Despite the slight shifts in the polls, nothing was done to truly reshape the trajectory and possible outcomes for the upcoming election. [spacer height=”10px” id=”2″]

Though this debate did not seem to change much, maybe a shift will emerge in less than two weeks in the second presidential debate of 2016, to be held at Washington University in St. Louis on Sunday, October 9. The rematch will be moderated by Anderson Cooper of CNN and anchored by Martha Raddatz of ABC News. Although there has been criticism about how the debate schedule overlaps NFL night football, the Commission of Presidential Debates adamantly refuses to change the date, so, if you are a rabid football fan as well as a political piranha, you better make sure that your DVR is set. [spacer height=”20px”]

Sources: CNN, Politifact, DonaldJTrump.com, Fortune, The Blaze, Press Herald, Media Matters, Pop Sugar, Vox, The Telegraph, The Atlantic, NPR, IBT Times, Business Insider, Newsmax, PoliticusUSA