The Presidential Debate, "Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" Megathread

[Savonarola]

Did anyone's opinion change after the debate?  Not just switching from supporting Trump to Clinton or vice versa; but was anyone planning to vote third party but now will vote for Hil or Don?  Or was anyone planning not to vote but will now (or planning to vote but now will not)?

It's all confirmation bias now; Trump's not going to lose anybody, so I think the only real expectation is trying to keep potential Clinton voters from staying home, or being all Millennial stupid and piss their votes away on Stoner Nader.

I agree, which is why I posted the question the way that I did.  Trump has come across as even more nasty, brutish and short-fingered in the past two days than before.  I don't think that will cost him any support, but was his performance so bad that it will get out the vote for Hil, or frighten third party voters to Hil's camp?  Or was Hil's good enough that she was able to get out the vote or to convince third party voters that she's really the lesser of two evils?

While I realize that Languish is hardly an ideal focus group; the fact that no one answered my question doesn't give me a lot of confidence that this debate mattered at all.

[Admiral Yi]

I haven't met much in the way of soft Trump supporters so I don't have a feel for what pushes their levers.

On a different note, 80 million watched the debate, a new Olympic record.

[garbon]

I don't think Languish would be good for testing that at all. Do we have many undecided voters, planned non-voters or 3rd party folk?

[The Brain]

I plan to non-vote.

[Berkut]

The news just said that there are more undecided voters than normal right now. That seems surprising to me.

[Savonarola]

CNN had a theater critic review Trump's performance in last night's debate:  That's Entertainment!

[jimmy olsen]

I haven't met much in the way of soft Trump supporters so I don't have a feel for what pushes their levers.

On a different note, 80 million watched the debate, a new Olympic record.

Undercounts it since that doesn't count online viewers.

[CountDeMoney]

It's a shame Hillary didn't ask him if he was feeling OK, what with his sniffles and all.

[derspiess]

The news just said that there are more undecided voters than normal right now. That seems surprising to me.

Not me.  I'm surprised there aren't more, with the two main candidates being so shitty.

[jimmy olsen]

Moderating was a bit weak. They need to bring in Tony Reali and the Around the Horn mute button.

[Jacob]

I agree, which is why I posted the question the way that I did.  Trump has come across as even more nasty, brutish and short-fingered in the past two days than before.  I don't think that will cost him any support, but was his performance so bad that it will get out the vote for Hil, or frighten third party voters to Hil's camp?  Or was Hil's good enough that she was able to get out the vote or to convince third party voters that she's really the lesser of two evils?

While I realize that Languish is hardly an ideal focus group; the fact that no one answered my question doesn't give me a lot of confidence that this debate mattered at all.

Anecdotally I know of one internet acquaintance's girlfriend who went from "voting is pointless and I'm not going to do it" to "registered with the intent to vote for Hillary" as a result of the debate.

[CountDeMoney]

Suburban Women Find Little to Like in Donald Trump's Debate Performance

Although not everybody's sold 

Not everyone thought Mr. Trump appeared unprepared for the White House.

Barb Haag, a retired teacher of the emotionally disturbed, said Mr. Trump's interruptions did not bother her. "Kids interrupt you all the time if they have a point to make," she said.

[HVC]

If your preferred candidate reminds you of little bobby the stabber you might want to reconsider

[Ed Anger]

Suburban Women Find Little to Like in Donald Trump's Debate Performance

Although not everybody's sold 

Not everyone thought Mr. Trump appeared unprepared for the White House.

Barb Haag, a retired teacher of the emotionally disturbed, said Mr. Trump's interruptions did not bother her. "Kids interrupt you all the time if they have a point to make," she said.

She's got moxie.

[Admiral Yi]

Barb Haag, a retired teacher

Life imitates art.