Hillary Clinton Saved the Bombshells for Round 2 - by Michael Tomasky

[DonViejo]

She hardly had to scratch the surface to win the first contest—and there’s plenty more dirt where that stuff came from.

-snip-

Now consider: What didn’t come up? Loads of things:

Trump University. In a lifetime of scams too numerous to count and too appalling to rank, this may be Trump’s biggest scam of all. Many people lost their money and got nothing whatsoever out of it. There are depositions that have been made public in which Trump U. employees admit they were under instructions to give students a very hard sell and sometimes to lie to them. Then of course there’s the whole way that the states of Texas and Florida dropped their investigations of it, after donations from the…

Trump Foundation. By now you know all about this bogus enterprise, thanks to the great reporting of David Farenthold of The Washington Post. I would imagine there’s more coming, possibly having to do with the kinds of business relationships Trump had with the leading donors to the foundation (a ticket-scalper? Come on.). But even if there’s not more coming, there’s material aplenty already, from the serious (the apparent, and apparently illegal, self-dealing) to the comic (the two grandiose portraits of himself the charity spent tens of thousands of dollars to purchase).

Deport-em-ghazi. Moderator Lester Holt didn’t ask about Trump’s vow to create a giant police force to round up and deport 12 million people, and Clinton didn’t mention it. Surely she’s not going to let the debates pass without this getting a full airing.

Modelgate. And speaking of undocumented workers, one of the better scoops of this season that failed to get the oxygen it deserved was this amazing report by James West in Mother Jones about how young female models in Trump’s employ were working in the country illegally and were treated worse than many people treat their dogs. Only one of these women talked to West on the record, but this is a story that would sicken the women watching the next debate, and the men with consciences, too.

-snip-

There’s tons more. Here’s a partial list. And I’m guessing that the Clinton team has done its oppo work. Think how this could get under Trump’s skin. An early mention of Trump U., with a bonus name-check of Judge Gonzalo Curiel, would start things off nicely.

-snip-

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/09/28/hillary-clinton-saved-the-bombshells-for-round-2.html

[tonyt53]

1. You betcha! When people ask why she didn't go deeper in #1, she didn't need to. Saving for later

She is very smart. Her campaign is very smart. Facts are easier to work with than lies an innuendo. So facts it shall be all the way through. When Trump is hit with more bad polling news in the next few days, he will become even more unbalanced. I'd say 50/50 chance he shows up at the next debate.

[Moostache]

2. The "rope-a-dope" strategy works in politics too!

Ali allowed Foreman to swing at him wildly, avoided any serious trouble and then knocked out George when he was totally gassed.

The Talking Yam was quite out of mental energy by the last 3rd of the debate for sure.
We're talking standing 8-count for sure.

[barbtries]

3. she did.

i wonder if trump will show up knowing these things.

he needs the riled up crowds, because that's all he's got, is the emotion. the lowest common denominator

[lark]

14. You got it!

That's why he was so mad about his mic, he wanted the crowd participation that he didn't get. Probably wanted them booing Clinton so loudly neither could speak. He didn't plan on having to talk so much and he totally failed to have the energy or stamina to complete the debate. Think having his mic not work would be a good strategy for the next debate as well,

[Auggie]

4. Careful ...

I'd use it as a last resort. Madam Secretary needs to keep distance from Trump's ugliness. Stay professional and presidential. Do not play that psychopath's game.

[DownriverDem]

13. Arracks Needed

I get what you saying, but Hillary has to go on attack. She needs to show that Trump is a total whack job.

[Hekate]

15. Did you watch this first debate? She never gets in the gutter with him. She states a fact & he...

...pretty much does the rest.

The way he offed 16 opponents was to get into their heads, under their skin, and invite them into the gutter with him. One by one they each fell for it and were eliminated.

Hillary has never and will never fall for this. He can't get into her head or under her skin and she will never go to the gutter.

[Auggie]

22. I find your response a little off topic

I have an issue with the OP (author), not HRC. I never suggested she didn't say or act anything other than presidential and professional in Debate #1.

The author suggests there's "plenty of dirt," "zings" and "heavy cards" the Clinton team can use "to get under Trump's skin." And I urge caution that the campaign needs to think about using them only as a last resort. There's a lot of undecided, independent and "protest" voters who have likability issues with HRC. Upbeat messages and solutions work better than attacks. We've got to win those people over.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Her debate team is outstanding

They will know what to prep for, and know that Trump has nothing
left except attacks. His ideology is bankrupt, his morals insult humanity,
his ego gets in the way of everything he says or does. I expect Round 2
to be filled with arrows in both directions. Hillary's ability to zing right back,
on the fly, will carry the day. Trump will be slower to react, and when his
blitz fails to ring, he will become confused again. That's my take anyway.

[NastyRiffraff]

6. There's so much crap in Trump's CV

it's hard to choose what to emphasize, and when. Ninety minutes isn't nearly long enough to cover all his dirt. Talk about an embarrassment of riches! I agree that Hillary's debate team is outstanding; I'm sure they know about all the things cited, and more. I can't wait for the next debate!

[KingCharlemagne]

34. I would go with Trump U. + bribes to Florida and Texas to look the

other way. This is a story that does and will RESONATE with the electorate, binding Trump once and for all to the parasitic and corrupt for-profit diploma mills that continue to prey on Americans' economic desperation.

Also thenaticalky ties back into the idea that Trump fleeces those who are too weak to fight back, like vendors and contractors.

Make Trump synonymous with someone who will fleece you and call it "good business."

[SHRED]

7. Don't forget labor outsourcing

His product lines abroad.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

16. Was he wearing one of his Mexico-made suits and/or China-made ties?

Make America (except Trump) Great Again!

[SHRED]

17. That's what she needs to ask when he goes off about jobs

[Bernardo de La Paz]

18. "Do you sell Chinese clothing because it is better than American made or cheaper?" . . . . . nt

[klook]

42. Correct, that's the winner.

Why did he decide to have his products manufactured in Chee-YI-nah, anyway? Make Yunnan Province great again!

[Sancho]

8. What about raping a 13 year old??

http://fusion.net/story/328522/donald-trump-accused-rape-sexual-assault/

Here are all the times Donald Trump has been accused of rape or attempted rape

[exboyfil]

27. That will be a surrogate's job to bring up

if Trump brings up Juanita Broderick during the debate.

I would use James Carville with the loudest megaphone he can find.

[postatomic]

9. I got the sense in the 1st Debate that they were testing the waters

To see how the Orange Blob would react to certain things. I think they have a real good sense of what kind of racist monster they are dealing with in a debate environment. Am I the only one that noticed that his face was becoming more and more flushed during #1? Maybe he'll 'stroke out' during Debate #2. Not that I would want anything bad to happen to him.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

19. Yes. Notice how she saved the Trumpian "Miss Housekeeping" till the end.

Needled him throughout to test reactions and then absolutely clobbered him at the end.

His flabbergasted response: Where did you get that? No denial -- in fact he doubled down and then today tripled down.

"Miss Piggy", "Miss Housekeeping".

[postatomic]

21. Yep

Noticed that. He became completely unhinged toward the end.

[Hekate]

25. DTs is bizarre.He called indozens of photographers to record her humiliation while he stood over her

And he asks where the Clinton campaign obtained this secret information?

[radius777]

32. that is classic Hillary, saving the best for last

get the hardest punches in near the end of the round, so the opponent doesn't have a chance to recover, and it stays in the mind of voters.

she is a great debater.

i didn't even think she was the best i've ever seen her, she seemed rusty at the beginning, where Trump got in a few shots on her (on trade especially).

there were debates (imo) against Obama and Bernie where she was even better.

and yet she still wiped the floor with Trump when all was said and done.

[justiceischeap]

10. I'm sure they have little tidbits set aside

that are meant to be little grenades. Feel like you're losing a round, drop a grenade. It's the easiest way to make him become unhinged and then she just sits back and shimmies.

[DownriverDem]

11. The Awesome Clinton Campaign Team

Having watched the Clintons in the 1990s, it is very clear that they know how to run a campaign. So many folks have been propagandized by the rabid RWNJ repub hate machine going back 25 years. I suspect that some folks were amazed at Hillary on Monday. They saw a prepared mature woman who is so ready to be President. No matter what some folks say, she will continue to move our country left. I sure hope folks wake up and realize voting 3rd party helps Trump. The next President will be either Trump or Hillary. If they truly do not want Trump, they must vote for Hillary.

[Jerry442]

12. What would have been the point of more bombshells in the debate?

Would have just been stirring the rubble.

[Moonwalk]

20. Totally agree! If you throw out too much, it all blends together...

Bring out one big thing at this moment or that when it will hurt, like a good roundhouse to the jaw or body blow. Not only will this throw Trump off/bring him down, but it will be memorable. And Hillary must make sure there are big, memorable hits here. She doesn't want to win for getting in the most blows. She's on stage being watched by the biggest audience ever; most of America. She wants to win by getting in the BEST blows. Because she not only has to prove herself better, more competent, etc. than Trump. She has prove she really is the BEST choice. That she is a winner, and worthy of taking that oval office seat after Obama.

This is actually a great opportunity for her to show that American can and should trust her. She is their champion.

[Auggie]

24. Exactly ...

there are undecided, independent and "protest" voters out there that could potentially be won over with continued exposure to positive, upbeat and solution-oriented rhetoric.

[Mamajami]

23. Stop it!!! Or you are going to scare him away.

[Fast Walker 52]

26. Also-- the Alt-Right Nazi stuff is potent too, IMO

[exboyfil]

28. I see Trump University and Trump Foundation

as counter punches for Laureate University and Clinton Foundation. Better to not go there unless brought up first.

[BlueMTexpat]

38. ?????

In what way(s) could these be considered "counterpunches" other than by RW outlets? Especially the Clinton Foundation?

False equivalency indeed.

You may have outed yourself.

[exboyfil]

39. What do you mean outed myself?

I am saying that Clinton bringing up the Clinton Foundation also opens up who the foundation received cash from and her interactions when she was Sec State with those donors, If Clinton starts by attacking the Trump foundation then he will respond with those questions. I think it is better for him to attack the foundation first, and then allow Clinton to counter with drawing comparisons between the two. It is a tactical decision which way to go. I think it is a winning issue especially allowing Clinton to draw parallels between what her foundation is doing (international aid) to Trump's foundation (illegal self dealing payoff to a state AG, purchase of sports memoabilia, large "charitable" contributions to nakedly political organizations).

If Trump or the moderator never brings it up, I think I would just let it lay there. Enough other low hanging fruit to attack.

A fair moderator would ask each candidate to explain their respective foundations and critique the behavior of the other. I probably would not ask the question myself because I think their are far more important issues right now to address.

[beachbumbob]

29. There are all sorts of miss piggy type stories out there....

What does trump have?.....Benghazi ...which means nothing to the voters he need to come to him.....email/server stuff...which means nothing for the voters he needs..bills infidelities...which mean nothing..


All trump has is red meat issues only his deplorable followers thirst for.....the voters he needs he keeps offending and driving to Hillary every time he talks

[ailsagirl]

30. She's far too bright to put all her eggs in one basket

[CanonRay]

31. They probably have stuff we've never heard of before

like Machado. I wonder if he'll show.

[radius777]

33. Modelgate may be one of the best

as far as moving the undecideds, apoliticals and millennials.

Because Trump's campaign is staked upon immigration issues and doing right by workers.

These were also young, vulnerable individuals that he exploited (was almost like a sweat shop) and abused, which ties in with the Machado story also.

[oasis]

35. K and R

[Maraya1969]

36. It's like shooting fish in a barrel

[classykaren]

37. Wait till it comes out he did business illegally with Cuba

[-Steph-]

40. There's enough material against Trump to drop new bombshells in a hundred more debates.

Trump is the gift that just keeps on giving.

[LeftRant]

41. To be fair, she had to wait for the right questions/moments to bring some of this stuff up.

But in any case, of course she kicked his arse