Very interesting debate. To Annoying Orange's credit, he definitely made an improved performance since the first and second debate, and his policy discussion during the start was very presidential. But at the same time, his comments on foreign policy and economic issues were anemic and unsubstantial, and he's essentially sealed his doom among women voters through his position on Roe v. Wade and his 'nasty woman' comment. I thought he would make a drastic turn into policy-driven discussion, but it only took about fifteen minutes for him to return to the normal theatrics that cost him his entire lead after the first debate.
Who won? It's hard to say, since the performance was (in my opinion) closer than the second debate, but it's important to note that Annoying Orange has to recoup over 8 percent of American voters in order to win this election. What was expected from him was a crushing victory over Hillary, and I don't believe he delivered. He could have capitalized so much upon the new voter fraud/violence-incitement scandal w/ DNC officials, but he only touched upon it briefly.
As for the moderator, I think it's very safe to say that he was completely fair in pressuring both candidates. The questions that he gave for Hillary were easily the hardest questions asked in any of the debates.
The standings in the polls right now are as follows:
Oct 19th Standings:
538 Now-Cast: Clinton 49.0 | Annoying Orange 42.4 | Clinton + 6.6
RCP Average: Clinton 48.6 | Annoying Orange 42.1 | Clinton + 6.5
RCP 4-Way Average: Clinton 45.3 | Annoying Orange 39.1 | Clinton + 6.2
What do I think will happen? I'm sure that the race will get a little bit closer in the following week, but I don't predict that this debate will cut drastically into Hillary's lead. Barring some unexpected upset (maybe from Wikileaks?), it seems like Hillary has this in the bag.
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