The Note: The Debate about the Debate

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September 27, 2016

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The Debate about the Debate

10 Moments that Mattered

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump ushered the 2016 presidential campaign into a new phase last night -- and they did it with plenty of barbs. The two candidates faced off in their first general election debate at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, in front of what was expected to be a historic number of television viewers. Here are 10 moments that mattered at the first general election presidential debate, courtesy of ABC's MEGHAN KENEALLY, SHUSHANNAH WALSHE, VERONICA STRACQUALURSI and RYAN STRUYK: http://abcn.ws/2cYL6aN

Fact Checking the Candidates

The candidates made charges about each others' records while defending their own careers and policy proposals. But were they always telling the truth? How often did Trump and Clinton spin facts to fit their arguments? ABC News fact-checked some of the most noteworthy claims made in the debate: http://abcn.ws/2cGQrno

Regrets? Trump Had a Few

During a phone interview this morning on "Fox and Friends," the hosts asked Trump if he had any regrets about his performance, notes ABC's CANDACE SMITH. "Do you regret not bringing up the emails as much? You brought it up at one point," host Ainsley Earhardt asked. She followed up by asking why he did not expand his attacks on Clinton's email server or the Clinton Foundation. "I would have liked to have done that," Trump responded. "But the question weren't – I mean, don't forget you are asked a question as to progress or something, and it's hard to get off to Benghazi sometimes the way the questions were framed. You know, you start off open a totally -- the opposite of Benghazi, and so Benghazi can't get brought up, but it was a very interesting evening. I thought it was good." http://abcn.ws/2dwfW9C

The Debate in a Minute

Courtesy of ABC's TOM THORNTON and ALI DUKAKIS: http://abcn.ws/2d5fhh9 Breaking down the debate's key moments with ABC's SHUSHANNAH WALSHE: http://abcn.ws/2dgKI4O

Analysis - ABC's Rick Klein

Clinton used the first presidential debate to launch a full frontal attack on Trump, baiting him into fights over his personal finances, taxes, sexism, race relations, business dealings and personal honesty. If Clinton came looking for a fight, she found it. Her aggressive tone drew Trump in. He attacked Clinton right back, showing flashes of anger that channeled public frustration, and also the coarser side of his public persona. It made for some lively exchanges, including several that brought an edge to Trump's tone. "She doesn't have the look," Trump said toward the end of the debate. "She doesn't have the stamina." Trump appeared rattled at times, particularly as the debate wore on. Yet his main attacks on Clinton were rooted in policy grounds, as he sought to give voice to public anger not just at Clinton but at the broader political class. http://abcn.ws/2cGY7pz