Trump v Clinton debate: the verdict by Paul Kelly, The Australian’s editor-at-large

Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton with Republican nominee Donald Trump during the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.

Donald Trump came across as an assertive, strong and populist candidate but the longer the debate lasted the better and more reliable Hillary Clinton looked and the more the focus fell on Trump’s flaws. Clinton won on points — just.

Trump’s flaw was obvious — it was his character, the secrecy about his tax returns, his unacceptable comments about women, his obsessive bragging. Trump made an elementary mistake in debating technique: he kept talking about his weaknesses. It was a shocking blunder.

Trump started brilliantly. He won the first 30 minutes on the economy. That was a frightening phase for Clinton as the candidates took the debate away from the host, Lester Holt and engaged in repeated exchanges. Clinton looked weak and outmuscled by Trump’s aggressive (often inaccurate) populist, protectionist claims about the economy — that Mexico and China were stealing US jobs and companies, that the trade deals were a disaster, that “our country is in deep trouble.” The lesson for Clinton is to get her lines better on the economy.

As the debate continued Trump talked more about himself rather than the American people. His central campaign theme that “I will make America great again” was grossly under done. That was a misjudgment.

Trump nailed Clinton to an extent as the candidate of the status quo — saying at one point she was “all talk, no action” — but he failed to sustain that attack through the debate, another opportunity he failed to maximise.

Clinton began her recovery on Trump’s tax returns. She hurt him hard saying “there’s something he’s hiding.”

From that point he lost on a series of personal issues — his record on racial discrimination, his claim that President Obama wasn’t born in the country, his cover-up about his position on the Iraq war and his weakness on the nuclear issues.

Clinton had a win at the end when she turned around his claim that she didn’t have the stamina. In fact, she had the superior stamina and grace in this debate.

This debate won’t settle the issue. Trump remains on his feet. He hasn’t been knocked out. Many of his supporters will take heart – Trump proved that he can get on top of Clinton. While Clinton looked more measured, competent and presidential that may be a false measure in these strange times.

If you are dissatisfied with the US status quo then Trump came across as a man willing to challenge and change the system. When he hit this note, he was stunningly effective. The campaign has a long way to run.