Hillary Clinton Has Some Thoughts About That Debate
During the first presidential debate in 2016, Donald Trump repeatedly interrupted Hillary Clinton and raised his voice to accuse her of lacking the “stamina” necessary to be commander-in-chief. He also blamed
Clinton for igniting the rumor that Barack Obama was not born in the U.S. and threatened to say something "extremely rough to Hillary and her family."
If you tuned in to last night's "debate," if you can even call it that, you'll know Trump's strategy hasn't evolved much over the last four years. Right now, more than 200,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 and record-breaking wildfires and hurricanes are devastating the country. But instead of a serious conversation about the crises, the president delivered a masterclass in petulance.
Described by commentators as a "chaotic disaster" and "the worst presidential debate in American history," the 90-minute melee consisted almost entirely of Trump shouting nothings over both Joe Biden and moderator Chris Wallace.
In a tweet, ELLE contributor Jill Filipovic pondered what was going through Clinton's mind, especially when Biden told Trump to, "shut up, man." (Which, by the way, you can now get printed on t-shirt.)
"I so feel for Hillary right now," Filipovic tweeted, "because I’m positive she wanted to say that and couldn’t."
Clinton replied to her: "You have no idea."
You have no idea.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 30, 2020
Though Clinton remained relatively quiet otherwise, she did send out one other tweet during the debate. It was in response to former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg's husband, Chasten Buttigieg, who asked, "Has anyone checked in on @HillaryClinton? Girl I’m so sorry."
"Thanks, I’m fine," Clinton responded. "But everyone better vote."
Thanks, I’m fine. But everyone better vote. https://t.co/fkuQ042HvM
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 30, 2020
The morning after what CNN's Jake Tapper called a "hot mess inside a dumpster fire inside a train wreck" of a debate, Clinton again implored Americans to vote.
"Trump isn't running against @JoeBiden. He's running against our democracy," she tweeted. "Recognize this threat. Call it what it is. Turn out in overwhelming numbers. Let's stop him, together."
Trump isn't running against @JoeBiden. He's running against our democracy.
Recognize this threat. Call it what it is.
Turn out in overwhelming numbers.
Let's stop him, together.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 30, 2020
Clinton endorsed Biden back in April, describing him as a "friend" who has been "preparing for this moment his entire life." She's also been vocal about her continuing disdain for Trump, last year calling him a “clear and present danger” to the U.S.
"We’re in a real struggle with a form of politics that is incredibly negative, exclusive, and mean-spirited," she said during an appearance to promote her Hulu docuseries, Hillary, in January. "It’s going to be up to every voter... to recognize that this is no ordinary time.”