Live Blog: Showdown In Vegas
Posted: October 19, 2016 Filed under: U.S. Politics | Tags: Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Third presidential debate 2016 169 Comments
A pedestrian walks past the site for the third presidential debate between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016.
Good Evening!!
This is it–the final presidential debate in 2016. I expect Hillary to wipe the floor with Donald Trump tonight, and after that she will never have to share a stage with the “short-fingered vulgarian” again. She can move on to consolidating her voters in blue states and expanding the map to formerly red states like Arizona, Georgia, and Texas.
Hillary has spent the last five days doing debate prep while Donald Trump apparently has decided not to bother. He held rallies yesterday and the day before, and last night he mocked Clinton for taking time to prepare. I can’t find the transcript, but he claimed she was just lying in bed resting. I guess we’ll find out tonight who is ready and who is not.
For some strange reason, the Trump campaign has invited President Obama’s estranged half brother Malik Obama to the debate. Mediaite’s Alex Griswold: Trump’s Newest Debate Guest Appears to Support Terrorist Group Hamas, Abolition of Israel.
In a move apparently intend to troll the president, Donald Trump invited Barack Obama‘s half-brother Malik Obama to attend Wednesday’s night presidential debate. But Trump might have been unaware of Malik’s controversial support for anti-Israel terrorist groups.
In 2014, the Israeli press reported on the fact that Malik Obama was photographed wearing a red and white keffiyeh, which typically signifies support for Hamas rather than the more moderate Fatah. Emblazoned on the scarf were the slogans “Jerusalem is ours, we are coming,” and “From the river to the sea.” Both are popular chants used by the terrorist group.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was asked about this, and he said he couldn’t figure out what the point of this is.
“I have to admit, I really don’t know exactly what the intent is of this invitation, other than probably to get you guys to ask me about it,” he said. “But even then, I’m not really sure what goal that accomplishes. I guess you can check with the people who offered the invitation.”
Trump has also invited some women whose children were killed by illegal immigrants, Pat Smith, the estranged mother of a man killed in Benghazi, and a woman who was engaged to Ambassador Chris Stevens in for a short time in 1995. Josh Marshall’s reaction:
I was particularly struck when I saw Chris Stevens’ fiance mentioned. I didn’t know Chris Stevens had a fiance. And his family has been consistently and outspokenly opposed to the politicization of his death. Well, it turns out “Amb Chris Stevens’ fiance” is a bit of a stretch. Stevens and now-occasionally working French actress Lydie Denier were briefly engaged in 1995. What insight she has into his death seventeen years later other than self-promotion is a mystery.
I already noted the comedy of the Trump camp’s aggressiveness on this front since Hillary is fairly unflappable and it’s Trump who gets knocked off stride by the slightest provocation. But surveying this debate guest drama, what strikes me more than anything is that I cannot imagine anyone in the Clinton camp giving the slightest rat’s ass about any of this. This is no longer really about Clinton at all. It’s more like a ‘release all the animals from their cages in the menagerie’ freakout, go-for-broke primal scream inside the WND/Breitbart mind bubble. It’s operating entirely within that world. It doesn’t really connect up with anything outside of it. I’m not sure that’s even the intention.
Steve Bannon is warning that there will be other “surprises.” CNN Money reports:
According to Bannon, the news that President Obama’s Trump-supporting half-brother Malik Obama is attending Wednesday’s debate is “just an appetizer.”
Trump will be bringing guests who “expose Bill and Hillary’s sordid past,” Bannon told CNN as he arrived in Las Vegas for the debate late Tuesday night.When asked who comes up with the ideas to invite these guests, Bannon said, “We’re a team.”
Bannon, a longtime conservative media executive, was the chairman of the far-right Breitbart News until August, when he took leave from Breitbart to become the CEO of the Trump campaign….
Bannon said Trump is in good spirits heading into the debate — despite a huge deficit in national polls.
“Right now he really, really thinks he’s going to win,” Bannon said.
Okay. These folks really do live in an alternate reality.
More from Twitter:
Hillary has invited real billionaires Meg Whitman and Mark Cuban to the debate along with some people we saw at the Democratic convention and other Clinton appearances.
I think we all know what to expect from the debate tonight. Trump will be completely out of control because he knows he’s losing, despite what Steve Bannon says. I just hope the Secret Service keeps an eye on him. Still, here’s one of those articles telling us what could happen tonight.
The Washington Post: The presidential debate: Sexual assault claims, emails are expected to come up.
The Republican and Democratic presidential nominees will take the stage with distinct challenges. For Trump, the debate presents a gasping opportunity to stabilize his damaged campaign and to refute claims that he is unfit for office. Clinton, on the other hand, will seek to provide a positive vision of governance amid a deeply unpleasant election season that has often been consumed by Trump’s controversial rhetoric.
Chris Wallace of Fox News will moderate the forum, which is taking place at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. The 90-minute debate is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Eastern time and will be broadcast on most major networks and streamed on numerous websites, including washingtonpost.com.
Six topics will be the focus of the night, according to the Commission on Presidential Debates: immigration, the Supreme Court, the economy, national debt and entitlements, turmoil abroad and fitness for the presidency. But several dominant news stories will almost certainly take central importance.
Since the second presidential debate 10 days ago in St. Louis, a growing list of women have come forward to accuse Trump of sexual harassment and assault. Those revelations came after the release of a damaging 2005 “Access Hollywood” video in which Trump bragged about kissing and groping women against their will because of his celebrity status. Many of the women said that they were compelled to speak out after hearing Trump during the St. Louis debate deny that he had ever forced himself on women. He has denied the accusations.
Clinton is likely to face questions about a trove of hacked emails belonging to her campaign chairman, John Podesta, that were leaked by WikiLeaks. She will probably also face renewed questions about the FBI’s decision not to charge her with a crime for using a private email server during her tenure at the State Department.
Whatever.
I thought this piece at Politico was interesting: Republicans undercut Trump ahead of final debate.
With Trump trailing nationally and in a number of battleground state polls — and even Arizona — Clinton’s campaign is expecting Trump to deploy a scorched-earth approach to their Las Vegas bout. But fellow Republicans unexpectedly placed a rhetorical firewall around the real estate mogul.
Indeed, if Newt Gingrich stepped on Trump’s toes by inadvertently highlighting his thin skin as a weakness that “I hope he grows out of,” Marco Rubio and John Kasich then stomped on both of his feet.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a top Trump surrogate, dealt the first blow when he offered a candid assessment of Trump’s shortcomings, including an expansion on his notion of Big Trump, Little Trump.
“There’s a piece of his personality, which is very sensitive, particularly to anything which attacks his own sense of integrity or his own sense of respectability, and he reacts very intensely, almost uncontrollably, to those kinds of situations,” Gingrich acknowledged during an interview conducted Tuesday and published Wednesday with the Washington Examiner’s David Drucker.
“I think that’s a weakness,” he added. “I hope he grows out of it.”
“Grows out of it?” At age 70? I don’t think so.
In addition, Marco Rubio said that no one should be using the hacked emails given to Wikileaks by Russia to attack Clinton and both Kellyanne Conway and John Kasich said that Trump’s claims of a “rigged election” are ridiculous. Of course he won’t listen, but it’s still interesting. Click on the link above to read more.
Let’s support each other through this. I hope it won’t be as nightmarish as the second debate, but we’ll find out soon.
peej
Carissa
bostonboomer
ecocatwoman
mablue2
peggysue22
quixote
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
Making history tonight with my homemade chicken enchiladas………..and desert, snickers! I can’t wait for Hillary’s leadership to bring us all a better life!
I predict we, Trump will lose.
Sounds yummy!
I don’t have a knot in my stomach yet. I hope that’s a good sign.
Smiling……..we will win. I am watching, right now, msnbc. Mike Pence is being interviewed by Brian Williams, about honorable voters. If I remember right, he was the one suppressing the vote, when he seized 45,000 voter registration forms, mostly from black voters.
Boy, he drives me nuts.
Good Sign BB!
She’s going to whip him just by letting him be himself. She’s Ready!!!
Got my daughter’s Hillary Pop Vinyl at the ready…
Arrrrghhhhh! Wrong tweet. Sorry, let me try again.
Okay, here we go…
Bring it home baby!!!! Woo/Shimmy
Too cute
Yes, very cute.
Gotta love the YOUNG people they make us remember and that’s a good thing.
I love this one Mouse……gotta it going, feet and hands, and moving for Hill a ree. Luv it.
Get your Hillary Game face on Girls we’re going for the jugular tonight.
Whoo! Goddess I love this one.
I think Trump will show up with Lewinsky. We know he is that low. The question, is she that low.
Mercy.
Ready!
She’s wearing WHITE tonight.
Someone said on twitter that she is going for the Gandalf the White tonight…
Justice a living document vs Ginsberg said she was sorry. Trump pro life conservative, guns and oddly still a dead docUment.
I’m here. So glad this is the last debate. Go, Hillary!
Yup me too!!!!
Hey, I’m watching on CNN…and the debate commission is addressing the audience, they have people spread out throughout the audience in this debate? That one is new to me.
Hey Mink!
Hello….
Ready! Watching CSpan and the hobnobbing right now – my breath is somewhat shallow and I have to work on that. Hoping that the incense that I’m burning and the fresh air from 80 degree temps in NJ will help.
SkyDancers – holding hands! Let’s go! Hillary can do this!!
Hey Delphyne! That some heat in NY………..
I was just listening to Steve Schmidt give Mike Pence a piece of his mind, when it comes to “there is no proof of Russians” are involved. He told him, he couldn’t believe that Trump does not believe our US intelligence agencies. Couldn’t belive them, what the hell is wrong with you, some one with your back ground. Go Steve Schmidt.
I see Mike Pence is sitting next to Pat Smith, praying for her.
Just heard Trump refused to show up for the pre-debate walkthrough today.
Make room for me on the couch!!!
Wecome!
Our girl is wearing white!
It’s a gorgeous suit! Slightly military but really soft colour and cut!
Get him!
Hello! Ready for this one!
Trump already looking petulant. Hillary looking presidential. This is going to be fun.
Trump is trying to keep his facial expressions under control. LOL
He’s already wandering away from the question.
Narcissistic much?
And they didn’t shake hands and hello from the New Orleans for Hillary watch party from me and my kids!!!
Trump complains about Ruth Bader Ginzberg’s remarks about him.
Yeah, wtf? Donald does not answer the question…starts to rag on #notoriousRBG Trump you are an idiot!
Nominate, not appoint……..Got that Trump?
Like he has ever read the constituion!
Oh oh, she is calling him Donald.
Trump did not have caffeine today.
Trump had no idea what to say in response to that question on the 2nd amendment.
Guns Clinton respects gun ownership, but regulated. Background check loopholes. Geez Donald what a stupid answer?..Hillary was angry?…
Chicago doesn’t have the strongest anti-gun laws in the country, Donald. And they tried, but SCOTUS wouldn’t let them do that.
He’s a liar of yuge proportions!
Trump you are running for President, not King. You will not be appointing anyone, you will nominate.
Love this Fannie. Had to tweet it.
Trump won’t say that he wants to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Thank God they ate addressing the abortion issue.
Clinton: I will defend Rove V. Wade, I will defend Planned Parenthood.
Trump reaching for water.
I can’t believe they are actually discussing abortion! Finally!
Pro life. Trump do you want to overturn RoeVWade or not? Clinton it isn’t just RoeV Wade, its planned parenthood and late term…Go Hillary!
He will never ever face this decision.
No, Melania would have to attend to that herself.
If I could stand right now, I’d be standing and cheering!
She is looking so strong and thoughtful and smart!
Immigration…build a wall deportation vs no wall and pathway to citizenship.
Here he goes with his guests and the fear mongering.
ICE never endorsed him. Liar!
He’s burying himself “rip out the baby” on the last 2 days of her 9th month. He will appoint pro life judges!
OMG the WALL
Sniff, sniff, sniff.
The heroin in NH comes in through Canada, not Mexico. What a doofus.
He is not coherent. sniff.
“We have some bad hombres!”
He’s sniffing again!
I know. As soon as he started drinking water.
Omg he just said bad hombres.
Lordy………one of our biggest problems is heroin, sniff, snort, sniff. WTF?
https://twitter.com/laurahodi/status/788913236385169409
Alex Baldwin has him down pat!
☺
Hillz says Trump “choked” when talking to Mexican Pres.!
Clinton I don’t want to rip families apart, or have a massive military response.
She’s getting under his skin brilliantly.
It’s warming up. She baited him and he took it.
Hills is eating his lunch so far.
And smiling the entire time
This is good
Overall we are being subjected to a logical discussion versus an coherent tirade.
B I G L Y???
Open borders on wiki leaks was about an energy grid, not people. And omg why are you allowing Russia to influence this election?
I’m watching on delay, so I’m still seeing the abortion question. But I have to say I like this format where they are each getting a turn to talk. Although lol — I was just thinking that at least he’s not sniffing — then I came here and read all the comments! Maybe he has a deviated septum or something.
He is getting rattled.
I was hoping for real information not another brawl
She let him run with Putin. Puppetry
Burn! Putin puppet!!
Lol!
Hillary is on fire!!
Why is he still defending Putin?
Get under his skin………..Trump our Country Don’t Know! Watch him.
Trump still defending Putin. Unbelievable.
Oh god. How can this continue.
Here he goes…WRONG
He denying his own words again.
I have never seen this ever.
He is losing it. He just makes things up and presses stupid positions.
Japan endorsed him? Did he say that?
Clinton is doing a good job of setting him on his heels.
He is incapable of hiding his hatred of her. Amazing.
He is being hung by his own smart-a$$ed comments.
He is interrupting again. Starting to make those strange faces.
Trump has not accomplished anything yet.
Is there any doubt she has a plan? Is there no doubt about his lack of one? Oh geez we are going to tallk about NATO on the economy question?
Here he goes: patting himself on the back.
It’s a knock out, Hillary knocked his socks off. Give him another right, hard, knock him on his ass. He can’t give it up, he is going back to Japan, and he is blowing it big time.
Its a cartoon of Republican dogma. Trying to make sense of curdled milk ripples on sand.
Obama inherited a mess and we all know it.
WE ARE STILL AT WAR
China is not growing anywhere near 8% now…………I’ll fact check later.
I am surprised at Chris Wallace. Thought he would be more pro Trump. So far he had been somewhat balanced.
I was thinking the same thing.
I agree.
Misleading on the economy. Ours is one of the strongest int he world. Nafta did not cause factory closings he is referring to.
Go Hillary! 30 years!
It’s your fault Hillary that I am buying steel from China! WTF?
I know.
Hear, hear Hillary!
In case anyone doesn’t know chinese steel is often problematic because it can be our below building standards when it gets here and has to be junked.
I’ve been on three hospital jobs here in the Bay Area where they had to rip it out.
Kicking his a$$ some more.
Oh fuck yeah Hillary!
He hasn’t’ t paid taxes in 20 years nor donated to charity.
Hillary…now hit him with the tax return.
He is absolutely nuts!!
For real, it’s like the Caine Mutiny. It was the strawberries!
Lol!
The defection to her campaign will backfire on him big time.
Damn liar, his wife said he apologized to her………he said he didn’t because he didn’t even know them.
Conspiracy bullshit, has proved it not true.
MOST IMPORTANT THING IS HE NEVER APOLOGIZED TO NANCY O’DELL, THE WOMAN HE WAS TALKING ABOUT!!!!!
Smug bastard. He can’t stop himself.
OMG! He is the WORST!!!!!!
Love how the audience laughed.
Hills never mentioned Bill, by the way.
Let’s see.
Does he hear how desperate and petty he sounds?
She needs to shut this down.
Listen to who is talking about “criminal”? Trump University as one example.
Trump thinks visiting Little Haiti in FL is the same as visiting Haiti.
He ain’t been to no damned Little Haiti.
Haiti hates the Clintons? News to me.
I have been getting posts not to send money to the Red Cross.
He is so proud of not having paid taxes. Sick.
He still needs to release the returns even if the deductions were legal.
What a petulant son of a b I t c h.
She certainly has more stamina to finish this than I have to stand it. I’m in a stunned puddle.
HOLY FRACKING CRAP! He said he will look at it at the time????
WTMFingH
Unbelievable!
I know. The Oath Keepers must be thrilled.
Good for her..uphold US democracy!
I was shocked that he said that.
His supporters are morons.
one two punch
I put up a fresh thread, so come on up!
Even Mini-Mike Wallace is stunned at what a bat-crap idiot Trump is.
We are still at war in the same place with the same people. Trump. Yada, yada, yada. I don’t even know what he is saying. Am I really listening to a second grade story teller?
Incoherent orange turd with a brillo on his head.
He is ranting raving and losing like a bitch!!!
Ron.. there’s a new thread.. everyone please join in on new thread.
Bush made the agreement to pull out of Mosul
Go on Trump, let them all get slaughtered in Aleppo…………….good god almighty, here we go!
New thread.
Freakin volcano here.