Trump’s Pussy Tape Stress Test

The second American presidential debate was not particularly uplifting. It was a bizarre fight that was not about the question: Who has the best plans regarding the future of the United States? The debate was about a different subject: Who is best at holding their own in the face of uncomfortable revelations? After fact-free politics, in comes idea-free politics.

Shortly after his “pussy tape” was revealed, Donald Trump had but one job: He had to survive; his whole campaign was hanging by a thread. His derogatory remarks about women have — 30 days prior to the elections — caused prominent Republicans to drop their support. Running mate Mike Pence even had to take a timeout from the campaign to recover from his boss’s stance on women — a well-known characteristic of Trump that Pence previously would have gladly overlooked.

Hillary Clinton had to find a way to deal with an opponent who changed from an unpredictable player of anti-establishment feelings, to a dangerous, wounded, predator. And on top of that there was also the email controversy, which demonstrates that when it concerns well-paid speeches for bankers she talks in more positive terms about regulations and trade agreements than she does in public – an American turn on “bullshitting on the left, profiteering on the right.”

Trump pulled out all the stops in order to provoke Clinton. His remark that he, as president, will make sure that she ends up in prison, was an absolute low in the campaign, only surpassed by his statement that Clinton is filled with hatred.

Trump was villainous, indecent even, but managed to hold his own. Clinton kept laughing, answered the audience’s questions and tried to present herself as the candidate for all Americans. She got caught in the matter of free trade, but she did not lower herself to Trump’s level.

The debate was a stress test. The candidates resisted the moment’s pressure. He was ruthless; she did not rise to the bait. This match, too, was more than just entertainment; it was informative, with Trump once again being the brawler voicing an aversion to the elite. Admittedly, he apologized for his hostile remarks about women, but he did this in such a way that men with similar views will still consider him a buddy. Clinton remained the cool professional who knows the files, but she did not shake off the allegation that in her pursuit of power she sometimes goes too far. The result of the debate is that the choice Americans will have to make has become even clearer: the crude agitator versus the slightly too cold professional.