The first Presidential debate was essential viewing for staff and academics at Sydney University’s US Studies Centre on Monday.
And as the battle between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump came to an end, colleagues declared Hillary Clinton the narrow winner; but some said it wasn't enough to topple the Donald Trump juggernaut.
Research Director James Brown said he believed Trump "took some bruises", but was still standing.
"Well this was Hillary Clinton's debate to lose,” Mr Brown told SBS.
“(There was) a lot of expectation on her to pierce the Trump bubble, to bring the debate back to reality. And I don't think she did that. Trump took some bruises, but he’s still moving and he’s still talking.”
US Studies Centre Research Director James Brown told SBS the US campaign has become "more and more of a bar fight". (SBS News) Source: SBS
But Dr Sarah Graham partially disagrees with her colleague. She said Hillary Clinton was the clear victor, and dealt Donald Trump a series of telling blows.
“She held her own, she didn’t get trapped into any strong narratives on untrustworthiness. I think she dealt with her email issues quite well.” Dr Graham said.
"I think she looked very confident. I think she responded to some of Trump's barbs with humour, which is the appropriate response to kind of deflate him."
Where did Trump win and lose?
There was a consensus though on two issues where Trump succeeded: the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and raising doubts about Clinton's suitability.
Dr Graham said his stance on race relations, and connecting with the middle class and women, were his weak points.
"His kind of boasting about his own income and that kind of stuff, I think that comes across pretty arrogantly for undecided voters," she said.
Dr Sarah Graham believes Hillary Clinton was the clear winner of the first presidential debate. (SBS News) Source: SBS
James Brown believes a change in strategy ultimately cost the Republican nominee.
"He was subdued in the first half of the debate, and I think that was deliberate - trying to appear more Presidential,” he said.
“The second half of the debate we saw him ranting and losing a bit of control."
“I thought also Donald Trump looked disappointed coming out of it, so that was another indication for me that I think he felt he didn’t live up to expectations,” Dr Graham added.
Where to ahead of the second debate?
Both nominees will be desperate for both control and momentum going into the second debate. The stakes for which, experts say, have now been raised even higher.
“This campaign is becoming more and more of a bar fight. I’m not sure whether that will work in the second debate,” James Brown said.
“I’m not laughing during this debate and that’s for very good reason. Trump is a more real prospect I think than people in Australia want to acknowledge.”
