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Professor, College Dems. and Repubs. reflect on presidential debate

September 27, 2016
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during his campaign rally on Aug. 19, 2016 at the Summit Sports and Ice Complex in Dimondale, Mich. Trump spoke out to the African American community, asking for their vote and said "What do you have to lose?"
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during his campaign rally on Aug. 19, 2016 at the Summit Sports and Ice Complex in Dimondale, Mich. Trump spoke out to the African American community, asking for their vote and said "What do you have to lose?"

The first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump was held Monday night.

According to a Twitter poll by The State News, which had 668 people participate at approximately 11:35 a.m. Tuesday, 74 percent of people believe Clinton won the debate, while 26 percent believe Trump won.

"I think it proved that Hillary Clinton is the clear choice to be the next president of the United States,” President of MSU College Democrats Daniel Eggerding said.

Associate professor of constitutional democracy Ben Kleinerman agreed with those who participated in the poll and said Clinton came off as poised and in control, while Trump came off as whiney.

Secretary of the MSU College Republicans Noelle Cohn said she didn't think there was a winner of the debate.

“Trump won the business and Clinton won the foreign policy,” Cohn said.

Kleinerman said it was unusual how little "actual policy" was talked about during the debate.

Foreign policy will be a huge factor in who wins the election, Cohn said. Eggerding said he thinks Clinton has the edge over Trump as far as experience goes.

“(Trump) lacks experience in policy, having a little political experience is necessary to be the next president," Eggerding said. "(Clinton) is the only candidate with policy proposals."

Although Cohn is a member of the MSU College Republicans, she said she is skeptical of some of Trump's ideas after the debate.

"I’m skeptical about his tax plan," Cohn said. "An incredibly low tax can be detrimental, especially since no one talked about spending cuts."

Eggerding said he is fully supporting Clinton.

"I think (everyone) needs a president that they can look up to and not be afraid,” Eggerding said.

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