#pnut4prez: Such A Nasty Debate

Finally, it’s over. No more rude interruptions, stalking, shimmying, and sniffling. We did it, team. We got through this together.

Last night’s debate retained all the not-so-endearing hallmarks of the first two, replete with vague economic policies and speculation on whether the election is rigged. Donald Trump kicked things off with a strong start, initially remaining calm and giving viewers a sense that he may have actually prepared this time, even putting Hillary Clinton in the hot seat. He clearly did some research, but it was almost exclusively from the hacked emails that Wikileaks released. Sure, Ecuador cut off internet access for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange over fears of the hacked files interfering with the US election, but sensitive intelligence is totally appropriate for an internationally televised debate. 

Just when we started to think we were in for a civil conversation, moderator Chris Wallace said the word “immigration.” Once again, all hell broke loose. Donald Trump reached new levels of offense by saying “we have some bad hombres here,” not-so-subtly referring to Mexican immigrants and his planned wall. While Clinton tried to keep her cool and responded, “I don’t want to see the deportation force that Donald has talked about,” Twitter erupted into a cornucopia of memes. Then there was the one-two punch of Trump assuring that “nobody has more respect for women” than he does and then immediately proving that by saying Hillary Clinton is “such a nasty woman.” 

Still, none of the name-calling compared to a terrifying civics lesson that moderator Chris Wallace had to deliver to Trump, after he suggested that he would contest the elections if he doesn’t win the Presidency. Clinton rightfully called his refusal horrifying and Wallace tried his best to explain to Trump that the US has a proud history of peaceful transitions of power. Although not an outright promise of mutiny, it is an ominous sign that our worst nightmare is coming true: this election will never end. 

Pnutty Read: The 6 Biggest Moments From The Final Presidential Debate