Reagan destroyed Carter in debate.
The reason is that "debates" are not real debates. My wife is a former college debater and knows what a real debate is. What passes for "debates" are really little more than joint press conferences.
Reagan was intellectually lazy, and he demolished Carter because the debates aren't quiz shows. His "There you go again!" line was devastating. It took a minimal amount of intellectual effort and policy wonkishness to deliver, and it ended Carter's chances for re-election; he was in it up until that debate.
Hillary is more of a political animal than Carter ever was, but she doesn't have the supply of trust at a personal level as Carter did. To the end, most folks viewed Carter as a honest and decent man of integrity, even if they didn't think much else of him than that. Hillary doesn't have that reservoir, and will be more vulnerable to Trump's attacks. People will not feel sorry for Hillary when the mud starts flying, and it WILL fly in both directions.
Whatever the outcome of the election, I'm predicting that Trump "wins" the debates. He will gain more and lose less in them than Hillary will.
No, because Hillary won't care about appearing nice. The GOPers were scared of Trump and pissing off his "legions" Hillary isn't. Reagan was a competent media performer and could speak to policy, Trump can't and Hillary will call his bull****.
I've said from day one, if there's anyone who isn't afraid of Trump, you know who it is.
Poll
