282: Businessman Donald Trump(R-NY)/Sen. Joni Ernst(R-IA) - 50.0%
256: Fmr. Sec. & Sen. Hillary Clinton(D-NY)/Mayor Eric Garcetti(D-CA) - 47.4%
Other: 2.5%
Trump is almost rolled out in the first general debate as Clinton parries nearly every thrust and is confident the entire time. He makes an amazing closing statement in which he demands Hillary Clinton either protect the status quo hurting "smart, everyday Americans - Hispanic, black or white - rich or poor - man or woman" or concede the race to a candidate who will "get things done to better everyone." This rebounds the debate into a narrow Clinton victory[48-40-10]. Trump wounds her on economics with a sound and small constant attack or fake[54-40-5]. On foreign policy, Trump's best line is in the last fifteen minutes. He asks Hillary of she can defend the Iraq War. She answers no, and he says, "Neither can I." Will you defend Obama's "pragmatic" policies which have left us hurting? No. "I can to other nations." Trump replies. "How, then can you defend America around the world from evil, evil people like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-Un? You can't." [49-40-5]. Joni Ernst successfully rallies America and remains positive against Garcetti[53-40-6], but ends up bettering him with what she calls "The Broad Vision of America."
With unemployment at 5.8% and Obama's approval rating at 44-53, the advertising campaigns mostly focus on positive forces. Vice President Joe Biden and Howard Dean are the main high points of the Democratic Convention while Jim Webb, John Kasich and Condoleeza Rice light up and invigorate the Republican Convention.
Clinton easily differentiates from Obama except on foreign policy, but Illinois is decided by less than eight points. Mark Kirk triumphs over Duckworth 49.5%-48.9%, and Kelly Ayotte wins 49.9%-48.0%. Bennett is defeated by Josh Penry while Catherine Masto narrowly beats Brian Krolicki.
Good job! But Clinton won VA and Trump won ME-02.
