Final Presidential Debate Widens Divide Among Voters

Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton went at it one more time before the November 8 election.

AP: Mark Ralston

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump debate during the third presidential debate at UNLV in Las Vegas, Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump debated with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for the third and final time of the election season Wednesday night at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Clinton came into this debate with a commanding lead in the polls and most had thoughts that Trump would need a miracle to come back and win.

For some however, the final debate did very little for both the campaigns of Trump and Clinton.

“Trump is the worst choice for the Republican Party,” sophomore Josh Lahti said. “I think he did awfully at the debate because he came across as rude and unpresidential.”

Although Trump’s performance was considered “unpresidential” by some, according to pollster Frank Luntz’s focus group, Trump had a 14 to 12 advantage. In other poll results conducted by 270 To Win, Clinton continues to clinch the battlegrounds states of Ohio, Florida, Iowa and Nevada through a small margin of opportunity, giving Trump a chance to gain back support in these last 18 days before the election. The states of Ohio and Florida are arguably the most important to win, explaining why both candidates spend a majority of their time campaigning in these states. The winner of Ohio has won every election since 1960, Bill Clinton being the only exception in his 1992 presidential win.

During a large part of the debate, Clinton pushed offences towards Trump for his lewd comments toward women while Trump attacked Clinton on her email scandal. This led to a flurry of uncivil retorts from both candidates, supplementing the already heated debate scene of the last three weeks. With Trump and Clinton both poised to attack the other, many voters have an unpleasant view of both candidates.

“Personally, I feel as if we are doomed with either candidate,” junior Drayvin Naramore said.

Although the candidates may seem unreliable or poor choices as possible leaders of the United States, it is important as a citizen to take up the American rights granted, and to cast a vote on who will be the best option for the future of our country. Register to vote by November 8, and attend the local voting centers in Lake County to participate in the outcomes of this national election.