Maybe it was the small stage, the lack of TV commercials. Maybe the two most unpopular major-party nominees in modern times had reason to behave. Maybe NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt is a sedative. (Bottle that, Comcast, and sell it.)
For whatever reason, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump came to Hofstra University well-prepped. They exercised surprising self-control. For the most part, they cleared the admittedly low bar for 2016 presidential campaign discourse.
Who would've thought their first encounter would be ... almost soothing? Here is my report card:
Policy knowledge
Clinton: A-minus
When Trump dinged her for staying off the campaign trail a lot, Clinton pounced, reeling off a clearly rehearsed line that defended her extensive debate prep. "I prepared to be president _ and I think that's a good thing," she jabbed. And it's true. She knows a lot.
Trump: C-plus
Trump lamented the status quo as awful _ the job of every out-party's nominee. But he spent too much time on defense. On trade, he had a thorough answer. But on everything else, he missed a chance to show he knows the issues.
Showmanship
Clinton: B
After Trump said he had a great temperament, Clinton let out a little "ooh" and shimmied. It was a bit much. Mostly, though, she seized on the split screen's simultaneous views of the two to great advantage: She smiled, rocked slightly and, when Trump denied his previous support for the second war in Iraq, she stared straight ahead without blinking.
Trump: C
Trump's game plan put him so at odds with himself _ act presidential, but also go get her _ that at times it was hard to figure out who was speaking, he or former Fox News executive Roger Ailes, who coached him. His hardest shot came at the end, noting that with all of her ad blitzes, Clinton simply can't put him away.
Treatment of opponent
Clinton: B-minus
You knew Clinton would reiterate how Trump, in past public comments, has disrespected women. But she awkwardly shoehorned it in after he questioned her physical stamina. It was at odds with her otherwise strong performance at self-restraint.
Trump: A-minus
He dropped the moniker "Crooked Hillary," calling his opponent Secretary Clinton. He did stick by his claim she doesn't "look" presidential. But Trump avoided mention of Bill Clinton's sex scandals. In defending his past "birther" views about President Barack Obama, he scored with this retort: "When you try to act holier than thou, it doesn't work."
