Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 09:09 pm
The Commander-in-Chief forum that aired on NBC on Wednesday night gave each candidate a chance to show off their knowledge about foreign policy and explain their plans about how to combat various threats facing the world.
It was an opportunity for both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to pass the all-important commander-in-chief test. On that score, Clinton excelled and Trump bombed.
When confronted with questions from the audience, Clinton regularly interacted with the questioners, expressed appreciation for their service, showed steadiness, and offered substantive responses.
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Not every wound can be seen. Our veterans deserve the best mental health services we can give. #NBCNewsForum pic.twitter.com/vHoPy09BvC
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 8, 2016
The former Secretary of State laid out her multi-pronged approach to defeating ISIS, whether it’s through the air, on the ground, or over the internet. She also reiterated her support of legislation that would bar terror suspects from purchasing firearms.
We’ve got to have an intelligence surge. @HillaryClinton #NBCNewsForum #IAVAforum pic.twitter.com/zCCa9bDp6x
— Barrier Breakers (@nobarriers2016) September 8, 2016
Clinton discussed how she would respond to the problem of addiction and suicide among American veterans, saying it’s important to remove the “stigma” that exists around mental health issues.
WATCH: Clinton addresses addiction and suicide among members of the military and veterans #NBCNewsForum https://t.co/T42PSEperA
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 8, 2016
Trump, on the other hand, spent much of the exchange repeating the same worn Trumpisms that helped him win the Republican nomination: He knows more about ISIS than the generals, Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton are bad, and his business experience qualifies him to be commander-in-chief.
When asked what best prepares him to send men and women into harm’s way, Trump responded – with a straight face – by saying he has “called so many of the shots.” It’s unclear what shots Trump has called in the foreign policy arena.
Here’s what Donald Trump says has best prepared him to be president #NBCNewsForum https://t.co/rorQJLjRB8
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 8, 2016
Trump claimed that he knows what is “going on” in the word, but in the past he has said that he consults himself and “the shows” when it comes to foreign policy – not a very good gameplan for understanding international affairs.
Trump also questioned the performance of U.S. military generals simply because they have served under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The GOP nominee said they “have been reduced to rubble.”
Trump says “the generals have been reduced to rubble” under the leadership of Obama and Clinton #NBCNewsForum https://t.co/aPozD1hdKN
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 8, 2016
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a discussion with Donald Trump if he didn’t also praise Vladimir Putin, even suggesting that Putin is a strong leader because he has high poll numbers.
Trump saying that Putin has been “far more [of a leader] than our President has been” was absolutely disgusting. pic.twitter.com/z3vTBu7VmN
— Alan Kestrel (@AlanKestrel750) September 8, 2016
By the end of the hour-long program, the contrast between the two candidates couldn’t have been clearer.
While Hillary Clinton came off as prepared and presidential, often focusing on issues instead of attacks, Trump showed himself as an empty suit more willing to insult his opponents and pat himself on the back than actually show that he is ready to be commander-in-chief.
His answers were often hollow and lacking in substance, while Clinton’s firm grasp of the issues was evident in her more thorough responses.
The forum gave voters the closest thing yet to a debate between the two candidates, and the Democratic nominee proved she is best prepared to lead the country.
Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
