Sunday’s debate may give Trump a few days of positive press if he keeps his composure and doesn’t insult too many people in the room or at home watching. It won’t help because all indicators are pointing toward a state of electoral critical mass that has been achieved by the Clinton campaign. The poll numbers from Ohio that came out today are a really bad omen for what lay ahead for Trump.
Nothing clears the decks of a sinking ship like the smell of defeat. The rotting stench of a lost cause has become more and more inevitable with each passing day. The media has already started to move and protect what’s left of its reputation, maybe even recognizing their part in bringing America to the brink of crisis.
If you have been watching the Trump surrogates post debate, you can see in their eyes that they know it’s done and are doing just enough spinning to keep the checks coming. One day it’ll be just Rudy flailing about with spittle in the corners of his mouth, stuporously repeating the words “her emails, her emails, her emails”. After all, he has nothing to lose. In his mind he will always be America’s Mayor.
If this post sounds like a post mortem for the Trump campaign, it is. Having worked on campaigns I can tell you that there comes a moment when the candidate and their top staff know it’s over. That time has arrived for the Trump campaign. The winning team also knows and you may have begun to notice a slight tactical shift on the part of the Clinton campaign. Right now they are acting to secure as big a win as possible which is why the dream team of Clinton surrogates are out there pushing hard. If they can get to an 8 point margin, over 50% and a 320 electoral map it will pretty much guarantee a majority in the Senate.
Legislators care about the size of victory much more than the public might realize. It’s the leading indicator of a President’s influence with the public. You may have noticed that Obama’s high approval numbers have allowed him to strut a bit and a congress that is less inclined to criticize him publicly.
The Clinton’s scare Washington, they know all its secrets. They don’t have any illusions about changing it or becoming more a conciliatory place following defeat. They watched a congress under Obama that was willing to let the country implode so that it's scurrilous members could take advantage of the destruction to secure more power. Well they have met their match in the Clintons this time around. They are back and they’re pissed. Man is this going to be fun to watch!