Republican National Committee officials admitted in a memo sent Thursday that Hillary Clinton’s debate experience will give her a “significant advantage” over Donald Trump in the first presidential debate, while also setting expectations that could benefit her opponent.
“Clinton is a career politician who has spent years sharpening her debate reflexes and beefing up on public policy. Donald Trump is new to the format,” wrote senior RNC strategist Sean Spicer. “Aside from the primary debates, Trump’s lack of formal, political, one-on-one debate experience gives Clinton a significant advantage.”
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Spicer acknowledged that Clinton has a resume full of “adroit” debate performances from both her 2008 primary campaign against then-Sen. Barack Obama and her campaigns for the U.S. Senate in 2000 and 2006.
“She knows how to debate, and by all accounts, she is a methodical and intense consumer of information in her preparations beforehand,” he said, citing several comments Clinton allies have made about the former secretary of state’s debate skills.
“Few are expecting the same level of polish from a verbal gunslinger whose rhetorical strength is speaking to the heart – and the gut – of the American people,” Spicer said in reference to Trump.
But even with Trump entering the first debate Monday night with less experience and having done less preparation, Spicer suggested the focus will be on whether Clinton can “live up to her reputation as a talented debater at a time when millions of undecided voters will be glued to their screens.”
“With so much riding on this moment and a wealth of experience working in her favor, Hillary Clinton has no excuse not to turn in a near-flawless performance,” he said.
The first debate is set to be held in Hempstead, N.Y., and will focus on three topics — “America’s direction,” “achieving prosperity” and “securing America” — chosen earlier this week by the moderator, NBC’s Lester Holt.
