No Knockout Benefits Hillary

Good Monday to you, Friends,

Why is it that Hillary Clinton didn't finish Donald Trump off last night?

Despite what any of the spin says, Hillary had complete control over last night's 'town meeting' debate. She was again poised, prepared, calm and relaxed and Snorting Donald came into the debate more damaged than he'd been in the entire campaign.

Trump went on several rambles, and never showed any remorse or genuine apology over his admission to repeated sexual assault in the now well-known Access Hollywood outtake video that dropped on Friday.

He doubled down on calling his disgusting recorded remarks "locker room talk."

In those remarks, Trump boasted that his celebrity gave him a pass to grab a woman's "pussy," among other sexual privileges.

The tape has been the most damning glimpse into Trump's true depravity and misogyny because it was the only instance to date where he didn't know he was being recorded.

Many Republicans were expecting a genuine apology and some contrition from their candidate. They didn't get either.

Even so, Trump's "Christian-first" running mate, Mike Pence--whose support was in limbo while he waited to see something resembling remorse from The Donald--inexplicably fell back in line.

The bigger the Bible thumper, the fewer the scruples. After 63 years on the planet, I can say with certainty that this is one of nature's laws.

I hate everything you say, Donald Trump. But please, stay in the race!
(Van Jones of CNN)

Be that as it may, I've got to hand it to a rising star among pundits and one of my absolute favorites--Van Jones of CNN. This is a guy I respect immensely, and his insight often cuts right to the essence of an issue.

Jones said something after the debate last night that was right on the money and something I hinted at in yesterday's post.

While some of the other pundits on CNN's post-debate team wondered aloud why Hillary Clinton didn't just put Donald Trump away when she had the chance--and she certainly could have--Jones had it pegged.

He said that Hillary actually benefits from Donald Trump staying in the race. She needs him.

I wrote yesterday that The Donald is the only Republican candidate Hillary can defeat, and apparently Jones agrees with me.

Hillary can't afford for Trump to drop out now or for him to be replaced by the GOP leadership.

So, no matter how Trump and his supporters think he did in the debate, it's a moot point. He's taken the bait again. She rope-a-doped him into staying in the race.

Hillary won, and she won big in a couple of ways--she put in a strong debate performance while keeping her 'easy mark' in the race.

So, where do we go from here?

In a few days, the next big Trump bombshell will drop. Buhlieve me.