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Watch live: Clinton, Trump neck and neck as debate kicks off

The lengthy United States presidential campaign is careening towards a 90-minute showdown at 9am today (Singapore time)

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in New York before their first televised debate on Sept 26, 2016. Photo: Reuters

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in New York before their first televised debate on Sept 26, 2016. Photo: Reuters

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WASHINGTON — The lengthy United States presidential campaign is careening towards a 90-minute showdown on at 9am today (Singapore time), with Democrat Mrs Hillary Clinton and Republican Mr Donald Trump squaring off in their first televised debate as they sit nearly neck and neck in the polls.

The event, which is expected to be watched — and parsed — by tens of millions of Americans, could draw a record number of viewers.

Many Americans are uncertain what to expect from the clash, which pits two vastly different candidates against each other on one tiny stage.

Mrs Clinton, 68, enters the fray as a polished former secretary of state, who after almost 40 years of public service is very well versed on issues.

Mr Trump, a 70-year-old billionaire and former reality TV star, is good on his feet, and unpredictable — more comfortable in the limelight than on issues.

As many as 90 million people are expected to tune in as the pair face off at Hofstra University in New York six weeks before the Nov 8 election.

The debate is being held one day after a Washington Post-ABC News poll revealed that Mrs Clinton’s slim advantage over Trump from last month has evaporated.

She is tied with Mr Trump at 41 per cent among registered voters, with Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson at 7 per cent and Green Party candidate Jill Stein at 2 per cent, according to the poll. In a two-way match-up, Mr Trump and Mrs Clinton were even, at 46 per cent of registered voters. The survey showed a statistical tie among likely voters as well.

The Clinton campaign, which hopes its candidate becomes the first female president in US history, expressed concern on Sunday over a double standard, with a number of experts saying the bar has been raised higher for Mrs Clinton.

“It’s unfair to ask that Hillary Clinton both play traffic cop with Trump, make sure that his lies are corrected, and also to present her vision for what she wants to do for the American people,” Mrs Clinton campaign manager Robbie Mook told broadcaster ABC.

Nine per cent of voters by some estimates still do not know who to vote for, after a long campaign in which bitter attacks have often replaced talk of substance. And this year has been like none in the past, with Mr Trump using social media around the clock in combative fashion, while often making mistakes, misstatements and blunders that do not seem to trouble his base.

Ahead of the debate, Mrs Clinton has been cloistered with aides and her papers at home in Chappaqua, north of New York, even practising with relatives playing Mr Trump.

She has been focusing on his psychological profile, with a goal to get Mr Trump to crack, to show that he cannot control himself and lacks the even-handed temperament a president needs. If he reacts by attacking, Mr Trump risks losing votes from women; he already has a harder time with women voters, and they make up 53 per cent of those who turn out.

Mr Trump in turn says his debate practice is “going very well,” trying to at least appear relaxed.

Mrs Clinton, making her second presidential bid, is an old hand at debates and considered solid — so in some ways, she may have more to lose.

Some 88 per cent of Americans say they believe she is smart, but in the latest poll, 66 per cent said they do not find her honest. In addition, Mrs Clinton’s image has been sullied by Mr Trump attacks over her email scandal, the Clinton Foundation’s alleged pay-to-play donations, and her ties to Wall Street.

Some 57 per cent have a negative opinion of Mrs Clinton who they see as cerebral, distant or cold. Mr Trump’s negative numbers are virtually identical. AFP

 

FLOATING COLUMN: Many analysts say debates usually don’t win candidates the election but can well lose it for them. A single sentence or the slightest slip can do serious damage.

“I think this thing will be close right up until the end,” said Mrs Clinton running mate Tim Kaine. “We have to make our case every day. The debates are a great way to do that.”

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