Debate

Wow, I can't recall a nastier, more contentious, insult-heavy, less policy-oriented presidential debate with more personal animus between the two candidates than what we just saw tonight at Washington University between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Especially given that this was a townhall format with regular citizens on the stage with the candidates while they pummeled each other with personal insults.

A quick couple of thoughts:

* We knew questions about Trump's lewd taped conversations would dominate, but man was it a disgusting topic to cover.

* In some weird way, Trump may have benefited from the low-road talk. At heart, he's a gutter fighter and he dragged Hillary down to his level.

* Trump knows so little about major policy issues it would be comical if it weren't so scary. Obamacare? "You will have great coverage when I'm president" is the extent of Trump's comments about health care reform.

* What was the deal with the fly that landed first on Hillary's forehead and then on her blouse? Was it attracted to her perfume? Was it the same fly? Clinton deftly shooed the fly away on her face by jerking her head. But she didn't notice when it landed (and stayed) on her blouse to the point where CNN had to cut away from its split screen because it was so distracting.

* Tough to admit, but Trump did score points, specifically the "rigged" primary vs. Sanders; the emails, and the Wall Street speeches, especially the Lincoln retort. 

* For as sharp as Clinton was last de

* He may not have expanded his support but he certainly fired up his base.

* Conversely, not sure Clinton expanded her base with tonight's debate performance, but, then again, as the front runner she just needs to solidify her support which she clearly did tonight.