US Presidential Debate: Donald Trump refuses to commit to accepting election results in third and final clash with ... - Telegraph.co.uk

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Barney Henderson

HILLARY CLINTON

I thought Trump was excellent tonight. He was calmer than the first two debates, had clearly prepared somewhat on policy and executed a couple of entertaining "zingers" against his rival. However, he proclaimed, in front of the nation, that he would not commit to accepting America's democratic process. "I will keep you in suspense,” he said - and that will be the epitaph for his "outsider" campaign. 

Ruth Sherlock

DONALD TRUMP

Gone was the bombastic, irate and ranting Donald so familiar to the electorate. Instead there appeared on stage a calmer, more controlled, dare I say, grown up version of Republican nominee. The television celebrity was on a mission to appear presidential. For most of the night he succeeded. He put in his most polished performance of the entire election. He kept to his points (more or less), and gave voters a clearer outline of his policies than ever before. He scored some zingers against Clinton too. As far as the election goes, it's probably too little too late. But this was his best night so far.

Chris Graham

DONALD TRUMP

Trump was singing from the same hymn sheet as previous debates but hit the right notes more often than before. He was more composed, his attacks struck a chord, and - apart from the you're a puppet' retort to Clinton on the subject of Vladimir Putin - he rarely resorted to playground insults. Clinton was more of the same. She pasted on her mirthless smile during the attacks and followed the script of previous outings without springing any surprises. It probably won't be enough to win a decisive swing in the polls for Trump, but it might halt the slide for the moment.   

David Millward

HILLARY CLINTON

For about the first hour, Mr Trump was ahead. He kept cool and again was strong and assured on the economy. He was helped by Mrs Clinton being at her smug worst, with a fixed smile which really grated. She also missed an open goal by carrying on when she had him on the ropes about the use of Chinese steel in the construction in his Las Vegas. But then Mr Trump blew it big time saying that Mrs Clinton had no right to run at all and  refusing to say that he would accept the result of the election. It was just the sort of response which will antagonise and scare undecided voters.

Nick Allen

HILLARY CLINTON

Disaster for Donald Trump. He undermined his own composed and reasonably effective performance in one moment, when he refused to say that he would accept the result of the election if he loses. That overrode any good work he did during the debate - and there was some. Arriving in the last chance saloon Mr Trump was unusually calm of temperament. He hit the key buttons he needed to, especially making clear to people that he would cut their taxes while his opponent would raise them. It was by far his best debate. But all that will be overshadowed by the fact he does not respect the basic foundation of American democracy. Therefore, Hillary Clinton, who as usual did not put a foot wrong, was the winner by default.

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