Actually the optics matter a whole lot more then anything else. In 2004 Bush, who had the better of the debate, was billed as “losing the 1st debate” because he kept leaning up against the podium. It made him look bored and disinterested. His father got creatmed because he looked at his watch during one debate.
Anyone who thinks the scripted sound bites and stage manged propaganda show matters more then the optics knows nothing at all about US Politics.
Yeah, and remember when Gore acted like he wanted to fight GWB in 2000. And the orange face.
No one will know who won this debate until next week, and it will be over something that seems trivial.
I don’t think Americans want to hear about Russia hacks, birtherism or Trumps’s taxes though.