Clinton/Trump I: Debate Pix We Latched On To

With the first Clinton-Trump debate in the books, these are the pictures that caught our eye. Given the bizarre nature of this campaign, projecting tension and ludicrousness in equal measure, I’m sure you’ll appreciate how much we were looking for meaning, or at least, notability, beyond the 90 minute face off itself. Thank God, the end is coming. Regarding the photo above by Evan Vucci, it’s our image of the night. As much as Trump circles and swarms (he alternately patronizes and bullies) Clinton (also scoring some points in GOP red) knew where she was going and had a firm grip on things.

If the strategy was restraint, it worked only to a point #debates@reuterspictureshttps://t.co/vcobf0o8UMpic.twitter.com/N4UouP2a1G

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) September 27, 2016

I don’t do surrogates #debates📷JonathanErnst @reuterspictureshttps://t.co/bvIUOTss5ipic.twitter.com/CCzVOGuM6L

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) September 27, 2016

Do you know why Barbara Kinney’s Clinton campaign pic is that good? Because, after taking it to Trump, it’s not about *stronger*, it’s about *together*. #Repost @barbarakinney ・・・ Great night last!  #shewon #imwithher #clintonkaine2016 #strongertogether @hillaryclinton #gender #women #feminism #family #strength #debate #Election2015 #campaign @victomato @kwarsh @nationalnow @skappleton @msjwilly @feministthoughtbubble @Feministastic #feminist #womensrights #debate #madamepresident #readyforhillary #readyforher #girlboss #girlpower #womenhelpingwomen  #istandwithhillary #sheswithus  #sheswithme #SheWinsWeWin #hillraiser #hillyes @feministsforhillary @hillarylooks @hillaryclintonladypresident @readyforhillary @womenirl @women.in.photography @wpowdc

A photo posted by Reading The Pictures (@readingthepictures) on Sep 27, 2016 at 10:27am PDT

Declaration of Independence as wallpaper #debates 📷@AP_Images pic.twitter.com/rniMKBQOmu

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) September 27, 2016

In a year in which truth telling, political knowledge and intellectual curiosity went out the window, seems like the perfect debate picture. #presidentialelection #election2016 #presidentialcampaign2016 #debate #debate2016 #hillaryclinton #donaldtrump #clinton #trump #hofstra #debateprep #debatestage H/T @dougbierend Semansky / @AP. caption: Technicians set up the stage for the presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on Sept. 25, 2016, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.

A photo posted by Reading The Pictures (@readingthepictures) on Sep 27, 2016 at 12:31pm PDT

This Getty shot of the CNN bus thru bars at Hofstra U. is a wonderful take on Campaign16. It’s not about debate, it’s about prosecution. 📷Paul J. Richards @AFPphoto @GettyImages. Caption: Images of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are seen on a CNN vehicle behind a security fence on Sept. 24, 2016, at Hofstra University in Hempsted, New York. #debate #Election2016 #Trump #Clinton #lockherup #prosecution #enemies #anger #hate #bus #branding #CNN #media #spectacle @Hofstra #Hofstra

A photo posted by Reading The Pictures (@readingthepictures) on Sep 27, 2016 at 8:50am PDT

Last night’s debate was SO about entertainment and sport, not civics. It was America being treated this year to a second Super Bowl. And that’s why Nina Berman’s photo outside the hall and away from the faces glued to a screen is so relevant. These citizens weren’t there for a gladiator contest or an international media event. They were there for a far less glamorous, but more essential fight. The one for a living wage. #presidentialelection #campaign2016 #repost @nina_berman ・・・ #Fightfor15 making their case for the living wage across from Hofstra University at the site of the first presidential debate #fightfor15 #blacklivesmatter #debate @noorimages #nikon #nikond810 @nikonlifeeu

A photo posted by Reading The Pictures (@readingthepictures) on Sep 27, 2016 at 11:35am PDT

David’s photo poses many questions about inclusion and exclusion, about hierarchy, about spectacle, about the limits of words and about what’s real life versus just TV.  #Repost @davidbutow ・・・ Watching the debate tonight on Lawrence Ave. in a neighborhood with many immigrants. #debate #Election2016 #Trump #Clinton #socialjustice #TV #America #bus #economics  #inclusion #meltingpot  #spectacle @Hofstra #Hofstra #immigration #immigrant

A photo posted by Reading The Pictures (@readingthepictures) on Sep 27, 2016 at 9:32am PDT

 

Promised wouldn’t say it, out of respect to Chelsea!, but… politics makes for strange bedfellows. Brilliant diametric via @dougmillsnyt pic.twitter.com/2lrgGPfZCZ

— Reading The Pictures (@ReadingThePix) September 27, 2016

(Photo: Evan Vucci Caption: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. on September 26, 2016.)