There was no winner in the debate. The people of the United States desire better.
It is political strategic answering not to lock yourself into a position by answering yes or no to a specific issue. Neither side did. For 90 minutes both sides attacked the other instead of proposing what they will do if elected President. Questions swirl with no answers to be found.
Perhaps the political strategy each had was accomplished by both and thus each could declare victory. It seemed each side wanted to make the other look silly, ridiculous or out of control. By doing so, both seemed childish and failed to present any positions of clarity. Both failed in presenting to the people the information needed to distinguish from the other a clear stance of policy.
We did not need this debate to repeat and rehash old or new political advertisements already being played. We wanted to know what the plan was forward.
I think we have lost sight of the real problem in our country's government. The lack of understanding of the Constitution and it's governing powers seems to be lost on even the moderators.
The president may have influence on congress but it is congress that ultimately votes on the bills the president signs into law. And, did you know, if the president vetoes a bill, congress can vote to override the veto and put it into law anyway? Yes, but it doesn't end there. The president's responsibility is to execute the law, thus the executive branch, which means enforcing laws congress enacts. I'm not sure anyone actually knows how many (federal) laws there are on the books as some have been regulated to agencies, instead of congress, for writing the laws (regulations.)
The president can declare an executive order which then acts as a law but not passed by congress. (A quick way to act in an emergency.)
The judicial branch, Supreme Court, decides whether or not a law is constitutional or not, and it's not a speedy process.
So, whether it's issues of abortion, the border or gun control the process is three fold. Congress passes it, the President enforces it, and the Supreme Court makes sure it doesn't violate any of our constitutional rights. If we don't like it we either change the law, the constitution or move to a different country.
It's a big country, a powerful nation but it is still governed by the people, if we allow the system to work. Did I mention the individual States? That's a part also...
