Following a weekend of unflattering revelations for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, students on both sides of the political aisle gathered Sunday to listen to the presidential candidates debate for a second time.
Both moderators, CNN’s Anderson Cooper and ABC News’ Martha Raddatz, asked the candidates about their plans to combat the spread of radical Islamic terrorism, the leaked video of Trump’s lewd comments about women and the leaked snippets of what appear to be Clinton’s paid speeches to Wall Street heads.
Each candidate peppered responses with personal attacks and took questions from the audience.
Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, joined the UF College Democrats at the Alachua County for Hillary office to watch the prime-time debate.
About 70 people attended the watch party, and Richards spoke briefly before the debate in support of Clinton.
“We cannot let Donald Trump become the president of the United States of America,” she said.
When confronted with the 11-year-old video released Friday by The Washington Post, which featured Trump commenting on how his fame could facilitate the groping and kissing of women, he said he respected women more than anyone else did.
“This was locker room talk,” Trump said.
Hailey Becker, 21, said she couldn’t believe the 2016 presidential debate looked like a reality TV show.
“I was appalled by the way he considered his comments as just locker room talk, as if they’re just a normal thing to say,” the UF political science senior said.
At the Social 28 apartment complex, a group of UF College Republicans watched as Trump spoke about accusations of sexual assault against former President Bill Clinton.
“It definitely looks like Trump is going on the offensive,” said Richard El-Rassy, the president of UF College Republicans.
He said that it is important to not downplay Trump’s words, but if Clinton claims to be a champion of women’s rights, she should take action against the allegations against her husband.
“She can’t really be effective if her husband is being accused of worse things,” the 20-year-old UF finance senior said.
Ajay Mittal, 18, said this election is going to be based solely on the character of the candidates.
“Neither of them have talked about policy,” the UF biology sophomore said. “Each of them only attacks the other’s character.”
Mittal said he would prefer to have a debate that talked about policies like health care, something that is relevant to his future career.
He said each candidate is unpopular with the county, and neither of them has displayed the character of a good president.
“We’re choosing between a bigot and a liar,” he said.
Daniel Hopin, a 20-year-old UF public relations junior, covers his face as he watches the two candidates banter back and forth during the UF College Republicans’ watch party on Sunday evening at Social 28’s south building, located at 311 SW 13th St.
From left: Miraal Chhelavda, a 21-year-old UF business administration senior, and Maria Kuran, a 17-year-old UF art history freshman, laugh with others in the room as Donald Trump tells Hillary Clinton she owes President Barack Obama an apology. Both Chhelavda and Kuran attended the UF College Republicans’ watch party along with about 15 other people on Sunday evening at Social 28’s south building.
