Early thirties New Yorker for 10 years, raised Conservative in the South but after liberal college degree and Enough time in the big city I had turned quite “progressive” I remembered my stomach turning when Trump was gaining so much traction in the race.

It was now him versus Hillary and having read nothing but liberal news knew it wouldn’t be good to see him as president, he was a “clown” by all counts I could tell. I hated Hillary also but on a blanket note simply thought it would be great to see a female president regardless of who it was.

One evening I get invited by friend to go watch the debates that would be screened at a local bar in my neighborhood. It sounded like fun so I agreed.

We get there and it’s packed. Wall to wall people with their beers and cocktails all settled in. I thought “I get, it. Trump has gotten away with it for now since he’s only played to the conservative base, but the guy is simply not a real politician. This debate is where the rubber meets the road and Hillary a long time public servant is going to blow him to smithereens now that we’re in the real arena”

We were about to witness Trump getting absolutely trounced when faced with a real opponent.

Lights go down and the debate commences. Suddenly something began to happen that I absolutely did not anticipate. Questions start getting asked by the moderators Hilary and Trump start going back and forth then toe to toe at each other.

The room, to my surprise isn’t some raucous cheer squad. It is quiet. Very quiet. People are sitting silently and mildly bewildered. Trump wasn’t getting lambasted, he was completely holding his ground.

The crowd again seemed to be almost confused as well, Trump seemed to be dispensing counter point after counterpoint, and I looked around to take it in. This was suddenly a humbling experience for opposition to trump.

Finally the debate reaches the point and Hillary casually says as she leans on the podium and says “Given Donald’s temperament I’m glad he doesn’t run the justice in our country”

Trump standing just off behind her, brings the mic to his lips and quietly purrs “Cause you’d be in jail...”

And the crowd erupted in both gasps and a mix of snickers and giggles at the sheer audacity of the line”

Holy. Fuck.

This was my turning point. I suddenly saw a man who had absolutely zero compunction standing up with an incumbent politician.

I felt like he was me, doing what I wish as a citizen I could stand up and do and say to the People who are supposedly helping our country.

I wished at that moment I could have turned to the other person and say “can you believe that” but I knew I couldn’t.

I voted for him that year and I will do it again in 2020. God bless Trump and god bless America.

Edit: Just to go a step further, this exchange out something into my mind that had - and many Americans had long forgotten: That politicians work for US. Trumps comeback broke my brain: You simply don’t “speak like that to a politician.” But wait, why not? Politicians are not above us. They serve OUR needs. In no way shape or form is it verboten for us to be on equal footing in the discussion. This broke the dam wide open in reminding me that it is our job to keep politicians in check and serve us as citizens.

Only weeks ago a brave factory worker stood up to Joe Biden and face to face said to him: “Hey you work for ME man.” As he complained about 2nd amendment talk from Joe. What does Joe say back in response? “I don’t work for you man!” Wow. Can you even believe what would happen if Trump had actually had said that? That’s because he wouldn’t have.

Early thirties New Yorker for 10 years, raised Conservative in the South but after liberal college degree and Enough time in the big city I had turned quite “progressive” I remembered my stomach turning when Trump was gaining so much traction in the race.

It was now him versus Hillary and having read nothing but liberal news knew it wouldn’t be good to see him as president, he was a “clown” by all counts I could tell. I hated Hillary also but on a blanket note simply thought it would be great to see a female president regardless of who it was.

One evening I get invited by friend to go watch the debates that would be screened at a local bar in my neighborhood. It sounded like fun so I agreed.

We get there and it’s packed. Wall to wall people with their beers and cocktails all settled in. I thought “I get, it. Trump has gotten away with it for now since he’s only played to the conservative base, but the guy is simply not a real politician. This debate is where the rubber meets the road and Hillary a long time public servant is going to blow him to smithereens now that we’re in the real arena”

We were about to witness Trump getting absolutely trounced when faced with a real opponent.

Lights go down and the debate commences. Suddenly something began to happen that I absolutely did not anticipate. Questions start getting asked by the moderators Hilary and Trump start going back and forth then toe to toe at each other.

The room, to my surprise isn’t some raucous cheer squad. It is quiet. Very quiet. People are sitting silently and mildly bewildered. Trump wasn’t getting lambasted, he was completely holding his ground.

The crowd again seemed to be almost confused as well, Trump seemed to be dispensing counter point after counterpoint, and I looked around to take it in. This was suddenly a humbling experience for opposition to trump.

Finally the debate reaches the point and Hillary casually says as she leans on the podium and says “Given Donald’s temperament I’m glad he doesn’t run the justice in our country”

Trump standing just off behind her, brings the mic to his lips and quietly purrs “Cause you’d be in jail...”

And the crowd erupted in both gasps and a mix of snickers and giggles at the sheer audacity of the line”

Holy. Fuck.

This was my turning point. I suddenly saw a man who had absolutely zero compunction standing up with an incumbent politician.

I felt like he was me, doing what I wish as a citizen I could stand up and do and say to the People who are supposedly helping our country.

I wished at that moment I could have turned to the other person and say “can you believe that” but I knew I couldn’t.

I voted for him that year and I will do it again in 2020. God bless Trump and god bless America.