It should have been a great opportunity to provide the kind of insight needed, but, as you note, Matt Lauer's performance seems to be the one most harshly criticized - not the candidates'. I am biased, but I tried to watch it objectively (hence the grading). It was abundantly clear (to anyone who actually cares) how woefully unprepared Trump is. Literally two months before the election, some "supporters" are insisting he "will be ready" by the time he is sworn in. He's had over a year to prepare and he still doesn't have a clue! Seriously, not a CLUE. You can criticize Clinton for her positions and tin ear, but at least she knows something about the military, government structure, policy, diplomacy, etc., etc., etc. He doesn't even CARE to know.

A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.

Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich