Joan Walsh:

As I’ve written before: Trump likes controlling women sexually; Pence does it politically. When it comes to women’s rights, they are two patriarchs in a pod. And Pence showed it.

Rex Huppke:

Pence beat Kaine at debating, no doubt. But Kaine’s constant prodding and Pence’s consistent denials will come back to haunt the Trump campaign.

Pence won the battle Tuesday night. Kaine set his campaign up to win the war.

Benjamin Wallace-Wells:

One good way to score the debate is to say that everybody won except for Donald Trump himself. What you make of that probably depends on how you think about political loyalty.

Libby Nelson’s “7 criticisms of Trump that Mike Pence refused to answer”:

1. Pence was asked to defend Trump’s most infamous moments — and said Clinton was the insulting one
2. Pence was asked about Trump paying taxes. He ignored the question.
3. Pence was asked about taxes again, and said Trump “is a businessman”
4. Trump called women “pigs,” but Clinton called voters “deplorables”
5. Kaine asked about McCain, Alicia Machado, and birtherism again, and Pence ignored it
6. Kaine brought up Trump and nuclear weapons — and Pence mentioned 9/11
7. Kaine mentioned that he was trying to get Pence to defend Trump — and Pence still wouldn’t

Both Senator Tim Kaine and Governor Mike Pence had done what they set out to do: destroys each other’s running mate. Kaine hit hard on Donald’s tax return again and again. He did a good job of answering the questions, defending Hillary, and attacking Donald. Pence, on the other hand, had a much harder time defending the indefensible Donald. His tactic was to avoid answering any question raised against Donald. From tax return to economy to law enforcement to deportation to “homegrown” terrorists, Pence turned around and attacked Hillary instead. The moderator, CBS News’ Elaine Quijano, should have pressed him hard to answer the questions like what Joy-Ann Reid had done with Boris Epshteyn.

Eric Tran:

I’ve done more research about each nominee. Most of the people in my school prefer Trump over Clinton. I’m one of the few people that prefer Clinton.

Although he is not old enough to vote yet, he has done his homework to decide for himself rather than following his peers. I am proud of him.

Thank you for putting up with me during this election. If you find my political posts offensive and overwhelming, however, please come back after November 8.

I am passionate about the U.S. politic and deeply worried if our next president is a fucking demagogue, racist, and misogynist. I respect your choice. Vote for the candidate you choose. Based on my biased, unapologetic opinion, you know who I will vote for. I hope someday I will vote for a Republican candidate, but not this time. The stake is way to high.

I hope you will join me to vote for Hillary. Together we will not only prevent the most dangerous candidate from occupying the White House, but also make a historic moment for our first female president.

The Desert Sun Editorial Board:

Great leaders tap our better angels. And greatness requires “vision, integrity, courage, understanding, the power of articulation, and profundity of character.” So advised one our most respected desert neighbors, Dwight D. Eisenhower.

By these measures, there is no other choice for president this year than Hillary Clinton. Though demonized by her critics, Clinton is supremely qualified to lead, especially compared to Trump.

The Desert Sun has not endorsed a Democrat in 90 years.

The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board:

Terrible leaders can knock nations off course. Venezuela is falling apart because of the obstinance and delusions of Hugo Chávez and his successor. Argentina is finally coming out of the chaos created by Cristina Kirchner and several of her predecessors.

Trump could be our Chávez, our Kirchner. We cannot take that risk.

This paper has not endorsed a Democrat for president in its 148-year history. But we endorse Clinton. She’s the safe choice for the U.S. and for the world, for Democrats and Republicans alike.

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board on why Hillary is qualified:

• Hillary is smart.
• Hillary has developed the contacts, here and abroad, to promote stability and peace. She has not “solved” the various crises in the Middle East.
• Hillary has an extensive record of public service.
• Hillary will push to improve oversight of Wall Street.
• Hillary is fully qualified to serve as president of the United States.

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board on why Trump is a terrible choice:

• Trump’s promises are an illusion, but the hate and anger that make him unfit are real.
• Trump also shows a disqualifying hateful streak toward women, whom he has called “pigs” and “fat slobs.”
• Trump’s hate extends to Hispanics, Muslims and even the disabled.
• Trump is lacking in basic knowledge and experience.
• Trump’s nuclear ignorance is terrifying.

Comment from Phil Boas, the director of the editorial page of the Arizona Republic, on “How a Conservative Paper Ended Up Endorsing Hillary Clinton.” Charles Bethea recounts:

Boas believes that many longtime Republicans who support Trump are in denial. “I hear it in their voices, the little qualifiers: ‘He’s not nearly as bad as she is.’ That kind of thing,” he said. “I know they know that he violates even their values. But they’re willing to make compromises because they so despise her.” The Republic, he added, was “not willing to make that compromise.” Clinton “treats the office with respect,” he said. “And Trump has no respect for the office that he seeks. And if the leaders of our country don’t respect our important institutions, no one is going to respect them. That’s why he scares us.”

Amy Davidson explains why Hillary’s statement is so powerful:

It wasn’t about her, or the wrongs she has undoubtedly endured. There is no question that those wrongs include sexism and slanders. And yet the simplest explanation for why many voters don’t trust Clinton is that they sense that she does not trust them. On Monday night, she looked at the camera and told them that she did.

USA Today Editorial Board finds Donald unfit for the presidency:

From the day he declared his candidacy 15 months ago through this week’s first presidential debate, Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he lacks the temperament, knowledge, steadiness and honesty that America needs from its presidents.