One in a blue tie, another in a bright red pantsuit, two completely different perspectives on the future of the United States of America, and overall the most talked about and watched debate in history.

It’s not often we are able to witness history first hand, but on Monday, September 26^th, the first of three major presidential debates took place. It was the first one in American history where one of the two candidates was a woman.

This event has been highly talked about for months; Donald Trump, loudmouthed and sometimes offensive, versus Hillary Clinton, seen as untrustworthy by many voters.

Many students at Williston found some of Mr. Trump’s comments offensive.

“Honestly I think he tries to make his opinions the loudest in the room, but I just see it as incredibly offensive,” Trixie Willems, a sophomore at Williston said.

Mr. Trump’s main talking points included keeping business in America and lowering taxes, both of which Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway says appeals to his voters.

Secretary Clinton seemed calm and collected up on the stage, speaking out against taxing the middle class and towards clean renewable energy, adding points about debt free college to appeal to younger voters.

One thing gaining some media attention is the lack of the Libertarian and Green parties in a major national debate. According to debate rules, a candidate has to be at 15% or above in the polls to be featured in a debate, which has not happened since Ross Perot ran in 1992.

Freshman Abby Seltzer at Williston says that the Green and Libertarian parties should be included in the debates. “They’re viable options too, and I feel like they do not get enough media attention.”

CNN reporter David Gergen believes that Secretary Clinton won the debate, but that it will not matter as “Trump supporters aren’t judging him by traditional standards.”

Chris Cillizza, a reporter for the Washington Post, also says that Secretary Clinton won, writing, “This was a clear win for her on virtually every front.”

“She acted more presidential,” said Anna Moran, a freshman at Williston about Secretary Clinton.

In contrast, a student who preferred to remain anonymous at Williston says Mr. Trump came out victorious, though towards the end he “wasn’t so clear.”

Even Fox News, a news outlet famous for its alt-right conservative views, viewed Secretary Clinton as the winner of the debate.

Douglas Schoen, a reporter for Fox News wrote,

“This debate, taken in its entirety, demonstrates how much preparation really matters. She was ready for all of his quips with a litany of detail that may have bored the viewer at points, but showed why she is winning on qualifications, experience and temperament in every poll.”