Clinton reassured supporters and the Democratic base. After weeks of declining poll numbers, Clinton came into the debate running the risk that supporters were going to start to feel dejected. But the debate performance likely increased the confidence of those pulling for Clinton, making them less worried that she was going to blow the election. Furthermore, she emphasized a lot of the issues important to the liberal base — raising the minimum wage, increasing infrastructure spending, instituting paid leave and profit sharing arrangements. She also fully embraced Obama.

She implicitly answered questions about her health. Trump questioned whether Clinton had the “stamina” to be president, but during the debate she seemed alert and didn’t exhibit any signs of major health problems.