The press tells us that these debates will be a pivotal moment in the campaign a chance to show those undecided and on the fencers what a Clinton presidency might mean or more emphatically what a Trump presidency could look like One demonstrably silly media narrative is Clinton must show the country that she is not a liar and Trump must show that while he is an affront to human dignity and intellect he is capable of making it through a debate without disgracing himself So a totally level playing field 