Does Trump Know How to Laugh?
Americans tend to elect presidents who have a sense of humor. This is not good news for the Republican nominee.
2016 Distilled
The campaign coverage you need from the staff of The Atlantic
Why Ivanka Is Trump's Top Surrogate
The potential first daughter has a knack for political diplomacy her father lacks.
Hillary Clinton Shouldn't Be Faulted for Her Relentless Preparation
The Democratic nominee has been unfairly criticized for being “overprepared.”
Trump's Abdication of Personal Responsibility
Conservatives have put families and communities at the center of their conception of a better America—but they’re notably absent from the Republican nominee’s account.
How Donald Trump Avoided His Signature Issue at the Debate
The Republican nominee only briefly addressed immigration, which has been a cornerstone of his presidential campaign.
Donald Trump's Unproductive Monday Night
The Republican’s debate performance likely won’t calm voters’ apprehensions about his candidacy.
America's First Post-Christian Debate
The belief in a common purpose that long defined America’s civil religion was strikingly absent on Monday night.
The Second Presidential Debate Will Try Something New
Ordinary Americans will be able to submit—and vote on—questions to be considered when the candidates meet again.
When Donald Trump Got Caught Tweet-Handed
The Republican nominee illustrated a lesson for debating in the social-media era: Don’t lie about that which you’ve publicly tweeted.
Hillary Did What She Needed to Do
If undecided voters were looking for an excuse to come around to Clinton’s corner, they may have found it on Monday night.