Clinton, Trump Confront Weaknesses in Security Forum

NEW YORK— Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton confronted their key weaknesses in a televised national security forum, with the Republican defending his preparedness to be commander in chief despite vague plans for tackling global challenges and the Demo...
Clinton, Trump Confront Weaknesses in Security Forum
Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, Chuck Burton
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NEW YORK—Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton confronted their key weaknesses in a televised national security forum, with the Republican defending his preparedness to be commander in chief despite vague plans for tackling global challenges and the Democrat arguing that her controversial email practices did not expose questionable judgment.

Trump also renewed his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his disdain for President Barack Obama, saying that the Russian enjoyed an 82 percent approval rating. “The man has very strong control over a country,” Trump said. “It’s a very different system and I don’t happen to like the system, but certainly, in that system, he’s been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader.”

The candidates spoke back-to-back Wednesday night, each fielding 30 minutes of questions. While the candidates never appeared on stage together, the session served as a preview of sorts for their highly-anticipated presidential debates.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, with 'Today' show co-anchor Matt Lauer (L) at the NBC Commander-In-Chief Forum held at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier Intrepid, NY, on Sept. 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, with 'Today' show co-anchor Matt Lauer (L) at the NBC Commander-In-Chief Forum held at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier Intrepid, NY, on Sept. 7, 2016. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik