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The Republic | azcentral.com

For the first time in the presidential debates, Hillary Clinton the litigator arrived crisp and sharp, meeting Donald Trump’s generalities with steel-point facts.

He was no match for the lady in white. Not on Wednesday night.

His answers were heavy on sarcasm and light on substance, more befitting the bluster of a high-school sophomore than a man seeking America’s highest office.

But it was his refusal to say he would accept the outcome of the election that demonstrated his utter lack of fitness for the presidency.

Trump's sore-loser schtick disrespects voters

That is an affront to this nation’s enviable history of the peaceful transfer of power. It demonstrates a profound selfishness and lack of respect for voters and the voting process, which is controlled in many states by Republicans.

Trump is challenging our democratic system from the platform of one of the major parties. This is a deeply irresponsible and a glaring example of his disrespect for our system of government — and for the Republican Party he has hijacked.

Clinton had a ready answer to his corrosive effort to cast doubt on the integrity of an election he apparently thinks he won’t win. She listed a series of failures — including his failure to win an Emmy — that Trump attributed to a “rigged” system.

MORE:Is election rigged? Arizona GOP says no

Being a sore loser is not a presidential quality.

This final debate was Trump’s best chance to “be so presidential you people will be bored,” which he promised to do last spring.

In fact, he was more restrained. But his references to Clinton as a “nasty woman” and a “liar” who should not be allowed to run for the presidency showed his disturbing void of civility.

You know it: This isn't what our nation needs

Imagine unleashing this kind of name calling from the Oval Office. This man’s emotional immaturity would be a disaster when cloaked with the most awesome power on earth.

When Clinton quoted Sen. Bernie Sanders saying Trump is the most dangerous person to run for the presidency in modern memory, it was a simple statement of fact. When she expressed concern about Trump having control of our nuclear arsenal, it reflected a legitimate fear.

Trump showed once again he lacks the temperament, judgment or knowledge necessary to be the leader of the free world.

Or the sincerity.

GOODY:Moderator Wallace wins the debate

MONTINI:Political pyro reduced to smoke in 3rd debate

His claim that “Nobody has more respect for women than me,” could not have been more absurd had it been spoken by Jack the Ripper.

Trump has done nothing to effectively respond to the 2005 video recording of him bragging in vulgar terms about being a sexual predator. He callously dismissed women who stepped forward to speak out about how he treated them.

There is finally a growing awareness that Trump is not what this nation needs.

Whatever you do, don't sit out of this election

Wednesday’s debate came the same day as a new poll was released showing Clinton widening her lead over Trump in Arizona. Her five-point lead in the Arizona Republic/Morrison/Cronkite News poll released Wednesday builds on the less than 2 percentage point lead she had in the state in August.

Yet 20.7 percent of voters remain undecided. That’s enough to give either candidate a victory in our state.

Among those undecided voters, there are no doubt many Republicans who find Trump loathsome, but have a very hard time supporting Clinton.

ENDORSEMENT:Clinton the only choice to lead America ahead

Sitting out this election is not an option for any American who cares about the future of this country.

There are two choices.

This debate made clear there is only one qualified candidate.

Clinton delivered a controlled, composed performance that showed a command of the issues that face our nation. She won the debate on style and substance, just as she was the clear winner of both previous debates.

Our View: Clinton takes down a national bully

Our View: Just when we think we've hit bottom, this debate happens