Clinton, Trump battle fiercely over taxes, race, terror

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Donald Trump aggressively tried to pin the nation's economic and national security problems on Hillary Clinton in the first presidential debate, belittling the former senator and secretary of state as a "typical politician" incapable of delivering the change many Americans crave.

App users: Click here for debate coverage from Facebook.com/FOX5Atlanta 

But Trump found himself on the defensive for much of the 90-minute showdown Monday night. Clinton was thoroughly prepared, not only with detailed answers about her own policy proposals, but also sharp criticism of Trump's business record, his past statements about women, and his false assertions that President Barack Obama may not have been born in the United States. She said his charges about Obama were part of his pattern of "racist behavior."

The Democrat also blasted Trump for his refusal to release his tax returns, breaking with decades of presidential campaign tradition. She declared, "There's something he's hiding."

Trump has said he can't release his tax returns because he is being audited, though tax experts have said an audit is no barrier to making the information public. When Clinton suggested Trump's refusal may be because he paid nothing in federal taxes, he interrupted to say, "That makes me smart."

The televised face-off was the most anticipated moment in an election campaign that has been historic, convulsive and unpredictable. The candidates entered the debate locked in an exceedingly close race to become America's 45th president, and while both had moments sure to enliven their core constituencies, it was unclear whether the event would dramatically change the trajectory of the race.

VIDEO: Debate breakdown from FOX 5's Political Analyst Matt Towery

VIDEO: Atlanta reacts to first Presidential Debate

Presented with the comment during the debate, Trump responded: "I said very lightly, I don't know, maybe, who knows."

The Republican also appeared to contradict himself on how he might use nuclear weapons if he's elected president. He first said he "would not do first strike" but then said he couldn't "take anything off the table."