After being asked about the "email" issue.
Hillary didn't panic at all—clearly prepared.
As long as the questioner didn't aggressively interrupt her like Trump, rudely cutting in nonstop, she had nothing to fear.
In her response, Hillary deftly avoided her own responsibility, portraying Russia as an evil nation.
Of course, after decades of Hollywood films' influence, most ordinary Americans thought the same.
Hillary said, "We've never encountered foreign powers meddling in our elections like this; it's not just immoral but an invasion of national sovereignty."
Then, like Trump glancing at her earlier, she glanced at Trump while smiling and said: "I'm very curious—why did Russian hackers choose this time to attack my mailbox? I have to point out that Mr. Trump has cooperated with Russia before, with close ties on display. So I think this might be because Russia wants Trump elected president."
Trump also glared, and in the US, anti-Russia is political correctness. No matter your previous attitude, once on the political stage, at least publicly, you must be so.
As an immigrant nation, the US always needs an adversary to maintain government cohesion and control over various states and the public.
And Russia is the US's chosen long-term adversary.
Trump wasn't dumb; he immediately claimed he "doesn't know Putin at all," while stating his finances are excellent, with no financial ties between him and Russia.
After Trump's explanation, Hillary immediately continued criticizing him for not releasing his tax returns, using offense as defense to avoid further questions about the "emails."
Trump fell for it again, starting to explain.
He said his taxes would be released after the audit.
But soon, Trump reacted, his face showing annoyance, then launched a counterattack, continuing to criticize Hillary's tax policies.
He said the US has the highest taxes in the world, yet Hillary wants to raise them further.
He said, "She'll raise everyone's taxes"
"This is simply a disaster."
Hillary seized on Trump's personal taxes to criticize him, saying, "Mr. Trump hasn't paid federal income taxes for 20 years; I think that's why he opposes my tax policy."
Then, Hillary defended her own tax plan, saying she wouldn't raise income taxes for families earning under $250,000 a year.
Hillary said: "I'm not trying to take your money; I want to invest in you, invest in your families."
Then Hillary mockingly said: "People like Trump who don't pay taxes for the nation's military, healthcare, or education are completely wrong."
Hillary said: "People like Trump can only take care of people like Trump."
The debate grew increasingly intense, and the melon-eating masses watched with growing excitement.
Next, the moderator shifted the issue to the Iraq War and related refugee problems.
Hillary mentioned Army Captain Humayun Khan, who sacrificed in Iraq.
"This was also a Muslim; he died for his country, yet was mocked by Mr. Trump, because in Mr. Trump's eyes, all Muslims are terrorists."
Trump laughed coldly: "In my eyes, Mr. Khan is a hero, but why let heroes die?"
"If I were US president, that unnecessary war wouldn't have happened; Khan might still be alive, because the Iraq War was 'a disaster.'"
He waved his left hand to emphasize his tone: "I absolutely wouldn't send our people to Iraq to fight a war with no winners; I'm not a war monger."
Then Trump criticized Hillary's foreign policy: "Hillary is ridiculous; she supports arming Syrian rebels without knowing who they are—ISIS could be hiding among them. Providing weapons to these people might backfire, causing greater harm."
He shouted loudly: "You must believe me—because the US has tried arming rebels in Libya and other countries before, but those rebels might end up as stronger enemies of the US."
Trump finally stated: "The US shouldn't be enemies with Syria and Russia."
But he didn't specify whether he supported direct US troop deployment.
Notably, Trump clearly opposed his running mate Pence's stance on Russia policy.
Pence had said in the VP debate that the US should be tougher on Russia, but Trump claimed the US's top task is striking ISIS, not being enemies with Russia.