For months, Conway and everyone else in the White House vehemently denied that the Trump campaign had any contacts with Russians about the election.

Or: Even the never-to-be president of the United States sometimes has to console himself with memories of dressing rooms where he was the only guy and everybody else stood naked.

In all the post-debate TV analysis, there wasn't much mention of the fact that there was little serious discussion of policy issues. It was a brawl.

The Trump effect has ruined politics for this year.