Trump will not commit to accepting election result, shaking U.S. election campaign

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would not commit on Wednesday to accepting the outcome of the Nov. 8 U.S. election if he loses, challenging a cornerstone of American democracy.Trump’s refusal, which his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton called “horrifying,” was the standout remark of their third and final debate. It ratcheted up claims that Trump has made for weeks and has intensified in recent days that the election is being rigged against him.Asked by moderator Chris Wallace if he was not prepared to commit to a peaceful transition of power, the businessman-turned-politician replied: “What I’m saying is that I will tell you at the time. I’ll keep you in suspense. OK?”Trump’s statement might appeal to his anti-establishment followers, but was unlikely to reverse opinion polls showing him trailing, including in the narrowly divided “swing” states that are likely to decide the election.“That is not the way our democracy works,” Clinton said during the debate. “We’ve been around for 240 years. We’ve had free and fair elections. We’ve accepted the outcomes when we may not have liked them. And that is what must be expected of anyone standing on a debate stage during a general election.”A CNN/ORC snap poll said 52 percent thought former Secretary of State Clinton won the debate and 39 percent said Trump, a former reality TV star making his first run at public office, was the victor.On Twitter, President Barack Obama, a fellow Democrat, said Clinton had scored an “Outstanding 3 for 3 debate sweep.” Obama has been scathingly critical of Trump, describing him as unfit for the White House.The Mexican peso climbed to a six-week high against the dollar immediately after a debate the market saw as having given no clear boost to Trump’s White House hopes, although later it was down on the day in European trade. The peso is seen as the main proxy for market pricing of Trump’s chances of winning, in view of his promises to get tough on immigration.Millions of Americans watched the encounter. However, although the television audience for the final debate was larger than for their second matchup, it was below their record-setting first debate, according to early data cited by U.S. media.REPUBLICAN CONCERNTrump’s comments made banner headlines across the country and increased Republican worries that his poor performance might also dim the party’s chances of holding onto its majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives in next month’s election.