The combination of the debate format change + apparently, listening to his debate prepping and coaching rather than just winging it actually worked to Trump’s benefit.
There were still flashes of “Debate 1 Trump” to be sure — and the lying and hemming and hawing was all over the map — but it was more watchable.
This time, Trump at least refrained from shouting out the Proud Boys and casting fundamental doubt on election integrity with the mail-in voting nonsense and the ballots in the creeks and such, which is something.
These welcome but superficial improvements in style will make no impression on the vast majority of committed voters, but the fact Trump “showed improvement” (from abysmal to merely appalling) may be enough to reassure lifelong Republicans that were on the fence up till now.
Enough to turn around the trajectory of the race? I doubt it.