October 24th, 2012

10/24/2012

Presidential / Vice Presidential
Debates 2012

#3 – DUE October 24, 2012
#4 - DUE October 29, 2012

3. AFTER you have read the chapter from Issues 2012, answer ONE of the following prompts on the “Class Blog 2012.” (20 points – answer prompt, provide sufficient evidence / rationale)

a) According to the author, do the debates affect the outcome of the election? Either way, do you think the debates are useful? Why or why not? (Paragraph 1 – Summarize the author’s position. Paragraph 2 - Give at least 3 reasons for your position. Use evidence from the article to support your position.)

b) If you were moderating a presidential debate, what questions would you ask the candidates? Why? (List at least 4 questions and why each question is essential in a presidential debate. Your “why” should include at least two specific reasons.)

c) Write a proposal for making presidential debates more engaging and impactful on the outcome of the elections. (Include at least 3 specific suggestions for making the debates more engaging for the public. For each suggestion, state why it might have an impact on the outcome.)

d) The 2012 presidential debates only include the two dominant party candidates – Republican and Democrat. Argue for or against include third party candidates in the debates. Include at least three specific reasons to support your position.

4. Read TWO of your classmates blog posts. Provide feedback to your classmate. Do you agree? Disagree? Did s/he provide enough evidence to support his/her position? Your response should be specific and constructive (e.g. helpful and supportive). (5 points each; 10 points)

ciani upchruch

10/23/2012 08:02:51 am

If I were moderating a presidential debate, the questions i would ask are the following.
1.What measures will you be taking to prevent organised crime?
2.Why does America need such a high level of military spending?
3. What regulations and controls will you introduce to ensure the financial sector will be properly regulated from now on?
4.What is the function in American politics of third parties?
Each question I would have ask is essential in a presidential debate because everyone has the right to be informed about how would they prevent organised crime, the reason why military spending is high when we are not really in war. Everyone wants to know where do the third party stands when it comes down to the debate, because they were not allow in the room when the debate started.They are important just like any other party.

Go Vung

10/23/2012 12:58:47 pm

I agree with your question. Because it seemed US has a lot of freedom and at the same time the most crime had been occurred. Eventhough in the presidential debate they never talked about the domestic violence or crime that seem happening in every minutes. Rather they cared about the economic, foreign policy and education.

Wilbert C.

10/23/2012 01:10:32 pm

I disagree with you on the entire structure of your 2nd and 4th question, I noticed that you didn't ask the candidates what they will do about the issues, and this is why nothing gets done in this country because of questions like these.

Nianxin Guan

10/24/2012 04:28:14 am

I agree with your questions especially No.2 and No.4. There are two simple reasons:
First of all, there is a economic problem going on in the U.S., so that, the government started cutting budgets of education, and schools are closing down. However, the spending of national military keeps increasing. Does it necessary to give up education for overprotecting the nation?
For No.4, I think that this situation against the promise which the U.S. made---liberty and equality. How can persuade people when there is no equality for election?

Ms. Sharer

10/30/2012 07:57:27 pm

You've asked good questions, Ivy. How is there "liberty and equality" is opinions and people are excluded?

Wilbert C.

10/24/2012 11:35:21 am

Hello Ciani,
I agree with most of the question that you have posted but I must disagree with the fourth. It is really not sensible to ask a candidate where his/her opponent stands because they are most likely to give the negatives and you would have a one sided argument.
I only have to say that you have given insufficient information to reason for your decision.
Organized Crime, even though not as big an issue now as in the past is a great question. Drug lords, mob bosses, and hitmen run rampant in plain sight not to be seen or caught. It is still a big issue and should be solved immediately for the sake of national security.
In military spending, I must say that I both agree and disagree with you. It may be true that the country is spending way too much on the military and I must say that the budget should be lowered. at the same time i must say that the budget must not be decreased so much for the sake of national security purposes.
The financial sector is also relative to the military and must be regulated. The bad management of money today is the cause of the issues that we are facing. If money is circulated rather than printed the problem would not be as bad. Just to inform you the less money printed the higher the value of the money. The more printed the less the value. That is the rule of inflation.
The fourth one that I disagreed with also was insufficient in information. I only disagree in asking the candidate about his/her opponent but the question is viable of its own accord. It is very true that third party candidates are important in the ballot so they should be allowed in the debates. Please I just ask that you clarify the question by rewording it rather than what you stated ask instead What is your opinion in the ineligibility of third party candidates to take part in debates and the requirement that they be polled to take part in the ballot?

Ms. Sharer

10/30/2012 08:07:07 pm

What is national security? Is it more than the military and police?

Jiaming

10/26/2012 03:10:54 am

I disagree because the questions you have asked is not very comprehensive and didn't asked about how public reacts to the candidates.

Ms. Sharer

10/30/2012 07:55:35 pm

Your questions are fine but you need more "rationale" for each question (at least 2 reasons). Why should military spending by the US be discussed other than it is "high?" Why is organized crime a national concern? Will you ask the candidates allowed to debate why they aren't including a third party?
(10 points for questions; 4 points for rationale) 14/20

Channary Art

10/23/2012 09:47:55 am

3.
a) According to the author, the debates does affect the outcome of the election because people won't know what the outcome of who won the presidency. In the debates in 2008 between Barack Obama and John McCain,"McCain's strategy was to reveal to America that Obama was weak, naive, and not competent to be president". But his strategy was "largely backfired" and "Obama won the debates". The debate that happened between McCain and Obama affect the outcome of the election because McCain thought his strategy was going to help him win the election but it failed and Obama won.

I think debates are useful. Debates is useful it evalutate an issue on a certain topic, as stated in the book "it touched briefly on the issue" as the candiates give out their speech about it. Debates helps voters choose who to votes for base on what they like on their opinion of the debates. Debates helps to sides of different reasons.

LiangJian Gao

10/23/2012 11:38:27 am

I do not agree with your saying. First, I do not think that you have given ample examples to demonstrate your position. You used the example of the election between McCain and Obama, but the book did not show that the reason Obama won was because his eloquent debating. I actually saw someone commented that the 2008 debates failed to produce any developments important enough to significantly affect the trajectory of the campaign.

I agree that debates help voters to choose who to votes for base on what they like on their opinion of the debates, but do you think people will rely on the debating to decide who they will vote?

Ms. Sharer

10/30/2012 08:09:49 pm

I don' t know LiangJian. There are polls after debates to try to decide if debates affect how someone votes. After you watched the debate, were you influenced by what the candidates said? If you were voting, would the debate influence your vote?

Go Vung

10/23/2012 01:07:46 pm

I agree with your view. I also think that debate help the election. But I am not sure about the debates in 2008 that Obama won because of his political views or because of his promises. Debates supported the views and ideas of what the candidate have for Americans. And as it was a tradition, it has a lot of meaning to the presidential nominee.

ciani upchurch

11/1/2012 09:47:28 am

Hey Channary, I also agree with you're statement. I would like to add that debates also lets the third parties see where each candidate stands.

Anh Phan

11/11/2012 11:08:56 am

I agreed with you that the debates are helpful because it help voter know more about the candidate opinion on certain issues.

B.Jean

10/23/2012 09:54:48 am

A.
According to the author, Bruce Lee Zellers, the 1960’s presidential candidates isolated themselves from elections and allowed the parties to take on the dirty work of campaigning. Presidential elections, like baseball, became a great national game. Over time and as part of the great democratic revolution, candidates, rather than parties, became the stars of these great contests. The image of presidents as tribunes, protectors of the public interest, gave way to the image of presidents as leaders of interest groups. Today, candidates raise far more money than parties do; the election, after all, is about them. Debates between candidates are more valuable than ever. We often portray our presidential elections as debates, maybe even great debates. However, debates about principles until recently did not mean a debate between persons. Tradition and logistics were against real debates.
Yes I do think presidential debates are useful because it lets us see different opinions each candidate has on the issue brought up. From each of the candidates ‘opinion of the topic at hand, we can then decide on which candidate we believe is most suited to represent us. Another reason is because they allow us to evaluate on the issues or topics presented to us.

Abdul M.

10/23/2012 12:52:33 pm

If I was moderating a debate I would ask the candidates the most important questions. These questions must adress our national security, the future of our economy, climate change, and foreign policy. :)

1. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations what efforts would you make to reduce military spending, if any at all ?
-The reason that I ask this question is because in order to move forward as a country we must reduce the biggest expenses that we have as a country and work towards more practical defenses.

2. Job creation is the main issue on people's minds, what is your plan to create jobs and to reduce the unemployment rate ?
- This question really needs no explanation because people need jobs in order to survive and restore this economy to it's glory days.

3. As a developed country we have a moral obligation to mitigate the effects of climate change, so as president what would you do to handle the climate change?
- I want to see our current rapid climate change problem tackled so that we can survive for another 50 years, and not have to endure extraordinary expenses because of the environment.

4. Our troops work hard to protect the country we all love, what is your plan on bringing our troops home and when ?
- I asked this because it cost alot of money to be involved in other counties and it is a risk to the lives of our soldiers!

Wilbert C.

10/24/2012 11:08:32 am

Hello Abdul,
You have posted great questions for the debates and provided a good amount of details in your reason and explanations.
It is true that we must balance out the federal budget and that most of the budget is going to the military funding. You are correct in asking this question to see where the incumbent and the republican nominee stand on the position of budgeting and to see if they know what they are talking about.
It is also good to ask about job creation, although you might like to add how they will increase jobs. This can be done in a number of ways such as what President Roosevelt did during the Great Depression and starting public programs. This can also be done by attracting corporations to manufacture on U.S. soil rather that on international grounds.
Climate change has been a big issue even 12 years ago during the 2000 elections when Al Gore based his campaign on this very issue. Being one of, if not the, most powerful countries in the world we have an obligation to inspire technological advancements in green energy to withhold the dangers brought upon by climate change and pollution.
It is also good that you mentioned troops and when they will be back on the home front. You have great cause for concern in this case and also are correct. Only thing is I want to ask why you want them home. The troops are in their current designated areas to ensure the safety of lives in their respective base countries. The troops are on international ground to protect america from becoming under threat and to eliminate the threat before it even begins. Other than your last question we are basically coinciding in our opinions of this matter.

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 12:06:19 am

Abdul - Your questions are fine. You have one reason for asking the question instead of at least two.
16/20

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 12:03:55 am

Barbara Jean: You have a summary of the article. What evidence from the article can you include to support your position? What did you learn from the debates that helps voters "choose" a candidate? Do debates provide a platform for candidates to distinguish themselves or show how they are different?
Summary - 10/10
Response - 5/10

15/20

Ciani Upchurch

11/1/2012 10:08:32 am

Hey B.Jean, I also think presidential debates are useful. However I find them quite enteritaning, how each candidate tries to expose the weaknessess of one another.

LiangJian Gao

10/23/2012 11:39:15 am

a) According to the author, the debates do not affect the outcome of the election.

1. The debates are not useful. First the author demonstrated that even though Wilson and Roosevelt gave one of the most exciting campaigns and hotly debated issues, they failed to change many votes. In addition, Samuel Lubell said, “My own judgment is that the debates did not bring any basic changes in the voting pattern of the nation.” The debates constituted just one small part of an electoral machine that included. The authors of Presidential Elections note, “as usual, the 2008 failed to produce any development important enough to significantly affect the trajectory of the campaign.”

2. I think the debates will not affect the outcome of the election. First, there were only three major presidential debates. People may not have time to watch these debates. We cannot get all information about the two candidates among these debates. In addition, the debates are just one of the small components that affect the election. There are many factors that affect the election like campaign. Samuel Lubell also stated my opinion. Finally, during the debates, one candidate usually uses fallacies to assault another candidate. Some of the debating is unbelievable.

Jiaming

10/26/2012 03:25:11 am

I agree with the first comment "The debates are not useful". Even though they gave out the most exciting campaigns and hotly debated issues. But the outcome is not as good as they thought.

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 12:17:15 am

Clear and supported with specific evidence.
How should candidates communicate with the public? What is the best way for the public to know what a candidate proposes to do? The debates can be "over the top" with accusations and playing with the truth. What is a solution?

20/20

Go Vung

10/23/2012 12:51:39 pm

According to the author, the debates affect the outcome of the election. The author describes that debates is not just between the persons, it mostly about the principles. Also the president should be the chief executives above politics, partisanship and to be presidents of all the people. Debates over the radio, televasion provided the solution that who could do more favor and beneficial for the Americans.
In 1976, during the debates Ford and Carter, Ford response to the Soviet Union domination of Eastern Europe had shocked every one. Because Ford seemed to be unwise and careless about the foreign policy.This proved that presidential debate solved the problem of who knows more about the policies, what is the main issues that to be solved and who could be confidence and lead the country.

Nianxin Guan

10/24/2012 04:35:08 am

In my opinion, I cannot say surely that I support or oppose. First of all, I agree with Liangjian Gao about people cannot get enough information about the two candidates among these debates, because there are only three major debates. However, I agree with Go Vung that the debates affect the outcome of the election, because people may change their mind during or after the debates. According to the author, debates is not just between the persons, it mostly about the principles.

Channary Art

10/24/2012 10:57:08 am

I agree that the debates affects the outcome of the election because like Ivy or Nianxin said people may and can change their mind during or after the debates.

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 09:28:31 am

What does the author mean that the debates area about principles? Do you think debates are useful? (Your example from 1976 indicates you think debates are informative.) You need to state more explicitly whether or not you think the debates are useful. You can use the example of Ford/Carter but need to state your position and how this example supports it.
15/20

Anh Phan

11/11/2012 11:18:38 am

I also wonder that is that fair for people just juge on a few isses that the candidated answer in the debates. The debate may or can change their mind but I think it not the only things to for the voter to decided who they would vote for.

Justin Sanchez

10/23/2012 11:36:04 pm

3.
C) If I was moderating a presidential debate the 4 questions I would ask are:
1. The unemployment rate in America is high, what are your plans to decrease the unemployment rate and create new jobs for our citizens?
- This is an important question because our citizens need money and decreasing our unemployment rate will strengthen our economy.
2. Do you think it would be beneficial to cut military spending and if so what would the money cut from military spending be used for?
- A huge amount of money goes into our military, and it is but to good use keeping our country safe, and helping out our allies over seas. If we cut spending we would lose some of that power, but what would be good a use for the money instead of using it for our military?
3. Education is important for the youth of America. What are your goals for keeping schools open, and continuing to keep our youth educated?
- Education is essential to the youth of America, without it a huge window closes when searching for a job.
4. Taxes play a big role in how the government gets its money. Is taxing the middle class more than the rich really a smart choice?
- While the middle class pay most of the taxes the rich sit with there feet up. Why would it be smart to tax the people who have fewer money than the people who can afford to smoke 100 dollar bills?

Abdul :)

10/30/2012 03:39:04 pm

Justin I agree with your last question about the middle class. In order to get this country back on the right track we need to give the backbone of our economy "in the middle class" some breathing room. The middle class creates jobs for many Americans and without this job creation we can only move backwards, so lowering taxes for the middle class and raising them for the upper class is a good idea.
Your third question also interested me because education is special in America. We can't do well unless we have professionally trained teachers who can inspire young adults the country over. I believe that education should be run at the state level but government can lower cost of secondary education and ensure our youth stays in school with innovative programs.

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 09:39:08 am

Most "wealthy people" would argue they create jobs - most "middle class" work for someone else. (The exception is a small business owner who has few, if any, employees.)
Regarding education, what programs might lower costs? What do you consider innovative? Currently, what is considered innovative often requires a lot of money (e.g. Sustainability Project is very expensive to operate. It has received at least a million in grant money. That is very expensive for the number of students involved.) What innovative educational models save money?

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 09:35:10 am

Justin - Your questions are timely. I don't know if anyone smokes "Benjamins" but some people argue the wealthy pay too much in taxes. (It may be a smaller percentage of their income but it is a significant portion of the federal government's tax base.) What would an equitable tax system look like? What services should taxes provide? (You include the amount of money the US devotes to the military.)

20/20

Wilbert C.

10/23/2012 11:39:46 pm

I would propose, to make debates more engaging, an allowance to post questions for the debate on social network sites. This would allow the people to be more engaged in the debates and feel that their questions are being answered.

Debates should be open to the public. Open door debates would also increase participation of the public in the debates and in politics. This would raise morale and influence the people to participate more in the ballot.

Debates should also involve third party candidates. The third party candidates will bring a new light upon the views of the two main parties in the debate and may create a swing to one side or the other influencing the results of the debate and elections.

Wilbert C

10/24/2012 11:11:25 am

Ms. Sharer this is Question 3.C I forgot to put it on there so I'm just following up on it

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 10:52:45 am

Wilbert - How would someone monitor a social networking site for questions? There is no guarantee someone's questions would be answered. Nevertheless, I agree that finding ways for more people to pose questions would open up the debate.

Debates are open to the public but not all of the public. One has to get a ticket or pass. I assume knowing someone on the inside helps with getting a ticket.

It would be interesting if the US would return to opening debates to 3rd party candidates. When Ross Perot participated in 1992, it did have an impact on the election results.

18/20

Nianxin Guan

10/24/2012 04:52:41 am

3
d). The 2012 presidential debates only include the two dominant party candidates – Republican and Democrat, and it's not fair. Third parties candidates should attend the debates. Seriously, this situation against the first amendment---freedom of speech. This situation strips the right to speak of candidates of third parties. It also strips the equality of election and voting. There is no debates for third parties candidates, so that, citizens cannot hear the voice of those candidates. It's not only reduce the choices that the citizens can choose, but also block the opportunity for equal competition. For another reason, I believe that more candidates more thoughts, and more ideas to make the nation better. Debate is not only the way for voters to know their political means, but also the way for learning more good ideas for the future president, so that he can lead this nation wisely and make citizens' lives easily.

Channary Art

10/24/2012 11:15:43 am

I agree the third party candidates should attend debates. Republician and Democrat are not the only political party, so third candiate should also be allow to use voice to the world because of free of speech,the first amendment. But remember, sometimes people do not even pay attention to third party candidates. People usually look forward to listening to Republican and Democratic more.

LiangJian Gao

10/25/2012 09:10:14 am

I agree with your saying. I think that third party should join the presidential debate. It indeed will produce more thoughts, and more ideas to make the nation better. Nevertheless, have you thought that when there are many third parties that want to attend the debates, will it be chaotic?

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 11:17:26 am

Do you think most people in the US know about political parties other than Republicans and Democrats?

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 11:15:52 am

Ivy - You include a number of reasons to include 3rd Party candidates in debates. How will more idea make "the nation better?" How will this make the "nation wise" and life easier?

18/20

Jiaming

10/26/2012 03:05:27 am

If I were moderating a presidential debate, the questions i would ask are the following.
1. what makes you think you are qualify for the election?
2. why there is a huge gap between the rich and poor people?
3.Which direction do you think America heading?
4.Do you satisfy the Situations that America have right now ?
Each question is essential in a presidential debate because what I have asked is most of people want to know. Americans all care about the development of the U.S. Middle class and poor want to know how come some people became so rich. And public wants to know what candidates can do for them.

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 11:21:18 am

Jiaming, yes, you asked questions some people want answered. What do you mean "the situations that America have right now?" Do you mean the economy? education? war? Why else do people want to know about the wealth disparity in the U.S.? You need to write more specific reasons for your questions. Your comments are too general.

15/20

Anh Phan

10/30/2012 08:06:35 am

d)
I think the 2012 presidential debates don’t need to include third parties candidates because:
1.These candidates usually are unknown by the voter, people don’t really know who are they, what they did and what is there political point of view.
2.When we have too many chooses, we will not know who to chooses from and from what parties we should choose. The voter will get confuse when they have to choose from many.
3.I don’t think people like campaign add that bordering them all day. If there is more candidates appeared on the president debate, there will be more add follow.

Ms. Sharer

10/31/2012 11:27:06 am

Interesting points, Anh. Do you think more voters will know about 3rd party candidates if they are included in debates? Why can't voters handle more than 2 choices? I had not thought about the connection between 3rd party candidates, debates and TV ads. Do you think 3rd party candidates will have enough money for TV ads?

15/20

Anh Phan

11/1/2012 12:47:31 pm

Ms.Share

What I want to say is the television power. As we know that the easiest way to get more people attention is to be on the television. When these third parties’ candidates show up on the debates, there will be a million people watching and listening to them. When they get the change to let people know that they are exist, there will be people who will support them as the same way people support the Republican and Democratic parties.
Voting is just happen every four years, it’s not something that all of us used to do. Most of us will feel afraid when we make an important choose but there are too many to choose from. It will get confuse for most of us who just did it for the first few times when we have too many candidates and too many parties to choose.

Nicolette Sanborn

11/13/2012 12:51:10 am

If I were moderating a debate I would ask the candidates the most important questions. These questions must address our national security, the future of our economy, climate change, and education.
1. The unemployment rate in America is high, what are your plans to decrease the unemployment rate and create new jobs for our citizens?
- This is an important question because our people need money and decreasing our unemployment rate will strengthen our economy.
2. Our troops work hard to protect this country, what is your plan on bringing our troops home?
- I asked this because it cost alot of money to be involved in other counties and it is a risk to the lives of our people.
3. Education is important for the youth of America. What are your goals for keeping schools open, and continuing to keep our youth educated?
- Education is essential to the youth of America, without it a huge chance closes when searching for a job.
4. As the president what would you do to handle the climate change?
- I want to see what climate change problem is handled so that we can survive for another 100 years, and not have to feel extraordinary weather because of the environment.

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October 24th, 2012

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