Debate Format and Questions
- Students will sit with their political party and the candidates for President will sit at the front of the classroom.
- Candidates should have a 1-minute opening remark to lay out their plan for America
- Q&A portion of the debate
- Potential questions to be asked:
- Recently, America has gone through tough economic times. As a country we are slowly working our way back from the financial collapse of 2008, but there’s still a long way to go. How will your economic plan bring America back to prominence?
- Explain to the people of this great country how your plan for healthcare will benefit them.
- Candidate, some would say that too much money is spent on the military and that money would be better served going to other causes. Others might say that not enough is being spent to keep us safe and cutting military spending will open America to a terrorist attack. How would you address these concerns?
- Would you say that the US government’s drone program is good for the military and how would you respond to critics who say that it actually creates more terrorists by killing scores of innocent civilians in a single attack?
- Issues of the LGBT community have been all over the news recently. Public polls are showing that more Americans than ever support marriage equality and rights for all people regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Are these changes good for America and how will you either promote legislation to ensure universal equality for all people or stop these things from happening?
- Another hot button issue is abortion rights. Does the Federal government have the right to regulate the female body? As President, how will your administration approach this tricky issue?
- Would lowering the drinking age to 18, legalizing marijuana and prostitution help or hurt this country? How?
- Is our environment in trouble? What can America do to help?
- Our 2nd Amendment right says Americans have the right to “bear arms” but should this right go unchecked?
- Is police brutality (especially towards minorities) a real issue or is the media making a big deal out of nothing? How do you feel about the Black Lives Matter movement?
- Does America have a problem with immigrants? What is the solution if there is a problem? Think specifically about immigrants from Latin America and refugees from Syria.
- Candidates will each have a 1-minute closing remark to sum up their stances and leave a lasting impression for the voters.
- Class will vote for President.
- President elect will give a victory speech to classmates.