Candidate Debates

Bad luck, gentlemen.

For the purposes of our class, we are down to 5 candidates. My apologies to Messers Santorum and Johnson, but you're not on the ballot at PSM.


And, despite what his daughters might say, Jon Huntsman is most certainly not back. Or maybe he is? You never know.


Either way, we're down to our Final Five. Group members are listed following each candidate's name.

1. Newt Gingrich (Naaman, Mariah, Delissa, Rukiat)
2. Mitt Romney (Nia M., Kentrell, Ariana B., Maurice)
3. Ron Paul (Jonathan, Ariana W., Nia B.)
4. Rick Perry (Vanecia, Davyion, Vesper, Shaquara)
5. Michele Bachmann (Toni, Darnell, Njeri)

And one more group:

1. Moderators (Felicia, Latrionna, Kyronda)

In our final project for the semester, you will prepare for and participate in a mock candidate debate. We will model this very closely after the real life debates that have taken place so far. You can see two nice examples below:

• The CNN "GOP National Security Debate"
• The "Huckabee GOP Presidential Forum"
• Obama v. McCain
• Biden v. Palin
• And the first big one, Kennedy v. Nixon

Rubrics and Other Documents

Below are all of the documents you will use in this project:

• The debate presentation rubric
• The moderator paper rubric
• The candidate paper rubric
• The class ballot
• The class evaluation sheet

Candidate Groups

Rationale: In order to effectively argue the position(s) of your assigned candidate, you will complete a uniquely formatted position paper. Your paper should be approximately 3 FULL – 3 ½ pages in length, typed, double-spaced, 12 point font, and will be formatted EXACTLY as described below. You will include each of the headings shown in your paper.

You will need to attach a (minimum) 4-source works cited page to your paper. All sources should be cited following MLA format.

Candidate Position Identification Paper

50 POINT PROJECT GRADE

Candidate biographical information: Here you will type a short biography of your candidate. Where did he come from, what was his life like before he entered politics, how did he become a senator, what political party he is part of, etc.

Candidate Platform: Here you will completely describe the candidate’s beliefs. Explain whether or not she typically falls into step with the rest of her party. Describe the voting bloc she appeals to the most – who got her elected? What issues are nearest and dearest to her heart?

Chosen Debatable Issues: Here you will explain the three issues your candidate will focus on in the debate: the economy, national security/defense, and domestic/social issues. Try to place the things your candidate cares most about under these three areas.

Economic Argument: Completely describe the issue at hand, then give a detailed explanation of your candidate’s stance on the issue. Include key information, quotes, facts and figures, and so on.

Economic Counter-Argument: Once you’ve outlined your position on the issue, detail the counterarguments as proposed by your opponents. Finally, support your position by attempting to poke holes in this argument.

National Security/Defense Argument: Completely describe the issue at hand, then give a detailed explanation of your candidate’s stance on the issue. Include key information, quotes, facts and figures, and so on.

National Security/Defense Counter-Argument: Once you’ve outlined your position on the issue, detail the counterarguments as proposed by your opponents. Finally, support your position by attempting to poke holes in this argument.

Domestic/Social Issues Argument: Completely describe the issue at hand, then give a detailed explanation of your candidate’s stance on the issue. Include key information, quotes, facts and figures, and so on.

Domestic/Social Issues Counter-Argument: Once you’ve outlined your position on the issue, detail the counterarguments as proposed by your opponents. Finally, support your position by attempting to poke holes in this argument.

Closing Statement: Wrap up your paper by stating in specific terms why you are a best choice to be the Republican nominee for president. Cite details which support your argument and close with something that will make your audience remember you.


Grading:

Examine the Candidate Position Paper Rubric. This will show you exactly how I will grade your paper and works cited page.

Moderator Group

Rationale: In order to effectively run the 40-minute debate between our candidates, you will complete a uniquely formatted paper. Your paper should be approximately 3 FULL – 3 ½ pages in length, typed, double-spaced, 12 point font, and will be formatted EXACTLY as described below. You will include each of the headings shown in your paper.

You will need to attach a (minimum) 4-source works cited page to your paper. All sources should be cited following MLA format.

Moderator Paper

50 POINT PROJECT GRADE

Opening Remarks: Open your paper by welcoming everyone. Introduce the location and sponsors for the debate, explain why we have a need for this meeting, provide any necessary background information on issues they will discuss, and describe the format the debate will take.

Candidate Introduction: Here you will type a short introduction for each candidate. Include their party, current position, and any information relevant to the race.

Chosen Debatable Issues: Here you will explain the three issues we will focus on in the debate: the economy, national security/defense, and domestic/social issues.

Issue 1: The Economy. Summarize the issues you will ask the candidates to focus on in the debate.

• Issue 1 Question(s): For each issue/topic, you will need to compose a minimum of 3-4 questions to ask the candidates. You will not share your questions with the candidates prior to the debate, but will make sure to notify them of the general topic you will cover in each question. Although you have three vague, assigned topics to cover, you must decide how you will focus the candidates on the issues.
• Issue 1 Question(s) Rationale: Explain your reason for asking each question. You should have a general idea of what each candidate’s answer will be.

Issue 2: National Security/Defense: Follow the same format from Issue 1.
Issue 3: Domestic/Social Issues: Follow the same format from Issue 1.

Closing Statement: Close your paper by stating the procedure you will follow at the end of the debate.


Grading:
Examine the rubric to see exactly how you will be graded.