US Politics Mega-thread - Page 3038

(One minute opening statements for each candidate)


On the topics of illegal immigration and national security…

Senator Sanders
How would you define the threat of illegal immigration in our country, and how do you address the people who do not respect our national borders?

Senator Rubio
How would you improve the verification system for immigrants legally entering this country, and how have your personal experiences shaped your views on this issue?

Mr. Trump
In a recent interview, former president of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, said that the people of Mexico will not be paying for the border wall that you have been consistently proposing. He argued that it would be useless in deterring illegal immigration, and that it would do a disservice towards trade between the United States and Mexico. How would a border wall actually deter illegal immigration, and how do you strongarm a country into paying for it, if its leaders simply refuse?

Governor Christie
How do you feel about racial and religious profiling of American citizens, especially Muslims living in the Unites States, considering the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California?

Secretary Clinton
What or who do you believe is the biggest threat to national security at the moment, and what would you do about this issue if you became president?

Senator Cruz
How do you plan to fight ISIS, if you are elected?


On the topics of abortion and Planned Parenthood…

Senator Rubio
You have clearly stated, multiple times, that you do not support abortion, even going so far as to say that you would not grant exception to rape and incest cases. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, less than 1% of abortions in this country are due to rape, yet that 1% still includes thousands of women who have made that tough decision. How would you explain to those women- as well as millions of other women who might need to eventually make this decision- why they should not have an abortion if they become pregnant after being raped?

Governor Christie
While you do not support abortion in most cases, you disagree with Senator Rubio in that you would allow for abortions that occur in cases of rape. How do you reconcile your personal beliefs on abortion with the Supreme Court’s decision of Roe v. Wade, that a woman’s right to an abortion is protected under the 14th Amendment?

Secretary Clinton
Can you explain why you are such a strong advocate for Planned Parenthood, and why you think that there are many opponents- including other presidential candidates- who disagree with that organization?

[Offer a rebuttal by any Republican candidate on the issue of Planned Parenthood]


On the topic of voting laws…

Senator Cruz
On November 8th, millions of Americans will be casting their vote for the next president of the United States. However, in many locations- such as your state of Texas- voter ID laws are very strict, which may prevent many Americans from being able to exercise their right to vote. Do you think the millions of Americans who do not have a government-issued photo ID should not be allowed to vote in the upcoming election?

Senator Sanders
What do you think of the voter fraud issue in this country, and do you agree with Senator Cruz’s assessment of the situation surrounding voter ID laws?


On the topic of political affiliation...

Mr. Trump
Since the 1980s, you have made very large campaign contributions to both major parties. Furthermore, you have changed your political affiliation several times in the past 30 years, from being a member of the Democratic party, to the Republican party, to the Reform party, back to being a Democrat, then Republican, then Independent, and now finally you’re a Republican again. Why should conservative voters believe that you’re the best Republican candidate running, since you have historically switched your political affiliation so many times and even threatened to run as a third-party candidate, effectively splitting the Republican vote in half and ensuring a Democratic president?

[Offer a rebuttal by any candidate on the issue of consistency of political affiliation]


On the topic of gun control…

Senator Rubio
Every year, thousands of Americans are killed by guns. What is your assessment of current gun control laws in this country, and what is your opinion on the restriction of gun ownership?

Senator Cruz
In Texas, you do not have to register any firearms, there is no waiting period when purchasing a firearm, both concealed carry and open carry are legal in certain situations, and owning machine guns and assault weapons is legal. That being said, the frequency of gun violence in Texas per 100,000 people is about equal to the national average, with many states having a higher percentage of gun violence and many states having a lower percentage. Do you consider your state of Texas to be successful or unsuccessful in terms of responsible gun ownership, and do you think that any gun regulations or protocols, such as background checks, should be universal to the point that it would be sensible to have a federal gun law in place?

Governor Christie
Your record on supporting vs. opposing gun control laws has shifted over the years from a more liberal, left-wing position to a more conservative, right-wing one. Furthermore, according to FBI reports, the Kaiser Foundation, and the CDC, 18 of the 20 states with the highest percentage of gun violence in the country typically vote Republican in presidential elections, while 17 of the 20 states with the lowest percentage of gun violence in the country typically vote Democratic in presidential elections. Why do you think that this political divide exists, and do you think that your views are headed in the wrong direction based on the data?

Secretary Clinton
Please respond to the answers on gun control given by the Republican candidates.


On the topic of religious faith and presidential firsts…

Senator Sanders
If elected president, you would be the first non-Christian president of the United States. How large a role would your Jewish upbringing play as commander-in-chief, and how important of a qualification do you think religious faith is for someone to be a successful president?

Mr. Trump
Similar question to you: You’ve said multiple times that you’re a Christian, although you don’t seem to reference your religious faith as frequently as the other Republican candidates. How important should a candidate’s religious beliefs be to voters, and how much of a role should religious faith play in the daily decision making of the president of the United States?

[Offer a rebuttal by any Republican candidate on the issue of religious faith]

Secretary Clinton
If elected, you would be the first female president of the United States. As Madam President, what unique challenges would you expect to endure, and do you think that women will have finally attained equality and fairness if you are elected?


On the topic of public education…

Senator Cruz
What role, if any, should the federal government play in public education, and what is your opinion on Common Core?

Mr. Trump
You’ve said that Common Core is “a disaster”. Specifically, what is so disastrous about Common Core?

Senator Rubio
Do you favor merit pay increases for outstanding public school teachers, and if so, how would you determine teacher excellence for said pay increases?

Governor Christie
In New Jersey, you have focused heavily on opening and funding charter schools, despite being accused of ignoring public schools. What are your reasons for the expansion of charter programs for New Jersey students, and what are you priorities in terms of public education?

Senator Sanders
You believe that all public colleges and universities should be tuition free. Are you afraid that the value of a college degree will be diluted if everyone goes just because it’s convenient, and how do you plan on paying for all this free education?

Secretary Clinton
You have also stated that you want to make college more affordable for students, although rather than the free tuition than Senator Sanders is promoting, your plan includes a lower tuition rate that students and families will still need to pay. Why is your plan better than Senator Sanders’s, if he can make tuition completely free?


On the topic of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare…

Mr. Trump
Much like your rhetoric on Common Core, you have repeatedly said that Obamacare is “a disaster”. Specifically, what is so disastrous about Obamacare?

Secretary Clinton
Do you consider Obamacare to be successful at providing healthcare, and what should be the next step for the U.S. healthcare system?

Senator Sanders
In the past, you have vocalized your support for Obamacare much like Secretary Clinton has, but you have also mentioned eventually moving to universal healthcare through a single-payer system, which is something that Mr. Trump has also promoted. What are your reasons for preferring a single-payer system over an expansion of Obamacare, and do you think it’s wise to try to implement this after the Democratic party has fought so hard to make sure that Obamacare doesn’t get repealed?

[Offer a rebuttal by any Republican candidate on the issue of Obamacare]


(One minute closing statements for each candidate)