This morning, six political club members took on the roles of the three leading presidential and vice presidential candidates for an hour-long mock presidential debate. Held exclusively for juniors and seniors, the debate focused on candidates’ policies rather than their moral character.
Social studies teachers Mr. Jonathan Pedrone and Mrs. Kimberly Hughes moderated the debate. Candidates were asked a total of five questions and given two minutes each to answer with a one-minute rebuttal period. Democratic nominees Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine were represented by seniors Kimberly Haft and Amanda Wasserman, respectively. Republican nominees Donald Trump and Mike Pence were represented by seniors Suganth Kannan and Richard Aurrecoechea, respectively. And Libertarian nominees Gary Johnson and Bill Weld were represented by juniors Joshua Gerstenfeld and Asa Zaretsky, respectively.
The debate began with Trump declaring his stance on lowering tuition in public colleges and making free education open to all people in America. As per the actual presidential debate, Trump failed to identify any clear policy to back his response. Clinton sided with making college debt free for all students and making sure all school-aged children have access to free public education. Johnson agreed that students should not have to take on loans in order to pay for college.
Shortly after the first question was asked, Gerstenfeld fainted and left to recover. Weld, Johnson’s vice presidential pick, took over for the rest of the round.
The debate continued with questions on economic disparity, the national debt, immigration reform and other challenges plaguing the country. While there was minimal audience interruption, all three candidates received a wide array of cheers and boos between speaking points.
For many students, the mock presidential debate was the first time they were able to experience each candidate’s unique personalities firsthand and hear their differing stances on issues.
“After the debate, I might be an independent,” senior Jed Casauay said.
The New York Times’s latest election polls show Clinton leading at 45.5 percent to Trump’s 42.2 percent with only six days left until Election Day.
With such distinct candidates on the ballot this season, there is only one thing certain about the upcoming presidential election – it is going to be close.
