Presidential Election: The Day Before the Storm

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/07/us/politics/presidential-election.html?ref=politics

It's the final day before the election and the two candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, are racing to gain as many votes as they can. Currently, Clinton has the lead, but it's very small. This could be why Trump plans on visiting four states: Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Clinton, on the other hand, is planning to visit Michigan, who she lost against Bernie Sanders. However, she also has the support of current President Obama, who also plans to visit Michigan in order to convince them to vote for the Democratic party. Just yesterday, the FBI director came to a final decision regarding Clinton's private email server. The result was that Clinton will not be facing any charges. While many believed that the FBI director was doing investigating this in order to advantage a certain political party or candidate, President Obama denied this, stating his confidence in the director. 

1. If you could vote (or are voting tomorrow), who would you vote for and why? 

2. Do you think it's possible for Trump to win the election, concerning the fact that Clinton's current lead is small?

3. Do you think that the FBI's conclusion regarding Clinton's private email server will affect the outcome of the race tomorrow? Could this still affect people's views on Clinton's?

Clinton as President...What would it be like?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hIFDaGs8l8

I'm trying to mix it up a little bit, so if you have the time, try watching the video linked above. It discusses how Hillary Clinton would govern, should she be elected. And with the election coming up soon, I'm sure everyone is curious to know what it might be like if she becomes our president. Of course- keep in mind this is from Vox, so it is going to be biased, and it is going to be opinionated. Venture on with that in mind.

One of the biggest things this reporter discusses is Clinton's abilities as a listener. He says that despite the public's view of her as a cold, calculating person, the people she has worked with always describe her as warm. They often cite listening as her greatest quality, and the reporter says that Clinton is extremely good at listening to what the people want, and going out and getting it done. And she's been successful, a lot. But the reporter also criticizes that Clinton doesn't always succeed. Whether if it's because she listens to the wrong people, or because she tries to please too many at once, sometimes her skill isn't always a gift. The reporter does praise, however, Clinton's willingness to compromise. In an interview she mentions the importance of continuously reaching out to others, even if they are your opponent.

Discussion Questions:

1. Many criticize Clinton for being wishy-washy. They say she changes her mind a lot (ie. she didn't support same sex marriage before, but now she does). However, is this actually a good thing because it reflects that she listens to the people and what they want? Or does it simply mean she's indecisive?

2. If you had to choose between the qualities of being a good speaker or being a good listener, which would you prefer in a president?

3. If Clinton becomes president, do you think that she'll do a good job?

US election daily dig: Starbucks to the rescue?

Article

Seeing Trump and Clinton are constantly attacking each other, Trump saying Clinton is a liar and going to start WWIII, and Clinton poking at Trump for his attitude towards women and also says he is going to start a war too. However, the nationally known chain, Starbucks, decided to switch their cups from their regular white cups to green as a symbol of unity for the nation during the election. The Starbucks's CEO stated, "During a divisive time in our county, Starbucks wanted to create a symbol of unity as a reminder of our shared values, and the need to be good to each other." However, many Starbucks lovers have been outraged over the green cups because this time of year the cups are normally red to symbolize the holidays, but since then Starbucks has stated the red cups will come back later this month after the election. 

Discussion Questions:
1) Do you think the green cups will help the country unite the nation behind the winning candidate in next week's election?
2) Was this a creative idea that actually worked?
3) Do you think it was fair for Starbucks lovers to get upset over the green cups?

Clinton, Trump All but Tied as Enthusiasm Dips for Democratic Candidate

Link

Due to the FBI's renewal of their investigation on Clinton's Emails, her polls have dropped. Now she is one point down on Donald Trump. Donald Trump has 46% of the likely voters while Clinton hold 45%. As of Friday, Trump is up 8 points on Hillary Clinton in the share of voters who are very enthusiastic about their choice, 53% for Trump and 45% for Clinton. Strong enthusiasm for Clinton has lost 7 points since the renewed controversy over her use of a private email server while secretary of state. As for Trump, his strong enthusiasm has stayed strong since mid October. 

1) How is this scandal going to impact the election? 
2) Is Hillary in the wrong for using private email servers while secretary of the state?

The FBI keeps showing up in this election

The FBI keeps digging into the hole of politics. They wont stop until they find someone suspicious they have found themselves back in the scandal of Hillary Clinton's deleted emails. The FBI also released files of their probe from 2001 into Bill Clinton's pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich. The FBI tried to make it clear that there was no political motive around the sudden release of files. "These materials became available for release and were posted automatically and electronically to the FBI's public reading room in accordance with the law and established procedures," the statement said. Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon question the timing of the release of the files nearly 16 years after his terms, but only seven days before the election involving his wife.

1) Do you think the FBI is working against Hillary Clinton?

2) What do you think their intentions were with releasing Bill Clintons files seven days before the election his wife is involved in?

3) Do you think the FBI is abusing their powers or simply using it to publicize old files as history?

Judge rebukes administration over few admissions for Syrian Christian refugees

article link

A federal judge has remarked that the Obama administration has let in a disproportionate amount of christian refugees from Syria in the last year. Of the 10% christian population in Syria that has been reported, only one half of one percent of Syrian christians made up the 11,000 Syrian refugees let into the U.S. in 2016. The information presented to states often in not sufficient by the federal government, and federal judge Daniel Manion has outlined that there has been no real explanation for this great discrepancy. State departments have tried to gain information on why, but one of the reasons, Manion cites, could be affiliation with Christian Militia groups in Syria which puts the refugees on lists not to be accepted, and that has dire consequences. The lack of information about the numbers is more troubling to people like Manion than the actual occurrence itself at this point.

1.) Should the U.S. federal government put more emphasis on providing reasoning behind their refugee loads each year to provide to news outlets everywhere?
2.) Why do you think there is a great discrepancy in Christian refugees coming from the large Christian population in war-torn Syria?
3.) Why hasn't the committee dealing with refugees come out with reasoning behind their choice to only let in 56 Christians out of 11,000 refugees in 2016?

Clinton is Now Focusing on Issues and not Trump

http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37743890

This week on the 23rd of October, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton stated made remarks about what she was going to focus on in the last couple weeks until the election. One of the things she stated was about Republican Donald Trump : "I debated him for four and a half hours," said the candidate "I don't even think about responding to him anymore." This is a very important statement because, in these ending times before the debate it is important to ensure that the people know what a candidate is planning to do in office.

1) Do you think that this idea is a smart move on Clinton's part

2) Do you think that Trump should make a similar move to focus on policy

3) Do you thing that four and a half hours is enough to say what is needed about each candidate