Debate #12 (12/9)

Resolved:

• Fighting the war on terrorism requires relaxing checks on presidential power

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by12/8 at noon (12pm). 

Debate #11 (12/4)

Resolved:

• Presidents have usurped the war power that rightfully belongs to Congress

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by12/2 at noon (12pm). 

Debate #10 (11/25)

Resolved:

• The president has too much power in the selection of judges

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by11/24 at noon (12pm). 

Debate #9 (11/18)

Resolved:

• The president is a more authentic representative of the American people than is Congress

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by11/17 at noon (12pm). 

Debate #8 (11/11)

Resolved:

• Presidential signing statements threaten to undermine the rule of law and the separation of powers

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by11/10 at noon (12pm). 

Debate #7 (11/6)

Resolved:

• the vice presidency should be abolished

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by 11/5 at noon (12pm). 

Debate #6 (11/1)

Resolved:

• The media are too hard on presidents

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by10/31 at noon (12pm). 

Debate #5 (10/14)

Resolved:

• A president's personal attributes are the best predictors of performance in the White House

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by 10/13 at noon (12pm). 

Debate #4 (10/7)

Resolved:

• The president should be elected directly by the people

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by10/6 at noon (12pm). 

Debate #3 (9/30)

Resolved:

• Political parties should nominate candidates for the presidency through a national primary

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by 9/29 at noon (12pm).

Debate #2 (9/23)

Resolved:

• the Twenty-second Amendment should be repealed

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by 9/22 at noon (12pm).

Debate #1 (9/16)

Resolved:

• the framers of the Constitution would approve of the modern presidency

**Please post your three (3) questions for the Pro, Con, or both sides of the debate, as well as indicating a question or two you would like to see asked in class (through submitting a "reply".  Make sure you read through the questions posted before you, as repeated questions will not count!  Questions should be submitted by 9/15 at noon (12pm).

Here's how this is going to work....

In GOVT 220, each student is responsible for participating in two in-class debates (I’ll divide you into groups of two).  During the remaining 10 debates, each student will be responsible for submitting three questions stemming from the assigned debate chapter's content.  The question component of the assignment has three things students should be mindful of:

1) Students should submit their questions by copying and pasting into the comment section. This should be done by noon the day before the debate (debate schedule is included in the syllabus).

2) Students should review other questions to ensure they are not reposting a question already raised (hint: posting earlier rather than later will help ensure your questions won't have been taken)...repeat questions will not count!

3) To help facilitate the creation of a discussion you find interesting and relevant, go through and “reply” to any comment you think has the best question(s).  Alternatively, you can email me or post a second comment indicating your preference.  The questions with the most support will have a greater chance of being discussed.