In what has become an abysmal presidential candidacy, we’ve heard a plethora of ideas, values, and plans from two people with starkly opposing ideals. In tonight’s third and final presidential debate, the key and most heated topics brought up were; immigration, economic state, gun control, abortion, Obama care, and overall fitness to be the President of the United States.
In the beginning of this campaign there was a somewhat obvious split between the two candidates and what they stand for, which transferred into the lives of the American people. A rift began to form between two sides; the liberals and the conservatives. Throughout, almost, this entire campaign people on either side of the spectrum had an ideal candidate in mind. So, in order to really divulge into this last debate before election day, it seems appropriate to hear from both sides, just just as we do in the debate.
The liberal take and reaction comes from Erin Murphy.
The vast majority of liberals, though in some cases originally more closely following the campaign of Bernie Sanders, has devoted their time, energy, and support to Hillary Clinton. This debate has thus far been the bud of a joke. Many Americans, especially younger Americans, claim to want to find “The lesser of two evils”. For a lot of people that is Hillary Clinton. Her motives and plans aren’t nearly as radical, and the main dig the Trump campaign has made to her candidacy is the controversy surrounding the sent/in box of her email.
It has become obvious throughout this campaign that both candidates have questionable pasts that the greater part of America wish didn’t exist. And more importantly, wish we could stop hearing about. For the duration of this campaign and from the very beginning of the debates the presidential nominees have agreed on very little.
At, what seemed to be, the very start of the third debate our candidates through every form of “shade” at each other that they could think of. It all started with the question surrounding the second amendment. Though the opinions of each candidate in regards to this question were almost the same, you could not understand their individual stand point through all their bickering. both had valid ideas about gun control. Trump immedialy tried to strike Hillary by belittling her opinion on the Second Amendment so far as to suggest she wants to eliminate the right to bear arms all together.
His statement, not only wrong and misguided, but also has no legitimacy. Even if Clinton wanted to abolish the 2nd amendment it would have to pass through the senate, which would in no way come about. Furthermore, in doing so it would bring about the opposite reform that both parties want to see; safe and legal gun control.
After the topic of gun control, the subject of immigration was hit on heavily. Mainly, of course, by Mr. Trump. Hillary has done a lot of work with immigrants and refugees over the years, and because of this has rightfully developed strong feelings towards the topic. the idea of the wall dividing the US and Mexico was brought up almost immediately by both candidates. And though Trump very adamantly encouraging this idea,
“Now, I want to build a wall. We need the wall the border patrol, ICE, they all want the wall”. – Trump
It was also followed by questions of whether or not this plan will actually Make America Safe Again.
Hillary then responded with her ideas to keep america safe without closing its borders.
“My comprehensive immigration reform plan of course include border security. But I want to put our resources where I think they’re most needed. Getting rid of any violent person, anybody who should be deported, we should deport them.” – Hillary
She wants to encourage trade and allow refugees from places like Syria (yay someone finally mentioned Syria). But of course with the mention of Syria also somehow came the topic of intentions to “Fight ISIS”, when Donald made a remark that suggested that the influx of refugees coming into the country correlated with the amount of terrorist attacks on the US. Though Hillary’s answer may have been the more peaceful and family oriented response, she still did not fully answer the question of what her plans are for future immigration reforms.
In what seemed to be the only topic that the two weren’t solely bashing each other was the topic of abortion. Which, as always, became heated quickly. With two very different candidates the topic was as controversial as one would expect.
For a woman in her early 20’s this topic means the world to me. When my rights to health care are threatened, I tend to get a little angry. With this topic, no matter what your views are on the subject, any liberal, democrat, socialist, and (more than anything) advocate for women’s rights has to understand that putting ProLife politicians in a position to change the legality of safe abortions is outright dangerous. Throughout Trumps response to this subject his information was misguided and grossly inaccurate. A big part of what makes America great is the ability for one to have a set of opinions that differs from others. This particular topic is sort of the grey area in this school of thought, but does not eliminate the validity of the issue.
Hillary then went on to correct Donald’s allegations and inaccurate facts in regards to late term abortion, claiming the baby is “ripped from the mothers womb” (and please note that the term “partial birth abortion” is not accurate or politically correct). Clinton’s plans to support Plan Parenthood, which has been under a lot of scrutiny lately, she wanted it to be made clear that they do much more for women’s health than any other association. And importantly, keep the Roe vs. Wade ruling, which gave women the right to a safe and legal abortion if that was her choice. The key word there being choice.
The entirety of debate was jag after jab between the presidential candidates, often times leaving no room for actual answers in regards to the questions asked by Chris Wallace. Mr. Trump talked about about Clinton’s emails and Benghazi, while Clinton mentioned Trump’s treatment of women and taxes. All of these topics and more distracted from the actual questions and concerns at hand, which therefore left the majority of America both conflicted and terrified.
On the more Conservative side, we have the input and reaction from student Rose Brown.
A few weeks away from the election and we are brought with the crescendo of all campaigns: the final Presidential debate between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump. The primary consensus about this debate that set it apart from the others was that the discussion contained substance about each issue in our country and less personal attacks.
Of course, Trump couldn’t get away without calling out the Clinton Foundation and their double standards of posing for the championing of women, however accept money from foreign donors who publicly disrespect and abuse women and other minorities. Clinton’s retort was that Trump’s foundation uses their donations to pay for murals and lawsuits.
Moderator Chris Wallace, who unlike previous moderators remained unbiased and challenged each candidate equally, opened up debate inquiring about violence in Chicago which led to discussion about gun control.
Trump, endorsed by the NRA, kept consistent on advocating his support of the second amendment. Hillary claimed she “supports” it also, yet she believes more restrictions for certain loopholes are to be made so that we can “make sure toddlers have access to guns”.
Last time I checked there was an age limit to accessing guns and more restrictions doesn’t sound like supporting the right to bear arms. An idea that raised eyebrows to many was how Hillary can be so concerned about the lives of “toddlers” all of a sudden when if it was up to her, they could be aborted shortly before birth.
Of course abortion was brought up early on in the debate, as Trump grilled Hillary on her belief in partial birth abortions. Discussion about Roe v. Wade erupted. Trump asserted that he would appoint pro-life Supreme Court justices.
He also stated that if Roe v. Wade were overturned, states would have the ability to make their own decisions. He completely demolished all justifications of abortion reminding us about partial birth abortion:
“you can take the baby and rip the baby out of the womb of the mother”. Hillary’s response? It’s “a woman’s right to choose” to end the development of her baby.
When it came time to discuss immigration, Trump remained to call for border security, stricter immigration laws, finalizing his plan to build a wall. Hillary remained wishy-washy as she was haunted by her and her husband’s past remarks for stricter immigration and her stance now to open up our borders, because how dare we “separate the families” of illegal immigrants.
“I don’t want to see the deportation force that Donald has talked about in action in our country. We have eleven million undocumented people. They have four million American citizen children. Fifteen million people. He said as recently as a few weeks ago in Phoenix that every undocumented person will be subject to deportation. ” – Clinton
Overall, when it comes down to the presidential fitness of these candidates, it’s almost like choosing the lesser evil. We have Hillary, who appears very presidential and collected on stage. However, it would be a concern if she didn’t know how to appear so after 30 years of experience. But what has she done that is beneficial to our country? After 30 years one would think there would be more good than bad. A corrupt career politician who has put our national security at risk is not fit to be President.
Then we have Trump, who is a successful businessman whom the media is firing shots at left and right all day, bad mouthing his past and Hollywood persona. Though he is not ideal. He is not presidential in the least, and does not represent the traditionally conservative Republican candidate. However, what he has said in some of his policies are indeed accurate and have the potential to be helpful. Someone who will run through the wall to defend our Constitutional rights, especially those our nation was founded on that are at risk, is what needs the spotlight.
Overall, though this campaign has been long and arduous. many arguments have brought about key issues in American society today that deserve the attention of the future President. No matter what your view on the various subjects and candidates are, it is important for all Americans go out and exercise your right to vote on November 8th.
