Republican Debate 1/13/2016 was held at the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina and was aired on Fox Business Network at 9:00 pm. Niel Cavuto and Maria Bartiromo narrated the debate of: Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Chris Cristie, Geb Bush, John Kasich. During the debate John Kaisch spoke fluently and used natural hand motions that showed that he was passionate about what he was talking about. Chris Christie used little hand motions but he made constant emotional contact with the audience by referencing the safety of our homes, families, and kids. Jeb Bush kept stuttering which showed he was nervous. He also spoke in a fake pressuring tone which was distracting to me and made it obvious he was trying too hard. Marco Rubio did not smile when the audience applauded and he didn’t wait that long to continue talking which I liked because it showed he knew what he wanted to say; however, he talked too fast which was distracting. Ben Carson’s opening was unprofessional. Donald Trump’s hand motions are excessive, obnoxious, and awkward.
Democratic Debate on 1/17/16 was held at the Galillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina and was aired by NBC News at 8 pm. Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd narrate the debate of Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley. Hilary Clinton had a very strong opening. O’Malley had awkward eye contact with the audience; it was obvious when he was reading his speech. At the end of his opening he says he “needs our support” which sounded desperate. O’Mally talks too fast and smiles too much; does he realize he is talking about the struggles of America? O’Mally is very cocky and tries to shine light on himself at every given opportunity, and by begging for a chance to talk, makes him sound very desperate. Bernie Sanders is not good at controlling his facial expressions when Hillary speaks towards him.
Republican Debate on 1/28/16 was held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa and was aired on Fox News. Chris Wallace, Megyn Kelly, and Bret Baier were narrating the debate of Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, and John Casey. Megyn Kelly started opening the debate by announcing that Donald Trump chose not to attend this debate, which was genius. Cruz started the second part of his speech by calling the other candidates fat and ugly, which is what Trump would say, and shines a subtle light on Trump. Rubio always talks about how bad Obama is and it is really annoying; he needs a new topic. Christie connects to the audience by pointing at the camera, looking at it the entire time while he speaks, and then looks into the audience and uses fluent hand gestures. It is a smart tactic to connect with people at home watching it on TV, too. Ted Cruz pointing out that he keeps getting picked on was pathetic. It wasn’t a good move because if he can’t handle the spotlight, then it makes me wonder why he is running for president. Rand Paul provides logic in his replies: why something happened, how to fix it, and what the fix will do. I enjoyed his replies, but wonder why he hasn’t been in any other debates. Marco Rubio said “blow people up” when referring to ISIS and that was very unprofessional. He does not provide plans for any of his replies. Ben Carson talks very slow and it is distracting to me. Jeb Bush was asked on the topic of “backdoors” on our phones, and his answer just proves why people don’t trust their government. He openly told the public that it is not a public matter, despite the fact that it will affect every single person with a smart phone. Rand Paul talks very smoothly and calmly, and uses natural hand language. He makes the other candidates look bad.
Republican Debate on 2/6/2016 was held at the Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire and was aired on ABC News. David Muir and Martha Raddatz moderated the debate of Trump, Cruz, Carson, Rubio, Bush, Kasich, and Christie. The opening was horrible- Ben Carson just stood there due to not hearing his name be called. The other candidates continued to pile onto the stage, except for Carson and Trump. Trump stood by Carson and waited until he got his official opening to walk onto stage. I think Ben Carson should have talked to the guy behind the curtains to find out what happened- him just standing there clueless just proves that he doesn’t take initiative. He simply waits to be told what to do. Donald Trump created a new slogan “We’re going to win with Trump” which, I think, is the first time I’ve ever heard him use a slogan. Ben Carson is smooth and collected much like Obama. He didn’t take the very open opportunity to call out Cruz, which proved that he didn’t need to sink down to the level of the other candidates. I loved watching Rubio get called out, I’m glad Christie called him out. Christie had a great speech following. He used his hands perfectly and he had a good plan figured out. Jeb Bush mentioning what he has accomplished was a good move on his part because nobody can say that he is inexperienced or unqualified. Cruz received a question on nuclear bombs/war and he turned his answer towards other people and whose fault it was- then continued to provide his vague answer. During other candidate’s answers, Donald Trump looks like he isn’t even listening. He is looking around clueless- which is unprofessional.
Republican Debate on 2/13/16 this debate was held at the Peace Center in South Carolina. It was moderated by John Dickerson. Trump, Rubio, Cruz, Bush, Carson and Kasich were all at this debate. This debate focused on the death of Supreme Court Justice, Scalia. Trump would not pick a side, whether Obama should elect someone else to fill Scalia’s spot or not, which is unprofessional. He said “He will do it whether I want him to or not”, then proceeded to say that the other members of the Court should stall Obama’s election- this sounded very pathetic to me. If he wants to be president he has to pick a side, no matter who agrees or disagrees. It is a smart move on Trump’s part though, so nobody can hold his words against him later. This debate contained a lot of raised voices, name calling and criticism. Ben Carson still talks very slow and it is hard to pay attention to him because he has no sense of urgency. Trump constantly has to interrupt his opponents and when he does he yells and points his finger in the air which is unprofessional and rude. But then has the audacity to say that everyone likes him. When Jeb Bush was attacked, he sat there quietly until his opponent was finished and smiled. However, he shouldn’t have discussed his mother and father for pity. Ben Carson still has to go out of his way to get attention because the moderators do not call on him. He needs to stop drawing attention to the fact that nobody is calling on him. Trump is the only candidate that uses fluent hand gestures on a regular basis.
Democratic Debate 2/11/16 was held in Milwaukee WI and was aired on PBS. Narrating the debate of Sanders and Clinton. Sanders took several moments to call out Hilary. He explained that Sanders winning would be a “historical accomplishment”. Clinton also calls out Sanders for his lack of knowledge/advice on foreign affairs. Bernie Sanders uses excessive sloppy, one-hand gestures which I find distracting because he emphasizes every word he says. While Hillary, uses firm hand gestures using both hands. Clinton is very respectful of her opponent when he is talking even though she disagrees. She does not, generally, interrupt her opponent. When Sanders interrupts or responds to what she said, he says that he “respectfully disagrees” which I like because he is very polite. Clinton said she has a lot of donors and give “small donations”- but how big is a ‘small donation’ if Trump claimed $1 a “small loan”? Clinton’s voice is always strong and loud, she never trails her voice off which signals confidence and power.
Republican Debate 2/25/16 was held at the Rubio and Trump bickering back and forth was extremely unprofessional. They care more about shaming each other than answering questions about the future of our country. Whenever Rubio called out Trump, Trump would hold his pointer finger up and interrupt Rubio, instead of being respectful of the other opponent and letting him speak. Trump does this often and is extremely unprofessional. If he cannot let his opponent speak, how is he supposed to mediate between other countries? Cruz is respectful of his opponent which I like.
Republican Debate 3/3/16 was held at the Fox Theatre in Detroit and aired on Fox News. Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly and Chris Wallace moderated the debate of Trump, Cruz, Rubio, and Kasich. There was an incredibly inappropriate comment from Rubio mocking Trump’s hand size, which then caused Trump to hold up his hand to the audience and say “I guarantee you, there’s no problem” in that area. This is EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL. They are still acting like they are high schoolers fighting over a girl. This kind of behavior is extremely inappropriate, especially being talked about on stage and on air for the entire world to see. That has absolutely no context towards the presidential debate. Jeb Bush pointed out in the last debate that they need to stop bickering and name calling and get back to the political debate, which is what is important. Cruz and Kasich had a good night at this debate as opposed to Rubio and Trump, who were just bickering at each other and talking over each other for the first hour. Although I think everyone could agree that the candidates are getting sick of Trump’s immaturity, it causes themselves to loo/k petty by throwing shots back at Trump.
Democratic Debate on 3/6/16 was held in Flint, Michigan at the Whiting Auditorium. Anderson Cooper moderated the debate of Sanders and Clinton. It was aired on CNN. Clinton got called out on a bill regarding black communities, The Crime Bill, and as soon as she started her answer, she brought Sanders into it, making him look bad. She did this twice which was immature.
Republican Debate on 3/10/16 was held at the University of Miami in Miami Florida. CNN aired it and it was moderated by Jake Tapper. Trump, Cruz, Rubio, and Kasich were a part of this debate. Cruz sounds like he is reciting a speech in the beginning of the debate. Trump sounds calm and collected, which is abnormal and I can tell it’s an act. (He finished a full sentence!) Cruz says we need plans, but he never said what his plan was. Rubio used firm hand language that Clinton uses… too bad his is fake. Trump actually mentioned the word “education” however, he said “make it great again” which is also his campaign slogan. Trump also failed to mention what his plan is to make America and our schooling great again. Trump bringing up how Ben Carson is endorsing him was obnoxious and unnecessary. Trump still interrupts his opponents and it is very disrespectful.