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Once every four years, the United States holds an election for the President of the United States. According to the Constitution, presidents are limited to two terms, or a total of 8 years. Our next election for president will be in November 2016 and since President Obama has already served two terms, the United States will elect a new president.
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November 2016 may seem like a long ways off (8th graders will be sophomores, 7th grades will be in their freshman year of high school, and the 6th graders will be the 8th graders of St. Joe’s) but campaigning for the position is already underway. Over the past few weeks a number of candidates have come forward to announce their presidential campaign. This week announcements were made by former First Lady and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and.jpg)
Since from this election will be a new president, the nominating process will be extensive. Beginning in January of 2016, each party will hold primary elections. The intention is for each party to determine the best candidate for the position. Each candidate will be scrutinized and evaluated about every aspect of their lives and their positions on issues ranging from immigration to same-sex marriage, from Vladimir Putin to Israel. No stone will go unturned. At the conclusion of the primaries, there will be one candidate from each major party. They will choose a running mate for vice president and hit the campaign trail, again.
Do you think it is necessary to start this process 18 months before the election? Is it an effective way for Americans to become familiar with the candidates or does it distract the government from dealing with issues facing our country? What do you believe are the most important issues facing the president in the world today? What qualities do you think would make the best president for the 2016 election?
The 18 months are important because it gives us voters a chance to get to know the candidates and the candidates to appeal to the voter, especially those of the swing states like the Great Lakes region and Florida and Nevada. Yes, the government may be distracted, but it is still important for the voter to get to know the candidates. Foreign relations are definitely a big deal facing the American Government for 2016. These candidates definitely need to be able to handle the 'pressure' associated with being in such a high position. Yes honest, kind, etc. are important, but it is more important to be able to be responsible with the position of authority and really be an active leader as opposed to a passive leader.
ReplyDeletePart of me thinks its the perfect amount of time because it gives us a chance to really think about who is responsible enough to lead this country, but on the other hand I think it is to long because there is not a lot of people who vote now. Only about 60% of US vote for presidential and only a 40% at midterms. We may be distracted, but still its more important to underpants the person who could potentially lead our country need to be able to resolve conflicts in our country rationally. Or, at least try to help. We need a leader who won't crack under pressure and one who isn't a meek and shy president.
ReplyDeleteThe presidential election overall is a big deal because we are deciding who will run our country for the next four years. Eighteen months is a long time to prepare, but when we are deciding on who will lead our county and make important decisions, I think time is necessary. It is important for Americans to become familiar with the candidates, because we are the ones who will be deciding who will run the United States of America. It is also important for the candidates to focus on issues affecting our country. Some important issues the President is facing today is climate change and global warming, Isis, and our national debt. I think some of the best qualities for a president are to be actively involved in the community, a good role model/leader, a great public speaker, and lastly someone who will have the confidence to make crucial decisions for the United States when it counts the most.
ReplyDelete18 months is a long time, but at the same time it's productive. It is good for voters to get to know the candidates, and their strengths and weaknesses. Voters also want to make sure that the candidates are not hiding anything(lying). If a candidate lies then nobody will trust them. The candidates should always admit and own their mistakes, because everybody makes mistakes. At the same time those 18 months are filled with annoying signs and ads saying vote for this person because...
ReplyDeleteSome issues facing the United States today are unemployment rates are crazy. Education is also an issue, especially in Idaho. I would say the reason for so many people without jobs is that they might be homeless. The reason for low education rates might be people dropping out of school.
Some good qualities a new president would need are:
HONESTY
admit to their mistakes
own their mistakes
use money wisely
make right decision for the country
18 months seems like a lot less that 1 1/2 years, at least to me. I think that it might be a little overdoing it, but they have the right to. They are basically public speaking, which they are entitled to do. This gives people a lot of time to get to know the person, but the problem is, sometimes they only show what they want the people to see. I mean, if I were running for president, I probably wouldn't show my bad temper or sassiness (believe it or not I do actually possess those qualities). But, of course I'm going to be a hypocrite and say that people running for president shouldn't do that. I think that the most important issues facing america today are how we are involved in issues all around the world. Seriously, just because we are super powerful doesn't mean that we can fix every problem facing this world. Two other ones are inter terrorism and consumerism. I think that our new president should be able to keep an open negotiation with both parties. Our congress are stuck in disagreement, which is not functional. Our country is politically polarized.
ReplyDeleteI don't think 18 months is too long, after all time flies by. When I say this I mean that although the number itself actually seems like a lot, in the long run it goes by quickly and the real election is here before you know it. Plus, I also think it helps because the candidates can allow their audience to learn more about them. The people can have eighteen months to learn all about the candidates and to learn what the candidates intend to do with our country and what their goals are. I don't think it should distract the government too much because in my opinion it is 18 months from elections so it is not something they need to be focusing on yet. I definitely agree with Leah on the idea that one of America's greatest problems probably is getting into all the nations' messes. We can't make everything perfect and sometimes we need to let things be before we get in over our heads. One of the greatest issues facing the president I think is immigration. So many people are sneaking over the Mexican border and those many people aren't actually citizens so they don't have to pay taxes but still receive the things that are there because of taxes. Good qualities of the 2016 president would probably include the will power to say No! which leads back to my idea that America tries to fix everything. A president should also be humble, sincere, truthful, and since THEY are the ones that ran for president than the well being of America should be their first and foremost priority (unless they have a family then THAT should be their priority). But you get what I mean.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that is completely necessary to have a 18 month time period, but I think that it is fine that there is one. It just could be done in less time. On the other hand, it is good to have a longer period of time so that you can get to know the candidates better. I feel that it is a great way for the American people to get to know the candidates. I don't think that the government will be distracted because they can focus on different things at once. I think that the most important issues in America that the president will have to face will be the dept, the lack of jobs, and the immigration problems (as many people have said). I think that the things to look for in a future president is good logic, truthful, they should solve the problems, and they shouldn't blame problems on other people. The presidents should take responsibility because they were elected.
ReplyDeletei don't think that it is fully necessary to have 18 months before the election, But it could be necessary to though to do that so if the people don't really understand what the candidate is going to do, than the U.S would be a horrible place to live in. I think that the 18 months before is a good idea. So that the candidates are more understood by the people. I think tho that the government might be covering up things. You never know. If there is covering something up than that would be horrible. and the 18 months would be a ridiculous idea and not necessary. I think that the most important thing facing our country would be every thing. Everything that is facing our country is important, pepped for the stupid gossip things, that's not very important. the best qualities the a candidate needs, would be not blaming others for the mistakes that they make. and maybe being nice? idk but it would be helpful if they knew what they where doing
ReplyDeleteI think it is necessary to have 18 months so then the voters can get to know who is going to be the next president of the United States. I think it is distracting because they cannot focus on the problems facing this country. They have to be able to handle the pressure of handling our country. honest,kind,and also make right decisions for our country, and maybe using money wisely.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is necessary to have 18 months provided for candidates to start their campaigning. 1+ years gives ample time for voters to get to know those who are running for office, and even possibly feel a personal connection with him or her. I think this is an effective way to reach out to voters, especially because it seems to have become the trend, and if you don't do it; well- you might already be counted out of the presidential campaign.
ReplyDeleteI think some many of the above listed are big problems facing our society today. One that I think is of a more significant importance are the issues facing the Middle East. If the threat that is being posed by ISIS and other terrorist groups isn't quickly thwarted, then a terrible outcome could come out of this now seeming under-control problem.
I think the qualities that are needed for today's president are different than what was admired in previous campaigns. I think we need a president who is straight-forward, deals with problems swiftly, and clearly defines things that are right and wrong. Lately, we've been lacking in all of those qualities, and we need to make up for what was lost in these last few years.
I think that it makes sense to start campaigns very early for the presidential elections. I think that starting so early will help people trust the candidates and get to know them better. But, it also diverts the governments attention from other world wide problems. There are some major problems facing the U.S.A today. There are the problems with the Middle East, Russia, and South Korea. In the 2016 elections I think that the new president should be able to stay calm in difficult situations and be able to think through important decisions.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is necessary to have the introduction of the presidential candidates be 18 months before the election because all presidential candidates should be scrutinized because if they weren't then we would be choosing the person to be running the country with something less than the utmost care. Allowing 18 months before the elections gives voters a time to consider and get to know the candidate. I believe that while there is a lot going on right now for people to try and focus attention on both current issues and who will be responsible for handling issues in the future, that since Obama has served both of his terms that he will not be distracted with election campaigns because it does not concern him. I believe that makes this terms campaign effective but that is not always the case. I think that there are so many important issues facing this world today. Just to name a few: the Iran missile crisis, ISIL, Boko Haram, Cuban relations, and the Israeli/Palestinian-Hamas conflict. And now to name a few issues with in our own country. Racial issues in this country are always a concern. We have greatly improved since the slaves were freed, however, Ferguson should never have happened a second time. It shouldn't have even happened once. I believe that the president should be determined, truthful, and honest. The president should be determined because he should always be looking for ways to improve this country, the environment and world around us. There is a fine line between being truthful and honest. Honesty includes having strong moral principles whereas truthfulness includes the fact of being realistic.
ReplyDeleteI think that 18 months is a good time because the people running have to tell people abiut them convince them etc. I think that its effective to help the people running get votes and people liking them but it also does distract us from seeing the problems that the government at this time. I think it is hard to know exactly what the problem is becuase there are 2 big main parties and they look at the country 2 different ways. I think that we need to be careful where we put our selves meaning what we get into with other countries and only do it when thought through thuroughly.
ReplyDeleteI think taht the next president needs to be hinest about all mistakes and problems,
think about what should be out problem and shouldn't
then finially proper care of money.
No I don't think so but it gives the candidates enough time to prepare and do everything. I think it is effective because we might not realize that they are millionaire or etc. I think that what the president will have to face is of course criticisme but also the lack of jobs and mistakes made. also Important decisions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Qualities that I think would make a good president are that they are one of the people, and not rich High-rollers.
ReplyDeleteI think we need enough time to get familiar with the candidates and their stances on the various issues, but an 18 month long campaign seems like a distraction for the government. While it is important for the citizens to be familiar with the candidates before they make their decision, we don't want the government spending too much time with their campaigns, especially right now with so many important issues like the nuclear weapons with Iran. I believe the most important issue America is facing right now is national security, especially the threat of nuclear weapons and terrorist. I think the president should be open to ideas from people outside government. A good president won't vote on issues because they might be right for their party, but rather they should vote in a way that is right for the country or the world. Our next president needs to be very good in working with other countries and being firm with nuclear weapons and terrorists.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of pressure on Presidential candidates, and I have to give them credit for being able to take on all those responsibilities. Today, there are a lot of problems facing these candidates, especially the social media. These candidates will be watched 24/7, and any mistake they make will be shared with the whole world. They will now have to watch everything they do to keep up a good reputation. I think that is is necessary for the candidates to be announced far in advance, so that we can really understand their personalities and ideas about current issues. To be a good president, I believe the person must be willing to see both sides of the situation, and be able to react with an answer that benefits the community as a whole, especially those in need. If the candidate can fit these requirements, I believe the person can be a very good president.
ReplyDeleteI do think that it is important to start the elections 18 months before the election. This is not something to be taken lightly-we are electing a new leader to take control of our country. A new leader to make the most important decisions, a new leader that could by theory start WWIII of was necessary. The people need to know who they are voting for. The people of the United States have to know everything about that person, they need to know how they control the country, how they address their people, how they react in situations of desperate measure. I think that 18 months may not even be enough time honestly. This is such a huge important decision, it has to be the right one.
ReplyDeleteI think that the major issues in this country right now are immigration (especially from Mexico). Of course there are many other issues facing the world and our country, but this one appeals to me because I knew many people who immigrated from Mexico when I lived in California, and I want this issue to be totally dealt with. Some of the qualities that I believe the president must have are that they are not biased and they can understand the people. They need to know what it's like to be a regular person, so that they can deal with the country effectively. They also need to know about social studies in extremely deep detail. They need to know who they are dealing with when they travel to other countries and know the customs. They need to understand the threats of other countries and leaders. They need to be able to know these so that they can protect our country. If there is a candidate that can really take these into consideration, I think that they will be able to run our government well.
I think it is necessary to start campaigning 18 months before the election because you want the people to know about you and it shows your dedication towards wanting to be the president. I think it's both an effective way to have Americans know about them but at the same time i feel like it does kind of distract our government from current issues going on. I think the most important issues are the terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS, a lot of the terrorist groups don't like us and we can't keep letting them do whatever they wan't such as killing people and kidnapping people. I think some good qualities for a new president would be one that can handle and be smart with money and someone who can do something about terrorist groups, but no go too far into it and get us all killed.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is completely unnecessary to start campaigning 18 months before the actual election. The election is at THE END OF 2016 PEOPLE!!!! We will be FRESHMAN in HIGH SCHOOL. The government is just trying to distract us with elections so we don't realize that they are not doing anything.
ReplyDeleteA good time to start the campaigns would be at the start of 2016. It would give us 10 months to familiarize ourselves with the competition. There is no reason why they should start over a year before.
I think that one thing that a good president needs to be able to do is stay out of fights that don't involve us. If we aren't part of a disagreement then stay out of it! If the country doesn't ask for help then don't provide it. And if a country asks for help then don't focus on another cause that doesn't want anything to do with us.
One of the things that we need to focus on is Boko Haram. They are taking children and killing or selling them. Shouldn't that be something on the top of our to-do list? Another thing is ISIS. They are all saying "Death to America!" That sounds pretty bad to me even if I don't have "political knowledge".
I think it is a good idea because it really does help the voters get to know the running candidates for presidency so the voters have a good idea of who is running and how they are going to help out our country in a better way. I would say yes and no to that. Granted the United States does have problems that we are facing. Also because we are starting so early we are also getting our minds developed around the vote for the new President of the United States. President Obama has been facing problems in the past during his term as President such as the whole Israel conference and ISIS situation. Good qualities for a good president need to be having some experience in some form of government training or running some form of city or state. Some other qualities need to be honest and trustworthy.
ReplyDeleteIt really doesn't matter to me what time they start there campaign because I am not the one voting and so therefore I don't care. I think probably the most important issues facing the president toady are terrorists. They continue to threaten the United states of America but we are never sure if they are actually going to do anything about it so the best thing for us is to be prepared. For the 2016 president I think that an import quality they would need is to be fearless and calm in the sense that anything actually DID happen. They should have a plan already if they were to get elected. That is my opinion
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a good idea because then you can learn more about the person before being rushed into voting. I do not think that it is distracting at all. Would you want a random person to be president or would you want to have learned about the person and understand them better? The choice is yours but I personally would want to know them. I think that the most important facilities g the president today is less and their threats against the United States. I think that some good qualities for are a president are: Kind, caring, honest, happy, and having an open mind on different topics.
ReplyDeleteI dont think it is necessary to start this early but Ithink it is better. This way the people running have more time to convince the people to vote for them. It also gives us more time what kind of president we want to have. This probobly does distract the government but it is also a good thing. Some of the biggest threats facing the U.S today are the economy and terrorists. Some qualities the new president will need to have is they need to be prepared they cant just go in thinking everything will be ok they have to be ready for a huge responsability. They also need to be a good public speaker and be able to solve problems with solutions that appeal to the people.
ReplyDeletei think that it is very important because it gives voters a time to get to know who is running and get to know them better so they know for sure who to vite for when it comes up. I would say that it is a little bit of both. While you want to be familiar with the candidates, you also want to put focus on other issues facing the country today. I think that terrorists are one of the biggest one facing the US because they have made so many threats against the US O think we should just focus on nullifying terrorists. Some qualities the 2016 president should have is trustworthiness, and be an active leader instead of a passive leader.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is helpful to start campaigning early, but it's not necessary. I also think that it is a good way for the candidates to get used to the pressure and spotlight they will be encountering, but at the same time, it helps the people to get to know the candidates and their objectives for improving this country and the relations we have with others. Some big issues facing the president today are the pressure and constant watchfulness of everyone around, the next president needs to address and help with the problems throughout the world for example: war, violence, and starvation. Some major and necessary qualities for the next president would include being honest, active (in making decisions, not physically), and must consider the opinions of the people.
ReplyDeleteIts not too long, this person we elect will be our leader for the next four years. And yes we must not get distracted form the important issues our country faces today. The issues that i think are a problem today are th following (in no specific order)
ReplyDelete-national security
-ISIS and other Islamic Terrorists groups
-unemployment
-gun control yes/no
-California Drought
-Mexican Border issues
-debt
Qualities the next president needs to have are the following:
-honesty
-loyalty
-compassion
-aggressiveness
-activeness
Yes i tod becasue I think that htey are very important to us. I think that it is a good way to get everyone used to the thought of it. Yes i think that this is destractiing the government becasue the gov. is jut worried about what is going to happen rather than worrying on the very important stuff. i belove that the most improtnant things that we should be taking care of is the security of ourselves and the civilizaions meaning like improvng schools all over the world. We need to always be safe. I think some of the qualitites would be security again and being smart about the oter canidates that are running for other things.Also to be smart wiht war issues around the world not onlly involving ous ut the other countries we are about and truce with.
ReplyDeleteI do think that it is important to start campaigns early so that it will give voters a good idea of who might and mg=ight not be good leaderrs forr our country. Although, eighteen months does seem a little excessive. I do think that strting campaigning so early can have its up and down sides. I do think that it will distract from the current issues. For example, last year at this time, president Obama was probably not to focused on his actual job of leading our country. He was more focused on the fact that he needed to maintain his campaign in order to be relected. And this year, he is on hiss home stretch and probably not very focused on his job currently. i think that a good leader must be honest and be able to make tough decisions while listening to the people.
ReplyDeleteI believe the 18 month period is just the perfect amount of time for us to get to know the kind of people weare voting for. I believe this longer period helps the voters judge the candidates and vote on who they think is best for the United States. I believe the president is facing many problems with war, mainly with Isis and some countries in the Middle East. There are many other important issues like Obamacare. Obamacare is not doing well right now. Not everyone is happy with the way it inks going. Obamais facing the task on making that work too. Some good qualities the president would need could be 1. follow through with promises made while campaigning. Some presidents haven't done a great job with that.(Obama) 2. They need to know how to keep things under control. Keeping the US under control while their is chaos around us is key. 3.they have to nlearn to keep calm and have a level head during the pressuring moments of their career. To me that's what makes up a good president
ReplyDeleteI think that campaigning 18 months before the actually election is legitimate because if you want to win, you have to give yourself time to prepare and make your name known . I don't think that it distracts the government from facing current issues or at least should't. It definitely distracts the media, but that's what they're there for. I think that the biggest issues facing presidency today are relationships with other countries, pollution, and terrorist issues.I think some characteristics that would make a good president are: willing to except different ideas and put them into consideration, leadership, and unflappable.
ReplyDeleteI think campaigning 18 months before may be a stretch. I do agree though that we should be familiar with our candidates otherwise we wouldn't know who to vote for and why. If we do not get used to having them around then when one of them is our president we still wouldn't be used to them. I'm not huge for politics but some issues facing the president are his Obama Care. Some people love it while others think it is not good. I don't really know what to think but that is a big issue facing the president.
ReplyDelete18 months is ridiculous! All the candidates want are donations and grants for their campaigns. It's good to know they want to "connect" with us, but they shouldn't be making such a big decision more than a year away from the actual election. The candidates running around and talking about their way of office is really distracting when it comes to real issues like ISIS, or Al Kida, or dealing with terrorists and other evil strongholds in the world. The president needs to stop saying "I have an idea" and fix the dumb problem instead of just talking about a dumb idea and solution. I think the president needs to quit fooling around and take some action instead of lying around in the white house all day and saying speeches.
ReplyDeleteEvery four years, Americans vote for the person that they believe will serve the best. Many people will run, but only one will be able to say that they are the president of the United States of America.
ReplyDeleteOver a year before the election, the race begins. A whole eighteen months. Eighteen months before the election begin people start trying to get voters. I feel that it is a little outrageous but we do need to know who our future president will be. Having campaigns started this early helps us be familiar with those running but it also takes our focus off of the more important things. Right now there are countries that need help, but some people are to caught up in the fact hat a woman is running for president.
Today in Health we talked about fossil fuels. We continue to burn fossil fuels no matter how much we talk about it. When my parents were kids they talked with their kids about changing to healthier was. It hasn't happened. It probably won't until it is so serious that people start to die. That is one of the problems that we face today.
Some people want their perfect president. For our 2016 president I feel that they need to care for others and fight for us... especially peace. I'm not sure what a perfect president is, or if there is one, we need someone that will do things that we want them to do.
Side Note
Sorry I just got the blog in. I was absent Monday and then forgot.
I think that campaigning for 18 months is a good amount of time. It gives the voters time to look who they are voting for. The president runs for 4 years or more, so it is very important to pick the best person for being president. I also think that 18 months might be too long. All the other things going on might distract the voters from watching the campaigns.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it is necessary for this process to start 18 months before the actual election. I think it is a good way for America to get to know the candidates and I don't think it distracts our government from issues that our country has. I think the most important issues facing the current president right now are ISIS, Baltimore, Nepal, etc. I think good qualities for our 2016 president would be someone who cared about our country and wanted the best for it. They would take care of issues around the world as well as in our country.
ReplyDeleteYes, because like you said every stone needs to be turned and if we have an untrustworthy president it could cause a disaster. I think it is important for Americans to get to know the president because that person will be running our country for 4 years. ISIS is probably the presidents toughest issue because it threatens not only us but the world. Someone that is a leader and not to opinionated, someone who gets the job done.
ReplyDeleteYes, because like you said every stone needs to be turned and if we have an untrustworthy president it could cause a disaster. I think it is important for Americans to get to know the president because that person will be running our country for 4 years. ISIS is probably the presidents toughest issue because it threatens not only us but the world. Someone that is a leader and not to opinionated, someone who gets the job done.
ReplyDeleteYes, because like you said every stone needs to be turned and if we have an untrustworthy president it could cause a disaster. I think it is important for Americans to get to know the president because that person will be running our country for 4 years. ISIS is probably the presidents toughest issue because it threatens not only us but the world. Someone that is a leader and not to opinionated, someone who gets the job done.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, of course the 18 month period is necessary, and this can be perfectly explained by a quation as simple as, "would you rather know someone for 18 months and marry them for 4-8 years, or know someone for any number under that and marry them for 4-8 years?. However, if you want to look at it in a view of the 18 months being a distraction, then think about the fact that maybe our new president could change all of the bad stuff is elected properly. Some of those issues being the china situation, ISIS and various other groups of destruction. To be able to solve these I would ahve to say one quality and one quality only needs to be present- something different. Whether that meaning the new president is female, or maybe republican, something needs to change.
ReplyDelete