Debating the debate: Wareham students talk politics

Oct 21, 2016

The third presidential debate on Oct. 19 offered a lot for voters to think about, including the high school students in Col. Lt. Matthew Stanton’s American Politics classroom.

Just one student in the class of 27 is old enough to vote, but the freshmen, juniors, sophomores and seniors that make up the class are paying attention to the race.

On Friday, students participated in a spirited, freewheeling and at times humorous discussion on the debate, which they were assigned to watch as homework.

Read on to see how students responded to questions that Stanton posed to the class. For the record, only one student was a vocal proponent of Donald Trump.

What were your initial impressions of the debate?

“I felt like I was watching a middle school debate. They never really answered any questions.”

“At times, Trump belittled Hillary to boost himself up.”

“Trump saw Hillary was trying to bait him, she was trying to do that with personal attacks. You can’t do that to Trump, he’s a counter puncher. If you hit him, he’ll hit you back ten times harder.”

“I don’t want either candidate in office. Let’s just amend the Constitution and elect Obama for a third term.”

Thoughts on Trump’s debate style?

“He does make some good points on several issues, but he could make those points in better ways. The way he makes those points angers a lot of people.”

“When he said ‘hombres’ I looked at it as a misguided attempt to connect with an audience whose votes he needs.”

“He really isn’t thinking about what he’s saying.”

“Trump seemed unprofessional, he kept interrupting Hillary.”

What were your thoughts on the debate format and moderator?

“The moderator did a great job, he was fair but firm and should have moderated all the debates. He kept the debate on track.”

“There was no Ken Bone.”

“Trump couldn’t sneak up behind Hillary like he did at the town hall-style debate.”

“The moderator, like, laid down the law.”

Who won the debate?

“Trump won because he did not take Clinton’s bait. He answered the questions and focused on the issues.”

“Hillary, because she was prepared.”

“I was unsatisfied with both of them. They didn’t answer any questions.”

“From what I saw it was a tie.”

“Not the American people.”