Debate Topics

1. Resolved, the framers of the Constitution would approve of the modern presidency


     Pro: David Nichols

     Con: Terri Bimes 


2. Resolved, the unitary executive is a myth


     Pro: Richard J. Ellis

     Con: Saikrishna Prakash 


3. Resolved, political parties should nominate candidates for the presidency through a national primary.


     Pro: Michael Nelson

     Con: Andrew E. Busch 


4. Resolved, the president should be elected directly by the people.


     Pro: Burdett Loomis 

     Con: Byron E. Shafer 


5. Resolved, the 22nd Amendment should be repealed.


     Pro: David Karol

     Con: Thomas E. Cronin 


6. Resolved, the new media have brought the president closer to the people.


     Pro: Matthew R. Kerbel

     Con: Jeffrey E. Cohen


7. Resolved, presidential success and failure have more to do with political time than with a president’s character and leadership qualities.


     Pro: Stephen Skowronek

     Con: Fred I. Greenstein 


8. Resolved, presidential power is (still) the power to persuade.


     Pro: Matt Dickinson 

     Con: George C. Edwards III


9. Resolved, Congress should be required to vote up or down on legislation proposed by the president.


     Pro: William G. Howell and Terry Moe

     Con: B.Dan Wood 


10. Resolved, presidents have usurped the war power that rightfully belongs to Congress.
 


      Pro: Nancy Kassop

      Con: Richard M. Pious


11. Resolved, presidential signing statements threaten the rule of law and the separation of powers.


     Pro: Peter M. Shane

     Con: Nelson Lund


12. Resolved, executive orders and other unilateral presidential directives undermine democracy.


     Pro: Gene Healey 

     Con: Andrew Rudalevige 


13. Resolved, the president has too much power in the selection of judges.


     Pro: David A. Yalof

     Con: John Anthony Maltese


14. Resolved, the vice-presidency should be abolished.


      Pro: Douglas L. Kriner

      Joel K. Goldstein

Debate Assignments and Dates

Date

9/12

9/19

9/26

10/3

10/17

10/24

10/31

11/7

11/14

11/21

 

Name/Debate Topic

1

12

11

4

3

6

8

7

2

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abrahams

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anderson

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arce

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

Blagowsky

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bowling

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bradle

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 X

 

 

Bustamante

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Cantu

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Chism

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Clark

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

English

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

Ferrato

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flores

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Justice

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

Key

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kulkarni

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

McKnight

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

O'Shaughnessy

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordones

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quintana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

Rodriguez

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Romero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Rusk

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Shadparvar

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taylor

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thompson

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

Thomson

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toombs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

Trusty,

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vez Tellez

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

West

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wheeler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X