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22nd Amendment should be repealed.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 |
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Date |
9/12 |
9/19 |
9/26 |
10/3 |
10/17 |
10/24 |
10/31 |
11/7 |
11/14 |
11/21 |
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Name/Debate Topic |
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12 |
11 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
2 |
9 |
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Abrahams |
X |
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Anderson |
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X |
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Arce |
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X |
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Blagowsky |
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X |
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Bowling |
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X |
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Bradle |
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X |
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Bustamante |
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X |
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Cantu |
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X |
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Carney |
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X |
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Chism |
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X |
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Clark |
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X |
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English |
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X |
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Ferrato |
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X |
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Flores |
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X |
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Justice |
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X |
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Key |
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X |
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Kulkarni |
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X |
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McKnight |
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X |
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O'Shaughnessy |
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X |
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Ordones |
X |
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Quintana |
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X |
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Rodriguez |
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X |
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Romero |
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X |
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Rusk |
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X |
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Shadparvar |
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X |
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Taylor |
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X |
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Thompson |
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X |
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Thomson |
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X |
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Toombs |
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X |
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Trusty, |
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X |
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Vez Tellez |
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X |
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West |
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X |
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Wheeler |
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X |
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