Most Recent Presidential Elections

The 1980 presidential election of the United States featured three primary candidates, Republican Ronald Reagan, Democrat Jimmy Carter and liberal Republican John Anderson. Ronald Reagan was the governor of California before he decided to run for the presidency. John Anderson was a representative in Illinois and Carter was the incumbent. The lengthy Iran hostage crisis sharpened public opinions by the beginning of the election season. In the 1970s, the United States were experiencing a straining episode of low economic growth, high price increases and interest rates and an irregular energy crisis. The sense of discomfort in both domestic and foreign affairs in the nation were heading downward, this added to the downward spiral that was already going on. Between Carter, Anderson and Reagan, the general election campaign of the 1980s seemed more concerned with shadowboxing around political issues rather than a serious discussion of the issues that concerned voters.

The United States Presidential elections are often events that captivate and interest a number of people around the world. The 2000 U.S. presidential election was particularly notable for more than one reason. Certainly, the fact that an election year in the year 2000, the marking of the next millennium and next century, is significant in of itself. In addition, there were a number of critical issues facing the candidates in this election, as with any election. The role, presence, and influence of the United States media were additional factors that heightened the tension of the 2000 presidential election. The election itself was fraught with controversy. The Supreme Court had to be involved and render a ruling with respect to accusation of fraudulent vote counting. Overall, the 2000 United States Presidential Election is an election that is remembered for controversy, polarization of the American public, as well as issues of confusion and mistrust between the American public and the American government.

The 2000 presidential election is considered one of the most controversial and closet election in American history today. The 5-4 decision made in favor of George W. Bush over Vice president Al Gore was decided by the 537 votes that came from the state of Florida. It took over a month of recounts and challenges to the Supreme Court to come to the determination of the winner. The campaign was dominated by domestic issues in opposition to foreign policy, prescription drug prices, campaign finance reform, social security, and education. Each candidate fought a good battle claiming that their economic plan would reduce the deficit. It had been less than two years since the whole sex scandal issue with Bill Clinton, and so Al Gore refused to allow Clinton to

Gary Johnson has experience as a popular two-team governor. Yes, Hillary was a senator and a secretary state, but since she was that, why hasn’t she done any of the things she now promises to do? Yes, Trump is a successful businessman, he has never been in a public office or form of government. Gary has already been in the government so he knows how to

Throughout American History, people expect those who run for president to fully understand the occupation and its role as president and the importance of soliciting their votes. During each election, America assumes that each candidate will thoroughly explain their positions and their values so that the people can become familiar with the candidate and begin to trust them. Over time, the way presidential candidates promote themselves to America continued to evolve in many different ways that connect more with people on a nation wide level. Also, each president has a role they must follow. They are expected to understand the qualifications of a president and its powers in position so they can truly be in running as the Chief Executive of the United States of America. Moreover, new ways of publicizing the campaigns, have become a major role in understanding each candidate. With that being said, strategizing and campaigning have changed dramatically as new technology was introduced. In early America, the presidents were limited to its abilities as laws were new and not concrete. Once the U.S. developed into its truest form, the government realized its strengths and weakness. While overcoming many obstacles in the colonies in the early times of America, then later being a whole nation as one, the government created a unique governmental system that included regulations for the president in order to keep America united and tranquil. In the early times of this nation, voting

This election was very much a partisan election, in an exit poll conducted by the New York Times it shows that 90% of Republicans voted for Donald Trump while 89% of Democrats voted for Hillary Clinton. In the same poll it also showed that while those who voted for Hillary Clinton much more strongly favored their candidate than those who voted for Donald Trump, at the same time, those who disliked the other candidate more strongly, voted for Donald Trump (Huang et al.). This shows that many people voted for Trump not because they liked him but because they disliked him less than they disliked Clinton.

After my father decided to run for Congress I knew that the next year of my life would be nothing like anything before. I had no idea what to expect or even how to run a political campaign. I did not know what things would be said about my dad and my family and how time-consuming campaigning is everyday. This fear of not knowing what to expect was very challenging for me; since I like to be in control of every situation and have every minute of my life planned out. Even though there were many struggles, mudslinging, and tears everything turned out for the best. I know that if I had not been thrown into this situation I would have never found my love for politics. When we are worried about trying something new it is the fear of failure that holds us back from our full potential. I now try to live life by asking

There will be a U.S. presidential election on November 8, 2016. Whether you identify as a Republican, a Democrat, or somewhere in between, there is no denying that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are two highly controversial candidates. While it is difficult to tell where most Americans stand on the election issue, it is easy to see that ancient Chinese Legalist thinkers would be staunch supporters of Donald Trump. Legalist ideas seem to be the foundation upon which Trump’s Republican Party was built. Even Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” is echoed in the Legalist notion of becoming a strong country with impenetrable borders. Though I, along with many Americans, disagree with Trump on many points, his tax and welfare policies seem to be based on logic, especially in the context of Chinese history. However, America is not ready for a president who has illustrated such a flagrant disregard for the law. Just as the Legalist regime in China was short-lived, so should be Trump’s time in the limelight.

Politics is in my blood. My grandmother was very active in local politics and instilled that passion in me from a young age. I remember watching the Kerry-Bush debates in 2004, and since then I have been hooked. I do not hold the cynical view that politicians are only involved in politics for their own benefit, and I believe they all are honestly committed to helping the people they serve. One politician who I have been impressed is Elizabeth Warren. She stands up for what she believes in despite criticism and helps people who do not have a voice. If I had to be one person active in politics, I would be Elizabeth Warren.

In all Congressional elections in the United States the incumbent and the challenger can be classified into one of two groups for each situation. The incumbent can be a strong incumbent, which is an individual who either won a large percentage of the vote or one who consistently wins in the district election after election. Many strong incumbents have “safe seats” in the House of Representative when they win at least 60% of the vote in an election (Shaffer 10-01-2015). Strong incumbents typically are not challenged by individuals who have extensive experience in public office. Instead, strong incumbents are usually challenged by amateur politicians. Amateur politicians are individuals who may have little or no political experience. Types of amateur politicians include cause politicians, who are attempting to relay a message on a specific issue on a national platform, celebrity amateurs who have high name recognition but no previous experience in an elected office, and those individuals who are either naïve or are businessmen (ex. lawyers) who want to get their name into the public sphere in order to gain business (Davidson and Oleszek, 2016, 58). A weak incumbent is a representative who either won by a very small margin or a freshman representative who does not have very much experience in national elected office, or both (Davidson and Oleszek, 2016, 60). This incumbent is typically challenged by what is known as a strategic politician. A strategic politician is a strong

The presidential election is being watched more closely by foreign ministers, and governments around the world. To remember a candidate out of step like Donald Trump with the existing foreign policy is hard. His views are at a disagreement with the policies that have controlled foreign policy for years. A president with opposing views of other countries, would be a problem for most

In the 2016 United States presidential election, Hillary Rodham Clinton became the first female nominee of a major political party in the country’s history. After years of experience in government ranging from Senator of New York to Secretary of State under President Barack Obama, Clinton proved herself to be knowledgeable, even-tempered, and adept at performing this job and holding the highest office in the country. Yet on the evening of November 8th 2016, it was announced that Clinton’s opponent, Republican Donald J. Trump, had clinched the victory and secured the title of President elect. In comparison to Clinton, Trump possessed very little political experience. Prior to his campaign, Trump was known to most Americans as the host of an early 2000’s reality television show rather than as a respected politician. Up until the night of the election, even, according to opinion poll analysis website FiveThirtyEight, Clinton had a 71.4% chance of winning this election versus Trump’s 28.6%. Why did Hillary come so close, but not close enough? In relation to this, we see the separation of genders played out on stage in Sarah Ruhl’s In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). Even though the play is set in America at the dawn of the age of electricity, there are many parallels to be drawn between the blatant separation of male/female and professional/domestic in In the Next Room and the way gender was handled in this past election cycle. With the recent results of the 2016

Non-political career candidates bring a different expertise to a campaign, therefore different "lingo". Depending on their profession they can talk with knowledge about certain areas that a career politician probably can't. Trump can easily speak about his financial success at running a huge business empire & compare it to controlling the financial budget of the U.S. He is knowledgeable about budgets & financial success. This makes him appealing to some voters. His language gives them the idea that he can decrease the deficit, & create jobs. He also appeals to many voter’s distrust of China by declaring that we will quit relying on China to make so many of our products, and bring those jobs home. In one of Trumps speeches he says, “Experience taught me a few things. One is to listen to your gut, no matter how good something sounds on paper. The second is that you’re generally better off sticking with what you know. And the third is that sometimes your best investments are the ones you don’t make” (Trump). Instead of speaking of past political success, Trump brings in his business experience as a bridge to the political side as if they go hand in hand. Ben Carson is another great example of a candidate who with zero political background is in most opinions succeeding. Carson’s previous occupation was a neurosurgeon, which has no correlation with politics. David R Graham goes into detail about Carson’s speaking saying “Carson approaches political speaking with the same style that as brought him success in his side gigs as a motivational speaker. He’s affable, humorous, self-deprecating, and can easily mix lite religion with simplistic talking points on policy” (Graham). Carson uses language that fits well with the average

They say the Dunning Kruger effect is particularly rampant during election times. It is an uncomplicated way to deface your opponent and paint them to be morons. Studies done by Dunning and Kruger in the 90’s showed people could accurately predict their skill, but the study also showed we are not very good at estimating our own confidence. They say as you “strive to improve you, you are better to understand where you need work.”

Ben Carson, a respected neurosurgeon and Donald Trump, a businessman both ran and had a strong impact. They both have no political experience and yet made it to be known as candidates and one of them did go out and win. Even though our president is Trump, there is something to be said about his win besides his lack of political experience and impressive persuasion. One of the most common perks that presidents and very controversial candidates share is that are wealthy. Places like Forbes and Wealth-X have covered these candidates dating back to the beginning of this country and it is painfully noticeable to see how money makes it easy to be the president. Past president like Herbert Hoover is probably the most obvious. Before his presidency, he was the Secretary of Commerce and was very good at his position. He was a huge help after the flood of the Mississippi river in 1927 and was a huge contributor in the addition of children programs in the federal budget. These amazing accomplishments would be drowned by his presidential failure by being singled out as the cause of The Great Depression. Hoover’s famous quote, “Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt” is the sad truth of what we are dealing with. With all this being true and the few exceptions like the Clintons, is the chance we want to take? This country deserves more than a person thinking that they can make a difference rather than a