Whitney Cale
Staff Writer
The 2016 first presidential debate was held Monday night, Sept. 26. In typical Trump-Clinton fashion, Republican nominee Donald Trump showed up sporting his Democratic blue tie, while Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton arrived sporting her Republican red pantsuit. Perhaps they are just as confused as we are.
Viewers had the opportunity to witness both candidates go head to head discussing prominent issues and policies. Amidst the many accusations and interruptions, Trump and Clinton clashed over topics such as ISIS, national security, race, gender, economic and trade policy, Trump’s taxes, Clinton’s email, etc.
If watching our two presidential nominees battle it out on the podium like a couple of hormone-enraged teenagers quarreling over who is right was not enough to solidify your vote, I have a question for you.
If you were to write in a candidate for this year’s presidential election, who would it be and why?
Jessica Bryant, a sophomore elementary education major from Pensacola, Florida, answered:
“Mary J. Blige, simply because she knows how it feels to struggle from the ground and work herself to the top. She didn’t let the hard times stop her. Forget who and where she came from, and who helped her. Unlike Donald Trump, she did not marry into money. Trump was already accused at a young age of having problems with those of color. We really don’t need a president who was quoted saying, ‘My daughter is hot; if she wasn’t my daughter, I would go after her.’ ”
Mallory Wallace, a sophomore elementary education major from Bay Minette, said: “John McCain. He should’ve already been president.”
Anna Starling, a junior social work major from Troy, said: “Taylor Swift, because she is a wonderful person inside and out. She is so wise and always lends a helping hand. She would for sure turn our country around.”
Marley Jacobs, a sophomore elementary education major from Kinston, said, “Ben Carson, because that’s who I wanted to begin with.”
Rebekah Womack, a senior elementary education major from Venice, Italy, said: “Michelle Obama, because she embodies grace, class and education. In comparison to the main nominees, she is better suited to run for presidency. With her views, I believe she would be a better candidate than what we have now.”
Whom would I write in? I think the perfect candidate would be “Taken” star Liam Neeson, and his campaign speech would sound something like this:
“I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for a billionaire, I can tell you I don’t have money.
“But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me an ideal leader for people like you. If you vote for me now, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you; I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will reel you (in).”
While we all can dream, the two frontrunners likely to become the next president of the United States, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, will gather again to fight for your vote.
The 2016 presidential debate continues with round two of three airing on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m. (CT).
