Presidential Candidate Debate Assignment
This trimester provides a great learning opportunity for national government with a multitude of candidates vying for the Oval
Office. Between now and the end of the trimester, there will be five debates for you to watch.
Your assignment is to watch one debate either live or on video and write a 1-2 page analysis of the debate. Use the scorecard on the
back of this sheet to help you analyze candidates’ performance in each of the areas.
Your review should include:
1) Analysis of three key issues of your choice from the debate
a. Describe at least three candidate’s comments/views on the issue
b. For each of the three issues, explain who you thought had the best responses/answers and why tell what you thought
of their answers for your three issues.
2) Explain who you thought did the best in the areas identified on the scorecard
3) Who do you believe did the best job overall? This does will not necessarily be the person you would most likely vote for.
Rather, WHO WON?
The debate review should be typed or written in ink. You should double space if you type. The assignment should be between
one and two pages long. The whole assignment is worth 25 points. This assignment must be completed by
____________________________. You may turn in your review any time before that.
DEBATE DATES:
DEMOCRATS



December 19th (ABC)
January 17th (NBC)
February 11th (PBS)
REPUBLICANS




December 15th (CNN)
January (TBD) ______________
February 6th (ABC)
February 13th (CBS)
WHO DID IT BEST?
Use the following scorecard to evaluate the performance of the candidates during the debate.
CATEGORY
Content of answers: Which candidates answer the
questions in the more accurate, knowledgeable, and
confident manner? Candidate demonstrate their
understanding of the issues.
Appeal to base: Who tried to get support of hardcore
members of their party? These candidate would
likely support less moderate positions.
Appeal to swing voters: Which candidates appealed
to undecided and swing voters? Who moved to the
middle to try and flip voters?
Control agenda: Which candidate controlled the
agenda of the debate? Who set the tone of the
debate, stayed on message, and made their positions
known rather than respond to a question or
opponent?
Personal exchanges: When the candidates addressed
one another personally, who got the best of the
exchanges?
Leadership qualities: Which candidate looked
presidential? Candidates must project leadership in
both demeanor and appearance and in their answers,
while avoiding looking negatively.
Zingers: Who delivered the best line? What was it?
BEST
SECOND BEST
THIRD BEST