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Graphic by Ana Bicolli.
Graphic by Ana Bicolli.

As debates pass, students unimpressed with what candidates have to offer

Oct. 19 marked the final of a series of three presidential debates between Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. There are now only two weeks until Election Day. But even with little time left, some students remain unimpressed with either of the candidate’s debate performances.

“I watched the first two debates, along with some of the third debate. I feel that both candidates tended to focus on attacking each other, rather than answering the questions and defending their responses,” senior and undecided voter Alex James said.

According to a CNN/ORC poll, 52 percent of debate watchers believed Clinton won the debate, while 39 percent believed Trump won. Debate watchers believed Trump’s attacks on Clinton were fair by a margin of 55 to 43 percent. Watchers also believed Clinton’s attacks on Trump were fair by a margin of 63 to 34 percent, indicating that voters remain skeptical of both major presidential candidates.

Even aside from the debate, neither candidate has stood out to students, as many seem disappointed at their antics.

“Both of the candidates, especially Trump, seem to spend most of their time on personal attacks, and don’t focus enough on their viewpoints regarding important issues,” James added. “However, Hillary definitely isn’t without her faults, and she has enough of her own controversy.”

While most remain disappointed, some still feel hopeful about the future of America.

“I feel like this country is still on the right track,” Metea graduate and Clinton supporter Tooba Hussain said. “Obama has done some really things, but if Trump is elected, this country is going to suffer.”

With the major two candidates failing to impress, some are looking to other direction, or even resorting to not voting. According to an IBD/TIPP tracking poll, these students aren’t alone. 25% of 18-44 year olds are voting for either Gary Johnson, Jill Stein, another candidate, or are undecided. But voters are still unconvinced.

“I have looked into [third parties] and I don’t agree with their stances. Both [Stein and Johnson] have a very small chance of winning anyway. Third parties have never won the presidency,” Hussain said.

“I have looked into both Jill Stein and Gary Johnson, but they aren’t without their faults, such as Johnson’s ‘Aleppo moment’. But even with these faults, they are still viable candidates and should be considered by voters,” James said.

Election Day takes place Nov. 8, where a predicted record high turnout of voters will take to the polls to decide on who their representatives, president, and senators will be for the next two, four, and six years, respectively.

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As debates pass, students unimpressed with what candidates have to offer