Ask the Experts: 2016 Election

CB’s experts help us keep up with the presidential campaigns as 2016 candidates hit the ground running.

(photo courtesy of redstatements.co)

The next presidential election is not until 2016. Many people haven’t even thought about it yet, but the same cannot be said for our country’s potential candidates. Rumors have already become breaking news as the political intentions of politicians such as Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush have come under scrutiny.

The 2012 Republican presidential primaries were the longest in American history, and it seems as though this trend will continue to build. Rumors have begun to spread about may possible presidential candidates for 2016, and politicians’ actions are being placed under speculation as we draw closer and closer to that date.

The familiar face of Hillary Clinton has appeared in political news frequently of late. This year, she shows a strong front, polling as a top contender for the 2016 presidential election. However, she has thus far been unclear about her intention to run.

There are those who believe that Clinton’s lack of clarity may benefit her in her upcoming campaign. However, Mr. Michael Hood, AP U.S. History teacher and political aficionado, disagrees.

“She comes off too wooden,” he asserts. “Her caution can benefit her to a point, but I think it’s going to cause her to look insincere.”

American History instructor Ms. Stephanie Roybal takes a different stance, seeing Clinton’s silence on the issue as a strategic move.

“The delay in Hillary’s announcement of her candidacy shows that she’s looking to see if she has any support,” she claims. “She definitely does.”

Mr. Hood and Ms. Roybal agree that Clinton has a good chance of winning the upcoming election. Barack Obama’s ascendency to the presidency as the first African-American president has opened many doors, particularly to another group who experienced oppression in American history: women.

While in the past, the election of an African American or a woman to the presidency would have been shocking, Obama’s success has torn down the gates of obsolete convention, making the election of a woman an attainable feat.

Interestingly enough, early in U.S. history, a trend was set: Secretaries of State generally rose to the presidency in the elections following their Secretarial terms. Although this trend shifted with the changes in American society and government, Clinton, a past Secretary of State, seems lined up to take the proverbial cake.

All in all, “the Democrats will go into this [election] in pretty good shape, as long as Obama keeps our involvement in the Middle East limited,” according to social studies instructor Mr. Evan Boylan.

The events in the Middle East have had a lasting impression on the American public, with occupation of the region finally being pulled out during Obama’s presidency. Recent complications due to the actions of ISIS could have a major affect on the public’s reaction in the next election.

Conflicts with the militant Islamic states have proven to take vast amounts of time and lives. The outbreak of violence or other such difficulties could result in a change in public attitude. Clinton’s polls have been exceptionally high of late, but clashes with these terrorist organizations could send approval of the Democratic party—and Hillary Clinton— plummeting.

While Democrats seem to have rallied behind Hillary Clinton for the next presidential race, Republican support is scattered among a wide range of individuals. Clinton is well known throughout the political world, but many struggle to name potential Republican candidates, which could play a integral role in their prospects for the upcoming election.

“The Republicans need to start [campaigning],” says Mr. Boylan, “because I don’t know who their frontrunner is. They need to start getting out there, now.”

Republican candidates may fear that starting an early campaign will expose all of their flaws and weaknesses, as the Clinton machine exposed Obama in the 2008 primaries. However, without a solid leader to rally behind, Republicans will have a hard time scraping a win from Clinton’s strong front.

“I cannot see a Republican candidate who has a chance of winning right now,” says Mr. Hood. “I don’t think there’s anyone who can compete with Hillary.”

The Republicans need a “strong candidate who can bring the party together again,” says Ms. Roybal. “Unity-wise, the Democratic party is stronger.”

Will Hillary Clinton’s strong base hold out? Will our first female president come to power in the next presidential election? Or will a dark horse rise from the Republican party? Only 2016 holds the answers. We’ll have to wait to find out.