America’s constitutionally-mandated election barrels forward toward November, with it bringing anger from a majority of citizens who watch as it takes turn after turn, continuously veering away from the orthodox election format as both candidates continue to make gaffes, large and small, on an almost regular basis.
Since the summer began, the two candidates were formally nominated at their parties’ respective conventions.
Donald Trump was officially nominated at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19. Likewise, Hillary Clinton was formally granted her party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 26.
Both conventions were highly anticipated, and neither fell short of enthusiastic speakers who delivered remarkably energetic speeches.
In Cleveland, Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., delivered the Republicans’ keynote address, slamming Clinton for what he described as a seeming inability to avoid legal controversy, pointing to her email scandal during her tenure as secretary of State from 2009 to 2013.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani also delivered a powerful speech in favor of Trump. Both Christie’s and Giuliani’s speeches were marked by choruses of “lock [Clinton] up” by attendees.
The Democrats, too, had their fair share of well-received speakers, most of whom chose a generally more optimistic tone than the Republicans.
Former President Bill Clinton, Hillary’s husband, delivered a long speech describing when they first met, explaining why he believed she was best fit to lead.
Other prominent speeches included those by keynote speaker Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama, who was later joined on stage by Hillary Clinton.
Neither, however, was without controversy. On the first night of the Republican Convention, Trump’s wife, Melania, was caught plagiarizing a speech delivered by Michelle Obama at the Democrats’ convention in Denver in 2008.
In Philadelphia, supporters of Sanders, the runner-up in the primaries, angrily protested several of the speakers, including prominent liberals such as Warren and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn.
This was primarily due to emails released by supposed Russian hackers revealing the intentions of prominent members of the Democratic National Committee demonstrating a conspiring against Sanders.
“The situation at the Convention was very tense; you could really see a division in the party. There was a clear discrepensy in the debate and everyone in the room felt the tension,” junior Aaron Levine, who attended the DNC, said.
Both candidates also chose their running mates. Trump chose Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., to help attract more religious conservatives, such as those who supported Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in the primaries.
Clinton chose Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., to attract moderates and men into her camp.
“I think both nominees chose good running mates. I’m more excited about the VP’s than the actual candidates,” freshman Sami Haendler said.
Among millennials, both Clinton and Trump remain highly unpopular.
Ten percent of millennials polled by USA Today said they wouldn’t vote. Fifty percent said they would vote for Clinton, 18 for Trump, 11 for the Libertarian candidate, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, and four for Green nominee Jill Stein. Additionally, among former supporters of Sanders in the primaries, 72 percent said they would support Clinton, while 11 would support Trump.
Regardless, most students and staff around the school all generally seem to be left with a sour taste in their mouth regarding the election.
“Everyone involved is highly uneducated including the media and the candidates,” technology teacher Matthew Davis said.
Matthew Klein
Features Editor
