Nuclear Crisis with North Korea

What is the role of the President with the current Nuclear Crisis with North Korea?  Read this Washington Post article about the growing concerns and comment on the diplomatic and military role of the president.

President and Congress ...

Read the following NYT article that explores the negotiations between President Trump and the Congress to pass Tax Reform legislation.  How does the President work with Congress to pass bills and what is the risk if this legislation stalls?  What do you think about President Trumps Tax Plan?

Thirteen Days Personal Reaction ...

In the film Thirteen Days, what were the pressures on The American President? Describe the relationship between the president and congress during this time of crisis. What was the relationship between the president and the military leadership? Why is it important that our military have a "civilian leader"?

Free Speech and Social Media

Please read this NYT article How Twitter Killed the First Amendment and offer your reaction and take-aways.  What is the role of a "Free Press" in a democracy?  How has this changed since the 2016 election? 

The War Room Reflection ...

The War Room Reaction

In the documentary, The War Room, James Carville suggested that, through the Clinton campaign of 1992, "they changed the way campaigns are won." What did he mean by this claim? What did Carville and George Stephanopoulos do differently in this campaign?  What did the statement, "It's the Economy Stupid" mean? What might the 2016 version of this mantra be?

Be sure to use examples from the film in your response and consider what "The War Room" looked like in the 2016 election.

Pardon me?

Please read the attached NYT article on President Trump's Pardon of controversial former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and reflect on the constitutional implications.  What would the founding fathers say about his use of this presidential power and their intent from the Constitutional Convention?

Heritage or Hate?

Please read the NYT article In Monument Debate, Calls for an Overdue Reckoning on Race and Southern Identity and share your reflection based on the current political climate and recent events in Charlottesville, VA.  What role does the President play in this debate?