Massapequa High School 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758 mhsthechief@gmail.com
The
Chief
Vol. 65 – No. 2
November 3, 2016 www.thechiefonline.com
Massapequa High School’s Chief Source of News
The results are in: MHS weighs in on presidential election BY DANIELLE ANZELONE MANAGING EDITOR
Election Day falls on November 8 this year and the presidential candidates are crazier than ever before. Since so few students are able to vote this year, staff at The Chief thought it would be interesting to see how students feel about the candidates and how they would vote by conducting a poll. During the week of October 17, social studies teachers were asked to take a few minutes of their class time to allow students to participate in a survey. The result was nearly 900 responses, which is about half of the students in the entire main campus. During this week, social studies students also participated in a district wide mock election sponsored by Youth Law Initiative. Many feel it is important for students to participate in a mock election in order to get an understanding of our democracy and our rights as American citizens. “It’s our civic right; it’s our civic duty,” social studies Curriculum Associate Dr. Brian Trapani said. “It’s important for students who will
become our future leaders to really consider the issues that are out there.” Regarding participating in a survey for an election that most students will not be of age to actually cast a vote in, Dr. Trapani said, “It’s important for students to get involved in the process. Even if it’s a mock election, it encourages students to see who the candidates are and consider who they are voting for and the reasons that they are voting for that person.” The questionnaire asked about political party affiliation, which policies the student agrees with, and who the student thinks should be elected president. The results of the survey were not surprising. The most common answer to the question regarding party affiliation was “Republican” with 48.4% of voters selecting this choice. This result is a logical conclusion given that Massapequa has a predominantly Republican population. The runner up to Republican was “I’m not sure” with an astounding 21% of voters choosing this option. The second question
asked students which of Donald Trump’s policies they most agreed with. The most popular response by far was reducing taxes. On the other hand, the least popular response, aside from “Other,” was “none of the above,” indicating that 12.5% who selected this do not agree with Trump on any topics. Similarly, the third question asked which of Clinton’s policies students most agreed with. The most popular reply was regarding women’s rights and opportunity. In light of recent news reports and accusations by women against Mr. Trump it makes sense that so many people would select this choice, especially if they lean towards Hillary Clinton. Another question prompted students to share which presidential and vice presidential debates they tuned in to. With nearly three quarters of participants stating they watched the presidential debate at Hofstra University, it is clear that Massapequa’s student body has some knowledge of the issues and where the candidates stand. Now, the question we have
Which candidate is better suited for the White House? | Close to 900 students took to the polls between October 14 and 26 in order to voice their minds and get a feel for the election. Donald Trump took the win with 419 votes while Hillary Clinton received 164. all been waiting for: which of the candidates is best suited for the job? In first place was Donald Trump with 47.1% of the votes. In second was ‘neither,’ taking 23.7% of the votes which was followed by Hillary Clinton who was left with 18.4% of the votes. The other options included ‘uncertain’ and ‘other’ in which students wrote in a candidate. Though many write-in’s were serious, such as Bernie Sanders, Jill Stein, Gary Johnson, and Evan McMullin, others were clearly
for laughs like Ken Bone, Fidel Castro, and Kanye West. The final question asked students how gender influenced their decision in who they would choose for president. The results included 89.3% of students stating that gender had no impact on their choice while the other 10.7% took the gender of the candidates into account. (This article was contributed to and survey questions were written by Sarah Lefkowitz and Nicole Grappone.)
Passing the torch: President Obama’s legacy BY MICHAEL RIGGI LAYOUT MANAGER
32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, and inspiring other nations to take action. Other situations include the beginning of a process to normalize relations with outside territories such as Cuba, also known as the “Cuban Thaw,” further show his means of change across the world. “Obama was a good president and a good influence because he brought people to be open to the idea of having different ideas and has changed inequalities for many people,” sophomore Emily Fasulo said. Besides internationally, President Obama has also left his mark nationally through the implementation of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare “Because of rate increases and high deductibles, Obamacare is becoming very unaffordable for many people” a representative from MTFY tax service said. One of the more debated topics of his presidency, Obamacare applies to many local people in Massapequa and beyond. “Obama did a pretty good job throughout his
OLIVER DOULIERY // MCT CAMPUS
President Barack Hussein Obama II, the 44th political chieftain of the United States, is now preparing to take leave of his position in office this January to make room for the new president. After serving two terms, many adults and students alike are beginning to reflect on the country’s past eight years and the legacy that Mr. Obama has made, including his achievements and even downfalls as president. Whether they may be shrouded in controversy or support, President Obama’s new policies and affairs in larger situations changed the life of many Americans and others over the past eight years - but which one specifically defines him as president? “The greatest legacy that Obama will have is the capturing/killing of Osama Bin Laden, as this decision he made certainly brought some type of feeling in terms of showing our strong leadership in the world and our resiliency to go against people leaving destruction on our country,” social studies teacher Mr. Mi-
chael Lisa said. President Obama has been welcome to much approval of the mission which would eventually lead to the death of Osama Bin Laden, a major turning point in the War on Terrorism and in the president’s career. Though he ended the war in Iraq by withdrawing troops in 2011, Mr. Obama has led many to believe that there is still much to be dealt with in terms of terrorism. This responsibility will fall into the hands of the next president “He faced issues of homegrown terrorism, like the Boston Marathon Bombing and the recent Manhattan bombings. He won many battles but not necessarily the war completely; this will fall on the shoulders of our next president, as he hasn’t won the war against terrorism,” Mr. Lisa said. Besides addressing many aspects of the war on terrorism, Mr. Obama also dealt with other various foreign relations that aided in building his overall character. This includes actions taken against climate change with the clean power plan, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by
two terms with changes like Obamacare,” junior James Kiernan said. “He was able to connect more with the general media which helped him influence younger people, like teenagers who will be voting soon, to start thinking more about politics.” The general consensus among students regarding President Obama and his legacies was positive with a common theme evident of being able to really “connect” with this president through social media platforms. “In his two terms, Obama has shown his ability to be an effective leader with his diverse range of fields that he has addressed, leaving a big
influence on our generation altogether” sophomore Hannah Coleman said. What happens next? With the results of the of the next presidential election quickly approaching, either Republican nominee Donald Trump or Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton will inherit leadership over the nation, acquiring along with it the legacy of President Obama. Leaving two terms and a wide list of policies and relations behind him, Mr. Obama is preparing for his retirement with a number of benefit plans and personal plans to follow as the next nominee is sworn into presidency on January 20, 2017.
THE CHIEF ELECTION 2016 Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump: The Facts
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NOVEMBER 3, 2016
BY LIAM HIGGINS AND SAM CUPOLO COPY EDITOR AND STAFF WRITER
DONMEL CAROLYN // MCT CAMPUS
JESSICA GRIFFIN// MCT CAMPUS
National Security: Hillary Clinton supports increasing regulations on purchasing firearms and expanding background checks. She wants to ban individuals on the terrorist watch list from purchasing firearms. Mrs. Clinton wants to work with allies in the Middle East to fight the Islamic State and supports drone strikes against suspected terrorists. However, she hopes to prevent the loss of innocent life. She agrees with President Obama’s Iran nuclear deal, which has halted Iran’s nuclear weapons program and supports a no-fly zone in Syria. Foreign Relations: Mrs. Clinton wants to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in order to enforce President Obama’s immigration executive actions. Regarding ISIS, she plans to rid Iraq and Syria of ISIS strongholds, disassemble the global terrorism network, and strengthen domestic protection. She plans to increase forces on the ground and in the air in Iraq and Syria while working on diplomatic resolution. Her main goal is to prevent future domestic and foreign terrorist attacks. She plans on continuing to support and bolster NATO while also strengthening connections in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Healthcare: Mrs. Clinton wants to preserve the Affordable Care Act. She wishes to make it possible for a public option in which citizens can buy into government healthcare if they choose. She wants to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices to lower costs and expand Medicaid.
Environment: Mrs. Clinton believes that climate change is an urgent problem. She wants to reduce oil consumption by one third through the use of renewable energy and electric cars. She supports cutting subsidies for oil companies and the process of hydraulic fracturing. Economy: Hillary Clinton wants to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and American manufacturing with a $10 billion plan. She opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership, saying that it does not promote American job growth. She wants to expand Social Security by making wealthier Americans pay more towards the program, enabling it to last decades longer. Mrs. Clinton wants to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Social Issues: Mrs. Clinton hopes to preserve the Supreme Court decision declaring same-sex marriage a constitutional right. She supports equal pay for equal work and the repealing of the Hyde Amendment, which would allow Medicaid to fund abortions. She also supports guaranteed paid family medical leave. Government Reform: Mrs. Clinton wants to expand voting rights and block Voter ID laws. She proposed using a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision and wants to get secret, unaccountable money out of politics and promote transparency in political donations.
BY LAURA FRANCAVILLA AND CHRISTINA LIPARI
effective president, and his experience and contacts would certainly help a new Clinton Administration,” American history teacher Mr. Timothy Thieke said. On the other hand, Hillary and Bill back in the White House together could also be “a two headed monster” according to Mr. Koester. “They may work together in making decisions, however they both have very different opinions on certain topics.” Another first for this election is the scandals involving the potential first spouses. When Bill Clinton was president, he was the center of a huge scandal involving an extramarital affair with then White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. Likewise, Donald Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, has been accused of plagiarizing her speech at the Republican National Convention this summer.
National Security: Donald Trump wants to rebuild the US military. He plans to repeal the defense sequester and create a new budget to allow for more readily available resources for our military. Mr. Trump also wants to invest part of this redistributed budget towards a missile defense system to counterbalance interpreted threats from Iran and North Korea. Foreign Relations: Mr. Trump wishes to take down radical Islamic terrorism. He wishes to close the borders to all immigrants and refugees from areas that are categorized as producing terrorists. His primary action will be to reverse the executive amnesties President Obama put in place. He would like for the US and Russia to get along—so the two nations may cooperate in defeating ISIS. As an outspoken critic of the Iran nuclear deal, Mr. Trump denounced the deal as “the stupidest deal of all time.” Finally, Mr. Trump has shared that the thinks that the North Atlantic Alliance should consider making allies pay for belonging to the organization. Healthcare: Donald Trump wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act altogether by instating Health Savings Accounts which will attempt to provide health care access to all Americans making it more affordable and allowing for a more patient-oriented system. Trump wants to create a “dynamic market” by giving citizens the ability to purchase insurance across state lines.
Environment: Mr. Trump does not see the environment in dire danger and plans to get rid of the Environmental Protection Agency. He focuses on the area of energy and wants to instate a safe form of fracking for use within the US. Economy: Mr. Trump wants to increase jobs for Americans by making it easier to manufacture goods in the US and plans to do so by eliminating loopholes and lowering corporate tax rates in order to entice business to remain here. The main component of Mr. Trump’s plan is cutting taxes for the wealthy so that the tax won’t undermine a businness’ ability to compete while also making sure the top percent pay their fair share. Mr. Trump also wants to revise the Individual Income Tax by dissolving the current 7 tax brackets and instead having 3 brackets. He believes that NAFTA needs to be renegotiated to decrease regulations and increase business in America. Social Issues: Donald Trump believes that, individual states should have the right to make their own decisions on same-sex marriage. He is completely against abortion except in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is threatened. Government Reform: Mr. Trump wants to rid the government of “waste, fraud, and abuse” in all agencies. He wishes to modify the Department of Education by getting rid of Common Core and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Meet the spouses: The possible first lady or gentleman STAFF WRITERS
On November 8, the country will vote for a new president and gain a new first spouse in the process. Throughout American history, the first lady has played an important role. For instance, current first lady Michelle Obama created the “Let’s Move!” initiative to promote healthy lifestyles. Mr. James Koester, a government & economics teacher, thinks that the first spouse can play an important role. He believes that Bill Clinton’s campaigns would probably involve raising academic standards, while Melania Trump might have some different ideas to help children. But this election is quite different. For the first time in US history, a man could take the first lady’s spot. “I think Bill Clinton was a very
“I do not believe those particular scandals will sway too many voters,” Mr. Thieke said, “Clinton’s adultery was a long time ago and is not relevant and Melania’s speech has already been largely forgotten.” A concern of some voters is that Bill Clinton may have more experience than Melania Trump; he was, afterall, the president. “[Mr. Clinton] would know how to handle it better and more professionally rather than someone just jumping into it for the first time,” Senior Joe Callan said. He believes that Mr. Clinton would have a better understanding of how to be a first spouse. But just because Bill was a president doesn’t mean Melania couldn’t be a successful first lady as well. Express.co.uk, reported that Mrs. Trump expressed a desire to help women and children.
Some people have other concerns regarding the two potential first spouses. One is the idea of having a foreign-born first lady being that Melania Trump was born in Slovenia. “I’m okay with [her being the first lady] as long as she knows about the US,” sophomore Chelsea Fedele said. Another concern is what Mr. Clinton should be called if he becomes the first spouse. Suggested titles include First Mate, First Man, First Spouse, and First Gentleman. Voters shouldn’t only be looking at the candidates but also at their spouses. The spouses hold a lot of power in decision making, as seen with the Clintons’ during Mr. Clinton’s presidency. Each spouse has their own ideas and contributions to bring to the White House but it’s up to the voters to see which one can stand by the president’s side and put those ideas into action.
THE CHIEF ELECTION 2016 The effects of social media on the 2016 presidential election
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NOVEMBER 3, 2016
BY RACHELLE CASEMENT AND ISABELLA ITALIANO STAFF WRITERS
This election seems to constantly be in the press as candidates do the expected, unexpected, and are just plain newsworthy. All of these endeavors are captured and communicated through social media. “Facebook has a big impact on the election,” because “people feel more comfortable posting on Facebook as opposed to Twitter,” Executive Assistant for Technology Integration of Curriculum Support and Development Mr. Edward Kemnitzer said. This is most likely due to the fact that they can easily comment their on Facebook posts. That’s understandable, but sophomore Harlee Torres has a different view. Most students use Twitter to get information about the candidates and feel that it’s a more influential platform. Since this is the first true social media election, people can only wonder what this means for future elections and its effect on young voters. “As social media grows, more people will believe what they’re seeing on it,” Harlee said. Both Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clin-
ton use social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to gain supporters. On Twitter, as of October 9, Trump had 12.3 million followers and 33,500 thousand tweets, while Clinton had 9.42 million followers and 8,758 tweets. But does Trump having more followers mean that he’s the more ‘popular’ candidate? Not necessarily. Social studies teacher Mr. James Ryan feels that the number of followers a candidate has in correlation to their popularity in the election is “hard to tell without official polls coming out,” but “it’s helping Trump, since he’s a non-politician.” Although many students tend to rely on social media for information, it isn’t always a reliable source. People post articles they find from unreliable sources, which spread and take their toll on the people who read them. “When you look at where it [the posts] comes from, you know it’s satire.” Mr. Kemnitzer said. “It’s important to remember that there are kids watching.” There is no denying that the candidates get a lot of publicity from their posts, negative or positive. Students who attended the pre-debate programming at Hofstra Univer-
sity on September 26 gained some insight into how social media functioned in this election. “Donald Trump has used social media which, to a great extent, carried him through this election and propelled him like no one else. The interactions that take place through the lens of social media are examined by the press, other candidates, and the people of America and in some instances give off a sense of authenticity,” senior Angelica Radomski, who attended the pre debate said. “There are mistakes inevitably, and become big parts of the news but that’s what makes a big part of his campaign and support.” However, “Any press is good press,” Mr. Ryan said about controversial posts. Throughout their campaigns, both
candidates have posted to expose the other. Two weeks ago, in an attempt to make Clinton look like an unfit candidate, Trump tweeted, “Wow, Crooked Hillary was duped and used by my worst Miss. U. Hillary floated her as an ‘angel’ without checking the past which is terrible!” Trump refers to Mrs. Clinton referencing former Miss Universe, Alicia Machado, during the second debate. Clinton, however, is doing the same thing. After the second debate, she tweeted a link that pointed out all the ways in which Mr. Trump was unfit to be president. With days left before the election, the candidates’ posting styles are not likely to change, but many voters are hoping that this election will not set a precedent.
“Get out and vote! I am your voice and I will fight for you! We will make America great again!” -@realDonaldTrump on October 25 via Twitter “‘I want to be a president for everyone in this country—Democrats, Republicans, Independents…I’m going to work just as hard for everybody.’” -@HillaryClinton on October 28 via Twitter
Encouraging the youth vote: Go out and make a difference BY KAILEY BECKLEY, LINDSEY FORMES, AND CASSIDY WALSH STAFF WRITERS
CAROLINA HIDALGO // MCT CAMPUS
Though most college students are older than the legal voting age, it seems that they do not vote en masse; many young voters don’t vote simply because they are not interested in politics. In 2008, 51% of 18-29 year-olds said they voted. Then in 2012 , the percentage decreased to 45%, unfortunately leading to the 2014 election only reaching 19.9% of voters ages 18-29. “Some young people may not vote because they don’t understand when, how, or where to register,” Ames school psychologist Vincent Pennisi said. The confusion of a young voter regarding how to vote or where to even get started in learning about voting can be off-putting and result in general avoidance. According to a study by the Na-
tional Assessment of Educational Progress, one-third of high school seniors don’t understand precisely how the government functions. This is easily a determining factor in whether or not a young adult of legal age will vote. “[Students] are the future of our country and this makes their vote the most important, ” government teacher James Ryan said. He personally encourages students to get involved in the elections and vote. There are several campaigns set up to encourage the youth to vote, including the Rock The Vote Campaign. This campaign reaches out to younger generations through the face of the campaign, Kendall Jenner because she is a popular icon in social media today. Though not able to vote in the election, some MHS students have begun their journey to political awareness. “I agree with Clinton more because
her views are more geared towards this generation,” said senior, Lindsay Becker in support of the democratic candidate. On the other hand, some students voice support for Mr. Trump. “I think
Trump reaches out to the younger generation, “said senior, Anthony Angelone, “because his policies can have a positive effect on the future of children, like helping secure jobs for the newer generations.”
The impact and influence of celebrities in the 2016 election BY MICHELLE MIFSUD AND NICOLE FENNELL STAFF WRITERS
As with most presidential elections, many celebrities have been showing their support for the candidate of their choice through the use of social media and by holding fundraisers. Celebrities have always had a huge impact on elections in general, in what has become known as the “Oprah Effect,” according to Kellogg Insight. In the 2008 election, Oprah Winfrey held a fundraiser and invited then Democratic nominee, Barack Obama over to her house. Many stars came to the event and they raised several million dollars and gained over one million votes for the primaries. It was a huge help to Barack Obama who ended up winning the presidency.
Hillary Clinton seems to have Hollywood’s biggest stars backing her to be the first woman president, like Kanye West, his wife Kim Kardashian-West, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Katy Perry and many more. However, that isn’t to say that Donald Trump is completely without his own group of celebrities which include Kid Rock, Azealia Banks, Mike Tyson, Johnny Damon, and Mike Ditka. Because celebrities are so highly regarded, many question whether they have a right to voice their opinions so vocally. Since they are so well respected, they could influence their fans. Others disagree. “I don’t have a problem with it,” U.S history teacher Mr. Summers said. “They have a right to express their
opinion like everyone else. However, they should not be used for other people to make their opinion.” Despite celebrities being vocal about their choice in politics, many of their fans don’t pay attention to what they have to say and don’t let it affect their own opinions. Junior Haylee Poltorak is a fan of former soccer player Abby Wambach. Abby is endorsing Hillary, yet her views do not change Haylee’s support of Trump in the election. Likewise, Junior Meaghan Liebegott said she pays little attention to her favorite celebrities’ political viewpoints. On the other hand, some fans do agree with what celebrities have to say in the election. Beyonce has a major
impact on all of her fans, including Junior Grace DeTomasso, both of whom are supporting Hillary in the election. “It makes me feel better that she supports her too,” Grace said about Beyonce’s opinion. While using social media and endorsing fundraisers for both opposing campaigns, celebrities hold an impact on the opinion of certain voters and it can make their view of the celebrity change, as well as their view of a certain candidate; in some cases, the opinion of celebrities has no effect on the mind of a voter, but there is no doubt that celebrity endorsements play a role in the outcome of elections.
ELECTION 2016 The tactic of mudslinging: past, present, and future
NOVEMBER 3, 2016
BY DAN LEWIS AND SAMUEL MALONEY STAFF WRITERS
assaulted women. Although it is difficult to determine who of the two has used mudslinging more, it looks like they won’t be stopping until well after the election has ended. While mudslinging can be very useful in hurting the other candidate’s campaign, there is also a chance that it can backfire, when used excessively. Sarah Whelan, a senior, said that over use of mudslinging can cause the “campaign to become stagnant and unproductive.” This often leads both contenders into an unfavorable position with everyone, as “neither candidate can show who they are to the American people because of constant shutdowns by the opponent.”
were a mere three buildings away from where the candidates were standing. Though many of the students around me were politically aware and had watched either the primary or 2012 debates, our proximity to the real action enhanced the viewing experience and provided a deeper connection to America’s political direction, after all, we will soon be joining the labor force and the electorate of the nation. Furnished with the knowledge we gained from our parents’ views for the past 17 years, our history classes, and the day’s previous lectures and discussions, we watched as the candidates made their entrances. At the very beginning of
the debate, a hush fell over the audience as the candidates walked in. We were all waiting to see if Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton would shake hands. Several media experts predicted that they would not do so earlier in the day. Throughout the rest of the debate, students watched intently as the candidates spoke, argued, and responded. Watching the debate with people who were interested in the content proved to be a refreshing experience because most of our peers would view the debate with their parents, most of whom had already formed a political identity comprised of specific views, either cherry-picked from various platforms or aligned with
“From the moment we left Massapequa High School, I knew that this event was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As soon as we pulled up to the University, newsstands and politicians caught my eye.” (Issue Alley)
“With the candidates of this year’s election, unpredictability is certainly a crucial factor that has been driving the ongoing discussion on why this election has been distinct to any other we have had.” (Conversing with CNN)
Focusing on attacking the other side is often detrimental to everyone involved. She said that once the debate becomes focused on slinging mud, talk about actual problems in the country derail into petty insults, instead of useful discussion. English teacher Terence Mulholland said that it affects not just the candidates, but the debate as a whole. He said that mudslinging can often have a “snowball effect,” after one person begins, the other must defend and then retort with something worse, causing a back and forth battle that degrades the the debates as a whole. After a while it can be-
BY ALEXANDRA DOULOS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF-
I was given the incredible opportunity to attend the September 26 pre-debate programming held at Hofstra University. The event focused on providing teenagers who will soon become voters with insight into how the nation has changed throughout election cycles and how voters will face a momentous decision on November 8. At the same time that millions of Americans tuned in to watch the first presidential debate between Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate, Donald Trump, other students and I sat down in a large lecture hall to watch the live broadcast which
one party. The event was one example of experiential learning that Hofstra offers. Experiential learning is a style of learning conducted outside of a traditional classroom, and the lecture hall and courtyard of a college campus is certainly not the traditional learning environment for high school students. The central idea of experiential learning is that interacting with the content in a lively and engaging manner helps students retain information, conduct more thorough and thoughtful analysis, and make more meaningful connections to that which they learn. All in all, the debate viewing party was the logical and
For more election coverage and these stories, visit TheChiefOnline.com
“As a student, it was a new experience being able to listen to these journalists and see their views on the election firsthand because students are usually only exposed to politics through their family’s views or what is taught in school.” (From notification feeds to Newsday)
come more about the quantity of mud one can sling at the other than the actual quality and reliability of the information being used. By continuing this war of personal attacks, Mr. Mulholland said, “issues that are really important, are lost.” Slinging mud has always been a dirty, but effective tool in American politics. Time and technology have fundamentally changed the election process since the days of the Founding Fathers, but mudslinging, whatever its critics might say has survived the test of time, and remains a fundamental technique in the campaigns of this year’s candidates.
Mudslinging 2016| Both presidential candidates seem to have something worth hiding.
The viewing party at the first presidential debate
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KIERA PAGANO// THE CHIEF
The 2016 presidential election has seen some of the worst mudslinging in American history and the low popularity of the candidates only serves to increase the number of voters receptive to the insults. Mudslinging is defined as the implementation of scandalous accusations and insults intended to harm the recipient’s reputation and is overwhelmingly common in the American bipartisan political system. However, mudslinging is nothing new and has been a component of American politics since the late 1700’s. The first election in which mudslinging was used was 1796. Alexander Hamilton took the alias “Phocion” in Gazette, making claims that Jefferson had an affair with his slave. Jefferson refuted this despite its truthfulness, retaliating upon Hamilton by calling him an old, bald, blind, fool the same way Hamilton attacked Jefferson. John Quincy Adams also used mudslinging on his opponent, Andrew Jackson, in their election. Adams manipulated the public’s image of Jackson from a war hero into a warmonger. The 1884 election was particularly dirty. James Blaine’s
reputation was brought into question and he was deemed a swindler and a liar. Grover Cleveland’s abandonment of his child was brought to the public’s attention by the creation of a verse of song. US. History co-teacher Nancy Murtha believes that the reason mudslinging is so effective is because it “is sensational and catches attention. It sells papers, but it is good at dispelling voters of the opponents, demoralizing them.” Mudslinging has now become an expected part of each election. “I’ve always viewed mudslinging as just part of the election process,” senior Peter Mulligan said about the use of the technique in this election. He, along with many others believe that getting dirt on one’s opponent so that they can pull ahead in the election is expected. It is just the nature of the beast, and this election is no different. The twenty-first century, particularly 2016, seems to have turned back the clock on mudslinging. Both candidates have constantly been harassing and threatening each other about their various faults, mistakes, and suspected crimes. Trump often claims that Clinton is a threat to national security, and was a failure as Secretary of State, but she returns fire with allegations that Trump has avoided paying taxes for years and that he has
THE CHIEF
perfect conclusion to a long day of participating in discussions and listening to media professionals speak about the various aspects of the debate and election process because the discussions and news experts made predictions about how the candidates would select their responses, behave, and conduct themselves in front of a multi-million viewer audience.
THE CHIEF STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexandra Doulos MANAGING EDITOR Danielle Anzelone LAYOUT MANAGER Michael Riggi COPY EDITORS Liam Higgins Ryann Regan ADVISOR Elyn Coyle Special thanks to the students in Journalism for their hard work and contributions to make this edition possible.