In a recent poll, students and staff were asked their opinions about presidential candidates, and which one they support, if any. To obtain honest answers, we kept the poll anonymous. Those who answered had strong opinions about Trump and Clinton. Several dislike both candidates.
Clinton has the support of 35.8% of the students that answered. Trump has the support of 20.9% of the students that voted. Finally, neither has the support of 43.3% of the students.
Many of the “neithers” expressed opinions similar to one respondent who said, “I do not like either candidate because they both have irrational solutions to fixing problems.”
Another student who doesn’t support either candidate said, “I don’t like Trump because of his foreign policy and his views on economic topics–they’re something I don’t particularly agree with. I’m also not interested in him because he portrays the views of the radical right. I don’t like Hillary because of the general uneasiness and [she] lacks connection towards the youth generation. I can see eye to eye with her on certain policies; however, some of these policies seem influenced by the ideas of more popular candidates, along with being influenced by what would get her the popular vote, instead of her own opinions.”
In support of Clinton, a student said, “She’s brought awareness to the lower classes. She doesn’t only look toward the well being of upper class, unlike Trump. Also during the debate, Trump avoided answering several questions by resorting to previous topics. He acts as a child when he doesn’t like what is being said.”
Another student that supports Clinton said, “She makes points that make sense and has plans that are realistic and will benefit everyone in the country, not just the people on the top. She also has intriguing plans to improve education in the U.S. She also stands for gay and women’s rights. Clinton has 40 years of experience in government. Trump is completely misogynistic, racist and mean. He has said the most offensive things about every type of person, and his plans make absolutely no sense because he doesn’t have the experience to know how to properly execute these “plans”. He also changes his opinions and has no facts to back up his beliefs.”
In opposition, a student that supported Trump said, “I like how he actually says what he is going to do, and is an honest man. I also like how he is good with money, and I believe that he would at least help our economy. He also didn’t put his plan to defeat the enemy on the internet. She has been rather dishonest and does not seem to actually care about a large portion of the U.S.”
“Trump has shown his dedication to this country and how he is going to “Make America Great Again” ,said one Trump supporter. “He plans to deport illegal immigrants and to build a wall on the border of Mexico and America. This is important because illegal immigrants are taking all of the jobs that people who came here legally work really hard for. Trump is not a criminal, unlike Clinton and he is not afraid to speak his mind.”
In addition, 27.6% of responding students would’ve preferred to vote for Sanders over the other two candidates.
When the staff were polled, the percentages were more one-sided. They did side with Clinton for the most part. They, like the students, would have voted for Sanders if it was possible. 67.9% of the staff are supporting Clinton, while only 12.5% are pro Trump.
Also, 19.6% of the staff say neither deserve to be the President of the United States, with 37.5% of the staff saying they would vote for Sanders if he was still running. One staff member that answered neither said, “If Clinton is elected – I fear a liberal slide (especially the new supreme court appointee) and a ‘more government’ strategy. If Trump is elected – I fear world embarrassment, constant national conflict, and possibly World War III.”
Some of the staff members that support Clinton would’ve voted for Sanders if he was still running because, as one staff member said, “Bernie Sanders seems to be the least influenced politician we’ve had. His policies were genuinely in support of our nation’s best interest, not special interests groups.”
There was also a lot of support for Clinton from the staff: “Secretary Clinton has a lot of experience that makes her qualified for the presidency. She has been working to support women and children through her entire career. She knows that diversity is a great strength in our country. She truly cares about people, but she is also tough & smart; she will be able to handle anything that is thrown her way.”
Another Clinton supporter stated, “Her views on supporting public education, health care, those struggling economically, and tax policies that support a majority of Americans. Trump’s views and rhetoric only serves a small portion of our country. They promote racism, sexism, xenophobia, and religious discrimination. There’s no room in our country for policies and views that discriminate against large portions of our population.”
Even though there were only a few Trump supporters, they did have strong opinions supporting their candidate. One staff member that supports Trump said, “Our country will become socialist. Healthcare will be abominable. Small businesses will cease to exist. He will make changes that this country so desperately needs.”
Another Trump supporter stated, “He has enough guts to make the serious changes that need to be made in America. He is voicing what many Americans have been thinking but are too afraid to say out loud.”
Go vote, but make sure you are informed before doing so.