1.2 Polarization

1.  What was unique about Hillary's response to a question about political polarization?

She kept her response very reality-oriented and acknowledged how much work it would take to get ideas through in such levels of polarization. She was straight forward and didn't dilly dally.

2. What does Hillary Clinton feel motivates her political opponents?

She feels that the major motivation for her opponents is spite and the will to bring her down.

3. How does she characterize those that make grand speeches about bringing the people together?

She thinks they're too optimistic and have illusions about America. She knows that unification of America is nearly impossible since it is so polarized.

4. What will be her strategy for dealing with political opponents if she wins office?

Even though she thinks of them strictly as enemies, she is completely willing to find a common ground and work toward a treaty, no matter how hard it would be.

5. What does she think will change about the public's perception of her if she wins?  Why does she think this?

She thinks the public's opinion of her is going to go up because they will see all her hard work and her achievement of earning the presidency.

6. What is the trend in approval ratings of recent presidents by both major parties?

The trend in approval ratings has gotten more separate; both parties give the other's presidents low ratings and they give their own presidents high ratings.

7. Which presidents since Eisenhower were the least polarizing?

Carter, Ford, Johnson

8. Which presidents have had the lowest approval rating among their own party?

Ford and Carter for the Republicans, and Johnson for the Democrats

9. Which presidents have had the lowest approval rating among the opposition party?

Obama for the Republicans and young Bush for the Democrats