The Vice Presidents' Influence
By Brianna Stearns, Jenna Miller, Lysandra Marquez and Ani Grigoryan
Voters in downtown Phoenix say that vice presidential candidates had little influence on their final voting decision.
This election may be one of the most controversial in American history and voters appear to be more involved than in previous years. Seven in ten voters say the outcome of this election is more important than past elections, according to Gallup.
The 2016 presidential candidates are both historically unfavorable by the majority of registered voters, according to a poll by the Washington Post-ABC News.
Increased media coverage and voter involvement has shifted the focus off the party as a whole and directly to the individual candidate.
“While the vice presidential candidates were obviously an important part, their importance was dwarfed in regards to the opposing positions’ opinions,” said John Couleur.
This election may be one of the most controversial in American history and voters appear to be more involved than in previous years. Seven in ten voters say the outcome of this election is more important than past elections, according to Gallup.
The 2016 presidential candidates are both historically unfavorable by the majority of registered voters, according to a poll by the Washington Post-ABC News.
Increased media coverage and voter involvement has shifted the focus off the party as a whole and directly to the individual candidate.
“While the vice presidential candidates were obviously an important part, their importance was dwarfed in regards to the opposing positions’ opinions,” said John Couleur.
Many voters explained that although they may not agree with some of the vice presidential platforms, the influence was not enough to change their minds.
“There was such a clear choice between the two presidential candidates,” said Couleur. Some voters were concerned with the vice presidential candidates only in regards to the opposing party and their views. Amy Edmonds, member of the Democrat party, expressed concern with the Republican vice presidential candidate. |
“[Somebody’s] views are very strong against what I believe in so they did make a big difference. Not that I would have voted for that president anyways, but his vice president definitely swayed my vote.”
Many voters admitted doing little research on either of the vice presidential candidates stating that they focused their research more on the broad issues.
Over half over of the voters for each party are either undecided or don’t know enough about the vice presidential candidates to form an opinion, according to a poll by CBS News. The poll showed that 65 percent are voting primarily based on their opinions of the presidential candidate, while only 32 percent are strongly influenced by the vice presidential candidate.
Tom Conners expressed his concern in regards to the vice presidential candidates, and emphasized the importance of understanding their role.
“He’s got to be as pretty much as qualified as the president... He may not be as pressed into so many duties…but he might…so the perception at least has got to be that he can handle it.”
Only 14 of the past vice presidents have moved on to become President of the United States with 8 following the death of the sitting president, according to CNN.
Many voters admitted doing little research on either of the vice presidential candidates stating that they focused their research more on the broad issues.
Over half over of the voters for each party are either undecided or don’t know enough about the vice presidential candidates to form an opinion, according to a poll by CBS News. The poll showed that 65 percent are voting primarily based on their opinions of the presidential candidate, while only 32 percent are strongly influenced by the vice presidential candidate.
Tom Conners expressed his concern in regards to the vice presidential candidates, and emphasized the importance of understanding their role.
“He’s got to be as pretty much as qualified as the president... He may not be as pressed into so many duties…but he might…so the perception at least has got to be that he can handle it.”
Only 14 of the past vice presidents have moved on to become President of the United States with 8 following the death of the sitting president, according to CNN.
“I think the second candidates sometimes will play a part in it… God forbid anything should happen to top candidates who’s next,” said Edmonds.
Many voters claimed that they voted strictly based on their party’s nominee and knew from the beginning who they were voting for. The vice presidential candidates did not influence their decisions to a degree in which they would alter their decisions. |
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