Historians Ask Presidential Debate Questions

Over the past couple of weeks, we asked our twitter followers the question “As a historian, what would be your first question if you were moderating the Presidential debates?” Here are some of the best responses we received.

What would you ask Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump if you were moderating the debate? Share your response in the comments below.

What lessons might we draw from the past?

Historians don’t think that history repeats itself, but they do think that it offers some useful lessons.

@JournAmHist How would you make use of historical knowledge and debates to inform your decisions?

— briankov (@briankov) September 15, 2016

@JournAmHist What historical event/crisis/episode offers the most relevant lessons to inform a solution to a current U.S. problem?

— Jeffrey J. Malanson (@JeffreyMalanson) September 20, 2016

@JournAmHist Do you believe America’s past serves as a model of how to do things correctly, or as a lesson in how not to do things?

— Tim Galsworthy (@TimGalsworthy) September 20, 2016

@JournAmHist describe a pre-1990 event that you wish the US had handled differently/better; describe what you would’ve done instead

— Mairin Odle (@MairinOdle) September 15, 2016

@JournAmHist. What lessons do you draw from presidents who took the Nation into war? Which presidents in particular?

— JimHarrold (@JimHarroldOmaha) September 16, 2016

@JournAmHist What did we learn from the Vietnam and Iraq Wars?

— Michael Koncewicz (@MikeKoncewicz) September 14, 2016

@JournAmHist What in history is America’s greatest regret? What is its greatest accomplishment?

— Jake 3n6315 (@jake3n6315) September 14, 2016

@JournAmHist What historical event was the most instructive or inspirational for you as a presidential candidate and why?

— Stephanie Richmond (@profrichmond) September 15, 2016

@GeitnerSimmons pic.twitter.com/ofnw7z447I

— Geitner Simmons (@GeitnerSimmons) September 16, 2016

@JournAmHist What example of American failure offers the best lessons for modern politicians and policy makers?

— Jeffrey J. Malanson (@JeffreyMalanson) September 20, 2016

What historical precedents exist for your presidency and its policies?

Trump says he wants to Make America Great Again. When, precisely, was the period of greatness he want to return to? https://t.co/PklT7FnPn0

— Timothy J Lombardo (@TimLombard0) September 14, 2016

@JournAmHist To make America great again, do you see yourself on the mold of President Franklin Roosevelt? Or if not, which President?

— Jim DeRosa (@DeRosaWorld) September 20, 2016

.@JournAmHist Tell us how President Eisenhower influenced your thinking on immigration. Will you call it by name? https://t.co/orGKBul0L4

— Gordon Belt (@gordonbelt) September 20, 2016

.@JournAmHist You’ve called for “election observers.” From which historical precedent do you draw this conclusion? https://t.co/z8Mn0fUIKD

— Gordon Belt (@gordonbelt) September 20, 2016

Can we use the past to understand the present?

Are there any useful historical analogies for understanding America in 2016?

@JournAmHist @The_OAH What do you think is the era in American history most analogous to this moment? How is it similar, how different, why?

— Mark Byrnes (@byrnesms) September 14, 2016

@JournAmHist n a global economy n which social & cultural,predilections impact allies & foes, n what way is America an exceptionalism viable

— Sissy-eater of grits (@divafancypants) September 16, 2016

@JournAmHist @The_OAH .@TIME compared uprisings in certain cities to the climate of 1968. Is that comparison fair? pic.twitter.com/xste5P74gA

— SteveChernoski (@nsjersey) September 15, 2016

In the 1930s, prejudice led the US to deny entry to 1000s of Jews fleeing war. How will you help today’s refugees? https://t.co/y6jVttpmc7

— Historical Opinion (@HistOpinion) September 15, 2016

What are your views on the Constitution and previous pieces of legislation?

Some historians wanted to test the candidates on the Constitution and legislation.

@JournAmHist @The_OAH Have you ever spent time reading and understanding the Constitution and under what circumstances it was written?

— Dr. Dan Keller, MEd (@UShistory1700) September 15, 2016

@JournAmHist @The_OAH What will you do to uphold the First Amendment?

— Amy Lively (@Ms_Historian) September 14, 2016

@JournAmHist “What are your thoughts on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 & the Voting Rights Act?”

— Jillian E. McClure (@JillianEMcClure) September 14, 2016

@JournAmHist Could you share with us your interpretation of your Article II powers?

— Stephen F. Knott (@publius57) September 15, 2016

Superlatives

A few wanted to hear the candidates evaluate past leaders.

@JournAmHist U said Hillary was the worst SoS in history, who did she replace on your list? Name someone prior to 1976, follow up to Hillary

— (((Daniel Wright))) (@dprite1) September 15, 2016

@JournAmHist Who was the most important vice-president in American history, in your opinion, and why?

— William Chiriguayo (@WChiriguayo) September 16, 2016

@JournAmHist @OUPAmHistory Which US President (if any) do you admire, and why?

— Jak King (@jakking49) September 20, 2016

@JournAmHist What U.S. president is your role model for presidential leadership?

— Jeffrey J. Malanson (@JeffreyMalanson) September 20, 2016

Quiz time

Some responded with questions intended to probe the candidates’ historical literacy.

.@JournAmHist Lightning round… Name three factual errors in the first paragraph of this #ConstitutionDay2016 press release. Go! pic.twitter.com/YZOpw1dPid

— Gordon Belt (@gordonbelt) September 20, 2016

@JournAmHist Was the New Deal “new”?

— AWB (@AWilliamBell) September 15, 2016

@JournAmHist @JournAmHist Can you, as a presidential candidate with the potential to start nuclear war, explain the debate surrounding the

— Mr. Rodriguez (@TheRealMrRod) September 15, 2016

@JournAmHist nuclear bomb used in World War 2? Particularly, the debate between the “new interpretation” as exemplified by Gar Alperovitz,

— Mr. Rodriguez (@TheRealMrRod) September 15, 2016

@JournAmHist and the “old interpretation” of bombing Japan to save American lives.

— Mr. Rodriguez (@TheRealMrRod) September 15, 2016

Injustice

As historians know, inequality and injustice in the United States have deep roots in the past.

@JournAmHist in my head, Lester Holt reads this question in a very slow tempo. pic.twitter.com/bVpmE42rvW

— Irvin Ibarguen (@irvinstudies) September 16, 2016

@JournAmHist Is it the job of the federal gov’t to promote racial equality? What policies have historically worked best in doing so?

— Peter A. Shulman (@pashulman) September 15, 2016

@JournAmHist why so you think economic equality has been so much more difficult for Americans to achieve than political equality?

— Chris Parkes (@Parkesland) September 16, 2016

@JournAmHist what is the responsibility of the fed. gov. to remedy past injustices such as redlining and subprime lending?

— Cory Young (@coryjamesyoung) September 16, 2016

What are you reading?

A few readers wanted to know about the candidates’ reading habits.

@JournAmHist What’s the last work of non-fiction you read? Fiction? What did you learn? .@HillaryClinton .@realDonaldTrump

— Charlie Griffith (@cegriff3) September 14, 2016

@JournAmHist ‘what is the last book on history you read?’

— Amelia E. Serafine (@AmeliaESerafine) September 20, 2016

@JournAmHist if you want to learn about an issue in another country, where do you read/watch to get information?

— Ethan R Chitty (@ChittyInHistory) September 15, 2016

.@JournAmHist One last question… Have you read Lincoln’s second inaugural or Washington’s Farewell Address? https://t.co/AW2fCUaOog

— Gordon Belt (@gordonbelt) September 21, 2016

Finally, the big question…

Is a hot dog a sandwich? https://t.co/64iV9EoiTA

— Nora (@norannosaurus) September 14, 2016