[fblike]

l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D covers the Brazilian presidential runoff, which will be held on October 26.  President Dilma Rousseff will square off against Senator Aecio Neves.  In the first round of balloting no candidate earned a majority of the ballots, with Rousseff winning 41% and Neves finished second with 33%.  Both sides will be courting the supporters of environmentalist Marina Silva, who finished third in the first round of voting with 21% of the vote.  The central issue of the election will be the economy, with Rousseff favoring greater social spending and larger government and Neves supporting more robust trade and austerity policies.