Tag: extemp topics Page 56 of 78

1. Will the U.S. launch a manned mission to Mars by 2030?
2. Is Benghazi the next Watergate?
3. Will Mark Sanford’s victory assist the Democrats in enhancing their appeal to female voters in 2014?
4. Can Jeb Bush escape his brother’s shadow and win the presidency in 2016?
5. What explains the lack of white voter turnout in 2012?
6. How should the Department of Defense handle new allegations of sexual assault in the military?
7. What changes should be made to the Senate immigration reform bill?
8. How can John Kerry “reset” America’s relationship with Russia?
9. Dow at 15,000: So what?
10. Will the U.S. Senate approve the UN arms trade treaty?

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Extemp Questions for the Week of March 11, 2013

On March 12, 2013

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your questions for the week of March 11, 2013:

United States
Will Rand Paul’s filibuster of CIA Director Brennan have a meaningful impact on the United States’ drone policy?
Is Paul Ryan’s most recent budget a boon to the GOP, or to Democrats?
Do “fracking” critics have any hope of spurring a nationwide ban on the practice?
Will Obama’s “charm offensive” with Congress pave the way for a comprehensive budget deal?
Will the legacies of his grandfather and uncle be a boon or a hindrance to George P. Bush’s political ambitions?
Will the court decision to strike down New York’s “large soda ban” deal a blow to broader “state paternalism” policies in the US?
Is the call to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act still an advantageous position for Republicans to stake out?
Will the United States’ economic growth survive the effects of the sequester?
Would the Supreme Court be justified in striking down Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act?
Is Colorado turning into a reliably “blue” state?

International
Will Hugo Chavez’s death undermine the stability of the Cuban regime?
Do recent reforms indicate the erosion of Hungarian democracy?
Will President Sirleaf’s cabinet reshuffle be enough to put her government on the right track?
Can opposition forces topple the Syrian government without spurring chemical weapon attacks?
Will the proposed DMZ between Sudan and South Sudan be effective in preventing renewed military clashes?
Can Iran maintain its influence in Latin America in the absence of Hugo Chavez?
Will North Korea’s recent threats result in renewed military clashes with South Korea?
Will the recent Falkland Islands referendum vote have any impact on the dispute over islands?
Does the Italian bond market’s resilience in the face of political gridlock indicate that the worst of the Euro crisis lies in the past?
Does the recent crackdown on protests in Myanmar indicate that the government is slipping in its commitment to human rights?

Questions for the week of February 18, 2013

On February 19, 2013

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your extemp questions for the week of February 18, 2013:

United States

Will Earth’s recent asteroid encounters provide the political will to boost funding for NASA?

Would a delay to the sequester leave any hope for a bipartisan budget compromise before the end of the year?

Will the fight between Karl Rove and the Tea Party be a boon or a bane to the Republican party’s electoral hopes in 2014?

Is McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission likely to bolster or undermine federal laws limiting election contributions?

Is the Obama Administration’s uncooperative relationship with the press undermining its claim to “unprecedented transparency?”

Is the Keystone XL pipeline on track for approval?

Will the merger of US Airways and American Airlines benefit customers?

Does Obama’s universal pre-school proposal have any hope of passing Congress?

Is immigration reform enough to repair the GOP’s relationship with Latino Americans?

Will the Obama Administration’s use of drones become an accepted part of executive power in the long term?

International

Will Afghanistan’s ban on airstrikes in residential areas hinder the ability of NATO forces to effectively combat the Taliban?

Do recent Chinese hacking scandals constitute the early rounds of a global cyber war?

Does Italy’s election threaten the country’s path to economic and fiscal stability?

Is there any hope for international action to cut down on the abuse of tax-haven countries?

Does the recent horse meat scandal indicate a need for improved food monitoring policies in Europe?

Will Putin’s embrace of nationalism further alienate Russia from the West?

Will North Korean provocation spark a new round of open conflict with South Korea?

Will Julia Gillard’s choice of a long campaign cycle work to her advantage?

Is Sri Lanka in danger of becoming an international pariah state?

Will Rousseff’s crusade against corruption in Brazil last beyond the end of her time in office?

Questions for the Week of January 28, 2013

On January 29, 2013

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your extemp questions for the week of January 21, 2013:

United States

Have recent events caused permanent damage to the NRA’s influence over America’s gun control debate?

What should Republicans do to have a chance at retaking the Senate in 2014?

Will the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline be approved in 2013?

Who will benefit most from the coming fight over sequestration spending cuts: Republicans or Democrats?

Will the recent bipartisan Senate immigration proposal bring about a major immigration overhaul for the US?

What impact would a reversal of the Boy Scouts’ policy excluding gays have on the campaign for gay marriage in the US?

How will Obama’s 2nd term foreign policy be different under Kerry and Hagel?

Will Texas tax breaks for violating the ACA necessitate federal intervention to force the issue?

Will the tax changes of the fiscal cliff undermine support for a comprehensive overall of the US tax system?

After Roe v Wade’s 40th anniversary, has the US reached a stalemate on abortion policy?

International

Will Japanese efforts to combat deflation spark a currency war?

How would the legalization of gay marriage in France affect similar efforts in other European countries?

What can David Cameron do to ensure that Britons vote to remain in the EU in 2017?

Will France’s intervention in Mali deal a fatal blow to Boko Haram?

Will Netanyahu’s disappointing election performance result in a meeker ruling coalition for Israel?

Should Angela Merkel place her hopes for re-election on the success of the Free Democratic Party?

Will Chavez’s prolonged absence permanently undermine his authority in Venezuela?

Will Thein Sein’s reforms go far enough to allow Aang San Suu Kyi to win the presidency?

What can China do to prevent rising labor costs from disrupt China’s economic growth?

Is the Egyptian government in danger of experiencing a 2nd “Arab Spring?”

Extemp Questions for the Week of 1/14/2013

On January 15, 2013

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

United States

Has California finally gotten its perennial budget problems under control?

Will the Biden proposal bring about a meaningful change in US gun control policy?

Is the US likely to secure immunity for its troops in Afghanistan by 2014?

Should the US pursue legal action against Wal-Mart over allegations of bribery in Mexico?

Should Michelle Bachmann be removed from the House Intelligence Committee?

Will the death of Aaron Schwartz lead to restrictions on prosecutorial authority as it pertains to intellectual property law?

What impact will the Seventh Circuit’s decision in Moore v. Madigan have on gun control policy?

Should the Federal Reserve take a monetary policy which more aggressively targets unemployment figures?

Do influenza-related public health emergencies in New York and Boston reflect a need for stronger vaccine subsidies?

Will Obama’s latest high-profile argument with Netanyahu affect Chuck Hagel’s viability as a Defense Secretary candidate?

International

Will recent murders in France unravel hopes for peace talks between Turkey and the PKK?

How would a complete US withdrawal from Afghanistan alter the domestic political balance of Pakistan?

Will Russia’s ban on American adoptions have any lasting consequences for US-Russo relations?

What does Julian Assange stand to gain from his run for Australian public office?

Will French intervention in Mali speed up the deployment of an African force to the country?

What should the UK government do to quell growing protests in Belfast?

How can the international community disrupt Iran’s attempts to circumvent economic sanctions?

Does the Abe government have the right plan to put Japan on the path to economic prosperity?

Are Tunisian economic woes to blame for the nation’s continued trouble in building a stable government?

Do recent environmental complaints in China present more of an opportunity, or a threat, to the stability of China’s central government?

Extemp Questions for the Week of January 7, 2013

On January 9, 2013

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your questions for the week of January 7, 2013.

United States

Has the US done enough to secure itself against cybersecurity threats?

Will “Americans for Responsible Solutions” prove an effective counterweight to the NRA?

Can Boehner rally House Republicans to present a united front in the debt ceiling negotiations?

Will Obama come to regret his decision to tap Chuck Hagel for Defense Secretary?

Will the record-breaking heat of 2012 mark the turning point in US efforts to combat climate change?

Can AIG win its potential lawsuit against the US over the terms of its bailout?

Should Obama use the threat of a trillion dollar coin in the clash over the debt ceiling?

After publicly attacking Speaker Boehner, does Chris Christie still have a shot at winning the Republican presidential nomination in 2016?

Will state-level foot dragging delay the implementation of the Affordable Care Act?

What should the US do to cut down on offshore tax evasion?

International

Can China loosen its control over the Internet without losing its control over the country?

If the Brotherhood’s power in Egypt collapsed, who would be best-positioned to take power: secularists or Salafists?

Will the private American delegation visiting North Korea do more harm than good?

What does Chavez’s ill health portend for the future of Venezuela?

What steps must India take to combat its epidemic of violence against women?

Are international sanctions against Sudan needed to address the humanitarian crisis in South Kordofan?

Should NATO commit to joining the AU’s mission in northern Mali?

Does Japan’s plan to revise its defense policy raise the odds of military conflict in East Asia?

Will new reports of environmental damage put a stop to Canada’s bituminous sands oil boom?

Will the reforms spurred by the Euro crisis drive britain out of the EU?

Extemp Questions for the Week of November 26, 2012

On November 28, 2012

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your extemp questions for the week of November 26, 2012:

United States

Will the search for Schapiro’s replacement for the SEC be compromised by infighting this political season?

Will Chris Christie’s current popularity translate into a realistic shot at the 2016 Republican presidential nomination?

Will the Benghazi fallout block Susan Rice from confirmation as the new US Secretary of State?

Will the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to block the Illinois law prohibiting recording of police officers signal the beginning of the end for such laws nationally?

Do rising house prices indicate that the US housing slump is finally over?

Does Romney’s visit to the White House present an opportunity for the advancement of a bipartisan agenda for the “fiscal cliff”?

Will new state-level supermajorities interfere with Obama’s 2nd term agenda?

Should Senate Republicans agree to Harry Reid’s fillibuster reform proposal?

Can Republicans reach a deal on the fiscal cliff without facing fallout from the Norquist Pledge?

Will state-level resistance to Obamacare be an energizing factor for the Tea Party, or a death knell?

International

Is Mohammed Morsi a liability to Egypt’s future stability?

How will Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile interceptors affect the prospects for peace with Palestine?

Can Tzipi Livni unseat Netanyahu in the upcoming Israeli elections?

Will Russian financial support allow Assad to maintain power in Syria?

Has Iraq seen the last of widespread sectarian violence?

Will China’s growing naval strength increase the chances of conflict over regional maritime territorial disputes?

What should Mario Monti’s replacement do to prevent the Italian government from backsliding from the progress of his administration?

How will the election of a separatist majority to Catalonia’s regional government affect Spain’s efforts to revitalize its economy?

Will the SLPP’s decision to protest Sierra Leone’s election results hamper Koroma’s 2nd term plans?

Does Singapore’s bus driver strike signal a revival of organized labor in Singapore?

Extemp Questions for the Week of November 12, 2012

On November 14, 2012

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your extemp questions for the week of November 12, 2012:

United States

Is Apple’s upper-management shakeup the right move for the company?

After Sandy, does the US have the political will to enact major reforms to address climate change?

Will Colorado and Washington’s marijuana legalization plans be derailed by federal intervention?

Does 2012 mark a “turning point” victory for advocates of gay marriage in the US?

Will the combative rhetoric of the 2012 campaign stymie bipartisanship in the new Congress?

What can Cathy McMorris Rodgers do to improve the GOP’s electoral prospects with American women?

Will recent secession petitions have any effect on the relationship between the federal and state governments?

Would the revelation of a Benghazi cover-up cripple the incoming Obama administration?

Would Democrats be better off replacing Nancy Pelosi as House Minority Leader?

Will the post-2012 election focus on Latino voters finally result in comprehensive immigration reform?

International

Is the rise of Greek ultra-nationalism a serious threat to Greek democracy?

Should Chile bring back compulsory voting?

Will recent violent confrontations in Myanmar lead to a roll-back of democratic reforms?

Will the IDF’s use of Twitter during “Pillar of Defense” boost the legitimacy of Israel’s military campaign?

Will Savita Halappanavar’s death bring changes to Ireland’s abortion policies?

Will UN intervention pacify the growing chaos in Northern Mali?

Does India possess the political will to substantially reform the welfare system?

What should the new Chinese leadership do to stabilize the country’s economic prospects?

Has the threat of Indian Ocean piracy been effectively neutralized?

Will a unified Syrian opposition finally be able to garner international support for its bid to dump Bashar al-Assad?

Extemp Questions for the Week of October 22, 2012

On October 24, 2012

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your extemp questions for the week of October 22, 2012.

United States

Would a popular vote/electoral college split in the 2012 presidential election be enough to bring about a change to the US electoral system?

Is Obama’s popularity worldwide an asset or a hindrance to his re-election chances?

Which third-party candidate has the best chance to act as a spoiler in the 2012 presidential election?

Will the threat of a Black Friday strike lead to a victory for Wal-Mart workers?

With Pandit gone, can Corbat lead Citigroup back to prosperity?

Would a Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act settle the national debate over gay marriage?

Is a state-by-state approach a viable alternative to the Affordable Care Act?

Is the CDC doing enough to combat the efforts of the anti-vaccination movement?

Should the United States consider Russia its number one geopolitical foe?

Is the US doing enough to attract aspiring entrepreneurs from other countries?

International

What can the Democratic Alliance do to become a credible challenge to the African National Congress in South Africa?

Should the international community take concrete steps to condemn Turkey’s imprisonments of journalists?

Will the suspension of a strike by Peruvian doctors undermine their demands for a pay raise?

Can a European banking union make a substantial contribution to the battle against Europe’s economic woes?

Will BP’s deal with Rosfneft be a boon to UK-Russian relations, or a liability?

Would a decline in German economic growth provide sufficient impetus for political calls for EU dissolution to succeed?

What reforms would best restore the Italian legal system’s credibility in the wake of the L’Aquila earthquake trial?

Will Yanukovych’s attempts to bolster ties with Russia pay off for Ukraine in the long term?

Should the South Korean government do more to restrict popular demonstrations directed at North Korea?

Can Fatah recover from its dismal performance in Palestine’s recent local elections?

Extemp Questions for the Week of October 15, 2012

On October 17, 2012

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your extemp questions for the week of October 15, 2012

United States

Is Gawker’s outing of Michael Brutsch as skeezy social-media-ite Violentacrez a cause for concern?

Does Hillary Clinton’s admission of accountability for the embassy violence in Benghazi present an insurmountable difficulty in the likelihood of a 2016 presidential bid?

Should conservatives seize on the reversal of Salim Hamdan’s conviction as a talking point against the Obama administration?

Which strategy represents a better plan for Romney: a focused win in Ohio, or a Wisconsin-Iowa victory?

Should Barack Obama prioritize regaining support among women voters?

Which viral criticism of Romney will have more sticking power among his critics: Sesame Street, or Binders Full of Women?

Real-estate: buy, sell, or hold?

How can Romney make Obama’s management of Libya a favorable position for him among undecided voters?

Should the Federal Government be more active in addressing the male/female wage gap?

With George Zimmerman’s trial date set, will his case return to the forefront of American dialogue, or remain in relative obscurity?

International

Will new-found unity between Syrian rebels aid them in the quest for international legitimacy?

What is the worst-case scenario for State Department negotiations with Afghanistan regarding withdrawal amounts and dates?

Is Pakistan’s ruling coalition in a position to engage in educational reform?

Will UN reports of Rwandan and Ugandan support for M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo result in sufficient pressure for international action?

What should Honduras’s government prioritize in its plan to reduce regional violence?

Does Pauline Marois’ attack on Francois Hollande’s foreign policy present a new-found challenge in Canadian-French relations?

Should Chinese citizens be excited, or fearful, about the 2012 Communist Party Congress?

Should Ukraine cave to international pressure about its tariff plans?

Does Australia’s newly-established nuclear deal with India present a threat or an opportunity for US interests in the region?

Is newly-released economic data indicating Chinese growth acceleration a sign of change, or an outlier in an ongoing slump?

Extemp Questions – Oct. 8, 2012

On October 9, 2012

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your extemp questions for the week of Oct. 8, 2012

United States

Will the Obama administration come to regret its decision to block the purchase of US wind farms by a Chinese company?

Will Romney be able to repeat his 1st debate performance in the upcoming debates?

Will Republican accusations that employment statistics are being manipulated erode Obama’s boost from a lower unemployment rate?

What more can the US do to prepare for the economic burden of retiring Baby Boomers?

Can Romney be trusted to maintain his new “centrist” position?

What can the Federal Government do to ensure that increasing Wall Street profits bring their boon to Main Street?

Will the trial of Abu Hamza have a meaningful impact on the November elections?

Meningitis outbreak: uncontrollable fluke, or symptom of a regulatory oversight?

Would the Obama administration benefit from bringing social issues to the front of the national stage?

What can Romney do to help assure an Ohio victory?

International

Will Chavez’s victory bring further entrenchment of the “Bolivarian Revolution’s” socialist principles in Venezuela?

Will popular protests disrupt European leaders’ plans to hold the Eurozone together?

Will rising oil revenues in Iraq bring stability, or renewed conflict?

Will Latin American drug decriminalization turn the tide in the fight against drug gangs?

Does Shinzo Abe have a shot at becoming Prime Minister of Japan again?

Would Paraguay’s early re-admittance to Mercosur undermine South cement Franco’s 2013 re-election ambitions?

Can the Rajapaksa administration continue to withstand scrutiny from the UN Human Rights Council?

What can Asia’s economies do to smooth their economic transition from manufacturing to services?

Is Syrian violence in danger of spilling over into Turkey?

Should Iran press forward with its nuclear ambitions?

Extemp Questions – Oct. 1, 2012

On October 2, 2012

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your extemp questions for the week of Oct. 1, 2012.

United States

Who will benefit the most from the Apple-Samsung patent war?

Will the 2012 presidential debates change the outcome of the race?

How should the US respond to Russia’s ouster of USAID from the country?

Will the 113th Congress be able to achieve more bipartisan policies than the 112th?

Has the US done enough to prepare Afghanistan for the 2014 withdrawal date?

What lessons does the Chicago Teachers’ Union strike hold for national education policy?

Is California’s ban on “gay conversion therapy” for minors likely to spread nationally?

Is Arizona’s hardline approach to illegal immigration yielding any results?

Do the Republicans have a shot at retaking the Senate majority in 2012?

Will Obama and Romney’s record fundraising spur a fresh look at campaign finance reform?

International

What should Turkey do to bring about international action to quell the violence in Syria?

Does Russia’s pro-democracy movement have any hope of ousting Putin?

Do Georgia’s recent elections signal the beginning of the end for Saakashvili?

Are the days of cheap East Asian labor coming to an end?

Has Italy seen the last of Berlusconi in office?

Is Angela Merkel a shoo-in for re-election in 2013?

Does Capriles have what it takes to govern a post-Chavez Venezuela?

Does the threat of Boko Haram warrant AU assistance to Nigeria?

What should Cristina Fernandez do to bring Argentina’s inflation under control?

How should Russia respond to the brewing tensions between Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan?

Extemp Questions – Sept. 24, 2012

On September 24, 2012

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your questions for the week:

United States

Which battleground state will prove most important in the 2012 presidential election?

Will the controversy over Elizabeth Warren’s Native American heritage have a meaningful impact on the Massachusetts senate race?

Will the “replacement ref” controversy lead the NFL to concede to the referee’s demands?

Will voter ID laws last beyond the 2012 election cycle?

Has the presidential campaign disrupted Obama’s ability to fulfil his presidential duties?

Was it wise of Newt Gingrich to raise funds for Todd Akin’s Senate race?

As we enter the 2012 election, how should Republicans plan for 2016?

Does the media focus on election polling distract from substantive campaign issues?

Should the IRS audit churches that participate in “Pulpit Freedom Sunday?”

Do the strong efforts by Obama and Romney to court the Latino vote represent a substantial inclusion on the issues, or is it mere political theatre?

International

Will Ahmadinejad’s grandstanding in New York increase the chances of an Israeli first strike?

What should China’s top priority be in its ongoing territorial dispute with Japan and Taiwan?

Does the UN have the political will to resolve the food crisis in Syria?

Will Mohamed Morsi’s address to the United Nations have a lasting impact on Egyptian foreign relations?

Does Spain’s EU bailout represent a turning point in the Eurozone’s financial struggles?

Should the UK open an investigation into Trafigura’s conduct in the Ivory Coast?

Do Manmohan Singh’s reforms go far enough to restore India’s economic competitiveness?

What should the AU do to combat Al Qaeda’s influence in North Africa?

Should Mexico’s mass-arrest of police officers be viewed as a positive sign, or an ill omen?

Will Israel’s plan to issue additional work permits to Palestinians help relieve the tension between Israelis and Palestinians?

Extemp Questions – Sept 19, 2012

On September 19, 2012

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your questions for the week:

United States

Should Romney apologize for his comments about the 47%?

Can Romney win the electoral college without winning Florida?

Will 2012 be another victory for anti gay marriage ballot measures?

Does “Innocence of Muslims” show that US needs stronger hate speech laws?

Which will provide the greater advantage: Obama’s field office advantage, or Romney’s Super PAC money?

Has Marissa Mayer set Yahoo on path to success?

Have Democrats effectively taken national security away from Republicans as an election issue?

What impact will immigration have on Arizona politics now that new, stricter laws are coming into effect?

Does Chick Fil-A’s decision not to give money to groups that oppose gay marriage represent a substantial victory for the LGBTQ community?

Were government investigators right to clear Eric Holder in their investigation into operation Fast and Furious?

International

Has “Innocence of Muslims” caused permanent damage to US relations with Libya?

Would the rise of a Japanese 3rd party lead to gridlock or progress?

Should Chinese leaders be worried that anti-Japan protests could spill over into broader unrest?

Should Russia have kept its diamond reserves a secret?

Is British government destined for further devolution of power?

Will this year’s record low Arctic ice cover spur international action?

Are the recent Dutch elections a sign of greater political stability to come?

Will Spain make it through its debt crisis without an ECB bailout?

How should France respond to its cartoons mocking the prophet Mohammed?

Should India’s government press forward with its unpopular economic reforms?

Extemp Questions- Sept. 10, 2012

On September 12, 2012

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

Here are your practice extemp questions for the week of September 10, 2012.

United States

Do early leads in September polling indicate that Obama is a shoo-in for the November election?

Should NBC have aired the Paralympics?

Who should blink in the game of chicken between Chicago teachers and Mayor Rahm Emanuel?

As Ryan and Obama trade barbs over the budget, who will best imbue their viewpoint on budget matters upon the American public?

With the labor force participation rate so low, to what extent will the unemployment rate factor into American voters’ minds?

Will the next Congress be willing to address entitlement reform?

Which speaker from this year’s party conventions is most likely to be a serious contender in 2016?

How can the US avoid going over the so-called “fiscal cliff” this fall?

Does the Buffett Rule have any hope of becoming policy?

Does Netanyahu have any hope of compelling Obama to establish a “red line” for Iran before the November election?

International

What impact will the transfer of Bagram prison to Afghan control have on the NATO operations in the country?

Can Kenya remain a stable nation?

What impact will the controversy over the murder conviction of Iraqi vice president al-Hashemi have on the political system in Iraq?

Should the Doha Development Round be abandoned as a failure?

Is China’s slowing growth likely to spur renewed stimulus measures from the Chinese government?

Can Francois Hollande fulfill his promise to turn the French economy around in 2 years?

Will rising food prices lead to another round of global 2007-style food riots?

Will bad luck plaguing his attempts to reform Nigeria’s energy market sink Goodluck Jonathan?

Should the Parti Quebecois seek another referendum on Quebec’s independence?

What can be done to prevent the death of the Caribbean coral reefs?