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Handout E: Debate Identity Slips (War Powers Resolution)

Debate Identity Slips

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  1. You are the Speaker of the House. You don’t think the US should go to war to defend other countries.
  2. You are a Representative from the same political party as the President. Your district has a large pacifist population. You are up for reelection.
  3. You are a Representative from the President’s rival political party. You oppose the war, and you hope to make a name for yourself as an anti-war candidate in the next election.
  4. You are a Representative from the President’s rival political party. You think the President is power-hungry.
  5. You are a Representative from a region of the country that supports the idea of war with Svovenia.
  6. You are a Representative from a region of the country where several large defense contractors are based.
  7. You are a Representative serving on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. You could be persuaded to vote to declare war, but you oppose authorizing the use of force and argue that wars are difficult to get out of once they have begun.
  8. You are a Representative from a region with a large population of Svovenian-Americans.

SENATE

  1. You are the President pro tempore of the Senate. You think Svovenia is a serious threat to America’s security and support going to war.
  2. You are Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. You could be persuaded to vote to declare war, but you oppose authorizing the use of force and argue that wars are difficult to get out of once they’re begun.
  3. You are a Senator from the President’s political party. You think the President is going too far in calling for military action against Svovenia but you don’t want to rock the boat.
  4. You are a Senator from the President’s political party. You support military action against Svovenia, but polls in your state show strong opposition to the President.
  5. You are a Senator. You oppose going to war, but support for it in your state is strong.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

  1. You are the President of the United States. You’ve been President for six years and your approval ratings are average. You believe war against Svovenia is necessary, and will also ensure your good legacy.
  2. You are the Vice President. You support war with Svovenia, especially because you believe your support will help your chances of winning when you run for President next year.
  3. You are the Secretary of Defense. You first brought the possibility of war against Svovenia to the President’s attention, and you’ve taken some criticism in the media for it.
  4. You are the Secretary of Homeland Security. You and the Secretary of Defense have been urging the President to go to war against Svovenia.
  5. You are Secretary of State. You oppose the war, and you have been urging the President to find a diplomatic solution.