SpeechGeek Postings

We’re live in Kansas City for the coming out party of the lightning-fast, modified-Parli competition named Supplemental Debate.  I’m not a debater by trade and this could go very, very fast.  We’ll do what we can to provide you coverage for this eagerly-awaited event.

It’s going to be a hectic 16 minutes.

The event began on Wednesday morning with a record 560 entries. That’s a record across the entire tournament.

The topic for the final round is “This House believes that Barack Obama is succeeding in ensuring the future prosperity of the United States.”

Affirmative: 451 — Erin Morris (Kickapoo HS, MO)

Negative: 741 —  Tejas Perdiv (Regis HS, NJ)

Author’s Note: The following statements represent the claims of the speakers to the best of my ability and should not be read as personal commentary on the round.

Proposition Constructive (2 min)

Education initiatives spur potential for future prosperity.  Key incentives are adding the opportunity for education and innovation through a better workforce.

Financial reform will stabilize the economy as well.  Regulation is needed, and is a key initiative of Obama.  TARP is used as the prime example with banks paying back funds and being held accountable.  Stabilizing one part of the economy has created a positive domino effect through free-market system.

CX of Proposition (1 min)

Q: Is there a difference between ensuring and net progress?
Q: How should we weigh today’s round?
Q: If your contentions are not long lasting, is that a vote for the Neg?

Opposition Constructive (2 min)

Clarification: the resolutions says that “ensuring future prosperity.”  Aff can give

1.  Idea of National Security.  Obama has not ensured this because fails to address corruption in Afghanistan, ethnic conflicts, and Taliban movement into Pakistan.  The risks still exist.  Increasing Anti-American Sentiment. More movement in Middle East means greater risk.

2.  Engergy Crisis.  While investing in some green tech, he is not making substantial progress to moving away from oil.

3.  Environment. His actions with BP and global warming have been minimal.  Moreover, he has little political capital to pass substantial legislation.

CX of Opposition (1 min)

Q:  What about the recent stimulus package for green energy?
Q:  We should live in an impractical world where we don’t use oil?
Q:  Does it have to happen immediately?
Q:  What is your standard of ensuring prosperity in general?

Mandatory Prep Time (1 min)

Proposition Rebuttal (2 min)

1.  Energy Crisis.  Neg fails to ignore economics stimulus for solar, wind and algae in addition to other green jobs.  We are creating energy independence while creating new and more jobs, underscoring the need for innovation.  Technology is not only becoming better but also creating small biz opportunities.

2.  Foreign Affairs.  Ignores current efforts to combat cocaine and opium trades in Columbia and Afghanistan.

3.  Financial Reform is Key.  Because we have such a connected free-market system, that money will be invested and stabilize other industries.  We help the American people.  We help foreign relations.  We ensure future prosperity.

Opposition Rebuttal (2 min)

Affirmative has to prove solvency.  The Aff has to show it’s actually doing something.

Education. The problem with education funding is that high school dropouts are increasing and we’re dwindling in the international pack.  No politician is going to pass something without good intentions but nothing is happening and no prosperity is ensured.

Financial Reform.  The economy is based on cycles.  You cannot prove causation based on ebb.  Deficit levels are at the highest ever.

All Aff points are speculative.  Until she proves what they are doing and how they are long term.

Moreover, Aff drops international sentiment against US.

Mandatory Prep Time (1 min)

Proposition Rebuttal (2 min)

Obama has been in office for 1.5 years.  That’s not enough time to prove long term is going to work out.  We must look at the prospect not empirical evidence because the future hasn’t happened yet.

Says Neg drops foreign relations and drug trade argument.

Says TARP prop falls but holds to line that Obama was vital in keeping economic recovery on track.

Key voter comes down to innovation and future prospects for improved economic and social prosperity, better jobs, and innovation.  Obama is indicating signs of success and future prosperity.

Opposition Rebuttal (2 min)

Aff drops the need for solvency by saying that Obama is new on the job.  The crux is that it’s not doing anything.  That’s all we can evaluate in the round.

Education was nullified and later dropped by the Prop.

Says our efforts are doing more harm than good because of the substantial risks inherent in what they do.  Everything Obama is doing is having negative effects, devaluting of the dollar and inflation, etc.

The green movement isn’t doing anything yet and he doesn’t have the political capital for a full-on energy use shift.