Talking About the Candidates in Texas

Preston interviews Nathan Garner, a Vietnam veteran, at a polling place in Plano, Texas.

The presidential election is off and running. If you turn on the TV and flip through the channels, you are almost certain to find something that involves our presidential candidates. March 1, also known as "Super Tuesday," was no exception. Primary elections and caucuses in several states, including Texas, brought voters to the polls to support their favorite candidate.

Many young people in my hometown of Plano, Texas, are taking the opportunity to learn about the candidates and form opinions. "Nobody is going to know you're there if you don't voice you opinion," says 11-year old Allison Bryant. Allison adds that she wants a president who has a background in the real world and success in the political world.

Lily Osman, 11, would vote for Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton because she believes that Bill Clinton was such a good president. "Hillary Clinton is an inspiration to girls all over the country," Lily says, "and she would be the first female president."

Tegan Yao, 11, supports Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican. Tegan wants to see a president whom she believes will be honest and always tell the truth to Americans. "Cruz cares about all of America," she says, "and he doesn't judge by differences."

Cruz won the Republican primary in Texas, edging out front-runner Donald Trump. On the Democratic side, Clinton topped Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Nationally, Trump and Clinton are leading, with more primaries on the way.

Voters line up at Maribelle Davis Library in Plano, Texas, to vote in the presidential primaries.

"CHILDISH" BEHAVIOR

Kids have expressed concerns, however, about some of the behavior of the presidential candidates during the campaign. Many students think that it is wrong for the candidates to ridicule each other. They are critical of candidates who make fun of their opponents' looks, mannerisms, and names. "Although I'm a kid, I think trash talking your competitors is rather childish," Lily says.

Most voters agree that without kids in the know, our country will struggle in the future. "It's important that kids be educated themselves," says Dalynn Montgomery, "so that they can make informed decisions and not be swayed by things that other people might say that might not be true."