Canada's top high school debaters advise U.S. presidential candidates

Members of Canada's national debate team aren't scared to say what they think, and they had plenty of observations when asked to dissect the first U.S. presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

High school students from across the country vie for a place on the national team. These young debaters have completed a week-long training camp and most of them will be competing for Canada at the Pan American Debating Championships in Buenos Aires next February.

• How a U.S. president is chosen
• Highlights from 1st U.S. presidential debate

Using their knowledge of debating dos and don'ts, they assessed what worked and what didn't for Clinton and Trump, and what they should do when they square off again on Sunday.

Stay relatable

Grade 12 student Armin Safavi, 17, was impressed that Clinton left her "robotic" side at home in the first debate. He advised her to continue to show that she relates to issues that matter to undecided voters.

Let your personality show, Hillary Clinton

8 years ago

Duration 0:59

Grade 12 student and national debate team member Armin Safavi offers advice to Hillary Clinton for the second presidential debate

Make concessions 

Grade 11 student Dasha Metropolitansky, 16, says Trump needs to know when to admit he's wrong. She advised him to approach the next debate with more humility.

Show some humility, Donald Trump

8 years ago

Duration 0:58

Grade 11 student and national debate team member Dasha Metropolitansky says Donald Trump has to admit he's wrong from time to time.

Keep debaters in line

Grade 11 student Alykhan Jetha, 16, noted that the moderator also has a part to play. He found that the first debate's moderator, Lester Holt, could have been more diligent in keeping candidates in line, and to time.

Strong moderator needed

8 years ago

Duration 0:45

Grade 11 student and national debate team member Alykhan Jetha says the moderator has to be firmer with candidates

Focus on race relations

Grade 12 student Kimathi Muiruri, 17, said, though Clinton did have strong arguments about race relations, he was disappointed in how little time was given to the topic. He advised Clinton to put more emphasis on the subject in order to expose Trump's shortcomings.

More discussion of race needed

8 years ago

Duration 1:03

Grade 12 student and national debate team member Kimathi Muiruri calls race a crucial topic that requires more discussion

Keep your cool

Grade 12 student Martine Duffy, 17, says Trump needs to be careful not to let Clinton get under his skin. She suggests he try to be more controlled in the next debate so he looks more presidential.

Be calm and stay in control

8 years ago

Duration 0:44

Grade 12 student and national debate team member Martine Duffy says the challenge for Donald Trump is to seem presidential

IF YOU MISSED THE DEBATE

Watch a replay of the debate on the CBC News YouTube channel: youtube.com/cbcnews. Or watch highlights and analysis on Power and Politics with Rosemary Barton on Thanksgiving Monday at 5 p.m.

High school debate team gives advice to Trump and Clinton

8 years ago

Duration 9:13

Members of Canada's national high school debate team deconstruct the first U.S. presidential debate and give the candidates some pointers for the next one.