Nationwide Kids Pick Their Choice for President
High School Student, Fernando Perez 15, from Bakersfield
Every four years, Nickelodeon provides kids with the rare opportunity to have the U.S. presidential candidates answer their questions in the Nick News with Linda Ellerbee special, “Kids Pick the President: The Candidates,” premiering Monday, Oct. 15, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Following the special, kids have the opportunity to vote for the man they think should be the next president. The “Kids’ Vote” is a bellwether poll because in five of the last six presidential elections, kids have correctly picked the winner several weeks before the adults have voted.
Nick News traveled around the country videotaping kids asking the candidates questions. This year’s special features President Barack Obama who sat down with Nick News at the White House to answer kids’ questions. After numerous attempts by Nick News to get former Governor Mitt Romney to participate in the special, his camp declined saying he was unable to fit it into his schedule. The special features previously taped video clips of Romney addressing some of the issues raised in the questions as well as bios of both candidates.
In the special, Obama answers questions about gun control, jobs, illegal immigration, same–sex marriage, outsourcing, bullying and obesity. He also responds to more light-hearted questions like if he’d ever had his heart broken or what was his most embarrassing moment.
On heartbreak: “That happened to me,” says Obama. “I think the main thing you learn is that life goes on…”
On his most embarrassing moment: “Running into the wall is par for the course for me,” says the president. “I’m running into doors and desks all the time.”
“By answering kids’ questions directly, candidates show respect for kids,” says Linda Ellerbee. “We are disappointed that Mitt Romney wouldn’t take the time to answer the questions, but are thrilled that President Obama participated in the special.”
Following the special, hosted by Ellerbee, kids will be able to vote for the person they think is most qualified to lead America. Kids can log on to www.nick.com/kpp from Oct. 15 to Oct. 22 to cast their votes online, as well as to get more information about each candidate and his position on the issues. Nickelodeon will announce the results on-air on Monday, Oct. 22. Both the special and the “Kids’ Vote” are the culmination of Nickelodeon’s Kids Pick the President initiative to build young citizens’ awareness of the election process, the candidates and the issues.
