1) What libertarian-leaning Republican got into an argument about national security issues with fellow Republican Chris Christie at last Thursday’s presidential candidate debate?
a) Sen. Rand Paul
Paul opposed an NSA program that collected data on all calls received and made by millions of Americans. Christie believes the program is a necessary component of the war on terrorism. Paul sees it as an invasion of privacy and a violation of the 4th Amendment.
2) What candidate recently made a comment that seemed to suggest that moderator Megyn Kelly was menstruating during Thursday's presidential debate?
b) Donald Trump
Trump was not happy that Kelly questioned him about comments he has made over the years about women. Trump denies that he was referring to menstruation when he said that Kelly had “blood coming out of her wherever” during the debate.
https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/09/politics/donald-trump-blood-comment-response-2016-sotu/
3) What female candidate is generally acknowledged to have turned in the best performance in Thursday’s “happy hour” debate between the seven Republican candidates at the bottom of the polls?
d) Carly Fiorina
Fiorina is the former CEO of Hewlett Packard. The top ten candidates in the polls participated in the nighttime debate while the other seven participated in the “Happy Hour” debate.
https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/06/politics/carly-fiorina-republican-debate/
4) On Saturday, members of the group Black Lives Matter forced the cancellation of a Seattle campaign appearance by what 2016 presidential candidate?
c) Sen. Bernie Sanders
Sanders is generally acknowledged to be the most progressive of the candidates running, and has also drawn the biggest crowds. A Sanders event later that day drew 15,000 people.
https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/bernie-sanders-event-shut-down-black-lives-matter-activists
5) What leading Democrat indicated earlier this week that he will vote against the Iran nuclear deal?
b) Sen. Charles Schumer
To keep the deal from being sent to president Obama for his signature, opponents need 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster. If the President signs off on it, opponents will then need 67 votes in the Senate and 290 votes in House to bloc the deal.
6) On Monday President Obama announced tough new regulations on what?
b) Power plants
The goal is to reduce carbon emissions over the next 15 years.
7) What country recently created its own time zone?
a) North Korea
The country set its clocks back 30 minutes.
https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/07/asia/north-korea-time-zone/
8) A federal court recently struck down a voter ID law in what state?
d) Texas
The Court ruled that the law has a discriminatory effect on minorities (who are less likely to have a picture ID) and that it also violates the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
https://cnsnews.com/news/article/how-latest-federal-court-ruling-affects-texas-voter-id-law
9) What company recently announced that it will allow its employees to take one year of parental leave?
a) Netflix
Netflix employs about 2,200 people.
https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/05/us-netflix-maternity-idUSKCN0QA29820150805
10) What Comedy Central comedian hosted his final show on Friday?
a) Jon Stewart
Stewart hosted The Daily Show for 16 years.
https://thedailyshow.cc.com/episodes/pjkw01/august-6--2015---jon-stewart-s-final-episode