1. How does the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 address U.S. energy concerns?

2. What is included in Major League Baseballís Mitchell Report?

3. Pakistan: How is the assassination of Benazir Bhutto affecting this nationsí democratic process?

4. Who are the leading contenders for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination?

5. How is the United Nations addressing the problems of violence in the Darfur region of Sudan?

6. Why did Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey launch an investigation of the CIA?

7. How are political leaders in Lebanon seeking to promote political stability?

8. Why is there growing concern in Turkey regarding developments in Iraq?

9. Why has the federal government failed to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?

10. Why is there increasing support for ìgrowth modelsî as a way of ensuring accountability under the No Child Left Behind Act?

11. What are the major U.S. foreign policy objectives in the Middle East?

12. Wall Street: What do trends in the stock market reveal about the state of the U.S. economy?

13. How is the future of the Cuban political system affected by the health of Fidel Castro?

14. How has the writers strike impacted the U.S. entertainment industry?

15. In what ways has British foreign policy changed under the leadership of Prime Minister Gordon Brown?

16. The Texas economy: What are its major strengths and weaknesses?

17. Why do current polls reflect a growing dissatisfaction with Congress by the American public?

18. What challenges does China face as preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games are underway?

19. What is the general state of relations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders?

20. NASA: What are its long-term plans for the U.S. space program?

1. In what ways is the Department of Homeland Security ensuring the safety of Texas seaports?

2. Vladimir Putin: What are the future political plans for Russiaís leader? 

3. What are the causes of increasing levels of violence in Kenya?

4. Why are key political leaders in the United States currently calling for reform of the nationís agriculture policy?

5. Iowa: What effect could the results of the nationís first caucus have on the 2008 presidential election?

6. Why is India becoming one of the economic leaders of Asia?

7. Why are middle-class Americans feeling priced out of affording college?

8. What is the United States seeking to achieve by supporting sanctions against Iran?

9. How do rising oil prices affect the United States economy?

10. What are the latest developments regarding relations between North and South Korea?

11. In what ways is U.S. policy in Afghanistan related to the war on terrorism?

12. What challenges are facing aging Americans as they approach retirement?

13. How is the agriculture industry in Mexico affected by the North American Free Trade Agreement?

14. Colombia: How is this nation dealing with the problem of militant rebel organizations?

15. Why are textbooks for Texas public school students under scrutiny by the State Board of Education?

16. What are the basic objectives of the ETA separatist movement in Spain?

17. Capital Punishment: Why is death by lethal injection raising controversy?

18. What is the current state of the U.S. housing sector?

19. Why are nations in the Middle East turning to nuclear power as an energy source?

20. How is the World Health Organization addressing the problem of malaria in Africa?

PERSUASIVE SPEAKING PRELIMINARY TOPICS

1. Does Barak Obama have adequate foreign policy experience to serve as president of the United States?

2. Is a political meltdown occurring in Pakistan?

3. Is increased cost of tuition posing an economic hardship for Texas college students?

4. Will President Robert Mugabe allow for political reform in Zimbabwe?

5. Should Congress take steps to close the detainment center at Guant?namo Bay?

6. Is Russia attempting to use its natural gas resources to impose diplomatic goals on other nations?

7. Has the No Child Left Behind program resulted in improved education for U.S. public school students?

8. Angela Merkel: Is her effectiveness as Germanyís chancellor on the decline as is her popularity?

9. Is European foreign assistance having a positive impact on major concerns facing African leaders today?

10. Should the Federal Reserve Board rely on reduced interest rates to stimulate economic growth in the U.S.?

11. Is the United States realizing diplomatic success in dealing with North Korea?

12. Will toll highways provide relief for crowded roadways in Texas?

13. Is Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez shifting focus following voter rejection of his proposed reforms?

14. Will the success of Argentinaís president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner be threatened by growing economic problems in her nation?

15. Should the United States impose stronger restrictions on advertising practices of tobacco companies?

16. Is the United Nations adequately dealing with Iranís nuclear ambitions?

17. Is Ron Paul a legitimate presidential contender?

18. Will Chinaís President Hu Jintao allow for democratic reform in his nation?

19. Are U.S. consumers threatened by increasing levels of credit card debt?

20. Is OPEC losing its control over international oil prices?

PERSUASIVE SPEAKING FINAL TOPICS

1. Will the new Energy Independence and Security Act recently signed into law provide the U.S. with a comprehensive energy strategy?

2. Should America fear the strength of Vladimir Putinís grip on Russian politics?

3. How should Major League Baseball respond to the Mitchell report on steroid use in the sport?

4. Is the general approval rating of President Bush likely to improve in 2008?

5. Are womenís rights improving in Saudi Arabia?

6. Will illegal immigration be a defining issue in the 2008 presidential election?

7. Are Sub-Saharan nations of Africa facing a crisis caused by water shortages?

8. Is America taking sufficient steps to protect against Chinese cyberwarfare?

9. Is the U.S. economy threatened by the rising foreign trade deficit?

10. Will President Sarkozyís reform programs lead to major labor problems for France?

11. Is the United States achieving its military objectives in Iraq?

12. Is the government of Sri Lanka adequately addressing the problem of rebel violence within its borders?

13. Should the U.S. federal government increase regulations of the home mortgage industry?

14. Americaís health care system: How can the most pressing problems be addressed?

15.  Somalia: Is the interim government of this nation successfully restoring stability?

16. Is Californiaís environmental policy with respect to carbon emissions a model for the nation?

17. Will recent negotiations conducted in Annapolis lead to renewed optimism regarding the Middle East?

18. Rudy Giuliani: Are his chances of victory in the 2008 election beginning to fade dramatically?

19. Is deforestation of the Amazon basin causing permanent environmental damage?

20. Should Texas public school employees be subjected to criminal background checks?