# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=581 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 582 --- ## [Now that Obama is POTUS aren't black claims of being oppressed kind of hollow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-obama-is-potus-arent-black-claims-of-being-oppressed-kind-of-hollow/471329)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-obama-is-potus-arent-black-claims-of-being-oppressed-kind-of-hollow/471329 "2008-11-07T21:55:19Z")
There’s a black POTUS. Don’t people trying to play the racial victim card look kind of silly from ths point forward? --- ## [What is and isn't biased media coverage of campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-and-isnt-biased-media-coverage-of-campaign/470887)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-and-isnt-biased-media-coverage-of-campaign/470887 "2008-11-07T21:51:28Z")
Some recent news articles saying media bias in the campaign coverage has been demonstrated, and reference studies finding that the ratio of favorable to unfavorable stories is different for different candidates. Though I… --- ## [What concrete steps should Obama take to win over conservatives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-concrete-steps-should-obama-take-to-win-over-conservatives/471296)
**Author:** [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-concrete-steps-should-obama-take-to-win-over-conservatives/471296 "2008-11-07T21:11:55Z")
Krep-- the title is missing the word “conservatives” The President-elect said during the campaign that if elected he wants to reach out to the other party and heal partisan division. Of course, that was also true in 200… --- ## [Dragging the debate left; the fine art of political mass consciousness-altering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dragging-the-debate-left-the-fine-art-of-political-mass-consciousness-altering/471575)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dragging-the-debate-left-the-fine-art-of-political-mass-consciousness-altering/471575 "2008-11-07T20:43:59Z")
In a Pit thread, Der Trihs said something insightful. (Yeah, yeah, snark about the source elsewhere–he did.) I think this is a good description of how to do political negotiation, & how not to. In fact, I’ve been putt… --- ## [Do White House Staff Have to be Chosen from Those in Elected Office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-house-staff-have-to-be-chosen-from-those-in-elected-office/471480)
**Author:** [@Paige\_Turner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paige_Turner)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-white-house-staff-have-to-be-chosen-from-those-in-elected-office/471480 "2008-11-07T20:04:16Z")
A lot of the people being discussed for the Obama Administration’s West Wing staff positions and Cabinet are currently serving Congressmen and Governors. I know that Cabinet members have to resign their elected offices … --- ## [What's the definition of a mandate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-definition-of-a-mandate/471337)
**Author:** [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-definition-of-a-mandate/471337 "2008-11-07T17:25:44Z")
During the presidency of George W. Bush, Democrats and the left often accused Bush of governing as though he had a “mandate,” meaning a sense of authority for a partisan agenda that could be presumed had he won a large m… --- ## [Iraq more insistent on a withdrawal date](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-more-insistent-on-a-withdrawal-date/471653)
**Author:** [@mabes10](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mabes10)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-more-insistent-on-a-withdrawal-date/471653 "2008-11-07T17:18:06Z")
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27585543/ BAGHDAD, Nov. 6 - Two days after the election of Barack Obama, Iraq’s chief spokesman said with unusual forcefulness Thursday that his government will continue to insist on a firm w… --- ## [Voter turnout?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-turnout/471642)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-turnout/471642 "2008-11-07T16:02:24Z")
Perhaps this is a GQ but it is political so I am putting it here… How does turnout this time actually compare with past elections and why am I reading such different sets of numbers? First we have this report as report… --- ## [Obama's Financial Powerhouse Team: Will he run the country like Google?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-financial-powerhouse-team-will-he-run-the-country-like-google/471639)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-financial-powerhouse-team-will-he-run-the-country-like-google/471639 "2008-11-07T15:27:56Z")
President Elect Obama has assembled a groupof power brokers to help him decide the right course of action for the country’s financial mess. Notable additions to the team are Warren Buffet, Google CEO Erik Schmidt, and a … --- ## [Why is Obama not a European-American?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-obama-not-a-european-american/471391)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-obama-not-a-european-american/471391 "2008-11-07T10:16:46Z")
I never cease to be amazed at the way Americans subscribe to the KKK-Jim Crow “one drop of negro blood” rule to define anyone with any black ancestry as black. Using the euphemism “African-American” does not hide the fu… --- ## [Back to the economy: what can/should President Obama do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-economy-what-can-should-president-obama-do/471584)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-economy-what-can-should-president-obama-do/471584 "2008-11-07T07:48:49Z")
I asked this before here, but now that it’s definite who the President is, and the thoughts of election are now gone (leaving us only with the bad news on Wall Street and elsewhere), I think it’s time to revisit the ques… --- ## [Is another Cold War looming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-another-cold-war-looming/471274)
**Author:** [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-another-cold-war-looming/471274 "2008-11-07T07:32:09Z")
The Russian bear has been out of the cage for a few years. Is this just saber ratteling or are we facing a second Cold War? Story: MSNBC. --- ## [Gay Strike](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-strike/471307)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-strike/471307 "2008-11-07T07:07:59Z")
Fuck CA voters. I think it’s time for gay people to go on strike til they get equal rights. Just let me know first so I can get a haircut. --- ## [What is the difference between a Strategy and a Tactic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-strategy-and-a-tactic/471122)
**Author:** [@twhitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twhitt)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-strategy-and-a-tactic/471122 "2008-11-07T06:29:30Z")
The difference between strategies and tactics came up today during the MSNBC coverage of the election, and of course also a while back during one of the debates. I believe Sen. Obama was accused of not knowing the diffe… --- ## [Revoking same sex marriages in Cali: How will this be implemented?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revoking-same-sex-marriages-in-cali-how-will-this-be-implemented/471249)
**Author:** [@CyclopticXander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyclopticXander)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revoking-same-sex-marriages-in-cali-how-will-this-be-implemented/471249 "2008-11-07T04:31:31Z")
As I type this California’s Prop 8 is not yet officially decided, but it is becoming more clear that this thing will actually pass. My question is how exactly this will work. Is there an american precedent for the remov… --- ## [Should all Firearms be banned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-all-firearms-be-banned/471077)
**Author:** [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-all-firearms-be-banned/471077 "2008-11-07T04:30:27Z")
More than a discussion based on reality, this thread is meant to be an argument on whether something that would be practically impossible to do would in fact be a good thing, at least in theory. I dissagree with the who… --- ## [Kerry's loss in 2004: Best thing that happened to the Dems since...forever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerrys-loss-in-2004-best-thing-that-happened-to-the-dems-since-forever/471384)
**Author:** [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerrys-loss-in-2004-best-thing-that-happened-to-the-dems-since-forever/471384 "2008-11-07T01:30:11Z")
I say yes. My own emotional scars from waking up that cold November day in 2004 and learning that Bush fucking won still haven’t faded away. I was shocked and hurt by the news. I thought it was pure disaster. But now I … --- ## [Economic Meltdown/Correcting the Bush Legacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-meltdown-correcting-the-bush-legacy/471370)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-meltdown-correcting-the-bush-legacy/471370 "2008-11-07T01:20:19Z")
The election is over, Bush was a shitty president. I get that. But there’s still going to be the belief that Bush was somehow responsible for the economic meltdown resulting from the collapse of Freddie Mac and Fannie M… --- ## [Why are Conservatives so credulous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-so-credulous/470646)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-so-credulous/470646 "2008-11-07T01:14:52Z")
I’ll mention Obama, but only as an example. This is not meant to be an Obama thread. At another website I see: \[ul\]\[li\]Obama is a Muslim\[/li\]\[li\]Obama is not a U.S. citizen\[/li\]\[li\]Obama is a socialist\[/li\]\[li\]Both pa… --- ## [Money worked: Election 2008](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-worked-election-2008/471389)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-worked-election-2008/471389 "2008-11-07T01:14:43Z")
Obama raked in a mindboggling $600+ million in campaign funds. Considerable more than his opponent. So did he buy his way into the White House? Is the importance of money in US elections in any way suspect, troubling or … --- ## [If Obama had two black parents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-obama-had-two-black-parents/471368)
**Author:** [@ginman999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ginman999)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-obama-had-two-black-parents/471368 "2008-11-07T01:08:59Z")
If Obama had two black parents and not raised in a white family would he have won the election? Did it make him more acceptable to whites? As a white male who voted for him I must admit that if he had been then I would o… --- ## [Global Warming statistical analysis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-statistical-analysis/471521)
**Author:** [@Paladud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paladud)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-statistical-analysis/471521 "2008-11-06T22:07:30Z")
The concept of anthropogenic global warming comes with massive policy implications attached. My gut reaction is that it’s grossly exaggerated at best. But it would be unwise to discount the theory without examining it th… --- ## [David Byrne Can't Vote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-byrne-cant-vote/471131)
**Author:** [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-byrne-cant-vote/471131 "2008-11-06T20:33:10Z")
From a bulk e-mail he sent out: Pardon the bulk mailing. I Can’t Vote. I am an immigrant with a Green Card and, therefore, I am not eligible to vote in a federal election. FYI - I can get drafted (luckily, Daniel Berrig… --- ## [What if Obama dies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-obama-dies/471429)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-obama-dies/471429 "2008-11-06T20:05:11Z")
I don’t wish any harm on the man, I know next to nothing about him. Supposing he dies before taking office, in an accident, of natural causes or God forbid, by assassins bullet. Who would be the president elect?. Wo… --- ## [Is a regional third party possible in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-regional-third-party-possible-in-the-us/471492)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-regional-third-party-possible-in-the-us/471492 "2008-11-06T18:47:24Z")
There are a lot of arguments about how a two-party system is the logical outcome of a first-past-the-post voting system. But, now that there are zero Republican representatives in the northeastern part of the US, would i… --- ## [McCain's consession speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccains-consession-speech/471357)
**Author:** [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccains-consession-speech/471357 "2008-11-06T16:53:14Z")
I don’t want this to sound tacky, and I am sure somehow it will. I am pretty old and I have heard a number of presidential concession speeches. I was probably more impressed with McCain’s than any of the others I have he… --- ## [Would a new moderate blended party be possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-new-moderate-blended-party-be-possible/471344)
**Author:** [@kjckjc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjckjc)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2008, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-new-moderate-blended-party-be-possible/471344 "2008-11-06T11:50:38Z")
I have heard it said that most of America is just ever so slightly right of center politically. As a Pub I think my party should cater more toward its moderate side and less toward the far right (even though many of my … --- ## [Is Obama more surprised than anyone he is President-elect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obama-more-surprised-than-anyone-he-is-president-elect/471359)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2008, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obama-more-surprised-than-anyone-he-is-president-elect/471359 "2008-11-06T07:20:16Z")
First off I am very pleased he won. That said I was reading a New York Times article detailing his run to this point and it got me wondering if, when Obama decided to run, if he really had any thought that he’d actually… --- ## [What rights would you give up in exchange for lower taxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rights-would-you-give-up-in-exchange-for-lower-taxes/471145)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2008, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rights-would-you-give-up-in-exchange-for-lower-taxes/471145 "2008-11-06T05:32:31Z")
I’ve seen gay people claiming they’ll vote Republican, even for strongly anti-gay Republicans, in order to keep taxes low. Some pro-choice women will vote for McCain-Palin because they think Obama is a socialist who wil… --- ## [How many White Nationalists are there in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-white-nationalists-are-there-in-america/470275)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2008, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-white-nationalists-are-there-in-america/470275 "2008-11-06T04:20:34Z")
Inspired by this thread and by this recent interview with journalist James Ridgeway. By White Nationalists I mean not only those Americans who are active members or supporters of WN organizations, but all who would gene… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=580) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=582)