# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=209 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 210 --- ## [Do you already know who you're going to vote for for POTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-already-know-who-youre-going-to-vote-for-for-potus/767272)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-already-know-who-youre-going-to-vote-for-for-potus/767272 "2016-10-04T15:57:26Z")
I’m curious how many peoples’ minds are already set in stone… --- ## [Referendum in Colombia--straw in the wind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/referendum-in-colombia-straw-in-the-wind/767572)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2016, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/referendum-in-colombia-straw-in-the-wind/767572 "2016-10-04T04:38:29Z")
As most of you probably know, voters in Colombia rejected a proposed “peace treaty” with the rebel Farc group. It was widely expected to pass. The sticking point was that the rebels would go unpunished. I think people… --- ## [Somebody summarize the debate for me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-summarize-the-debate-for-me/767034)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/somebody-summarize-the-debate-for-me/767034 "2016-10-03T21:03:44Z")
So I recorded it to watch today, since I’m not working, and I figured my son didn’t need to fall asleep to the sound of it. I gave up after 20 minutes. Trump kept interrupting Clinton, and she could only take it for so l… --- ## [Spoiler candidates backed by opposition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoiler-candidates-backed-by-opposition/767509)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoiler-candidates-backed-by-opposition/767509 "2016-10-03T19:15:57Z")
How many times has this actually happened? I have been hearing theories that conservatives are secretly backing Jill Stein, hoping to get Trump elected. I don’t usually believe conspiracy theories, but something simila… --- ## [Commission admits issues with Trump mic.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commission-admits-issues-with-trump-mic/767299)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commission-admits-issues-with-trump-mic/767299 "2016-10-03T16:50:22Z")
Well. Well then…:eek: Are they t\*rying \*to get him elected? I would have thought with a candidate like that they would have made every effort to make sure everything was working perfectly. Now he has an excuse. Which I… --- ## [Trump has Suggested Americans Google a Sex Tape](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-has-suggested-americans-google-a-sex-tape/767281)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-has-suggested-americans-google-a-sex-tape/767281 "2016-10-03T15:59:00Z")
It seems that in an effort to support his attacks on Alicia Machado, and show Hillary’s poor judgement, Trump has told people to go find her sex tape. Is there anyone who can really support this? I’m seriously asking-… --- ## [If the DNC and RNC could each go back one year in time, what would they do differently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-dnc-and-rnc-could-each-go-back-one-year-in-time-what-would-they-do-differently/767296)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-dnc-and-rnc-could-each-go-back-one-year-in-time-what-would-they-do-differently/767296 "2016-10-02T21:09:37Z")
If we could go back to September 30, 2015: I think the RNC would pull out all the stops to cut Trump short and nip the Trump phenomenon in the bud. There would be a massive, cohesive Republican effort to deny Trump the… --- ## [Trump's ignorance about science will harm America (Trump's funding of anti vaccine group included)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ignorance-about-science-will-harm-america-trumps-funding-of-anti-vaccine-group-included/767507)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-ignorance-about-science-will-harm-america-trumps-funding-of-anti-vaccine-group-included/767507 "2016-10-02T17:58:35Z")
Don’t know much about history Don’t know much biology Don’t know much about science book Don’t know much about the French I took The issue here, besides Trump’s ignorance about science, is how harmful his ignorance w… --- ## [Trump violated Cuban Embargo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-violated-cuban-embargo/767477)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2016, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-violated-cuban-embargo/767477 "2016-10-02T15:42:18Z")
He spent money on the island in 1998 to try to build a hotel. US citizens are prohibited from spending money in Cuba by federal law. --- ## [Speaking of people unable to check their ego](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-people-unable-to-check-their-ego/767353)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2016, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaking-of-people-unable-to-check-their-ego/767353 "2016-10-02T15:29:55Z")
Can the President keep his in check after recent disses from his own party, on the Saudi thing and TPP? For those that don’t remember, I take us back to Oct. 2014: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/1… --- ## [Our LONG election system is pretty good! (I've changed my mind on this.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-long-election-system-is-pretty-good-ive-changed-my-mind-on-this/767367)
**Author:** [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2016, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-long-election-system-is-pretty-good-ive-changed-my-mind-on-this/767367 "2016-10-02T12:53:12Z")
In the past I did not understand why our election process takes so long… Have to listen to the candidates FOREVER! Etc. But I’m beginning to think this is a good thing. Perhaps those people who designed our system of go… --- ## [Which companies has Trump pissed off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-companies-has-trump-pissed-off/767219)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-companies-has-trump-pissed-off/767219 "2016-10-02T00:10:00Z")
I’m thinking here, major corporations. It’s fairly well known now that Trump has quite a track record of stiffing his suppliers - especially smaller companies. They do work for him under contract, and then when it comes… --- ## [Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign Discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clintons-presidential-campaign-discussion/753873)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 1577\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2016, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clintons-presidential-campaign-discussion/753873 "2016-10-01T10:27:18Z")
Well, now it’s pretty much official who HRC is going to be running against, it’s time for the official campaign threads. (And, yes, Bernie says it isn’t over. But it’s over.) What thoughts do you have about how she sho… --- ## [Donald Trump's 2016 General Election Campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 7592\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2016, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901 "2016-10-01T10:26:18Z")
Now that Trump has the Republican Presidential nomination locked up are there any thoughts on his Presidential campaign? I see two quite different possibilities: He can adopt most of the traditional Republican policies… --- ## [The Time a Trump Aide Sued a Trump Adviser Over an Anti-Hillary Group Called CUNT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-time-a-trump-aide-sued-a-trump-adviser-over-an-anti-hillary-group-called-cunt/767242)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2016, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-time-a-trump-aide-sued-a-trump-adviser-over-an-anti-hillary-group-called-cunt/767242 "2016-10-01T02:00:14Z")
The title of this thread is the headline of the article in Mother Jones. It was published today but it’s actually old news. The headline is the funniest part of the article so I couldn’t resist posting it. --- ## [Evidence that Hillary Clinton mistreated women involved in Bill's sex scandals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evidence-that-hillary-clinton-mistreated-women-involved-in-bills-sex-scandals/767293)
**Author:** [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evidence-that-hillary-clinton-mistreated-women-involved-in-bills-sex-scandals/767293 "2016-09-30T21:20:02Z")
Donald Trump seems to be stretching a bit to drag Bill’s indiscretions into the campaign. Although interpreting Trump’s word salads is a loser’s game, the only decent line of attack seems to be that Hillary is somehow ac… --- ## [What heppened to the Franklin D Roosevelts, Dwight D Eisenhowers, and John F Kennedys?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-heppened-to-the-franklin-d-roosevelts-dwight-d-eisenhowers-and-john-f-kennedys/767183)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-heppened-to-the-franklin-d-roosevelts-dwight-d-eisenhowers-and-john-f-kennedys/767183 "2016-09-30T20:46:21Z")
Presidents and presidential candidates that were competent and generally well liked? I don’t know who their opponents were offhand, but I’ll bet that they polled far higher than our current choices. Politics really isn… --- ## [Debate Poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-poll/767097)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2016, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-poll/767097 "2016-09-30T18:40:22Z")
Mods can move this, because I’m not sure whether this goes under elections, or the usual place to post polls. I’m putting it here, because I should have posted it with my “Summarize the Debate” post. So, for those who w… --- ## [My 10-20-30 plan for third parties](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-10-20-30-plan-for-third-parties/767077)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-10-20-30-plan-for-third-parties/767077 "2016-09-29T19:42:38Z")
After a really irritating back-and-forth on Facebook last night with a Jill Stein supporter (“Both candidates are equally horrible!” gag), I had trouble getting to sleep. I came up with the following plan. The 10-20-30 p… --- ## [Trumps rigged polls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-rigged-polls/767088)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2016, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-rigged-polls/767088 "2016-09-29T13:18:08Z")
Well, naturally, Trump has declared himself the clear winner in last night’s debate. He won “all of the polls”. Trouble is, these “polls” were internet polls that allowed multiple voting, voting from outside the countr… --- ## [My Totally Unscientific Election Bumper Sticker Survey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-totally-unscientific-election-bumper-sticker-survey/767095)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2016, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-totally-unscientific-election-bumper-sticker-survey/767095 "2016-09-29T11:41:02Z")
Today I drove from Toronto, Ontario to Lexington, Kentucky. Because I wanted to cross the border early in the drive, I took the slightly longer route of crossing at Buffalo, taking the thruway out of New York through th… --- ## [Trump pays large fine for data breach](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pays-large-fine-for-data-breach/766905)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2016, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pays-large-fine-for-data-breach/766905 "2016-09-29T03:43:14Z")
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.nydailynews.com/amp/news/politics/trump-hotels-fined-50g-credit-card-hack-warning-flub-article-1.2803639%3F0p19G%3De&ved=0ahUKEwjo\_Zzhg6zPAhUCXz4KHQ8CDN0QFg… --- ## [Is Ohio really that different from PA and MI?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ohio-really-that-different-from-pa-and-mi/766959)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ohio-really-that-different-from-pa-and-mi/766959 "2016-09-28T20:44:30Z")
The New York Times tracks what the various competing election forecasts have been saying, here: Right now, if you look at the battlegrounds that Clinton probably needs to win the election, 538 gives her a lower chance … --- ## [Are Democrats setting themselves up by underestimating Trump's debate skills?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-democrats-setting-themselves-up-by-underestimating-trumps-debate-skills/766885)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-democrats-setting-themselves-up-by-underestimating-trumps-debate-skills/766885 "2016-09-28T20:40:36Z")
People one on one with Trump for whatever reason seem unable to land a convincing blow. He went through the entire GOP lineup of people with decades of debate and political experience like a hot knife through butter. He … --- ## [Did Hillary pull a McCaskill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hillary-pull-a-mccaskill/767123)
**Author:** [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hillary-pull-a-mccaskill/767123 "2016-09-28T17:01:59Z")
Back in 2012, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill was up for re-election. Knowing that it would be a difficult race, her team actually ran ads for Todd Akin, one of her potential opponents in the Republican primary citing … --- ## [Awesomely funny celebrity PSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awesomely-funny-celebrity-psa/766538)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2016, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/awesomely-funny-celebrity-psa/766538 "2016-09-28T02:34:09Z")
This three-minute video is a sincere attempt by a bunch of celebrities to get people out to vote, and vote against Trump. But it also knowingly winks at the various tropes that are typically involved in the… --- ## [How to determine who wins the debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determine-who-wins-the-debate/766801)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2016, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-determine-who-wins-the-debate/766801 "2016-09-28T01:35:18Z")
Possibly a naive question, but spell it out for me in simple terms. Who decides? How do/does he/she/they score it and come up with a winner? Does the moderator actually declare a winner? No doubt Trump will declare hims… --- ## [The case for Hillary Clinton](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-for-hillary-clinton/767066)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2016, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-for-hillary-clinton/767066 "2016-09-28T00:45:23Z")
I figure it’s time to lay out why I think Clinton is the better candidate of the two major party candidates in a way that’s not about ideology or “sigh, she’s the lesser of two evils.” As much as there are things I reall… --- ## [No live debate thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-live-debate-thread/767016)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2016, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-live-debate-thread/767016 "2016-09-28T00:02:41Z")
Looks like Trump is winning. He looks thoughtful when Clinton speaks and she looks disdainful. On show over substance he is way ahead. --- ## [Who plans to watch one/all or avoid one/all of the debates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-plans-to-watch-one-all-or-avoid-one-all-of-the-debates/766963)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-plans-to-watch-one-all-or-avoid-one-all-of-the-debates/766963 "2016-09-27T23:04:35Z")
Getting this in late, but hope people will reply through all three debates (if there wind up being three). Who has decided s/he will absolutely watch all three debates, no matter what? Who has decided s/he absolutely w… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=208) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=210)