# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=210 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 211 --- ## [Attn undecided voters: Unofficial, unscientific SDMB focus group for debates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-undecided-voters-unofficial-unscientific-sdmb-focus-group-for-debates/766874)
**Author:** [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attn-undecided-voters-unofficial-unscientific-sdmb-focus-group-for-debates/766874 "2016-09-27T14:41:29Z")
I’m posting here on the off chance that there are posters who can honestly say that they haven’t made up their minds for either candidate. You could be leaning one way or the other but if you can honestly say you’re poss… --- ## [Proposal for new debate format](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-for-new-debate-format/766679)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2016, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-for-new-debate-format/766679 "2016-09-27T13:00:59Z")
In the interest of informing the public, I hereby propose that we schedule a “debate” in which each major candidate (including the top third party candidates) will appear and be locked into sound proof booths, wherein th… --- ## [How can we get instant runoff voting in the United States](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-get-instant-runoff-voting-in-the-united-states/766611)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2016, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-get-instant-runoff-voting-in-the-united-states/766611 "2016-09-27T08:07:22Z")
Someone mentioned how Maine is having a ballot initiative to pass instant runoff voting. How can we get that kind of system in the US, that applies on all levels of government (local, state, federal) elections. Aside f… --- ## [Trump Debate Bingo drinking game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-debate-bingo-drinking-game/766900)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2016, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-debate-bingo-drinking-game/766900 "2016-09-27T01:48:24Z")
Welcome to Trump Debate Bingo, based on my recent Trump’s Best Words thread. I have received permission to put this game in Elections because of the subject matter. I have created some online interactive bingo cards wi… --- ## [Trump is the only reason that tonight's debate is even interesting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-the-only-reason-that-tonights-debate-is-even-interesting/767002)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2016, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-the-only-reason-that-tonights-debate-is-even-interesting/767002 "2016-09-27T01:00:26Z")
And that’s kind of scary. It almost seems like it’s his fight to lose. --- ## [Is it well past time for Hilary to attack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-well-past-time-for-hilary-to-attack/766855)
**Author:** [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2016, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-well-past-time-for-hilary-to-attack/766855 "2016-09-27T00:37:34Z")
I don’t live in a swing state, so maybe she’s doing it through advertising elsewhere. The spots I see are powerful, focusing on using his own words against him. But, too many people are willing to accept he’s an asshole.… --- ## [Hillary just lost the election.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-just-lost-the-election/765663)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 933\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-just-lost-the-election/765663 "2016-09-26T23:16:12Z")
Rudy Giuliani has gone on and on about Hillary’s health. Today, she leaves a 9/11 event feeling ill. We’ll never hear the end of this and of course, Trump will point out that she’s medically unfit to be POTUS. Need… --- ## [Maine likely to make electoral history this year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-likely-to-make-electoral-history-this-year/766866)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2016, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-likely-to-make-electoral-history-this-year/766866 "2016-09-26T22:18:08Z")
We have had the option of splitting the state’s electors since the 70s. This year will likely be the first time it actually happens. It’s a forgone conclusion at This point that Hillary will win CD1 in the southern p… --- ## [Lyin' Ted has endorsed Don the Con](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyin-ted-has-endorsed-don-the-con/766675)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyin-ted-has-endorsed-don-the-con/766675 "2016-09-26T19:52:15Z")
So it’s official. CNN is reporting that Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has endorsed Donald Trump. Remember, the Cruz Missile called Trump a serial philanderer and utterly amoral. This endorsement came after phone and in-person … --- ## [In sports terms, how big of an \*upset\* would a Trump victory be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-sports-terms-how-big-of-an-upset-would-a-trump-victory-be/766451)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2016, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-sports-terms-how-big-of-an-upset-would-a-trump-victory-be/766451 "2016-09-26T12:38:05Z")
In this thread, I would like to ask everyone to temporarily disregard their distaste for Trump (or Hillary) and look at this election from a sheer sports-odds, unlikely-probability standpoint: How big of an upset would … --- ## [Signs of the times? (Or maybe not!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-the-times-or-maybe-not/766793)
**Author:** [@Snorri\_Thorfinnsson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snorri_Thorfinnsson)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2016, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-the-times-or-maybe-not/766793 "2016-09-26T01:00:47Z")
One thing that Mrs. Thorfinnsson and I have noticed in our area in contrast to previous presidential elections is a surprising lack of campaign signs. This is true for down ticket candidates as well as the dynamic duo. … --- ## [Trumps healthcare plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-healthcare-plan/766676)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-healthcare-plan/766676 "2016-09-26T00:39:21Z")
Simple question here. I don’t need to hear how horrible Trump is. I’m not voting for him. I don’t need to hear that he doesn’t have a real healthcare plan. I know that. One simple factual question: I read on his website… --- ## [Hillary's Craziest Policy Proposal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillarys-craziest-policy-proposal/766533)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2016, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillarys-craziest-policy-proposal/766533 "2016-09-25T04:12:07Z")
Dear Trump Supporters, I have a quick question re: Trump vs. Hillary. This is a really simple one. What is Clinton’s most insane policy proposal? That is, what proposed policy does she have which you believe is the mo… --- ## [Is a better ground game already baked into the presidential election polls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-better-ground-game-already-baked-into-the-presidential-election-polls/766782)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2016, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-better-ground-game-already-baked-into-the-presidential-election-polls/766782 "2016-09-24T23:57:33Z")
Clinton is reported to have a much better ground game than Trump, such as reported in this Daily Kos article. If Clinton really does have a much stronger GOTV team in place, is that something that would be reflected i… --- ## [Why is the conventional wisdom that the electoral college math favors the Democrats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-conventional-wisdom-that-the-electoral-college-math-favors-the-democrats/766064)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-conventional-wisdom-that-the-electoral-college-math-favors-the-democrats/766064 "2016-09-24T23:30:55Z")
Looking at current projections and battleground states, I don’t understand why the conventional wisdom is that the electoral college math favors Democrats. I seem to remember reading some articles after the 2012 election… --- ## [How bad will things get for Clinton according to Nate Silver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-will-things-get-for-clinton-according-to-nate-silver/766482)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-will-things-get-for-clinton-according-to-nate-silver/766482 "2016-09-24T22:34:58Z")
The current polls plus forecast at fivethirtyeight has Clinton at a 55.5% chance of winning. How much worse do you all think it might get for her? This is for your prediction on what the lowest percentage chance of winn… --- ## [The aftermath of a narrow Trump victory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aftermath-of-a-narrow-trump-victory/766356)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aftermath-of-a-narrow-trump-victory/766356 "2016-09-24T16:55:57Z")
Inspired by this thread, obviously. Perhaps I’m coloured by the bias of the SDMB, but looking back, it’s been the Democrats, not the Republicans, who have been sore losers in Presidential elections. The most obvious exa… --- ## [At what point in time do you think the polls will generally reflect what'll happen on Election Day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-in-time-do-you-think-the-polls-will-generally-reflect-whatll-happen-on-election-day/766712)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-in-time-do-you-think-the-polls-will-generally-reflect-whatll-happen-on-election-day/766712 "2016-09-24T16:15:21Z")
Simple question. I’m not sure about my own answer, which is why I ask. --- ## [The aftermath of a narrow Trump electoral defeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aftermath-of-a-narrow-trump-electoral-defeat/766191)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2016, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aftermath-of-a-narrow-trump-electoral-defeat/766191 "2016-09-24T16:12:24Z")
In this election, it’s not just important as to who wins, but also by what the margin of victory will be. Despite the recent polls showing Trump closing within Clinton’s lead, it’s all but certain that he will still los… --- ## [National Fraternal Order of Police endorses Trump - Mask isn't just slipping it's being thrown away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-fraternal-order-of-police-endorses-trump-mask-isnt-just-slipping-its-being-thrown-away/766176)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2016, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-fraternal-order-of-police-endorses-trump-mask-isnt-just-slipping-its-being-thrown-away/766176 "2016-09-24T03:39:51Z")
Anyone who thought black people’s protests about police treatment of them were not being fair to the police can think again. http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/296342-nations-largest-police-union-end… --- ## [Any advantage to underperforming in the first debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advantage-to-underperforming-in-the-first-debate/766666)
**Author:** [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2016, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advantage-to-underperforming-in-the-first-debate/766666 "2016-09-23T22:50:10Z")
Remember the first Bush/Kerry debate in 2004? I watched that thing and thought “Oh, this is over. After that, there’s no WAY is the country gonna reelect this guy” (I was pretty naive back then, I guess). Of course, Bus… --- ## [75 retired career Foreign Service officers call Trump "unqualified"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/75-retired-career-foreign-service-officers-call-trump-unqualified/766590)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/75-retired-career-foreign-service-officers-call-trump-unqualified/766590 "2016-09-23T15:16:10Z")
Most have never been publicly associated with a political party, but are on the record as voting for Hillary --- ## [Donald Just Lost The Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-just-lost-the-election/766103)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 265\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2016, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-just-lost-the-election/766103 "2016-09-23T03:05:43Z")
Teflon Don can get away with an endless stream of lies and bullshit, but humiliating the media by turning them into dancing monkeys for his free hotel infomercial is something else altogether: Sounds like some of these… --- ## [Poll for Republicans NOT voting for Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-republicans-not-voting-for-trump/766441)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2016, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-republicans-not-voting-for-trump/766441 "2016-09-23T01:03:43Z")
I am wondering if you are still going to positively participate in this election, or are you going to stay home and accept whatever happens? --- ## [Trump's Promises & What His Fans Expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-promises-what-his-fans-expect/766307)
**Author:** [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2016, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-promises-what-his-fans-expect/766307 "2016-09-22T22:36:35Z")
All Presidential candidates make promises. But Trump’s have seemed to be more ridiculous and unrealistic than most–building a wall to keep Mexicans out; bringing back factories with high-paying jobs; deporting all immigr… --- ## [Voters born in the '90s need to get a clue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voters-born-in-the-90s-need-to-get-a-clue/766423)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voters-born-in-the-90s-need-to-get-a-clue/766423 "2016-09-22T16:34:30Z")
I’m getting pretty frustrated with the way younger Millennial voters (those born in the '90s, basically) are turning up their dainty little noses at the prospect of voting for Hillary Clinton. I’m usually the last one to… --- ## [Something to think about (Media and Poll Performance)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-to-think-about-media-and-poll-performance/766425)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-to-think-about-media-and-poll-performance/766425 "2016-09-22T15:46:19Z")
In a recent article (which I could find if someone were really interested), Nate Silver pointed out that in this election, the candidate who is getting the most media attention tends to go down in the polls. This mostly … --- ## [Is it still possible for a President to keep a manageable work schedule?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-still-possible-for-a-president-to-keep-a-manageable-work-schedule/766317)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-still-possible-for-a-president-to-keep-a-manageable-work-schedule/766317 "2016-09-22T14:42:55Z")
There’s a famous story of outgoing President Carter briefing newly elected Reagan on his new job. He mentions the Secret Service will promptly wake Reagan at every morning at 5 AM. Reagan cracks a joke about that ever ha… --- ## [The 1st presidential debate. 9/26/2016. Format question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-1st-presidential-debate-9-26-2016-format-question/766550)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2016, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-1st-presidential-debate-9-26-2016-format-question/766550 "2016-09-22T04:26:35Z")
I’m not real sure I like the format of the upcoming debate. The first debate will be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on major topics to be selected by the moderator and announced at least… --- ## [Clinton charity quid pro quo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-charity-quid-pro-quo/764369)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-charity-quid-pro-quo/764369 "2016-09-21T21:22:49Z")
Watching the news it seems like no one understands what a quid pro quo is. Apparently it’s supposed to be a scandal only if the Clinton’s personally profited from the charity and the lack of evidence presented for that m… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=209) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=211)