# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=216 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 217 --- ## [Adaher 2016 cycle election prediction thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adaher-2016-cycle-election-prediction-thread/731664)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 418\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adaher-2016-cycle-election-prediction-thread/731664 "2016-08-09T18:00:52Z")
Here it is, with the permission of adaher – the place to discuss any and all of his 2016 election predictions! This OP will be my first attempt to list all of his predictions for the election cycle that I can find – fee… --- ## [Trump sued for decades-old rape](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-for-decades-old-rape/758296)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-for-decades-old-rape/758296 "2016-08-09T18:00:22Z")
Donald Trump is claimed to have raped a 13-year-old girl 20 years ago, in a civil suit filing. I’m largely using quotes & links supplied by David Mikkelson of Snopes. The plaintiff filed in California, and the case was … --- ## [It's the poll, not the posts which matter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-poll-not-the-posts-which-matter/762237)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-poll-not-the-posts-which-matter/762237 "2016-08-09T16:40:10Z")
If it wasn’t so serious I’d concede that the qunatity and quality of smoke, heat, light and schadenfreude going on 'round 'ere is highly amusing. But, you know, the more shrill and imaginative this forum gets on prospec… --- ## ["Defending \[your state\] values"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defending-your-state-values/761432)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2016, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defending-your-state-values/761432 "2016-08-09T04:18:41Z")
Last week I got two cards in the mail from different GOP candidates that highlighted “MISSOURI VALUES” in red capital letters. Well, maybe they weren’t both red, and maybe one was mixed-case. I may dig them out of the pa… --- ## [Presidential Primaries and Party Membership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-primaries-and-party-membership/761972)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-primaries-and-party-membership/761972 "2016-08-08T18:27:30Z")
Donald Trump may now be a Republican, but fairly recently he was a Democrat. Bernie Sanders has long identified himself as Independent, and not Democrat. Why doesn’t either party, or both parties, include a requirement… --- ## [Variables for Donald Trump to win the election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variables-for-donald-trump-to-win-the-election/761806)
**Author:** [@ultimate11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultimate11)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2016, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variables-for-donald-trump-to-win-the-election/761806 "2016-08-08T18:11:10Z")
This thread is to discuss the situations on which Donald Trump could win the election. What would be the most likely variable to shift the outcome of the election? Here are the variables I think would be most likely to c… --- ## [I just saw a Jill Stein Commercial?!?!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-saw-a-jill-stein-commercial/761912)
**Author:** [@tonyfop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonyfop)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-saw-a-jill-stein-commercial/761912 "2016-08-08T16:56:41Z")
I live in Maryland which, according to Nate Silver, is the third most “locked up” race in the country, behind only DC and HI. Fivethirtyeight.com has Hillary ahead by over 30 percent. Why would Jill Stein waste what li… --- ## [Did Pence get the same VP offer as Kasich?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-pence-get-the-same-vp-offer-as-kasich/762070)
**Author:** [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-pence-get-the-same-vp-offer-as-kasich/762070 "2016-08-08T15:50:24Z")
Kasich recently confirmed that the Trump campaign offered to make him the most powerful VP in history, in charge of both domestic and foreign policy. Did Pence receive a similar offer? Has he ever been asked? (Apolog… --- ## [If Trump is just a patsy, who is pulling the strings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-is-just-a-patsy-who-is-pulling-the-strings/762065)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2016, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-is-just-a-patsy-who-is-pulling-the-strings/762065 "2016-08-08T12:16:59Z")
I remember months ago there were theories that Trump was secretly in cahoots with the Clintons and was trying to destroy the GOP to help the Clintons out. Now there are theories that he is an unwitting patsy of the Russ… --- ## [New prediction: the Republican party is going to fragment BEFORE the November election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-prediction-the-republican-party-is-going-to-fragment-before-the-november-election/761658)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2016, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-prediction-the-republican-party-is-going-to-fragment-before-the-november-election/761658 "2016-08-08T12:02:00Z")
I’ve already predicted that the Trump campaign will lead to a historic landslide loss for Republicans and cost them both the House and Senate. Now I think the party is even worse off than I thought before. Trumps is so… --- ## [Dumbest reason you've heard why someone chose to vote for (or against) a given candidate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-reason-youve-heard-why-someone-chose-to-vote-for-or-against-a-given-candidate/761240)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2016, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumbest-reason-youve-heard-why-someone-chose-to-vote-for-or-against-a-given-candidate/761240 "2016-08-08T11:05:33Z")
Within the past week, one of my Facebook friends, who is very politically conservative, said that one of the reasons he wants to vote for Trump (and he’s the first of my FBFs to admit leaning this way) is because Trump’s… --- ## [On the off chance that Trump gets pissed & quits the race what happens next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-off-chance-that-trump-gets-pissed-quits-the-race-what-happens-next/761603)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2016, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-off-chance-that-trump-gets-pissed-quits-the-race-what-happens-next/761603 "2016-08-08T00:46:33Z")
Trump seems increasingly angry, frustrated and unstable of late. What if things get increasingly worse and he quits the race for POTUS and walks away. What happens next? Pence gets the automatic nod or something else? --- ## [What are the political endorsements for ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-political-endorsements-for/762042)
**Author:** [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2016, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-political-endorsements-for/762042 "2016-08-07T18:11:45Z")
I read that Mr. Trump has decided to endorse Speaker Ryan, Sen. McCain and a few others after initially deciding not to. As none of these figures are running for President I was wondering what this actually means. It ap… --- ## [Why Trump Supporters Think He'll Win](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-trump-supporters-think-hell-win/761305)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2016, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-trump-supporters-think-hell-win/761305 "2016-08-07T07:56:43Z")
I don’t know if this has been posted here already – there’s so much great stuff on this forum I can’t keep up with it – but this opinion piece from The Atlantic did a lot for me in explaining Trump’s support. My take-aw… --- ## [Hillary's America -- any effect on the election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillarys-america-any-effect-on-the-election/761956)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2016, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillarys-america-any-effect-on-the-election/761956 "2016-08-07T06:13:04Z")
I normally wouldn’t think anything of it, especially with a 4% Rotten Tomatoes rating, but I noticed that the BBC says it is the top grossing documentary of the year. So I was just curious if anyone thought it would aff… --- ## [What would happen if both candidates died in September or October?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-both-candidates-died-in-september-or-october/761967)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2016, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-both-candidates-died-in-september-or-october/761967 "2016-08-07T01:37:16Z")
Picture it: During one of the presidential debates before a US presidential election in September or October, disaster strikes. Maybe it’s an earthquake, terrorism, a vengeful act of God, or both candidates get themselv… --- ## [Won't there come a time where we can vote in Presidential elections (or any elections) online?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-there-come-a-time-where-we-can-vote-in-presidential-elections-or-any-elections-online/761959)
**Author:** [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wont-there-come-a-time-where-we-can-vote-in-presidential-elections-or-any-elections-online/761959 "2016-08-06T18:28:23Z")
If so, I wonder why this hasn’t been done yet? I read threads here and elsewhere debating the “turn-out” among all demographics, and it seems like the ability to avoid driving to the polling place, standing in line\*\*, i… --- ## [The Democratic National Convention](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 865\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2016, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158 "2016-08-06T07:55:03Z")
July 25-28. For the first time in our nation’s history, a major party will nominate a woman as its candidate for the presidency. Pretty historic. I think that that gets lost in all of this Benghazi/emailgate/right-wing h… --- ## [Trump's Foreign Policy Briefing and use of Nukes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-foreign-policy-briefing-and-use-of-nukes/761718)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-foreign-policy-briefing-and-use-of-nukes/761718 "2016-08-06T05:46:47Z")
On MSNBC: Three times in an hour Trump asked about the use of nuclear weapons - “if we have them, why can’t we use them?” If he decided to use them what is the timeframe between his decision and when they’… --- ## [Cruz as a third party candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruz-as-a-third-party-candidate/761802)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2016, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruz-as-a-third-party-candidate/761802 "2016-08-06T00:09:59Z")
Probably a stupid question but why is there no movement to have Ted Cruz run on the American Independent and the American Constitution parties ticket\*? The evangelicals would love it. Hell, He might even pull off what … --- ## [Why do blacks support the Democratic party in higher margins than other marginalized minority groups](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-blacks-support-the-democratic-party-in-higher-margins-than-other-marginalized-minority-groups/761738)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2016, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-blacks-support-the-democratic-party-in-higher-margins-than-other-marginalized-minority-groups/761738 "2016-08-05T23:56:21Z")
Blacks tend to go democratic about 90% of the time. Other minorities like Latinos, LGBT, agnostics/atheists, Muslims, Asians, etc all peak at about 60-75% democratic support. The modern gop is fairly hostile to many mi… --- ## [Shouldn't the Republicans be reconsidering hearings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-the-republicans-be-reconsidering-hearings/761689)
**Author:** [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-the-republicans-be-reconsidering-hearings/761689 "2016-08-05T20:43:49Z")
Given the current trend in the presidential race, shouldn’t the Republican establishment be considering holding confirmation hearings for SCOTUS nominee Merrick Garland? Why hold out hope that HRC is going to nominate … --- ## [Obama's Gallup approval up to over 51%. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-gallup-approval-up-to-over-51-why/747952 "2016-08-05T18:00:02Z")
Galluphas him up over 50% for the first time in 3 years. He’s approve over disapprove by 7 (51 to 44) while he’s spent most of the last two and a half years in the negatives, often by 10 the other way. Why? And if it pe… --- ## [You have to bet ... a poll and thoughts about odds.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-to-bet-a-poll-and-thoughts-about-odds/754599)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-to-bet-a-poll-and-thoughts-about-odds/754599 "2016-08-05T17:14:29Z")
Putting together the current state polling in aggregate and aggregate of national polls it looks like it is currently Clinton +6 or 7 over Trump. Wang churning the numbers for the past 20 elections gives polls this far o… --- ## [Ted Cruz 2020 Presidential Campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-2020-presidential-campaign/760480)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2016, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-cruz-2020-presidential-campaign/760480 "2016-08-05T12:56:06Z")
now that Cruz decided to not endorse Donald J. Trump, and Trump’s odds are still considerably lower than Hillary’s on FiveThirtyEight, here’s a new thread for Ted Cruz’s next POTUS bid. --- ## [The Revolt of the Sane has begun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-revolt-of-the-sane-has-begun/761690)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-revolt-of-the-sane-has-begun/761690 "2016-08-04T18:38:58Z")
In Kansas, the Senate Majority Leader and 10 other Brownback Teanderthals lost their primaries. Slashing taxes, per what has recently been GOP orthodoxy, has only crippled the state, and the adults recognize it. Will … --- ## [Could a third party siphon enough electoral votes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-third-party-siphon-enough-electoral-votes/761130)
**Author:** [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-third-party-siphon-enough-electoral-votes/761130 "2016-08-04T17:38:00Z")
To throw it to the House? Or is it too late for all that? I ask cause I can’t believe the House would go Trump. I’ve seen the possibilty given enough states could refuse to vote that would give no clear cut winner and t… --- ## [Interesting documentary on political donors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-documentary-on-political-donors/761715)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-documentary-on-political-donors/761715 "2016-08-04T13:40:13Z")
I didn’t find this by doing a search, so I assume no one has posted about it yet. (If so, feel free to fold this into another thread.) HBO is currently running a documentary called “Meet the Donors: Does Money Talk?” … --- ## [Will Trump survive his treatment of Khizr and Ghazala Khan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-survive-his-treatment-of-khizr-and-ghazala-khan/761463)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 224\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2016, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-survive-his-treatment-of-khizr-and-ghazala-khan/761463 "2016-08-04T05:45:42Z")
Although it’s been less than a week since Mr. Kahn stood on the stage and waived his pocket copy of the US Constitution at Trump, it’s been headline news every day since. Trump totally screwed up in responding to this b… --- ## [Have the Democrats learned any lessons from 2008?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-democrats-learned-any-lessons-from-2008/761661)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-democrats-learned-any-lessons-from-2008/761661 "2016-08-03T22:02:23Z")
Specifically, I’m thinking about what happens if the Democrats take both the Presidency and a small majority in the Senate (I’m assuming there’s essentially no chance of the House flipping). Would they be a more unified… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=215) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=217)