# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=217 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 218 --- ## [2016 Non-Presidential elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-non-presidential-elections/761657)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-non-presidential-elections/761657 "2016-08-03T18:07:28Z")
Kansas had its Republican primary yesterday for Congressional and state legislature positions, and conservative lost a lot of seats to more moderate Republicans. Even incumbent Congressman Tim Huelskamp was defeated by… --- ## [The Donald and the Draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-donald-and-the-draft/761587)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-donald-and-the-draft/761587 "2016-08-03T16:00:32Z")
This just in. Film at eleven. --- ## [Which of Trump's political sins disqualifies him most?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-trumps-political-sins-disqualifies-him-most/761066)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-trumps-political-sins-disqualifies-him-most/761066 "2016-08-03T04:40:18Z")
Donald Jackass Trump has done and said a lot of outrageous stuff. Outrageous enough that a significant number of establishment Republicans have repudiated him, refused to endorse him, and some have gone as far as to say … --- ## [Kaine = Hillary Thinks She's Gonna Win By a Landslide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kaine-hillary-thinks-shes-gonna-win-by-a-landslide/760738)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kaine-hillary-thinks-shes-gonna-win-by-a-landslide/760738 "2016-08-03T02:51:09Z")
The selection of safe, uninspiring Tim Kaine means exactly what the selection of Joe Biden meant 8 years ago: the Democrat nominee thinks the election is in the bag, and therefore sees no need to pick an exciting running… --- ## [Trumpwatch: Countdown to blame](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumpwatch-countdown-to-blame/761573)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumpwatch-countdown-to-blame/761573 "2016-08-03T01:15:28Z")
Trump’s delicate ego will never permit him to concede a defeat by Hillary. This is not my original opinion, but one that I agree with. I thought I’d start this thread so we can note the signs and omens portending thi… --- ## [More frightening than Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-frightening-than-trump/761470)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-frightening-than-trump/761470 "2016-08-03T00:39:15Z")
Let me first repeat – I believe Trump will lose in a historic landslide, and carry both the Senate and House Republicans with him. But what if he doesn’t? What if he wins? The only thing that frightens me more than Pr… --- ## [New "scandal" brewing involving Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman John Podesta](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-scandal-brewing-involving-hillary-clinton-s-campaign-chairman-john-podesta/761523)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-scandal-brewing-involving-hillary-clinton-s-campaign-chairman-john-podesta/761523 "2016-08-02T21:42:51Z")
Is there anything to this story I encountered on Facebook? Some quick searching didn’t lead me to an obvious, decisive rebuttal. Here’s the “best” source I could find, from (ugh) Breitbart: link. Summary: “Hillary Clin… --- ## [Hillary: "Vote your conscience"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 215\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-vote-your-conscience/760842 "2016-08-02T17:38:43Z")
Vote your conscience. I haven’t seen any mention of this anywhere, but this actually seems like a notable campaign flub. Very few people actually think believe in Hillary as the best possible presidential candidate. But… --- ## [Where should Julian Castro go from here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-julian-castro-go-from-here/761460)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-julian-castro-go-from-here/761460 "2016-08-02T16:00:56Z")
Castro was considered a possible VP pick, but that didn’t pan out. He’s currently HUD Secretary. Assuming the Democrats want to develop him, which they obviously do, what’s the next best step for him? An ambassador? Dep… --- ## [Debunk "one in 77 billion chance Hillary won the primary without voter fraud"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-one-in-77-billion-chance-hillary-won-the-primary-without-voter-fraud/760908)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-one-in-77-billion-chance-hillary-won-the-primary-without-voter-fraud/760908 "2016-08-02T15:26:13Z")
I’ve seen this article several times, mainly linked by Sanders supporters on Facebook. It claims that a combination of exit polls and actual vote counts (similar to what is seen by some as suspicious in 2004 in Ohio) pro… --- ## [Hillary Clinton Campaign: August 2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-campaign-august-2016/761514)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2016, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-campaign-august-2016/761514 "2016-08-02T14:24:04Z")
I suggested in ATMB that we have monthly threads to discuss the Clinton and Trump campaigns to keep the threads more manageable and easier to negotiate. Here’s a thread to discuss the Clinton general election campaign fo… --- ## [Your donations to presidential candidates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-donations-to-presidential-candidates/759980)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2016, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-donations-to-presidential-candidates/759980 "2016-08-02T08:16:23Z")
Have you made any yet? To whom? And if you don’t mind, how much? Do you plan on making any between now and the election? To whom? And again, if you don’t mind, how much (you can give a ballpark figure like “Between … --- ## [This Latest Trump Lie "The NFL Letter" Reveals Character](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-latest-trump-lie-the-nfl-letter-reveals-character/761468)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-latest-trump-lie-the-nfl-letter-reveals-character/761468 "2016-08-02T01:14:28Z")
So Trump’s continuous lies and exaggerations are nothing really new for him through the years, but now that he really has the spotlight on him, his true character is being revealed by them. This latest gaff, which may f… --- ## [Libertarians for Trump? How?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarians-for-trump-how/761351)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarians-for-trump-how/761351 "2016-08-01T20:27:10Z")
I have a friend who is a libertarian, verging on anarchist. (He actually used to be an anarchist, but backed off to a “minimal state libertarian.”) He is all in favor of Trump. How can this work? Yes, Clinton is a li… --- ## [Now that the conventions are over let's discuss Clinton vs. Trump campaigns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-the-conventions-are-over-lets-discuss-clinton-vs-trump-campaigns/761206)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2016, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-the-conventions-are-over-lets-discuss-clinton-vs-trump-campaigns/761206 "2016-08-01T19:03:14Z")
Speaking - Advantage Trump Trump just sounds better than Clinton, she is so shrill\* and sounds so forced. Trump is long on form with insane content while Clinton is the exact opposite and in America Trump’s oratory sty… --- ## [Can you post Presidential election ads for me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-post-presidential-election-ads-for-me/761464)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-post-presidential-election-ads-for-me/761464 "2016-08-01T18:37:29Z")
I’m in the bluest city of the bluest state. We are not being overrun by political ads. In fact, I have not seen any ads. Not a single one. I was wondering if you guys can post links to them here. Maybe tell me if they ar… --- ## [Kaine and Pence as presidential candidates instead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kaine-and-pence-as-presidential-candidates-instead/761358)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kaine-and-pence-as-presidential-candidates-instead/761358 "2016-08-01T15:51:49Z")
This is an odd election, in that the vice presidential candidates both appear more ‘electable’ than the presidential candidates themselves and that either side could conceivably win more votes if they just reversed the o… --- ## [Obama out of touch and the Dems should go dark too?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-out-of-touch-and-the-dems-should-go-dark-too/761135 "2016-08-01T15:23:34Z")
I was reading this article on CNN, and in the opinion of the author, Obama is showing he’s out of touch with the American people and missed and opportunity in his speech because he didn’t go Trump and address the percept… --- ## [Dear U.S.A. - Why does it take so long? \[Lengthy presidential campaigns\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-u-s-a-why-does-it-take-so-long-lengthy-presidential-campaigns/761085)
**Author:** [@Skinnybones\_Lampshade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skinnybones_Lampshade)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2016, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-u-s-a-why-does-it-take-so-long-lengthy-presidential-campaigns/761085 "2016-08-01T10:23:20Z")
I know that electing a leader is important. However, we do usually have notice that an election is coming. We don’t want to hamstring the government we do have, but we do want to offer challengers sufficient time to sta… --- ## [Is anyone worried about the 2 term effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-worried-about-the-2-term-effect/761357)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2016, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-worried-about-the-2-term-effect/761357 "2016-08-01T01:43:19Z")
Having watched both conventions and listening to all the pundits (including that idiot Jeffery Lord) it is clear to me that the Dems had the stronger convention and better campaign. All things being equal I really belie… --- ## [Arizona Representative race feat. Ben Quayle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-representative-race-feat-ben-quayle/550021)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2016, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-representative-race-feat-ben-quayle/550021 "2016-08-01T01:11:08Z")
Obviously his family name recognition is helping him along, but what are his chances of winning? Does he have any original thoughts in his head, or does he parrot the same conservative mantras as every other con? I’m g… --- ## [How much extra-marital sex takes place at political conventions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-extra-marital-sex-takes-place-at-political-conventions/760377)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2016, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-extra-marital-sex-takes-place-at-political-conventions/760377 "2016-08-01T00:33:28Z")
It seems to me that with a huge gathering of people who are highly passionate about a particular topic, who are mingling in a revelrous atmosphere, and who are far away from home, there would be plenty of temptation, to … --- ## [Can we expect a high-profile "defector" at Dem Con?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-expect-a-high-profile-defector-at-dem-con/760646)
**Author:** [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2016, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-expect-a-high-profile-defector-at-dem-con/760646 "2016-07-31T02:58:04Z")
One of the thing that hurt John Kerry in '04 was the speech at the Republican convention by Senator Zell Miller, a nominal Democrat. Lieberman’s speech in '08, not so much impact, but he did it. Can we expect the same … --- ## [DNC "neutrality" and superdelegates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-neutrality-and-superdelegates/761309)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-neutrality-and-superdelegates/761309 "2016-07-30T18:37:18Z")
I’m interested in a non-partisan, factual answer to the following question. Leaked e-mails from the Democratic National Committee show that a few DNC officials were considering making Sanders look bad. Press accounts sa… --- ## [Could Republicans have had a viable Presidential candidate this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-republicans-have-had-a-viable-presidential-candidate-this-year/761128)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-republicans-have-had-a-viable-presidential-candidate-this-year/761128 "2016-07-30T15:50:25Z")
Trump is higher in the polls currently than one could wish, and I presume (although I may well be wrong) that without his constant controversies and political sins he might be doing rather better than he is. I can’t thi… --- ## [As a highly successful Senator or governor, would you accept the VP slot for an election run?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-highly-successful-senator-or-governor-would-you-accept-the-vp-slot-for-an-election-run/761086)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2016, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-highly-successful-senator-or-governor-would-you-accept-the-vp-slot-for-an-election-run/761086 "2016-07-30T05:59:52Z")
(Let’s make this hypothetical about the 2024 election, so you don’t have to worry about being Hillary or Trump’s running mate) : Suppose you’re a highly successful Senator or governor - one of the most prominent in the … --- ## [Is there a legal way for the Dems to fund Gary Johnson?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-legal-way-for-the-dems-to-fund-gary-johnson/761175)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2016, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-legal-way-for-the-dems-to-fund-gary-johnson/761175 "2016-07-30T04:57:58Z")
And would it be a good idea? Lets say the actual DNC or a Super-PAC. if the money has been donated to elect Hillary, but actually they determine that one of the best ways to do that would be to fund Gary Johnson with s… --- ## [What do Trump's supporters want him to do if elected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-trumps-supporters-want-him-to-do-if-elected/760815)
**Author:** [@Junior\_Spaceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Junior_Spaceman)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2016, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-trumps-supporters-want-him-to-do-if-elected/760815 "2016-07-29T23:34:47Z")
I’m trying very hard here not to be disingenuous about what I think the motives of Trump supporters are, but as I see it, what they really want is to have somebody at the top that hates Muslims as much as they do. But ot… --- ## [Practical implications of Trumps recent 'joke' about Russians finding Hillary's email?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-implications-of-trumps-recent-joke-about-russians-finding-hillarys-email/761187)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practical-implications-of-trumps-recent-joke-about-russians-finding-hillarys-email/761187 "2016-07-29T20:25:34Z")
His casual, flippant statements about not honouring NATO treaties could have real-world implications. It could easily embolden Russia to pull a Ukraine on a NATO ally. Blustery inanities about renegotiating public debt … --- ## [Give us your inauguration speech (in 100 words or less)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-us-your-inauguration-speech-in-100-words-or-less/755275)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/give-us-your-inauguration-speech-in-100-words-or-less/755275 "2016-07-29T17:24:54Z")
So you somehow got elected President and now you are standing in front of the Capitol Building. I might say something to the effect of… “Change is coming. Yes, I know, every President promises that, stop me if you’ve h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=216) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=218)