# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=219 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 220 --- ## [Ya gonna watch the RNC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ya-gonna-watch-the-rnc/760262)
**Author:** [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ya-gonna-watch-the-rnc/760262 "2016-07-22T22:23:56Z")
Ya gonna watch the RNC? --- ## [Donald Trump: positives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-positives/760327)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-positives/760327 "2016-07-22T18:43:52Z")
The whole Trump campaign spectacle is such a drunken, insane circus that we’ve all become inured to new revelations and gaffes that, individually, would have sunk almost any prior candidate. The accusations and revelatio… --- ## [Your Panglossian, most optimistic Trump Presidency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-panglossian-most-optimistic-trump-presidency/760485)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-panglossian-most-optimistic-trump-presidency/760485 "2016-07-22T17:48:31Z")
So imagine it’s January 2025 and, after a surprising victory in November 2016, 8 years of a glorious Trump presidency are coming to an end. So, what happened? What did he do right? --- ## [Who chooses the speakers for the Republican Convention?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-chooses-the-speakers-for-the-republican-convention/760513)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2016, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-chooses-the-speakers-for-the-republican-convention/760513 "2016-07-22T13:33:09Z")
Seems like Cruz went against his party mainstream last night. Surely this was to be expected, and not in the best interests of the party’s desire to appear to be unified. Who gets to decide who the speakers are at the p… --- ## [NYT: Trump Pretty Much Offered to Let John Kasich Run the Government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-trump-pretty-much-offered-to-let-john-kasich-run-the-government/760487)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2016, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-trump-pretty-much-offered-to-let-john-kasich-run-the-government/760487 "2016-07-21T23:44:04Z")
Up front: I have been wrong, DEAD wrong, about Donald Trump many times in the past 12 months. For starters, I never really thought he’d run for President and didn’t think he’d stay in the race very long. Why? Because fu… --- ## [If you could propose a platform plank for your preferred candidate...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-propose-a-platform-plank-for-your-preferred-candidate/760530)
**Author:** [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2016, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-propose-a-platform-plank-for-your-preferred-candidate/760530 "2016-07-21T22:06:05Z")
…What would it be & how would your propose that they go about it? (Lets assume someone is listening even though we honestly know that No One Actually Is.) I’ll start. (PS- Please only critique if you are adding your … --- ## [Many of Trump's proposed policies are unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/many-of-trumps-proposed-policies-are-unconstitutional/759923)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/many-of-trumps-proposed-policies-are-unconstitutional/759923 "2016-07-21T20:39:37Z")
I thought it might be nice to have a thread devoted to legal arguments over Trump’s proposed policies. Here’s the ACLU’s take on Trump’s policies in six different areas. They include: \[ol\] \[li\]Immigration\[/li\]\[li\]Surv… --- ## [Trump is NOT a first-time candidate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-not-a-first-time-candidate/760384)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2016, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-not-a-first-time-candidate/760384 "2016-07-21T12:46:11Z")
Watching Donald Trump’s son speak at the Republican Convention, I heard him refer to his father as “the candidate who has never run for political office…” But this is just not true. And its not the first time he’s been… --- ## [This Trump's campaign staff really so incompetent, or he he handcuffing them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-trumps-campaign-staff-really-so-incompetent-or-he-he-handcuffing-them/760447)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-trumps-campaign-staff-really-so-incompetent-or-he-he-handcuffing-them/760447 "2016-07-21T01:55:42Z")
I am reading a lot about the incompetency of the Trump campaign operation, and I agree that the campaign is run badly. But are his people really that bad, or does he keep them on such a short leash and so consistently i… --- ## [More Trump fun -- if elected, Trump will sell \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to the US government.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-trump-fun-if-elected-trump-will-sell-__________-to-the-us-government/760346)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2016, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-trump-fun-if-elected-trump-will-sell-__________-to-the-us-government/760346 "2016-07-20T22:49:05Z")
I think he will sell access to his golf courses to the military, in some cases calling the morale building recreational facilities and in others calling them training sites. “Every soldier needs to know how to golf!”, p… --- ## [Donald Trump for President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-for-president/570953)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-for-president/570953 "2016-07-20T13:55:37Z")
Stranger things have happened. --- ## [GOP planned platform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-planned-platform/760007)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2016, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-planned-platform/760007 "2016-07-20T06:17:30Z")
Holy Crap, Batman! Racism, Misogyny, Bigotry, Homophobia, Bible Thumping, stealing land from us and giving it to the states…and wiping their fat, white, hairy and well used asses with the First Amendment. :eek::rolleyes: … --- ## [banned from du for liking gary johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banned-from-du-for-liking-gary-johnson/760378)
**Author:** [@escaped](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/escaped)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2016, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banned-from-du-for-liking-gary-johnson/760378 "2016-07-20T03:36:29Z")
I was banned from democratic underground for liking gary Johnson and I like it.(song t the tune I kissed a girl and I like it ) do u like it? do u support gary Johnson? --- ## [Republicans and Median Voter Theorem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-median-voter-theorem/760042)
**Author:** [@Chihuahua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chihuahua)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-median-voter-theorem/760042 "2016-07-19T17:09:34Z")
Okay, I’m not a political scientist, but my understanding is that parties maximize their votes by appealing to the center. A center-right politician, for example, automatically captures all extreme right voters; It’s … --- ## [Evan Bayh has $10m unspent from 2010? How does that work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evan-bayh-has-10m-unspent-from-2010-how-does-that-work/759982)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evan-bayh-has-10m-unspent-from-2010-how-does-that-work/759982 "2016-07-19T17:06:20Z")
Not sure if this should be here or in GQ, but apparently former Indiana Senator is coming out of retirementto take over as the Dem Senate nominee. Its been noted that he has a name advantage over his Rep opponent, and m… --- ## [Advantages And Disadvantages Of ATM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-atm/760293)
**Author:** [@brandythompson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brandythompson)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-atm/760293 "2016-07-19T15:59:20Z")
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Atm Machine?:dubious: --- ## [Situations where fighting a raise to the debt ceiling is appropriate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/situations-where-fighting-a-raise-to-the-debt-ceiling-is-appropriate/759625)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2016, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/situations-where-fighting-a-raise-to-the-debt-ceiling-is-appropriate/759625 "2016-07-19T14:05:11Z")
As I understand it, the prevailing opinion is that fighting the raises to the debt ceiling is irresponsible, and that it is partisan governance to try to shut down government or risk default to prevent the debt ceiling f… --- ## [Who will be Trump's VP? \[plus\] Trump's Vice-President choice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 512\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2016, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-trumps-vp-plus-trumps-vice-president-choice/751179 "2016-07-19T06:27:22Z")
I live in the UK, but am following the US Presidential race with great interest (since it will undoubtedly affect the World.) For purposes of this thread, please assume that Donald Trump wins the Republican nomination. … --- ## [Who will stand up for the little guy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-stand-up-for-the-little-guy/755082)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-stand-up-for-the-little-guy/755082 "2016-07-19T02:16:33Z")
Easily 40% of this country is living in desperation. These are the people who are already poor or see themselves heading toward poverty over time. At best they can make enough money to survive, and they suffer greatly at… --- ## [Author of Art of the Deal Tells All](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/author-of-art-of-the-deal-tells-all/760254)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/author-of-art-of-the-deal-tells-all/760254 "2016-07-18T21:24:18Z")
Tony Schwartz wrote Art of the Deal: his name appears on the front cover of the book. In retrospect, he would have titled it, “The Sociopath”. He feels deep remorse for his construction of the Donald Trump legend. Long … --- ## [Clinton supporters: what, if anything, would convince you she should voluntarily withdraw?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-supporters-what-if-anything-would-convince-you-she-should-voluntarily-withdraw/759714)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2016, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-supporters-what-if-anything-would-convince-you-she-should-voluntarily-withdraw/759714 "2016-07-18T19:26:50Z")
Presumably most Democrats would vastly prefer ANY D candidate over Trump. So is there anything that would convince you that Clinton should step down and withdraw herself as the candidate? Eg a criminal charge for perju… --- ## [I Predict Trump Would Resign.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-predict-trump-would-resign/760050)
**Author:** [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-predict-trump-would-resign/760050 "2016-07-18T15:41:03Z")
I think it may be Trump’s plan to win the election, and then resign and turn it over to the VP. He has chosen as a running mate a person who is arguably a qualified and credible candidate for the presidency. Trump want… --- ## [Australian Federal election 2nd July 2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-federal-election-2nd-july-2016/758832)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2016, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-federal-election-2nd-july-2016/758832 "2016-07-18T11:58:09Z")
A federal election of 226 members of the Federal parliament of Australia will take place on Saturday 2 July 2016 after a (we think long) 8 week campaign. Elections in Australia use a full-preferential system in one vote… --- ## [Go Trump, Go!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-trump-go/759836)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2016, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-trump-go/759836 "2016-07-17T00:23:29Z")
Everything about Trump is reprehensible to me. Everything. That said, there is a part of me that really hopes he wins. So much so, that I am even thinking of voting for him. Here’s the thing: I think Hillary is OK. … --- ## [Why do politicians waste so much time on stupid non-issues?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-politicians-waste-so-much-time-on-stupid-non-issues/756928)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2016, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-politicians-waste-so-much-time-on-stupid-non-issues/756928 "2016-07-16T04:54:46Z")
I don’t want to hear Trump’s racism (or Lepage’s!) anymore. I don’t want to hear about ISIS, bathroom laws, or how many post offices Hillary and Bernie renamed, or any of the other red herrings politicians put out. Whe… --- ## [When was the last time a Supreme Court Justice aired views publicly on a presidential candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-supreme-court-justice-aired-views-publicly-on-a-presidential-candidate/759658)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 202\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-a-supreme-court-justice-aired-views-publicly-on-a-presidential-candidate/759658 "2016-07-15T17:38:26Z")
Hi When was the last time a Supreme Court Justice aired views publicly/on national media on a presidential candidate? I look forward to your feedback Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she doesn’t even “… --- ## [Trump's Star of David tweet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-star-of-david-tweet/759090)
**Author:** [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Replies:** 321\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-star-of-david-tweet/759090 "2016-07-14T21:57:29Z")
For people who haven’t heard, Saturday Trump sent out a tweet of an image of Hillary Clinton superimposed over a bunch of money and a Star of David with the message “the most corrupt candidate ever”. He would very quickl… --- ## [Podcasts about Politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podcasts-about-politics/759839)
**Author:** [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/podcasts-about-politics/759839 "2016-07-14T21:45:31Z")
I’m looking for recommendations of podcasts that discuss current political news. Preferably they would be relatively non-partisan, or represent partisan views on both sides. I do lean left, though, so I’m not averse to… --- ## [Why would the Scandinavian center-left be opposed to the EU](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-scandinavian-center-left-be-opposed-to-the-eu/759624)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-the-scandinavian-center-left-be-opposed-to-the-eu/759624 "2016-07-14T21:41:17Z")
I found this quote on the Internet, which surprised me: \*“In the Nordic countries, EU skepticism is very much a center left thing. The idea that only the right are against the EU is absurd.” Helle Hagenau, Norway No2EU … --- ## [2016 UK Conservative Party Leadership Election Discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667)
**Author:** [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-uk-conservative-party-leadership-election-discussion/758667 "2016-07-14T19:17:28Z")
Thought it would be nice to start a thread regarding the coming leadership election for the Conservative party in the United Kingdom. Prime Minister David Cameron resigned in the aftermath of the Brexit vote and remain… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=218) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=220)