# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=230 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 231 --- ## [Is Trump 2016 a branding exercise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-2016-a-branding-exercise/748166)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-2016-a-branding-exercise/748166 "2016-04-01T02:28:26Z")
Maybe. But today’s NYT offers evidence against. In October 2013, Trump explored a run for Governor of New York. He met with GOP politicos: they planned to have him in office for one year, resign in favor of his Lieutenan… --- ## [The most fascinating Senate race in the country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-fascinating-senate-race-in-the-country/750627)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-fascinating-senate-race-in-the-country/750627 "2016-03-31T20:59:52Z")
Isn’t even between a Republican and a Democrat. It will likely be between a Democrat and a Democrat. It’s California, where Kamala Harris and Linda Sanchez appear poised to finish 1-2 and go to a runoff. Harris seems to… --- ## [The Ted Cruz Symbol Looks Kinda like Al-Jazeera's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-cruz-symbol-looks-kinda-like-al-jazeeras/750559)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ted-cruz-symbol-looks-kinda-like-al-jazeeras/750559 "2016-03-31T09:38:26Z")
I’m not the only one to notice this: https://www.google.com/search?q=Ted+Cruz+symbol&biw=1920&bih=934&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjB7PyqyubLAhVY4GMKHQX5DdoQsAQIGw#imgrc=WCvbGMURpnjhWM%3A http://madworldn… --- ## [Fact-checkers claim Hillary is most accurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fact-checkers-claim-hillary-is-most-accurate/750432)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2016, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fact-checkers-claim-hillary-is-most-accurate/750432 "2016-03-31T09:26:56Z")
http://www.dailynewsbin.com/news/fact-checkers-confirm-hillary-clinton-is-more-honest-than-any-of-her-2016-opponents/ Hillary: Bernie Sanders: Donald Trump: --- ## [House/Senate primaries after the conventions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-senate-primaries-after-the-conventions/750648)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-senate-primaries-after-the-conventions/750648 "2016-03-30T23:24:21Z")
I have seen Facebook posts calling for Washington state congressmen who don’t plan to vote for Sanders at the convention, “against the will of the people of that state,” to be primaried out in August. I also notice that… --- ## [What downballot candidates are you passionate about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-downballot-candidates-are-you-passionate-about/750438)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-downballot-candidates-are-you-passionate-about/750438 "2016-03-30T15:04:17Z")
This presidential campaign has spawned plenty of nuttiness; but what about State and Local elections? Are there any local candidates that make your blood boil, either way? Sorry Mods, can you move this to the Elctions … --- ## [Have we seen the last of Scott Walker and/or Marco Rubio?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-seen-the-last-of-scott-walker-and-or-marco-rubio/749187)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-seen-the-last-of-scott-walker-and-or-marco-rubio/749187 "2016-03-30T12:57:34Z")
Both are very young and had a lot of love coming into this cycle. Do you think they’re still viable? --- ## [Corporations to the rescue in Georgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporations-to-the-rescue-in-georgia/750468)
**Author:** [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2016, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporations-to-the-rescue-in-georgia/750468 "2016-03-30T11:50:41Z")
It seems the governor of Georgia plans to veto the discrimination bill in Georgia. That’s great news, but I think it’s funny to see so many liberals thanking corporations for threatening to pull their business out of the… --- ## [Gary Johnson at double digits in first three way poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gary-johnson-at-double-digits-in-first-three-way-poll/750430)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2016, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gary-johnson-at-double-digits-in-first-three-way-poll/750430 "2016-03-29T00:01:27Z")
http://krqe.com/2016/03/24/gary-johnson-pulls-11-support-in-national-presidential-poll/ That shows a heck of a lot of room for growth, actually. Sure does give a valid choice to those of us who can’t stand Trump. He’s… --- ## [Resurrection Caucuses: March 26](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resurrection-caucuses-march-26/750281)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resurrection-caucuses-march-26/750281 "2016-03-28T23:48:34Z")
The discussion thread for the 3 Democratic caucuses today in Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska. Easter weekend/Spring Break seems like a lousy time for a caucus and I suspect this plays into Sanders strength. Hillary needs … --- ## [Will the 2016 Republican Convention be a gun free zone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-2016-republican-convention-be-a-gun-free-zone/749325)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-2016-republican-convention-be-a-gun-free-zone/749325 "2016-03-28T19:55:52Z")
Guns were banned from the 2012 Republican convention, but GOP candidates this election season have been roundly ridiculing gun free zones as sitting ducks for terrorists. So are they going to change that policy, or will… --- ## [What is the delegate math after the Sanders sweep on 3/26](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-delegate-math-after-the-sanders-sweep-on-3-26/750372)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2016, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-delegate-math-after-the-sanders-sweep-on-3-26/750372 "2016-03-28T13:32:44Z")
I’m asking about pledged delegates, not including super delegates. Alaska - 10 net delegates for Sanders Hawaii - 17 net delegates for Sanders Washington - ? In Washington when I look online, it says that there are 1… --- ## [Democrats: If the next president had to be a Republican...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-if-the-next-president-had-to-be-a-republican/749997)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2016, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-if-the-next-president-had-to-be-a-republican/749997 "2016-03-28T09:26:38Z")
…who would you select? Assume both houses stay Republican --- ## [Who's the nuttiest GOP candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-nuttiest-gop-candidate/749772)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-nuttiest-gop-candidate/749772 "2016-03-26T18:53:28Z")
This is really more of a fun thing, that maybe should be in IMHO or even MPSIMS, so feel free to move it. For all this talk about Crazy Donald, I’m just not convinced he’s the Craziest of the Crazy. I think a strong ca… --- ## [The "throw the election" scenario](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-throw-the-election-scenario/750017)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2016, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-throw-the-election-scenario/750017 "2016-03-26T07:22:45Z")
So let’s say the Republicans head into the convention without anyone having a majority of delegates. Trump has warned, as have many other observers, that giving the nomination to someone else would tear the party apart. … --- ## [An interesting bit on word usage for the Dem candidates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-interesting-bit-on-word-usage-for-the-dem-candidates/750109)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2016, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-interesting-bit-on-word-usage-for-the-dem-candidates/750109 "2016-03-25T23:23:47Z")
I was trolling 538 earlier, and came across this little tidbit: It uses a measure called tf-idf (term frequency-inverse document frequency) which, not to get too technical, sorts out the words or phrases that are used… --- ## [Paul Ryan's Republican Primary Campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-ryans-republican-primary-campaign/749713)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2016, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-ryans-republican-primary-campaign/749713 "2016-03-25T22:22:46Z")
Paul Ryan’s Republican Primary Campaign Fiscal expert Stan Collander notes that despite denials, Paul Ryan is actively running for GOP nomination, in the event of a contested convention. \[ul\]\[li\] Ryan is having the Hou… --- ## [Pathways to a Trump presidency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pathways-to-a-trump-presidency/750004)
**Author:** [@Shooby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shooby)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pathways-to-a-trump-presidency/750004 "2016-03-25T16:58:58Z")
A question that might keep some of us up at night: How might Donald Trump become president? For the nomination: Trump continues his pace and amasses a majority of delegates before the convention. ----- OR ----- Tr… --- ## [Could Republicans run third party against Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-republicans-run-third-party-against-trump/749740)
**Author:** [@Sputnikkk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sputnikkk)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2016, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-republicans-run-third-party-against-trump/749740 "2016-03-24T19:49:25Z")
I just read a rumor that if Trump wins, Republicans could run a third party against Trump to split the vote and cause Hillary to win. This sounds far fetched but they, but maybe not so far fetched because they are runnin… --- ## [Hillary's Educational Swat Team idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillarys-educational-swat-team-idea/749048)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2016, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillarys-educational-swat-team-idea/749048 "2016-03-24T14:18:08Z")
Did you hear this? At the last debate Hillary proposes a “swat team” within the federal department of education that will be there to go in and take over failing school districts.LINK "I want to set up inside the Depart… --- ## [Sanders's Supporters Brownshirts Stop Trump Rally in Chicago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710)
**Author:** [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Replies:** 572\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2016, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanderss-supporters-brownshirts-stop-trump-rally-in-chicago/748710 "2016-03-24T06:16:47Z")
Yup, just what we expected out of the party of hate, fear, anger and violence. A group of people, many voicing support for Bernie Sanders, has forced Donald Trump to cancel a rally. American flags stepped on, Mexican fl… --- ## [What if\[edited\]Trump is GOP candidate, wins, but electors don't vote for him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-edited-trump-is-gop-candidate-wins-but-electors-dont-vote-for-him/749798)
**Author:** [@Scandic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scandic)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2016, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-edited-trump-is-gop-candidate-wins-but-electors-dont-vote-for-him/749798 "2016-03-24T05:08:27Z")
What if Trump is elected the president candidate for the Republican, and then wins the president election, but some of the electoral colleges refuse to vote for him? --- ## [Bernie's chances: Speak to me in sports analogies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernies-chances-speak-to-me-in-sports-analogies/748727)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2016, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernies-chances-speak-to-me-in-sports-analogies/748727 "2016-03-24T00:14:35Z")
I’m confused. On the one hand, I hear that Hillary is the inevitable nominee, on the other hand, I hear that Bernie has great odds of overtaking her. If this were football, would Team Bernie be trailing Team Hillary by … --- ## [Wild West Tuesday, 3/22/16](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wild-west-tuesday-3-22-16/749737)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wild-west-tuesday-3-22-16/749737 "2016-03-23T23:45:58Z")
Up for grabs on the GOP side tomorrow are: \[ul\] \[li\]Arizona (58 delegates)\[/li\]\[li\]Utah (40 delegates)\[/li\]\[li\]American Samoa (9 delegates)\[/li\]\[/ul\] Doesn’t seem like much compared to other recent Tuesdays, but it ge… --- ## [Maybe this election is great for the GOP? Evolution.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-this-election-is-great-for-the-gop-evolution/749902)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-this-election-is-great-for-the-gop-evolution/749902 "2016-03-23T21:48:21Z")
The GOP has been boxed in, trapped, married to a brand that at the presidential level has less hope each cycle. Try to change the brand with greater outreach to Hispanics and the socially moderate and you lose some of th… --- ## [Help me understand the anger of Trump voters / working class white people.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-anger-of-trump-voters-working-class-white-people/748320)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 251\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2016, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-anger-of-trump-voters-working-class-white-people/748320 "2016-03-23T20:11:04Z")
In the thread about being surprised by Trump’s success, Doughnut King posted in post 28 about what he feels is driving the core Trump constituency. This was responded to in post 50 of that thread by RTFirefly. I don’t wa… --- ## [Is there an independent that could beat Clinton and Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-independent-that-could-beat-clinton-and-trump/749180)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-independent-that-could-beat-clinton-and-trump/749180 "2016-03-22T18:22:47Z")
Given how polarizing the election will be, is there anyone who can band together 3rd parties, independents, none-of-the-abovers, etc. and pull 270EVs outright or At least deny Clinton a majority, beat Trump and throw it … --- ## [Hillary, is it time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-is-it-time/749575)
**Author:** [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-is-it-time/749575 "2016-03-22T16:53:57Z")
There are many reasons to vote for Hillary Clinton. One reason I’ve heard mentioned is because it’s time. Meaning that it’s time for a woman to be president regardless of the woman. Is the fact that Hillary Clinton is a … --- ## [Are we making wrong & lazy assumptions about Trump's appeal & his followers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-making-wrong-lazy-assumptions-about-trumps-appeal-his-followers/748167)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-making-wrong-lazy-assumptions-about-trumps-appeal-his-followers/748167 "2016-03-21T15:23:11Z")
David Remnick weighs in with his take on Trump which I thought might have some interesting analysis given his gravitas as head of the New Yorker, but in tucking into it it’s just more disgusted pearl clutching, more eleg… --- ## [Free Trade and election realities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-trade-and-election-realities/749578)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2016, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-trade-and-election-realities/749578 "2016-03-21T04:04:45Z")
There is a major disconnect. In the one corner is the overwhelming consensus of economists: generally speaking free trade benefits the American economy and America’s influence in the world, and tarrifs cause harms. In … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=229) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=231)