# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=232 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 233 --- ## [Superdelegates Doing Their Job](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superdelegates-doing-their-job/749146)
**Author:** [@yarblek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yarblek)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2016, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superdelegates-doing-their-job/749146 "2016-03-16T19:18:47Z")
It’s astonishing how some people are still so mislead about what superdelegates actually are supposed to do. I’m extremely sceptical that they would actually undercut the outright winner of the popular vote, no matter th… --- ## [Bernie's Soviet "honeymoon" and trips to Nicaragua and Cuba are disqualifying.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernies-soviet-honeymoon-and-trips-to-nicaragua-and-cuba-are-disqualifying/745209)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 357\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2016, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernies-soviet-honeymoon-and-trips-to-nicaragua-and-cuba-are-disqualifying/745209 "2016-03-16T10:31:31Z")
Bernheads have been spinning furiously that it “wasn’t really a honeymoon, duh”. But Politifact rated George Will’s characterization of it as exactly that, a honeymoon, “Mostly True”, and provided some background: Now… --- ## [Do Trump's opponents in the GOP establishment not understand people are voting to reject them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-trumps-opponents-in-the-gop-establishment-not-understand-people-are-voting-to-reject-them/749133)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2016, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-trumps-opponents-in-the-gop-establishment-not-understand-people-are-voting-to-reject-them/749133 "2016-03-16T10:30:42Z")
Now that Trump is much more likely to win the nominiation, supposedly there is talk of a 3rd party run. To me, the rise of Trump is in part a rejection of GOP orthodoxy. I’m sure that is wishful thinking on some level… --- ## [What on earth was Cruz thinking by releasing this video?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-on-earth-was-cruz-thinking-by-releasing-this-video/749117)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2016, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-on-earth-was-cruz-thinking-by-releasing-this-video/749117 "2016-03-16T04:04:49Z")
I understand being sneaky about getting footage to the super-PAC without coordinating, but why leave in stuff like “that’s too personal”? Why include the “I approve this message” stuff at all, when that wouldn’t be in a… --- ## [When will Sanders suspend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-sanders-suspend/747381)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2016, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-sanders-suspend/747381 "2016-03-16T03:42:34Z")
Not when he should, just a prediction of when he will, which includes “never”. No purpose other that the fun of guessing outcomes. Poll includes major primary dates or “never - he’s going to be the nominee.” If you thin… --- ## [Florida Primary 03/15/2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-primary-03-15-2016/746666)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2016, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-primary-03-15-2016/746666 "2016-03-16T02:21:47Z")
Since I’m down here I thought I’d launch this topic with a live report on the ground. Background: FL is a closed primary state. Voters need not declare a party but if you don’t you don’t vote in the primary. Voter reg… --- ## [Mini Tuesday March 15 Democratic thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-tuesday-march-15-democratic-thread/748429)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-tuesday-march-15-democratic-thread/748429 "2016-03-16T02:11:13Z")
Here’s a thread to discuss all the Democratic races for March 15. States that vote: Florida 238 delegates North Carolina 120 delegates Illinois 190 delegates Missouri 88 delegates Ohio 165 delegates The Chicago Tr… --- ## [Can someone make sense of these polling charts about race and the civil war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-make-sense-of-these-polling-charts-about-race-and-the-civil-war/748830)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2016, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-make-sense-of-these-polling-charts-about-race-and-the-civil-war/748830 "2016-03-15T23:43:59Z")
There are polls asking republicans whose ideology goes from very liberal to very conservative questions about race and the civil war. Apparently, according to the results, ‘very li… --- ## [Amateur Campaign Consultants:What does Sanders need next Tuesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amateur-campaign-consultants-what-does-sanders-need-next-tuesday/748475)
**Author:** [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amateur-campaign-consultants-what-does-sanders-need-next-tuesday/748475 "2016-03-15T17:47:25Z")
So does Sanders need to get out more of the young white vote or change some old or black Dems minds? He’s polling way behind in Florida, but no worse than he was in Michigan. Is it remotely possible he can get his vote o… --- ## [Rubio blames Obama for the rise of Trump and disintegration of GOP...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-blames-obama-for-the-rise-of-trump-and-disintegration-of-gop/748900)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-blames-obama-for-the-rise-of-trump-and-disintegration-of-gop/748900 "2016-03-15T12:20:19Z")
…and also for the crabgrass on his lawn, his dog’s fleas, and the bad haircut he got last week. Washington Post article Stoke caustic rhetoric?? President Obama has not indulged in a moment of “caustic rhetoric.” If a… --- ## [Dopers. Would you be willing to sacrifice the democratic process to deny Trump the nomination?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-would-you-be-willing-to-sacrifice-the-democratic-process-to-deny-trump-the-nomination/748560)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2016, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-would-you-be-willing-to-sacrifice-the-democratic-process-to-deny-trump-the-nomination/748560 "2016-03-15T11:55:19Z")
There has been an undercurrent of stealing the nomination from Trump of this on this board and in the media. Now with Trump leading in winner-take-all Florida and its 199 delegates, it is a real possibility that Trump m… --- ## [Separation Anxiety: Seven Degrees of Trump Shearing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separation-anxiety-seven-degrees-of-trump-shearing/749041)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2016, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separation-anxiety-seven-degrees-of-trump-shearing/749041 "2016-03-15T05:11:48Z")
How many of degrees of separation are you from someone who got ripped off by Donald Trump? A friend of my family was a NYC contractor who discovered that Trump was remarkably slow to pay his bills. So that’s one degree … --- ## [Why Do GOP Politicians (but not voters) Hate Ted Cruz?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gop-politicians-but-not-voters-hate-ted-cruz/748965)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gop-politicians-but-not-voters-hate-ted-cruz/748965 "2016-03-14T21:30:24Z")
It seems like GOP politicians personally dislike Ted Cruz, even tho he’s consistently on their side on most issues. The most notable example being George W. Bush, who said “I don’t like that guy.” Yet Cruz is with establ… --- ## [Trump's Strategy of Pointing at Bernie for the Protests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-strategy-of-pointing-at-bernie-for-the-protests/748854)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-strategy-of-pointing-at-bernie-for-the-protests/748854 "2016-03-14T15:16:27Z")
So Trump is calling out Bernie for the protest disruptions. This positions Bernie as the person to vote for if you hate Trump. That digs at Hillary and keeps Bernie more in the mix. And it forces Hillary to find a pos… --- ## [What's "out of context" about the Sanders "When you're white ..." quote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-out-of-context-about-the-sanders-when-youre-white-quote/748589)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-out-of-context-about-the-sanders-when-youre-white-quote/748589 "2016-03-14T14:25:46Z")
Per Snopes “A quote from Bernie Sanders about institutional racism was taken out of context by both pro-Sanders and anti-Sanders groups”. I certainly agree that the pro-Sanders people twisted the statement, in pretendin… --- ## [Democratic Debate 9 March](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-debate-9-march/748511)
**Author:** [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-debate-9-march/748511 "2016-03-14T13:51:11Z")
So it’s been going for an hour, and I haven’t seen thread on it yet… It’s being run by Univision and Washington Post, in Miami. Some impressions: Wow, this is brutal. The moderators are really hammering the candidate… --- ## [HRC and the ethics thing.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hrc-and-the-ethics-thing/747971)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2016, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hrc-and-the-ethics-thing/747971 "2016-03-14T13:50:12Z")
Clearly I screwed up by not posting a version of this thread properly a while back. People think they know the story because they’ve heard about “Benghazi!” Well, here are some of Hillary’s big ethical issues that you m… --- ## [Town Hall Dem Debate 3/13](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/town-hall-dem-debate-3-13/748938)
**Author:** [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2016, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/town-hall-dem-debate-3-13/748938 "2016-03-14T02:41:56Z")
Is anybody else watching this? So much more refreshing than the Trumpy Wumpy threads, I assure you. :smiley: Hillary seems much more topic flipping than Bernie. Both of these people are fantastic speakers, but tonight B… --- ## [My Open Letter to Republican National Committee in Response to Request for Money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-open-letter-to-republican-national-committee-in-response-to-request-for-money/748695)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-open-letter-to-republican-national-committee-in-response-to-request-for-money/748695 "2016-03-13T22:42:47Z")
Tony Parker Treasurer, Republican National Committee 310 First Street, S.E. Washington, DC 20003 P16 Republican National Committee PO Box 96994 Washington, DC 20090-6994 Dear Mr. Parker: I am writing in respons… --- ## [Which polls will be off by how much 3/15?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-polls-will-be-off-by-how-much-3-15/748549)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-polls-will-be-off-by-how-much-3-15/748549 "2016-03-13T17:41:28Z")
Michigan’s epic polling fail raises the specter that polls this year can be off and off big. The following are the current Tuesday’s RCP rolling poll averages (subject to change with more data). NC Clinton +20.2 FL … --- ## [Equal time laws and Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equal-time-laws-and-trump/748543)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equal-time-laws-and-trump/748543 "2016-03-13T14:11:34Z")
CBS giving him over an hour to run a commercial for Trump Water and Trump Steak, while ignoring the other candidates on a big primary night is not acceptable. The media seems to give Trump everything he wants, in flagra… --- ## [Which state never had a senator who ran for president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-state-never-had-a-senator-who-ran-for-president/748453)
**Author:** [@Wizard101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wizard101)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2016, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-state-never-had-a-senator-who-ran-for-president/748453 "2016-03-13T12:29:49Z")
Does anyone know if there is a state that has never had one of its U.S. Senators run for president? --- ## [What's the most plausible map for the Republican nominee to get to at least 269?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-plausible-map-for-the-republican-nominee-to-get-to-at-least-269/748640)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2016, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-plausible-map-for-the-republican-nominee-to-get-to-at-least-269/748640 "2016-03-13T05:45:44Z")
269 being, most likely, all they need since a tie would be settled in the House–and if they are losing the House, they are not coming within sniffing distance of 269 anyway. I am comforted by looking at various scenario… --- ## [GOP 3/12 contests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-3-12-contests/748820)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2016, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-3-12-contests/748820 "2016-03-13T05:30:25Z")
These three contests (Wyoming, D.C., and Guam) are somewhat overlooked. Wyoming is not binding its delegates. I’m not sure about Guam. With 91% reporting, Cruz won Wyoming with 2/3 of the vote. Rubio is second, and T… --- ## [National Review endorses Ted Cruz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-review-endorses-ted-cruz/748664)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2016, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-review-endorses-ted-cruz/748664 "2016-03-13T03:02:45Z")
No surprise that the conservative magazine that put out an entire issue Against Trump endorses the only candidate who still has a remote chance of defeating Trump. --- ## [Ben Carson endorses Donald Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-endorses-donald-trump/748646)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-endorses-donald-trump/748646 "2016-03-12T23:38:18Z")
Trump sounded like a real candidate this morning. Much less harsh and angry. He realizes its time to solidify his base, get through the convention, and focus on beating HRC. I’ve always felt the real Trump isn’t the bom… --- ## [Christie endorses Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christie-endorses-trump/747230)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 191\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christie-endorses-trump/747230 "2016-03-12T21:21:03Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/02/26/chris-christie-endorses-donald-trump/ Calls Rubio desparate. --- ## [Can anybody recall a political party turning on their own candidate before?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-recall-a-political-party-turning-on-their-own-candidate-before/747864)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2016, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-recall-a-political-party-turning-on-their-own-candidate-before/747864 "2016-03-12T05:21:44Z")
Is the GOP making ground breaking history? Super Tuesday is supposed to be the time when the party embraces their front runner. Everybody may be pissed their losing candidate came up short. But the voters made their feel… --- ## [March 6 Dem Debate: The Showdown in Flint (Don't drink the water)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-6-dem-debate-the-showdown-in-flint-dont-drink-the-water/748164)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2016, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-6-dem-debate-the-showdown-in-flint-dont-drink-the-water/748164 "2016-03-11T23:18:57Z")
Bernie and Hillary go at it tonight in Flint, MI. Debate starts in about an hour. Voting in Michigan is on Tuesday, and Hillary looks like she’ll dominate. I imagine the Flint water crisis will get more airtime tonight … --- ## [Against Trump specifically, Sanders is the better Dem candidate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/against-trump-specifically-sanders-is-the-better-dem-candidate/747881)
**Author:** [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/against-trump-specifically-sanders-is-the-better-dem-candidate/747881 "2016-03-11T21:20:33Z")
Yes, I realize that it’s probably too late to save the Democratic Party from itself, and that a massive shift in public opinion would be needed for Sanders to catch up to and pass Clinton’s delegate count after last Tues… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=231) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=233)