# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=238 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 239 --- ## [Rob Reiner called Hillary Clinton the most qualified presidential candidate ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rob-reiner-called-hillary-clinton-the-most-qualified-presidential-candidate-ever/673122)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rob-reiner-called-hillary-clinton-the-most-qualified-presidential-candidate-ever/673122 "2016-02-21T10:39:26Z")
And I think he has a point. This was an off-the-cuff remark on the last Real Time with Bill Maher show. I agree. She has a pretty damned impressive résumé. What do you think? Most qualified ever? Really qualified? … --- ## [Could Hillary pull a Joe Lieberman and block progressive legislation out of spite](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hillary-pull-a-joe-lieberman-and-block-progressive-legislation-out-of-spite/746604)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hillary-pull-a-joe-lieberman-and-block-progressive-legislation-out-of-spite/746604 "2016-02-21T02:31:09Z")
I am not asking this to make Hillary look bad, what I’m asking is lets say Hillary wins in 2016 and she is still angry that progressives supported Obama over her in 2008 and they supported Sanders over her in 2016. Is t… --- ## [9th Republican presidential debate tonight 02/13/16](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9th-republican-presidential-debate-tonight-02-13-16/746063)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2016, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9th-republican-presidential-debate-tonight-02-13-16/746063 "2016-02-21T02:18:52Z")
At the Peace Center in Greenville, SC.\* Starts at 9pm EST on CBS. Of course the candidates will have to mention Justice Scalia (who died today) and talk about who they would appoint to the SCOTUS. (Cruz already has dec… --- ## [‘I've done enough Presidentin'’: Should Obama make trollish nominations to the bench?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-done-enough-presidentin-should-obama-make-trollish-nominations-to-the-bench/746579)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-done-enough-presidentin-should-obama-make-trollish-nominations-to-the-bench/746579 "2016-02-20T22:17:06Z")
So Mitch McConnell says he won’t let any Obama nominees to the Supreme Court be confirmed this Congress. This is bluster, of course. He’ll say this to the media, Washington can be scandalized for a week, and later Congre… --- ## [How good must a party govern to hold the U.S. presidency forever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-must-a-party-govern-to-hold-the-u-s-presidency-forever/746428)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-must-a-party-govern-to-hold-the-u-s-presidency-forever/746428 "2016-02-20T20:02:26Z")
How well would either the Republican or Democratic Parties have to govern, in order to have a perpetual dynasty; winning every single U.S. presidential election from now on, indefinitely, never losing again? Voters have… --- ## [Now It's Official -- I'm a Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-its-official-im-a-democrat/745199)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-its-official-im-a-democrat/745199 "2016-02-20T18:49:07Z")
I’ve always voted Democratic, always, but never wanted to identify formally with a political party. In Hawaii, where you have to register some sort of affiliation, I was a registered Independent. But the Republicans have… --- ## [Of the things that are actually achievable, what would Sanders do differently than Clinton?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-the-things-that-are-actually-achievable-what-would-sanders-do-differently-than-clinton/745990)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-the-things-that-are-actually-achievable-what-would-sanders-do-differently-than-clinton/745990 "2016-02-20T16:27:51Z")
As an undecided voter (well, undecided on which Democrat I’m supporting), it kind of bothers me that so much of the back and forth between the two Democratic candidates is either (A) spent on discussing their past votes … --- ## [Any Trump supporters here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-trump-supporters-here/732349)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-trump-supporters-here/732349 "2016-02-20T14:07:11Z")
Can’t seem to find any IRL. Is there anyone here who’s willing to admit it? --- ## [This pro-Hillary rant is cathartic for me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-pro-hillary-rant-is-cathartic-for-me/745026)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-pro-hillary-rant-is-cathartic-for-me/745026 "2016-02-20T08:23:26Z")
Fucking right it is! So. Fucking. True. Can you imagine a wild-haired, rumpled woman yelling about Wall Street and inequality? It would be like that Onion article: she’d be hauled away to the psych ward. --- ## [No, Sanders is not just full of hype on economics! (A brief spike in growth to ~5% is possible.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-sanders-is-not-just-full-of-hype-on-economics-a-brief-spike-in-growth-to-5-is-possible/746591)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-sanders-is-not-just-full-of-hype-on-economics-a-brief-spike-in-growth-to-5-is-possible/746591 "2016-02-20T05:50:32Z")
Paul R. Krugman, formerly of Princeton and now of the New York Times, has been laying into the Sanders campaign for junk economics, because of a paper by one Dr. Gerald Friedman, which projects unusually high economic gr… --- ## [Data security and encryption - Bernie's viewpoint?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/data-security-and-encryption-bernies-viewpoint/746601)
**Author:** [@urban1a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1a)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/data-security-and-encryption-bernies-viewpoint/746601 "2016-02-20T02:44:38Z")
I just browsed the Bernie Sanders website and I don’t see anything, as a leading topic, which talks about data security and encryption. As of a couple of days ago, with the confrontation between the FBI and Apple (with … --- ## [President Obama will not attend Justice Scalia's funeral](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-will-not-attend-justice-scalias-funeral/746550)
**Author:** [@CGav8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CGav8r)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-will-not-attend-justice-scalias-funeral/746550 "2016-02-19T23:30:20Z")
Instead, he will pay respects to Justice Scalia when he is lying in repose in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court on Friday. Is all of the outrage partisan, or do you think he deserves some criticism for the decision? --- ## ["The most important election of our generation"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-important-election-of-our-generation/746427)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2016, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-important-election-of-our-generation/746427 "2016-02-19T21:43:18Z")
We’ve probably all heard people claim, “This presidential election is \*the most important \*election of our generation, America CANNOT afford for the wrong candidate to get elected!”…and then for people to repeat that sta… --- ## ["I wouldn't want to join a party that doesn't want me" A hypothetical Four-Way Presidential Race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wouldnt-want-to-join-a-party-that-doesnt-want-me-a-hypothetical-four-way-presidential-race/746404)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wouldnt-want-to-join-a-party-that-doesnt-want-me-a-hypothetical-four-way-presidential-race/746404 "2016-02-19T17:29:20Z")
I don’t think it’s controversial to state that Donald Trump is hated by the Republican Party and Bernie Sanders is not the candidate of choice for the Democratic Party, even if we might quibble over the reasons those thi… --- ## [Clinton runs as independent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-runs-as-independent/745977)
**Author:** [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-runs-as-independent/745977 "2016-02-18T21:24:59Z")
A friend just posed this hypothetical: Sanders wins Dem nomination. Clinton runs as independent, vowing to go back to Dems when she wins. What happens? Two scenarios - Clinton v Sanders v Trump, and Clinton v Sanders v… --- ## [Pair Up Presidential Candidates as Running Mates. 2016 Candidates ONLY!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pair-up-presidential-candidates-as-running-mates-2016-candidates-only/746422)
**Author:** [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2016, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pair-up-presidential-candidates-as-running-mates-2016-candidates-only/746422 "2016-02-18T17:15:25Z")
There have been threads about who Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump may choose as vice president on their tickets. I thought it be interesting to speculate which candiadtes may team up with other fellow 201… --- ## [The Great Un-Fork Hillary Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-un-fork-hillary-thread/717458)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 1450\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2016, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-un-fork-hillary-thread/717458 "2016-02-18T13:54:58Z")
She’s set to announce tomorrow. She got forked a few times 8 years ago, but no fork for her this time! Anyone see a path for her to NOT get the nomination? I can’t. I’m not as sanguine about her winning the general, … --- ## [Why I believe that Sanders would beat Trump. Anecdotes from Texas.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-believe-that-sanders-would-beat-trump-anecdotes-from-texas/746334)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2016, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-believe-that-sanders-would-beat-trump-anecdotes-from-texas/746334 "2016-02-18T03:48:15Z")
I think that if the general election came down to Sanders and Trump, that Sanders would win. It would probably not even be close. I live in Texas, and am personally liberal. I don’t usually spend a lot of time with my b… --- ## [Recent Bill Clinton quote: anyone have more context?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-bill-clinton-quote-anyone-have-more-context/746172)
**Author:** [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2016, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-bill-clinton-quote-anyone-have-more-context/746172 "2016-02-18T02:59:58Z")
Today around the web I started seeing this video excerpt of some comments Bill Clinton made at a rally in Memphis last Thursday: The quote in question: “The other thing I want to make a funny comment abou… --- ## [Milwaukee Mayoral Race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-mayoral-race/745607)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2016, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milwaukee-mayoral-race/745607 "2016-02-17T12:16:15Z")
Career politician Tom Barrett is the single worst mayor this city has ever had. He has shown zero leadership on every issue confronting him. His answer to Milwaukees out of control crime rate is to blame concealed carry… --- ## [What happened with the Hillary email scandal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-with-the-hillary-email-scandal/744574)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 419\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2016, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-with-the-hillary-email-scandal/744574 "2016-02-17T02:03:37Z")
It seems to be almost forgotten at this point. Wasn’t she facing felony charges a few months ago? Were they dropped? I don’t really know the details about this particular scandal at all, but I do think running for pre… --- ## [Voter ID laws are driving down minority turnout...but I'm for them anyway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-laws-are-driving-down-minority-turnout-but-im-for-them-anyway/745861)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-laws-are-driving-down-minority-turnout-but-im-for-them-anyway/745861 "2016-02-16T22:02:54Z")
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/this-is-a-huge-deal Having an ID is such a basic part of life, it has just always seemed absurd to me to fight for the right not to have it. It also seems obvious that the vote is no… --- ## [Rubio Isn't The Front Runner, But Everyone Else Is Acting Like He Is](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-isnt-the-front-runner-but-everyone-else-is-acting-like-he-is/745460)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-isnt-the-front-runner-but-everyone-else-is-acting-like-he-is/745460 "2016-02-16T20:51:11Z")
Last night’s debate was Marco Rubio’s first real stinker. Up to now, he’s been my favorite candidate, and I think he’s generally done the best in debate. But last night, he was everyone’s punching bag, and he had only cl… --- ## [Was the last Rep debate the toughest you've ever seen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-last-rep-debate-the-toughest-youve-ever-seen/746257)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-last-rep-debate-the-toughest-youve-ever-seen/746257 "2016-02-16T20:22:14Z")
During the last republican debate the candidates really went after each other. Some name calling, Talking over each other. The candidate speaking spanish. They all went after each other hard. This is different from prev… --- ## [Presidential Infirmity and the "Bartlett" Scenario](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-infirmity-and-the-bartlett-scenario/746164)
**Author:** [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-infirmity-and-the-bartlett-scenario/746164 "2016-02-16T19:41:36Z")
I’ll give some background below for anyone interested, but the short of it: \*\*I’m interested in the hypothetical here-if a real sitting President was revealed to have a neurodegenerative disease, one that can sometimes … --- ## [Where's Columba Bush?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-columba-bush/745438)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-columba-bush/745438 "2016-02-16T16:28:14Z")
Right now, Jeb Bush is so desperate he’s bringing his mother on the campaign trail. Well, okay. Barbara Bush is a fairly popular, likable person. She may do him some good. But where’s his wife Columba? Has she done ANY … --- ## [Who do you want to win the Democratic nomination for President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-want-to-win-the-democratic-nomination-for-president/744814)
**Author:** [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-want-to-win-the-democratic-nomination-for-president/744814 "2016-02-16T16:13:27Z")
Again, much as the title says - vote for who you want to win, not who you think will win. Limiting this one to just Clinton and Sanders. --- ## [Sanders is against nuclear power.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-is-against-nuclear-power/745860)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-is-against-nuclear-power/745860 "2016-02-16T09:12:51Z")
sigh \[ \](http://feelthebern.org/bernie-sanders-on-energy-policy) I’m not a big fan of Sanders’ economics but at least he has to get everything through congress. If he gets elected he’ll set NP back another 4 years. … --- ## [Who and where are the Reagan/Giuliani Democrats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-and-where-are-the-reagan-giuliani-democrats/746159)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-and-where-are-the-reagan-giuliani-democrats/746159 "2016-02-16T01:40:01Z")
We have heard about Reagan Democrats and Giuliani Democrats, moderate Democrats who supported Ronald Reagan in 1980, 1984, supported George H.W. Bush in 1988, and supported Rudolph Giuliani in his bid for mayor in 1989, … --- ## [Hillary won 6 out of 6 coin tosses in Iowa ??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-won-6-out-of-6-coin-tosses-in-iowa/745046)
**Author:** [@Scandic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scandic)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2016, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-won-6-out-of-6-coin-tosses-in-iowa/745046 "2016-02-16T00:26:30Z")
Coin tosses used to determine county delegates in Clinton-Sanders race in Iowa. They flipped a coin six times, and Hillary won all six?? It seams very unlikely to me.:dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=237) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=239)