# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=241 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 242 --- ## [Can Mike Huckabee win the GOP nomination and the presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mike-huckabee-win-the-gop-nomination-and-the-presidency/738603)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 216\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-mike-huckabee-win-the-gop-nomination-and-the-presidency/738603 "2016-02-02T13:53:02Z")
Can former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) win the GOP presidential nomination as a underdog and take it all the way to the presidency? He has Evangelical Christian appeal, he’s a Southerner with classic roots, blue coll… --- ## [Who do you want to win the Republican nomination for President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-want-to-win-the-republican-nomination-for-president/744813)
**Author:** [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-want-to-win-the-republican-nomination-for-president/744813 "2016-02-02T07:21:40Z")
Pretty much as it says in the title. Please limit it to who you want to win; not who you think will win. I’m limiting it to the top three in the current polls - Trump, Cruz, and Rubio. --- ## [Do Iowans caucus for Governor, state ass'y, senator, etc...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-iowans-caucus-for-governor-state-assy-senator-etc/744925)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-iowans-caucus-for-governor-state-assy-senator-etc/744925 "2016-02-02T07:09:39Z")
…or only for President? If so, do they do those things tonight? Or some other night (for the elections that are happening this November)? If not, WTF, Iowans? What’s wrong with you? --- ## [Can Donald Trump buy endorsements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-donald-trump-buy-endorsements/744902)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-donald-trump-buy-endorsements/744902 "2016-02-02T04:37:29Z")
Rep. Steve King , an Iowa Republican and Ted Cruz supporter, says Donald Trump bought his endorsements. Whether it is true or not raises the question; would it be legal for Trump to pay cash for an endorsement, say, fr… --- ## [2016 Illinois Senate Race: Who takes on vulnerable Mark Kirk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-illinois-senate-race-who-takes-on-vulnerable-mark-kirk/704706)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-illinois-senate-race-who-takes-on-vulnerable-mark-kirk/704706 "2016-02-02T04:19:23Z")
I really hope Tammy Duckworth takes on Mark Kirk for the US Senate seat in Illinois for 2016. Story Kirk is going to be very vulnerable in a Presidential year in reliably blue Illinois. He squeaked in during the Republ… --- ## [Is the Democratic Party "anti-God", and what can they do to stop that stereotype?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 262\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-democratic-party-anti-god-and-what-can-they-do-to-stop-that-stereotype/744770 "2016-02-02T03:36:09Z")
For the past few decades, the Democratic Party base has been seen as the party of atheists, and secularists. The party booed and removed God from it’s party platform in the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlott… --- ## [Hillary's lead over Sanders "nearly vanishes".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillarys-lead-over-sanders-nearly-vanishes/742833)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 291\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillarys-lead-over-sanders-nearly-vanishes/742833 "2016-02-01T23:16:19Z")
Ever since the beginning of the race, I’ve assumed that Hillary would have a cakewalk to the Democratic nomination. Hillary has most of the big endorsements from powerful liberal interest groups,she has the support of 7… --- ## [Next US President will not be popular](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-us-president-will-not-be-popular/744863)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-us-president-will-not-be-popular/744863 "2016-02-01T20:24:41Z")
I don’t know for sure who’s going to be elected President of the United States this fall, but I can’t imagine any of the candidates getting approval ratings above 50%. We’re just too polarized, and furthermore the incred… --- ## [Who could the Democrats nominate as a Trump equivalent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-the-democrats-nominate-as-a-trump-equivalent/744611)
**Author:** [@irae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irae)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-the-democrats-nominate-as-a-trump-equivalent/744611 "2016-02-01T18:59:52Z")
So, in your opinion, who could the Democrats nominate to run for President in 2016 as a mirror-image of Donald Trump? Michael Moore comes to mind, but he’s not popular enough, vulgar enough, or adequately divorced from … --- ## [The Iowa caucuses: a note from the real world.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iowa-caucuses-a-note-from-the-real-world/744648)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iowa-caucuses-a-note-from-the-real-world/744648 "2016-02-01T16:27:32Z")
The BBC have a pre-caucus report from Iowa. Money quote: “Everything’s divisive in Washington.” --- ## [Who is the least religious of the candidates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-least-religious-of-the-candidates/744570)
**Author:** [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-least-religious-of-the-candidates/744570 "2016-02-01T14:14:39Z")
It seems publically expressing one’s religious beliefs is a hard requirement of any candidate. I can usually get past it, but listening to Cruz and Rubio fellating the evangelicals is a turn-off for me. While all candida… --- ## [Obama on Iowa, Clinton, Sanders and 2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-on-iowa-clinton-sanders-and-2016/744201)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-on-iowa-clinton-sanders-and-2016/744201 "2016-01-31T21:26:54Z")
Obama is pretty candid in this interview. He doesn’t have a dog in this fight. I found his observations about the two candidates and the direction of the election very interesting. There’s a 40 min podcast too. I just r… --- ## [Republican presidential debate tonight 01/28/16](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-presidential-debate-tonight-01-28-16/744508)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-presidential-debate-tonight-01-28-16/744508 "2016-01-30T07:05:30Z")
In Des Moines, Iowa, of course. On Fox News, of course. Trump is boycotting, on account of that nasty Megyn Kelly being on the panel, of course. That leaves Bush, Carson, Christie, Cruz, Kasich, Paul and Rubio in the … --- ## [Barack Obama as cabinet member](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama-as-cabinet-member/743095)
**Author:** [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama-as-cabinet-member/743095 "2016-01-30T02:43:07Z")
Since Barack Obama cannot serve a third term as president would he be barred from serving as a cabinet member for the incoming president. No one would be better prepared to serve as an adviser to the next president, INH… --- ## [Fixing Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-congress/744520)
**Author:** [@wdodd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wdodd)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2016, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-congress/744520 "2016-01-30T01:58:25Z")
I’d like to get everyone’s thoughts on a TED talk that I recently gave about improving discourse in Congress. I believe that televising the U.S. Senate has turned the deliberative process into a reality TV show, which se… --- ## [2016 = 2008](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-2008/744230)
**Author:** [@Henga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henga)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2016, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-2008/744230 "2016-01-29T03:42:19Z")
In 2008 the Republicans assumed up until the Democrat Convention that their opponent would be Hilary Clinton. They were wrong and so they had no plan for defeating Obama. In 2012 the Republicans assumed that the econom… --- ## [Western Illinois U Prediction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/western-illinois-u-prediction/744386)
**Author:** [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/western-illinois-u-prediction/744386 "2016-01-29T01:45:28Z")
According to my local tv news this morning, Western Illinois University, which has correctly predicted every Presidential winner since the 1976 election, has predicted an eventual winning ticket of Bernie Sanders/Martin … --- ## [How do you suppose Trump would govern?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-suppose-trump-would-govern/744234)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2016, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-suppose-trump-would-govern/744234 "2016-01-29T00:42:19Z")
I’m not sure if this is an election topic, per se, since it presupposes that :eek: Trump wins the Presidency. :smack: How do you suppose he would govern? We’ve seen how he campaigns - brash, rude, crude, simplistic. W… --- ## [The Carson Caucus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carson-caucus/744465)
**Author:** [@Henga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henga)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2016, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carson-caucus/744465 "2016-01-28T17:46:37Z")
I am watching a re-run of the Tonite Show with Johnny Carson from just before the 1984 Iowa Caucus. He had his audience stand up and do something like rubbing their belly or patting their head to indicate whom they woul… --- ## [National Review devotes an entire issue to "Against Trump"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-review-devotes-an-entire-issue-to-against-trump/743868)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-review-devotes-an-entire-issue-to-against-trump/743868 "2016-01-28T15:54:17Z")
There’s a lengthy editorial by the editors here. Over here is a list of shorter pieces by well-known conservative authors including Glenn Beck, John Podhoretz, Cal Thomas, Mona Charen, Yuval Levin, Thomas Sowell, and ot… --- ## [Bernie Sanders' lapel pin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-sanders-lapel-pin/743016)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-sanders-lapel-pin/743016 "2016-01-27T21:52:20Z")
It has become almost mandatory for US politicians to wear a flag pin their lapel, so no one can question their patriotism, no doubt. Not Bernie Sanders. His pin, like his politics, is different. Anyone know what it is? … --- ## [Trump is Apparently Not Well-Liked at Christian Universities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-apparently-not-well-liked-at-christian-universities/743920)
**Author:** [@TheLadyMage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLadyMage)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2016, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-apparently-not-well-liked-at-christian-universities/743920 "2016-01-27T04:59:55Z")
Full disclosure: I am a student at said university: --- ## [Aussies: Tony Abbott redux?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-tony-abbott-redux/744118)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussies-tony-abbott-redux/744118 "2016-01-26T07:21:11Z")
I have noticed a few stories regarding former PM Abbott’s desire to make his way back to The Lodge. What would this mean for Australia? --- ## [The desperation of less educated Whites: drug deaths, suicides, politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desperation-of-less-educated-whites-drug-deaths-suicides-politics/743416)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desperation-of-less-educated-whites-drug-deaths-suicides-politics/743416 "2016-01-26T02:46:36Z")
I cannot be the only one who sees a connection between the rising death rate in younger, primarily less educated, Whites, mostly due to drugs and suicide, and our current political realities. It seems to me that there … --- ## [Non-Americans: the US Presidential election really is a train wreck, isn't it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-americans-the-us-presidential-election-really-is-a-train-wreck-isnt-it/743894)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2016, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-americans-the-us-presidential-election-really-is-a-train-wreck-isnt-it/743894 "2016-01-26T01:52:50Z")
On both sides. Sure we hear here more about Trump, but the Democrat side is just as bad, isn’t it? --- ## [One Week To Iowa: GOP Win, Place, Show Predictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-to-iowa-gop-win-place-show-predictions/744175)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-week-to-iowa-gop-win-place-show-predictions/744175 "2016-01-25T23:04:11Z")
The Iowa caucuses are a week from tonight, so I figure it’s time for one more “predict the Iowa results” thread. This is GOP only; I’ll let someone else do a Dem poll if they want. Poll coming. --- ## [Democrats only: who do you want to win the GOP nom and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-only-who-do-you-want-to-win-the-gop-nom-and-why/742196)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2016, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-only-who-do-you-want-to-win-the-gop-nom-and-why/742196 "2016-01-25T14:43:48Z")
Trump? His path to winning rests on a double down on the White non-college educated vote full pander mode and so long as he does not drive almost as many college educated White voters away in the process he can handle lo… --- ## [Can GOP candidates wheel and deal with their delegates before the first ballot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-gop-candidates-wheel-and-deal-with-their-delegates-before-the-first-ballot/743173)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-gop-candidates-wheel-and-deal-with-their-delegates-before-the-first-ballot/743173 "2016-01-25T14:16:39Z")
This of course only matters if after the primaries no one has an outright majority. There has been talk on podcasts I’ve been listening to about the fact that delegates are bound only on the first ballot, and most of th… --- ## [Dueling ads. Bernie Sanders' and Hillary Clinton's Iowa ads.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dueling-ads-bernie-sanders-and-hillary-clintons-iowa-ads/743848)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2016, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dueling-ads-bernie-sanders-and-hillary-clintons-iowa-ads/743848 "2016-01-25T07:09:45Z")
The candidates are running these ads in Iowa and NH in the final days before the caucus and primary. What do you think? Effective? Some people have said the Sanders ad is his “Morning in America” ad. http://www.nytimes… --- ## [Who should Trump shoot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-trump-shoot/744057)
**Author:** [@hulka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hulka)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2016, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-trump-shoot/744057 "2016-01-25T01:33:09Z")
And would he bother with a lawyer in the aftermath? In case you haven’t heard (no mention that I’ve seen here so far): What if he'd used the 'R' word instead? I don't mean Republican. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=240) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=242)