# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=244 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 245 --- ## [12/15/15 The final Republican Debate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-15-15-the-final-republican-debate/740529 "2015-12-23T18:18:14Z")
Well, I expect some sparks to fly this evening. Trump is sure to get a boost no matter what he says. Given poll numbers in recent days, I see it as an important night for Cruz, Rubio and Christie, in particular. You g… --- ## [Why is Donald Trump allowed to run for President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-donald-trump-allowed-to-run-for-president/740263)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2015, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-donald-trump-allowed-to-run-for-president/740263 "2015-12-22T19:33:26Z")
From what I can tell he has no Political degree, little to no knowledge of international relations and foreign policies. He has little to no compassion or moral appeal to human beings. He’s mostly uses faulty Logos appro… --- ## [When do you think that Netanyahu will stop being Israel's PM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-you-think-that-netanyahu-will-stop-being-israels-pm/740812)
**Author:** [@Futurist110](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futurist110)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-you-think-that-netanyahu-will-stop-being-israels-pm/740812 "2015-12-19T04:40:41Z")
After all, he won the last three elections in Israel and I wonder how long it will take for someone to remove him from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office. Indeed, any thoughts on this? --- ## [What if another Republican ran as an independent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-another-republican-ran-as-an-independent/740158)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-another-republican-ran-as-an-independent/740158 "2015-12-18T23:49:52Z")
Suppose Trump gets the nomination; what would happen if another Republican ran as an independent? If he (she) called themselves The Real Republicans, could they pull enough Republican votes from those who are dissatisfi… --- ## [Would you support gay marriage as a 1916 presidential candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-support-gay-marriage-as-a-1916-presidential-candidate/739569)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-support-gay-marriage-as-a-1916-presidential-candidate/739569 "2015-12-18T23:43:58Z")
Say you were a presidential candidate in the year 1916; around a century ago. Would you support gay marriage (a popular position in 2016, but almost unfathomable in 1916,) or not? --- ## [Will Trump and Carson split from the GOP and form their own ticket (and party)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-and-carson-split-from-the-gop-and-form-their-own-ticket-and-party/740228)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-and-carson-split-from-the-gop-and-form-their-own-ticket-and-party/740228 "2015-12-18T22:17:01Z")
Notwithstanding their supposed pledge not to leave the party, I think it is possible, and maybe even likely, that Donald Trump and Ben Carson will leave the Republican fold. They will do so in order to form their own tic… --- ## [Republicans, help me understand the thinking (of Trump)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-help-me-understand-the-thinking-of-trump/740421)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2015, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-help-me-understand-the-thinking-of-trump/740421 "2015-12-18T17:03:49Z")
I’ll preface this with the fact that I watch the debates and read a lot to keep me informed of the upcoming elections BUT realize my bias and ignorance will still come into play. \ I’ve been reading a lot th… --- ## [What share of the white vote will the Democratic Party receive in 2016?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-share-of-the-white-vote-will-the-democratic-party-receive-in-2016/737240)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-share-of-the-white-vote-will-the-democratic-party-receive-in-2016/737240 "2015-12-17T21:43:24Z")
Barack Obama received 39% of the white vote nationally in 2012, while he got 43% in 2008. With white voters leaving the Democratic Party in the Obama era, and with the tensions of the Black Lives Matter movement, police … --- ## [The Assassination of Donald Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-assassination-of-donald-trump/739934)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2015, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-assassination-of-donald-trump/739934 "2015-12-16T04:33:01Z")
So I’ve been looking at the news today about The Donald (nobody calls him that anymore), and I notice that he’s being roundly criticized by damned near everyone on account of his recent outbursts about Muslims. The Repu… --- ## [Presidential Election: How to interpret Betfair wagering data?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-election-how-to-interpret-betfair-wagering-data/740436)
**Author:** [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2015, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-election-how-to-interpret-betfair-wagering-data/740436 "2015-12-15T15:41:28Z")
I have seen mentioned on these boards, as well as Nate Silver’s 538 site, that the wagering site Betfair is a place where people place bets on the outcome of the election (as well as sports, etc.) So out of curiosity on… --- ## [Is there a deadline for Trump to declare himself an independent candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-deadline-for-trump-to-declare-himself-an-independent-candidate/739941)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-deadline-for-trump-to-declare-himself-an-independent-candidate/739941 "2015-12-14T06:35:39Z")
I understand that there are “sore loser” laws in some states: if a candidate doesn’t win a primary in a state, he can’t put his name on the ballot. So does that mean that there’s a rolling deadline for Trump to go ind… --- ## [Oh Goody! Mitt Romney Is Coming Back!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-goody-mitt-romney-is-coming-back/729702)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-goody-mitt-romney-is-coming-back/729702 "2015-12-14T03:02:08Z")
Well, maybe. Looks like all the big money, country club, business wing Republicans are dismayed with Jeb Bush, and are trying to get Mitt Romney to come back. And Mitt hates DOnald Trump so much, he’s thinking about runn… --- ## [Trump, new jobs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-new-jobs/739750)
**Author:** [@Sputnikkk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sputnikkk)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2015, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-new-jobs/739750 "2015-12-13T06:37:09Z")
When Trump says he will create new jobs, what kind of jobs will he create? --- ## [Trump-Clinton Conspiracy??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-clinton-conspiracy/739932)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2015, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-clinton-conspiracy/739932 "2015-12-12T06:15:45Z")
I never figured Trump for a serious candidate. I continue to assume that he’s an attention whore who will take his crayons and leave when it’s not fun for him any more. I have nothing but gut to back that opinion, yet … --- ## [Brokered or Broken Republican convention? What do you think it will happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brokered-or-broken-republican-convention-what-do-you-think-it-will-happen/740193)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brokered-or-broken-republican-convention-what-do-you-think-it-will-happen/740193 "2015-12-12T02:30:25Z")
I predicted a few months back that Trump was going to drop out just after Super Tuesday, but as a mild Democrat I hoped that that we could see a Republican brokered convention. With no republican having enough votes t… --- ## [Is there still time for Elizabeth Warren to run for president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-still-time-for-elizabeth-warren-to-run-for-president/739086)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2015, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-still-time-for-elizabeth-warren-to-run-for-president/739086 "2015-12-12T01:59:20Z")
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) did not attend a Hillary Clinton fundraiser tonight in Washington, D.C.; showing signs that Warren is not satisfied with the presidential race. Can you see Warren making a late run… --- ## [Has anyone here ever been a state delegate to their parties national convention?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-ever-been-a-state-delegate-to-their-parties-national-convention/739919)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-ever-been-a-state-delegate-to-their-parties-national-convention/739919 "2015-12-11T21:33:52Z")
Has anyone ever done this? If so, what did you think of it? --- ## [Are Democrats Risking Another 2004 because of the "Radical Islamic terrorism" issue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-democrats-risking-another-2004-because-of-the-radical-islamic-terrorism-issue/739614)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-democrats-risking-another-2004-because-of-the-radical-islamic-terrorism-issue/739614 "2015-12-11T19:37:55Z")
A lot of pundits claims that 2004 was decided by “moral values” and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Problem is that one look at the exit polls from 2004 and you’ll notice 2 things: Given that exit polls have a margin of… --- ## [What share of the Hispanic vote will the Republican party receive in 2016?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-share-of-the-hispanic-vote-will-the-republican-party-receive-in-2016/740116)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2015, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-share-of-the-hispanic-vote-will-the-republican-party-receive-in-2016/740116 "2015-12-11T05:58:46Z")
Kind of a piggyback topic to this one. Romney got a measly 27% in 2012, McCain got 31%. Historically, the highest was GWB’s re-election in 2004 with 44%, but all indicators is that Latino votes are trending downward fo… --- ## [This article is by far best explanation I've seen as to why Trump is dominating -](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-article-is-by-far-best-explanation-ive-seen-as-to-why-trump-is-dominating/729449)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-article-is-by-far-best-explanation-ive-seen-as-to-why-trump-is-dominating/729449 "2015-12-08T19:45:13Z")
I’m not a huge fan of the Weekly Standard but this article is by far the most cogent explanation I’ve seen so far for the power and reach of the appeal of Donald Trump. In sum, beyond the PT Barnum hucksterism the serio… --- ## [4th Republican presidential candidates debate tonight 11/10/15](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4th-republican-presidential-candidates-debate-tonight-11-10-15/737201)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4th-republican-presidential-candidates-debate-tonight-11-10-15/737201 "2015-12-04T19:45:29Z")
This time, Graham and Pataki don’t even get a seat at the kids’ table, to which Christie and Huckabee have been relegated. That leaves eight candidates in the main event: Trump, Carson, Rubio, Bush, Cruz, Kasich, Paul a… --- ## [Rahm Emanuel for president in the future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rahm-emanuel-for-president-in-the-future/739163)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2015, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rahm-emanuel-for-president-in-the-future/739163 "2015-12-03T04:45:37Z")
With the possible cover up of the Laquan McDonald shooting that has rocked the City of Chicago and the U.S., Rahm Emanuel, the mayor of Chicago (D), and the former White House Chief of Staff had always wanted to be presi… --- ## [Who do you think will most likely be the next President? (Read OP before voting)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-most-likely-be-the-next-president-read-op-before-voting/738608)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-think-will-most-likely-be-the-next-president-read-op-before-voting/738608 "2015-12-02T19:26:15Z")
Let’s play a game. Vote for the 3 people who you think are most likely going to be the next President of the United States. For instance, I believe the race will come down to Rubio vs. Clinton, so these two will be my … --- ## [Trump on Waterboarding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-on-waterboarding/738538)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2015, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-on-waterboarding/738538 "2015-12-02T19:04:47Z")
From the Washin gton Post, by way of MaddowBlog: “Believe me, it works”??? I have to ask – how does he know? Myself, I’d think that most people aren’t very good at holding their breath for 5 minutes, let alone 15. I;'d… --- ## [If electing the President by popular vote is a good idea...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-electing-the-president-by-popular-vote-is-a-good-idea/737428)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2015, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-electing-the-president-by-popular-vote-is-a-good-idea/737428 "2015-12-02T15:50:57Z")
…then why not each party “electing” its candidate by popular vote on a unified national Presidential Primary Election Day? It just seems strange to me that people whine about the Electoral College, but when it comes to … --- ## [Rudy Giuliani for GOP vice president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudy-giuliani-for-gop-vice-president/738579)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudy-giuliani-for-gop-vice-president/738579 "2015-11-30T16:46:08Z")
It looks like another national security election in 2016 after Paris attacks, ISIS, and defense spending. Can you see a GOP candidate like a Marco Rubio or a Jeb Bush picking Former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani (1994-2001)? G… --- ## [If African American turnout is low in 2016......](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-african-american-turnout-is-low-in-2016/738510)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-african-american-turnout-is-low-in-2016/738510 "2015-11-30T14:34:37Z")
African American turnout is absolutely crucial to the Democratic Party’s chances of winning a third consecutive term in the White House, and winning back control of the U.S. Senate in some states like PA, WI, FL, OH, etc… --- ## [2016 U.S. Senate elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-u-s-senate-elections/738880)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-u-s-senate-elections/738880 "2015-11-29T19:56:13Z")
The Republican Party currently controls the U.S. Senate with 54 Senate seats. The Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate in 2014. The Democrats are looking to take back the Senate. The Democrats are defending 10 sea… --- ## [Sanders supporters: how do you think a President Sanders would get things done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-supporters-how-do-you-think-a-president-sanders-would-get-things-done/736601)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-supporters-how-do-you-think-a-president-sanders-would-get-things-done/736601 "2015-11-29T19:53:14Z")
This is something I’ve been curious about for a while, and I mean my question literally: “how” as in “what processes and strategies will he take to enact his agenda?” Because one of my main nagging instincts about Sande… --- ## [Charlie Rangel retiring from U.S. House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-rangel-retiring-from-u-s-house/738908)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-rangel-retiring-from-u-s-house/738908 "2015-11-29T07:28:26Z")
New York congressman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), from the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, is retiring after serving the area since 1971. The 13th congressional district seat is becoming more Hispanic than black-dominated,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=243) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=245)