# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=245 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 246 --- ## [If the 2016 election were you vs. Trump, who do you think would win?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-2016-election-were-you-vs-trump-who-do-you-think-would-win/737963)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-2016-election-were-you-vs-trump-who-do-you-think-would-win/737963 "2015-11-27T04:10:27Z")
Let’s say that the 2016 presidential election came down to just two candidates: Donald Trump…and you. Who do you think would win? Assume that you’re eligible to run for president despite age, nationality, other criteri… --- ## [People who could've run for President and won but didn't.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-couldve-run-for-president-and-won-but-didnt/738324)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-couldve-run-for-president-and-won-but-didnt/738324 "2015-11-26T22:12:07Z")
People always say that the President is a sucker’s job. You get all the blame and little of the glory. However, is there proof of someone who could’ve run for President and won the office, but chose to be, say, Governor … --- ## [If Jay Nixon had ran for president in 2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-jay-nixon-had-ran-for-president-in-2016/738506)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-jay-nixon-had-ran-for-president-in-2016/738506 "2015-11-26T21:59:57Z")
If Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D-Missouri), a \*\*centrist Democrat \*\* who is a two-term governor since 2009 and former attorney general of Missouri from 1993 to 2009 had ran for president in 2016, as a Democrat, would he hav… --- ## [2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-louisiana-gubernatorial-election/737274)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-louisiana-gubernatorial-election/737274 "2015-11-26T17:40:30Z")
One might reasonably have expected the gubernatorial elections of Louisiana to be a typical depressing affair as was the case in other Southern and Border states, resulting in the election of a Republican hardliner and a… --- ## [KY governor's race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ky-governors-race/733217)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ky-governors-race/733217 "2015-11-25T22:04:19Z")
http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/kentucky-governor-with-a-month-to-go-bevin-has-squandered-his-edge/ I’ll lead with an analysis by Larry Sabato that a race Republicans should win handily is now a to… --- ## [Is it, in fact, the Democratic Party which is imploding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-in-fact-the-democratic-party-which-is-imploding/736725)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-in-fact-the-democratic-party-which-is-imploding/736725 "2015-11-25T19:57:21Z")
As shown here, the GOP controls most of the state legislatures, making major inroads in 8 states just in the 2014 election. Vox’s Lee Drutman and Matt Iglesias warn that right-wing ascendancy in America is increasing. … --- ## [Huckabee's 2016 bid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huckabees-2016-bid/719318)
**Author:** [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huckabees-2016-bid/719318 "2015-11-25T15:45:38Z")
He just announced (video) Any chance at getting the nomination? --- ## [What if Al Gore hadn't run in 2000?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-al-gore-hadnt-run-in-2000/726199)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2015, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-al-gore-hadnt-run-in-2000/726199 "2015-11-23T12:38:28Z")
Another what if. Let’s say Al Gore had decided not to run at all in 2000, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. Who would have been the contenders and likely Democratic nominee in 2000? Wikipedia says that… --- ## [5 Ways Donald Trump Perfectly Mirrors Hitler's Rise To Power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-ways-donald-trump-perfectly-mirrors-hitlers-rise-to-power/733212)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-ways-donald-trump-perfectly-mirrors-hitlers-rise-to-power/733212 "2015-11-23T02:33:40Z")
The other day I referenced Sinclair Lewis’ book It Can’t Happen Here (which is available for free at Australia’s Project Gutenberg: It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis), and todays main article at Cracked.com lets me… --- ## [The 2016 Republican candidates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 2068\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444 "2015-11-20T19:26:26Z")
I was browsing this site of potential 2016 candidates and a few names seemed vaguely familiar: Scott Brown - a busted flush, right? Mitch Daniels - put his foot in it last time around; how’s he doing now? Kelly Ayotte… --- ## [Tracking endorsements of presidential candidates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracking-endorsements-of-presidential-candidates/738090)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tracking-endorsements-of-presidential-candidates/738090 "2015-11-20T16:48:20Z")
An interesting FiveThirtyEight webpage, showing current endorsements and who had how many at this point in the election cycle, going 'way back to Reagan in 1980: The 2016 Endorsement Primary | FiveThirtyEight --- ## [What if Hillary gets indicted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-hillary-gets-indicted/737397)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2015, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-hillary-gets-indicted/737397 "2015-11-20T14:21:30Z")
It seems that most Dems are steadfastly ignoring the FBI investigation into Hillary’s e-mail trouble. As last count, the FBI is looking into not only if she mishandled classified info, but if she lied or obstructed just… --- ## [Lawrence Lessig Ends campaign - blames DNC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-lessig-ends-campaign-blames-dnc/736491)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawrence-lessig-ends-campaign-blames-dnc/736491 "2015-11-19T20:47:35Z")
Larry withdrew from the race today saying the DNC had excluded him from any debates with a new rule. That rule said that at least one person must have heard of the candidate and cared whether or not he was in the debate.… --- ## [Election Polling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-polling/737755)
**Author:** [@Lucky\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_Mike)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-polling/737755 "2015-11-19T17:02:23Z")
I have been watching the polling of the various candidates for president in 2016. What I find remarkable is that the opinions shift so quickly. I understand sampling error and how it can effect outcomes, but what I am … --- ## [Bobby Jindal Announces for President. Does anyone care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bobby-jindal-announces-for-president-does-anyone-care/723378)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bobby-jindal-announces-for-president-does-anyone-care/723378 "2015-11-19T16:09:29Z")
In the now over-crowded field of Republican candidates, where in the pack is Jindal? What segment of the electorate does he appeal to? Seems to me Jindal’s positions are already covered by Huckabee. --- ## [If Congressional votes were secret, what sort of bills would be passed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-congressional-votes-were-secret-what-sort-of-bills-would-be-passed/737964)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2015, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-congressional-votes-were-secret-what-sort-of-bills-would-be-passed/737964 "2015-11-19T10:44:27Z")
If Congressional legislative votes were secret (so that constituents couldn’t find out how their Congressman voted), what sort of bills would be passed? Would Congress be more bipartisan (Republicans could vote for Obam… --- ## [Rubio/Pawlenty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-pawlenty/737529)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rubio-pawlenty/737529 "2015-11-17T19:30:23Z")
I think if Florida Sen. Marco Rubio wins the GOP nomination, he should pick former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty as his vice presidential running mate. Pawlenty has been out of politics for 4 years now, ever since he dropp… --- ## [Interesting demographic profiles of voter orientation from the Pew Center](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-demographic-profiles-of-voter-orientation-from-the-pew-center/737525)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-demographic-profiles-of-voter-orientation-from-the-pew-center/737525 "2015-11-17T17:44:26Z")
Which way are people leaning? Interesting demographic breakdown by party affiliation. A Deep Dive Into Party Affiliation - Sharp Differences by Race, Gender, Generation, Education --- ## [2nd Democratic Debate 11/14/15](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2nd-democratic-debate-11-14-15/737481)
**Author:** [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2nd-democratic-debate-11-14-15/737481 "2015-11-17T15:51:18Z")
Did you guys even know this was happening tomorrow? Not sure how interesting it will be, but Sanders is ready to talk about the damn emails now. --- ## [Proposal: IBM Watson in debates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-ibm-watson-in-debates/737562)
**Author:** [@Sasquatch\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sasquatch_1)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-ibm-watson-in-debates/737562 "2015-11-17T02:50:21Z")
The Watson AI did pretty well in Jeopardy!, it would not take much modification I’d guess, to turn the question-answering towards fact-checking politician debate statements in real time. It may be difficult to get candi… --- ## [Options for Sanders if HRC get nommed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/options-for-sanders-if-hrc-get-nommed/737723)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/options-for-sanders-if-hrc-get-nommed/737723 "2015-11-17T01:23:48Z")
Probably more of a GQ, but it’d end up here eventually anyhow. So… Hypothetical: March 1, 2016 comes and Hillary is using O’Malley as a blackjack to give Sanders the drubbing of a lifetime. It’s apparent he has no cha… --- ## [You cannot vote unless you are an American citizen.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cannot-vote-unless-you-are-an-american-citizen/736557)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2015, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cannot-vote-unless-you-are-an-american-citizen/736557 "2015-11-16T12:22:13Z")
One of my Facebook friends, a childhood friend who to be honest is probably slightly mentally challenged (she was always in special ed) is married to a man who is a permanent U.S. resident. He wanted to vote in today’s … --- ## [Myanmar/Burma elections 2015](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myanmar-burma-elections-2015/737332)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/myanmar-burma-elections-2015/737332 "2015-11-14T01:05:02Z")
Aung Syuu Ki’s National League for Democracy takes 90% of the vote. President Thein Sein congratulates them. Of course, this has happened before, and the military junta said no way. What will they do now? Apparently,… --- ## [Carson vs. Trump: This Could Get Interesting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carson-vs-trump-this-could-get-interesting/735749)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carson-vs-trump-this-could-get-interesting/735749 "2015-11-13T17:31:59Z")
Ben Carson is now leading Donald Trump in Iowa and in several other key states. Trump isn’t taking this lying down, and he’s already started trashing Carson’s religion. This will be interesting(to me at least): the Reli… --- ## [Will debates take over from primaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-debates-take-over-from-primaries/737383)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-debates-take-over-from-primaries/737383 "2015-11-13T00:08:25Z")
Or, why bother with the Presidential primaries when the debates are doing the winnowing? Sure, each state party has to decide who they’re going to back, but if there’s already a clear favourite, why back anyone else? --- ## [The legacy of President Barack Obama (2009-2017)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-legacy-of-president-barack-obama-2009-2017/737243)
**Author:** [@GloryDays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GloryDays)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2015, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-legacy-of-president-barack-obama-2009-2017/737243 "2015-11-12T18:50:09Z")
What will President Barack Obama’s legacy be when he leaves office in Jan. 2017? What will his legacy be regarding the economy, foreign policy, race relations, crime, etc.? --- ## [Something I've noticed about Ben Carson](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-ive-noticed-about-ben-carson/736549)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2015, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-ive-noticed-about-ben-carson/736549 "2015-11-11T16:14:23Z")
Has anyone else noticed that there don’t seem to be any interviews or articles about people who grew up with him, or from his relatives? Many of the stories about his upbringing set off my hinky meter, and there doesn’t… --- ## [Anonymous outs pols as KKK members](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-outs-pols-as-kkk-members/736447)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-outs-pols-as-kkk-members/736447 "2015-11-11T15:48:38Z")
This seems a little far-fetched, pandering to the Klan being pretty much useless politically these days (or so one would think). But Anonymous has issued their list of members, from somewhere: Is this credible? And i… --- ## [2nd Democratic presidential debate this Friday 11/06/15](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2nd-democratic-presidential-debate-this-friday-11-06-15/736683)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2015, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2nd-democratic-presidential-debate-this-friday-11-06-15/736683 "2015-11-11T04:53:11Z")
In Rock Hill, SC. Rachel Maddow to moderate. It’s down to Clinton, Sanders and O’Malley now, Webb and Chafee have dropped out and Biden never showed up. I don’t predict a lot of fireworks – these three seem to underst… --- ## [Election Quiz: Which Candidates Matches You The Most?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-quiz-which-candidates-matches-you-the-most/736147)
**Author:** [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2015, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-quiz-which-candidates-matches-you-the-most/736147 "2015-11-11T03:45:57Z")
Came across this quiz on Isidewith.com, a site dedicated to the election, candidates, and the issues from environment, abortion, education, foreign policy, drugs, economy and more. I took the quiz and was a bit surprise… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=244) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=246)