# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=246 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 247 --- ## [Kentucky Governor's Race: Election Fraud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentucky-governors-race-election-fraud/736995)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentucky-governors-race-election-fraud/736995 "2015-11-10T20:52:29Z")
You can read all about it here. Kentucky has a long tradition of electoral fraud, of course, but that’s not cause for investigating the race further by its lonesome. But one of the points raised in the article does ping… --- ## [Have we ever elected a US president with no prior political experience?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-ever-elected-a-us-president-with-no-prior-political-experience/719266)
**Author:** [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-ever-elected-a-us-president-with-no-prior-political-experience/719266 "2015-11-10T19:50:12Z")
The recently announced candidacies of Carly Fiorina and Ben Carson have me wondering about their chances of success. Clearly their lack of previous political experience doesn’t help them, as all recent presidents I can … --- ## [MSNBC debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-debate/737172)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2015, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/msnbc-debate/737172 "2015-11-10T06:24:20Z")
I was hoping to come on here and read the discussion, since I have been too busy to watch the latest debates. But there wasn’t even a thread! So, I put “MSNBC’s Democratic forum” into Google and looked for a 1:30 length… --- ## [The electoral debates and terrorism: what if?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-electoral-debates-and-terrorism-what-if/737010)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-electoral-debates-and-terrorism-what-if/737010 "2015-11-09T21:15:08Z")
What if some nutter or terrorist were to bomb the presidential pre-primary candidate debates and kill all the candidates? Who then would stand for election? Whose candidacies would be re-opened? On the Democrat side, IS… --- ## [4-year terms, 2-term limits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-year-terms-2-term-limits/736662)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-year-terms-2-term-limits/736662 "2015-11-09T18:16:35Z")
I’m sure this issue’s been discussed on the SDMB before, but what exactly would be bad about subjecting every single governor, Congressman and state legislator to two terms of 4 years apiece? I’ve always felt 6-year ter… --- ## [Where would JFK be on today's political spectrum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-jfk-be-on-todays-political-spectrum/736571)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-jfk-be-on-todays-political-spectrum/736571 "2015-11-09T04:08:52Z")
I have an aunt in Ireland who always asks me about JFK (who was before my time.) I told her he was a tax-cutter and an anti-Communist so I assume by today’s standards, JFK would be a Republican. How much of a Republican… --- ## [What state ballot measures are pushing marijuana legalization or health reform in 2016?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-state-ballot-measures-are-pushing-marijuana-legalization-or-health-reform-in-2016/723628 "2015-11-08T21:42:26Z")
I believe Colorado is going to try to push for single payer in 2016, but I could be wrong. I read that California is not too serious about 2016, and may push their single payer ballot initiative to 2020. Oregon may push… --- ## [The 2016 Democratic Candidates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400)
**Author:** [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Replies:** 503\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-democratic-candidates/710400 "2015-11-08T01:20:02Z")
Why no thread? Is the Hillary Clinton machine an unstoppable force? Other names that get mentioned as alternatives: Elizabeth Warren Jim Webb Joe Biden Martin O’Malley I don’t dislike Hillary Clinton, but I’m not e… --- ## [Curious arithmetic fact: Colorado is no bigger than New Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curious-arithmetic-fact-colorado-is-no-bigger-than-new-hampshire/735600)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curious-arithmetic-fact-colorado-is-no-bigger-than-new-hampshire/735600 "2015-11-07T19:57:11Z")
I’ve noticed an interesting fact about the Electoral College vote coming up in 14 months. Perhaps this observation is more appropriate for Mundane-Pointless but it does have direct bearing on the election. (I’ll guess … --- ## [The Email Saga Now Feels the Bern](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-email-saga-now-feels-the-bern/736687)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-email-saga-now-feels-the-bern/736687 "2015-11-06T22:31:46Z")
He’s not that different than Trump: pretending to be a “new” kind of pol, using same old tired tactics He doesn’t know what he’s in for!:smiley: --- ## [Have Maine and Nebrasa ever split their electoral votes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-maine-and-nebrasa-ever-split-their-electoral-votes/736171)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-maine-and-nebrasa-ever-split-their-electoral-votes/736171 "2015-11-06T21:21:44Z")
I live in Maine, and during a presidential election you often hear that there are only two states in the nation that can split their electoral votes, us and Nebraska. Has it ever actually happened? --- ## [GOP Presidential Candidates Demand Debate Ponies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-presidential-candidates-demand-debate-ponies/736715)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-presidential-candidates-demand-debate-ponies/736715 "2015-11-05T23:20:49Z")
This is obviously satire, but good satire can sometimes be the best way to express the truth. http://www.theniladmirari.com/2015/11/gop-presidential-candidates-demand-debate-ponies.html --- ## [Can Hillary make gay rights a cornerstone of her campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-hillary-make-gay-rights-a-cornerstone-of-her-campaign/735846)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-hillary-make-gay-rights-a-cornerstone-of-her-campaign/735846 "2015-11-05T01:02:45Z")
It seems like bit of a kerfuffle has broken out over some comments that Hillary Clinton made. Her husband, of course, signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as well as creating the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” pol… --- ## [What happened to the centrists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-centrists/736508)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-centrists/736508 "2015-11-04T21:03:57Z")
What happened to the centrists? It seems like on Capital Hill and on TV, they no longer exist, but is this just a case of the Washington and media elite being out of touch with the electorate? Take me for example: I bel… --- ## [The Jeb! 2016 Epitaph](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeb-2016-epitaph/736166)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeb-2016-epitaph/736166 "2015-11-04T18:57:59Z")
How will it end for Jeb? When will it? Here’s a thread to predictions about Jeb’s campaign demise. Like Scott Walker, Fred Thompson, or Newt (who did win a few primaries)? --- ## [How does Trump get to host SNL? Equal Time Rules not applicable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-trump-get-to-host-snl-equal-time-rules-not-applicable/736500)
**Author:** [@Alzarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alzarian)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-trump-get-to-host-snl-equal-time-rules-not-applicable/736500 "2015-11-04T14:32:56Z")
I’m genuinely curious as to how a major television network can provide one Presidential candidate 90 minutes of airtime, but not have to do the same for all of the other candidates? If memory serves, aren’t there rules … --- ## [Next debate suspended over 'gotcha' questions per RNC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-debate-suspended-over-gotcha-questions-per-rnc/736213)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-debate-suspended-over-gotcha-questions-per-rnc/736213 "2015-11-03T19:17:16Z")
GOP tells NBC next debate suspended over ‘gotcha’ questions It seems the Republicans want softballs pitched at them from the moderators during the debates. I’m wondering if it’s because they are afraid their field of … --- ## [Who would you choose as a moderator for the next debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-choose-as-a-moderator-for-the-next-debate/736302)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-choose-as-a-moderator-for-the-next-debate/736302 "2015-11-03T17:16:17Z")
The Republicans are unhappy with the questions asked at their most recent debate. Assume that the Democrats are likewise displeased, and both camps have decided that they will ask for new moderators in order to shake thi… --- ## [Chris Christie: "I Was a Law Enforcement Officer." Stolen Valor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-christie-i-was-a-law-enforcement-officer-stolen-valor/735725)
**Author:** [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2015, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-christie-i-was-a-law-enforcement-officer-stolen-valor/735725 "2015-11-02T08:20:56Z")
Not fifteen minutes ago on Face The Nation… governor Chris Christie stated emphatically “I Was a Law Enforcement Officer.” According to every search of his history, he was once a Prosecutor. He has never worn, let alon… --- ## [For those in the know: Is McCain trying to pull strings to get the nomination again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-in-the-know-is-mccain-trying-to-pull-strings-to-get-the-nomination-again/736035)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-in-the-know-is-mccain-trying-to-pull-strings-to-get-the-nomination-again/736035 "2015-11-02T01:43:02Z")
Basically, the title is the question. I have no reason to think so other than his foolishness; which, I believe, is considerable. Thanks, hh --- ## [The Soap Opera That Is Australian Politics, 2015](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-soap-opera-that-is-australian-politics-2015/711793)
**Author:** [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-soap-opera-that-is-australian-politics-2015/711793 "2015-11-02T00:21:53Z")
Who else is sitting down with a big bucket of popcorn right now and enjoying all this? For those geographically distant from the current farce - the story so far: A year and a half ago, in a fit of absentmindedness, Au… --- ## [Retrospective Elections November Special-Pennsylvania 1986 Gubernatorial Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrospective-elections-november-special-pennsylvania-1986-gubernatorial-election/736366)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retrospective-elections-november-special-pennsylvania-1986-gubernatorial-election/736366 "2015-11-01T21:38:31Z")
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania\_gubernatorial\_election,\_1986 On the whole, the 1986 Pennsylvania gubernatorial race was a rather interesting election for a variety of reasons. First of all, while the Democrat… --- ## [Why are Black Lives Matter activists disrupting Bernie Sanders' appearances and what effects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-black-lives-matter-activists-disrupting-bernie-sanders-appearances-and-what-effects/727345)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 196\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-black-lives-matter-activists-disrupting-bernie-sanders-appearances-and-what-effects/727345 "2015-11-01T17:50:00Z")
\[ \](http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b48101284a4e4db191c8561de634ad94/black-lives-matter-activists-disrupt-bernie-sanders-speech) The article later says that this isn’t the first time BLM activists have done this; someh… --- ## [Houston elections, and specifically the Prop 1 Non-Discrimation (HERO) Ordinance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/houston-elections-and-specifically-the-prop-1-non-discrimation-hero-ordinance/736281)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/houston-elections-and-specifically-the-prop-1-non-discrimation-hero-ordinance/736281 "2015-10-31T19:17:07Z")
I’m guessing this is the right forum for this. I wanted to start a thread about the local Houston election, and to ask Houston voters to please go vote Yes on Prop 1, the HERO non-discrimination act. I know there are at … --- ## [Third Republican Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-republican-debate/733155)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 207\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2015, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-republican-debate/733155 "2015-10-31T04:41:26Z")
This one will be in Boulder, CO on Oct. 28, and is sponsored by CNBC. Candidates must have a 3% polling average to make the main debate. Note: this may be rounded–one article is saying 2.5%. If the event were held no… --- ## [Speaker Ryan: Will it be and if so for how long?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaker-ryan-will-it-be-and-if-so-for-how-long/735589)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2015, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speaker-ryan-will-it-be-and-if-so-for-how-long/735589 "2015-10-30T23:11:09Z")
So having demanded the preconditions of endorsement from the Freedom Caucus, their dropping of the “vacate the chair” rule, and dropping their insistence on diminishing the power of the position, and having received none… --- ## [Countdown to the 11/3/2015 Debt Ceiling Breach](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-the-11-3-2015-debt-ceiling-breach/735674)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-the-11-3-2015-debt-ceiling-breach/735674 "2015-10-28T20:56:59Z")
Ten days to go, and nothing much is happening. --- ## [Is the media actually freezing out bernie Sanders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-media-actually-freezing-out-bernie-sanders/735879)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-media-actually-freezing-out-bernie-sanders/735879 "2015-10-28T16:34:36Z")
I don’t have cable and rarely watch live TV so I have no idea. I’ve heard his supporters claim the media ignores him but don’t know if that is true or not. He sounds like he has been on several interview shows lately tho… --- ## [The "Longest Election Campaign in Modern Canada" Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807)
**Author:** [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Replies:** 902\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-longest-election-campaign-in-modern-canada-thread/726807 "2015-10-28T13:59:54Z")
So, October 19th, Canadians go to the polls. It should be interesting. My 11 year old got up at 6 am today so he “didn’t miss the very start of it.” I though I would post this thread since no one else has, as of yet. … --- ## [A question for those who think the Democrats and Republicans are both the same.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-those-who-think-the-democrats-and-republicans-are-both-the-same/735540)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2015, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-those-who-think-the-democrats-and-republicans-are-both-the-same/735540 "2015-10-28T04:59:46Z")
When I read the comment sections of political stories, or even here on the message board, I sometimes see the claim made that t he Republicans and Democrats have no real differences between them. This is sometimes expres… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=245) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=247)