# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=248 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 249 --- ## [The Pope has a wicked sense of humor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-a-wicked-sense-of-humor/732402)
**Author:** [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pope-has-a-wicked-sense-of-humor/732402 "2015-10-13T17:31:26Z")
I was listening to the Pope speak in the US congress this morning. Pope: “It is important that we protect life at all stages of development…” Republicans go wild, sure he is calling for a ban on abortions \* Pope: “… … --- ## [Why are US politicians often called on PC-phrasing, but rarely called on lies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-us-politicians-often-called-on-pc-phrasing-but-rarely-called-on-lies/733724)
**Author:** [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-us-politicians-often-called-on-pc-phrasing-but-rarely-called-on-lies/733724 "2015-10-11T14:52:26Z")
Politifact, the factchecker of American politicians, has a long list of half-truths and outright lies for every major politician. What surprises me, is that being caught telling a factual untruth, is not a political dea… --- ## [Outsiders for Speaker of the House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outsiders-for-speaker-of-the-house/734126)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outsiders-for-speaker-of-the-house/734126 "2015-10-11T14:49:43Z")
Since the Speaker of the House doesn’t have to be a member of the House of Representatives, I’ve been amusing myself by thinking of other Republicans who fit the bill. I wonder what the Dope would think about Speaker Li… --- ## [Is David Cameron really a bad Prime Minister?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-cameron-really-a-bad-prime-minister/733647)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2015, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-david-cameron-really-a-bad-prime-minister/733647 "2015-10-10T12:18:06Z")
All the Tory hate aside, I don’t think he is really, he just seems to be interested in governing than an ideologue, I see him more as a version of Harold Macmillan than a Tony Blair or Margaret Thatcher. --- ## [They're really gonna do it again. Shutdown 2015!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-really-gonna-do-it-again-shutdown-2015/730467)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 213\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-really-gonna-do-it-again-shutdown-2015/730467 "2015-10-08T19:18:26Z")
Given the lack of any other ideas from the Once-Grand Old Party, they’re going back to a tactic that has worked so well for them in recent years - shutting down the government, and holding their breath until they turn bl… --- ## [What is the Optimal Democrat Ticket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-optimal-democrat-ticket/732766)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-optimal-democrat-ticket/732766 "2015-10-08T17:28:25Z")
My pick right now would be Joe Biden with Elizabeth Warren for VP. Hillary Clinton Used to be a fan a decade ago, and even a few years ago I would still think she was a good candidate but nowadays I just don’t. Policy … --- ## [Ben Carson: Hitler is Coming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-hitler-is-coming/733610)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-carson-hitler-is-coming/733610 "2015-10-08T17:12:49Z")
That’s the title of a piece in the Daily Beast http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/10/04/ben-carson-loves-hitler-references.html Does anyone have a clue what he’s talking about? Is this a general swipe at left-… --- ## [Will the Senate go back to the Dems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-senate-go-back-to-the-dems/733632)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-senate-go-back-to-the-dems/733632 "2015-10-08T06:02:53Z")
Senate seats, while wildly uneven in representation, are at least ungerrymanderable. So far we have Russ Feingold well ahead in the Wisconsin polls to take back his old seat, Strickland ahead in Ohio, Murphy in Florida.… --- ## [538's "Endorsement Primary"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/538s-endorsement-primary/733864)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/538s-endorsement-primary/733864 "2015-10-08T04:00:02Z")
FiveThirtyEight.com is tracking political endorsements on for the Presidential race. They have made up a point system and have a tracker on the home page. They claim that endorsements (from other current elected official… --- ## [I told you so quotes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-told-you-so-quotes/729720)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2015, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-told-you-so-quotes/729720 "2015-10-07T10:36:35Z")
Anyone have a “I told you so” quote? from the “unfork Hillary” (long running thread) . \[/QUOTE\] --- ## [Earliest presidential front-runner to become the party's nominee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-presidential-front-runner-to-become-the-partys-nominee/733725)
**Author:** [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2015, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-presidential-front-runner-to-become-the-partys-nominee/733725 "2015-10-06T18:58:53Z")
In US politics–let’s limit it to the last 50 years–who and when was the early front runner the party’s actual pick to run for POTUS? With all the talk about Trump & Bernie, I’m rather disappointed that no one (that I’ve… --- ## [Did the Republicans once have a lock on the professional class?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-republicans-once-have-a-lock-on-the-professional-class/732368)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2015, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-republicans-once-have-a-lock-on-the-professional-class/732368 "2015-10-06T07:25:37Z")
Over in KarlGauss’s pit thread about Carson, Measure for Measure said: Is that true? I would have thought that in the era of big-tent parties with overlapping ideologies, the Democrats and Republicans both would have … --- ## [Is Ted Cruz a U.S. citizen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-cruz-a-u-s-citizen/733270)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-cruz-a-u-s-citizen/733270 "2015-10-05T01:05:51Z")
According to this article, Ted Cruz ‘was likely born of 2 Canadian citizens in Calgary back in December of 1970.’ According to this article, Cruz’s father stated in an interview that he became a Canadian citizen prior t… --- ## [Republicans seem hell bent on nominating an unqualified candidate for president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-seem-hell-bent-on-nominating-an-unqualified-candidate-for-president/732088)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2015, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-seem-hell-bent-on-nominating-an-unqualified-candidate-for-president/732088 "2015-10-04T13:38:26Z")
After Fiorino’s rise in the polls, the top three are now all candidates with no governmental experience. Never in the history of this country have we had a president with no such experience. Before you bring up Hoover, … --- ## [What did Hillary accomplish as Secretary of State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-hillary-accomplish-as-secretary-of-state/727734)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-hillary-accomplish-as-secretary-of-state/727734 "2015-10-04T03:26:00Z")
title --- ## [New info on Port Authority investigation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-info-on-port-authority-investigation/733235)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-info-on-port-authority-investigation/733235 "2015-10-02T13:32:16Z")
\[Chris Christie looks worse the more he gets looked at: \](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_PORT\_AUTHORITY\_SKYWAY\_INVESTIGATION?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-10-02-02-04-07)This yutz will ne… --- ## [Which Republican hopeful will be the first to be gone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-republican-hopeful-will-be-the-first-to-be-gone/726400)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2015, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-republican-hopeful-will-be-the-first-to-be-gone/726400 "2015-10-02T06:30:03Z")
I hope this isn’t under discussion in another thread - I didn’t see it. With everyone and his brother hoping to get the GOP nomination, I wonder who will be the first to bow out, and how soon that will happen. My gut t… --- ## [Why did scandal sink Hart but not Clinton?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-scandal-sink-hart-but-not-clinton/729464)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-scandal-sink-hart-but-not-clinton/729464 "2015-10-01T22:36:22Z")
I keep researching to find why Clinton was able to slip through scandals as (relatively) unharmed as he did. During his first campaign, he had to deal with the Jennifer Flowers story but still got elected to the White Ho… --- ## [1992 with a good economy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1992-with-a-good-economy/730953)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1992-with-a-good-economy/730953 "2015-10-01T15:14:24Z")
So, let’s say the US economy was good in 1992, rather than being in a recession, but that everything else remained equal and unchanged: Who wins - Bush, Clinton or Perot? Bush could still enjoy post-Gulf War popularity … --- ## ["Naaaaaaaaay, Abbott...!" / Brilliant Aussie PM Voted Out Today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naaaaaaaaay-abbott-brilliant-aussie-pm-voted-out-today/731197)
**Author:** [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naaaaaaaaay-abbott-brilliant-aussie-pm-voted-out-today/731197 "2015-09-30T19:37:39Z")
Breaking news from BBC: For those of you not familiar with Mr. Abbott’s accomplishments, please allow me to share a few highlights: Somewhere in Australia, I’m sure that they’re setting off fireworks in celebration… --- ## [A theory on how politics is changing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-theory-on-how-politics-is-changing/732920)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-theory-on-how-politics-is-changing/732920 "2015-09-30T18:59:06Z")
Excellent piece by Ezra Klein. Summary: If what he theorizes is correct, the Tea Party is here to stay, regardless of how much they fail. Not only that, but we’ll see a similar movement on the left, and Bernie Sander… --- ## [John Boehner to resign.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-boehner-to-resign/732478)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 207\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2015, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-boehner-to-resign/732478 "2015-09-29T17:09:20Z")
Very interesting. Boehner finally has had enough of dealing with the right wingers in his party. I assume this means he’ll be able to avoid a shutdown and get a continuing resolution passed. --- ## [It's getting worse for Hillary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-getting-worse-for-hillary/727653)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 226\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-getting-worse-for-hillary/727653 "2015-09-29T15:10:49Z")
Bernie Sanders leads Hillary in New Hampshire The handling of the e-mail debacle is backfiring on her campaign She’ll still probably be the nominee, but how will these perception issues impact moderate voters in th… --- ## [Jeremy Corbyn: Next UK Labour Party Leader?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeremy-corbyn-next-uk-labour-party-leader/727580)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 235\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2015, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeremy-corbyn-next-uk-labour-party-leader/727580 "2015-09-29T12:54:44Z")
I am of two minds about this guy, one, he won’t win the election in 2020 because he is too left wing, However, I support him because he is definitely necessary to realign the Labour party with it’s socialist values and… --- ## [More trouble for Chris Christie, this time with airplanes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-trouble-for-chris-christie-this-time-with-airplanes/732820)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2015, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-trouble-for-chris-christie-this-time-with-airplanes/732820 "2015-09-28T12:36:28Z")
AP story here. NJ gave United Airlines $100,000 in incentives to fly to Atlantic City for at least a year. 8 Months later, United canceled the flights. NJ didn’t ask for the money back; Christie’s Transportation Commi… --- ## [Could Hillary be too sick to run for/serve as president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hillary-be-too-sick-to-run-for-serve-as-president/732251)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-hillary-be-too-sick-to-run-for-serve-as-president/732251 "2015-09-26T15:42:27Z")
Yeah it comes from a biased book, but this is interesting information if true. I don’t know much about Ed Klein, but apparently he has a history of making shit up. So maybe this is all bullshit. --- ## [Trumps to boycott Fox ... he tweets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-to-boycott-fox-he-tweets/732365)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2015, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-to-boycott-fox-he-tweets/732365 "2015-09-26T14:20:57Z")
It’s really pretty fascinating, in so may ways. Link. Fox has, for all their misinformation, been viewed by many of the far Right as their single source for news and their trusted source for news. Will this undermine … --- ## [Let's Talk Issues #1: What do the candidates think is important?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-issues-1-what-do-the-candidates-think-is-important/732531)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2015, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-issues-1-what-do-the-candidates-think-is-important/732531 "2015-09-26T03:47:16Z")
While all the horse race discussions, the latest desperate pleas for attention by various candidates, the sophomoric antics, and attempts to create scandals, are fine entertainment of sorts, and fun enough in their own w… --- ## [Trump Threatens To Sue Club For Growth For Libel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-threatens-to-sue-club-for-growth-for-libel/732422)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2015, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-threatens-to-sue-club-for-growth-for-libel/732422 "2015-09-26T00:11:22Z")
Round 2: FIGHT! Also, of course, taking time out in your campaign to pursue a lawsuit means you’ve lost. There simply isn’t enough time to do both, even if you have an unlimited war chest and can actually fund both end… --- ## [Daisy ad redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daisy-ad-redux/732325)
**Author:** [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daisy-ad-redux/732325 "2015-09-24T20:58:31Z")
I saw this ad last night. Apparently Colorado senator Michael Bennet (D) is trying to nuke some children or something. If that’s where political ads are over a year out from the election, I can’t wait to see where this t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=247) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=249)