# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=252 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 253 --- ## [Rick Perry Announces Presidential Bid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-perry-announces-presidential-bid/721643)
**Author:** [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-perry-announces-presidential-bid/721643 "2015-08-12T17:04:32Z")
Story here. Rick Perry has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the Republican nod. He seemingly has nowhere to go but up after his campaign/debate debacles 4 years ago. I put him in the “snowball’s chance” cate… --- ## [Wouldn't a Bernie Sanders presidency set the progressive movement back](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wouldnt-a-bernie-sanders-presidency-set-the-progressive-movement-back/727493)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2015, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wouldnt-a-bernie-sanders-presidency-set-the-progressive-movement-back/727493 "2015-08-12T08:51:27Z")
The president will not have a cooperative congress, and pretty much no legislation will get passed. Isn’t there a risk that if Sanders runs and wins people will think ‘we elected a progressive president and nothing was a… --- ## [Sanders leading in NH polls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-leading-in-nh-polls/727626)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2015, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-leading-in-nh-polls/727626 "2015-08-12T06:57:09Z")
Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has rocketed past longtime front-runner Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire, a stunning turn in a race once considered a lock for the former secretary of state, a new Frankli… --- ## [I think the fix was in at Fox News debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-fix-was-in-at-fox-news-debate/727422)
**Author:** [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2015, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-the-fix-was-in-at-fox-news-debate/727422 "2015-08-12T02:24:34Z")
Everybody is gushing about how tough the moderators were on Thursday night, but my impression was that they were a lot tougher on Trump than on Bush, so I thought I’d try to quantify it. I used this transcript as my sou… --- ## [Activist Hedge Fund Mgr. Carl Icahn to be Trump's Treasury Secretary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/activist-hedge-fund-mgr-carl-icahn-to-be-trumps-treasury-secretary/727273)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/activist-hedge-fund-mgr-carl-icahn-to-be-trumps-treasury-secretary/727273 "2015-08-11T18:45:53Z")
This could get interesting. --- ## [The Onion: Most Used Words In The GOP Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-onion-most-used-words-in-the-gop-debate/727258)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-onion-most-used-words-in-the-gop-debate/727258 "2015-08-10T23:33:37Z")
I haven’t watched either debate yet so I don’t know how accurate this is. Given that it’s The Onion, it may even be totally bogus. Then again, sometimes the truth works as satire when it’s presented the right way. In thi… --- ## [Watching ROP Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-rop-debate/727168)
**Author:** [@Shaggy\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shaggy_Z)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-rop-debate/727168 "2015-08-10T18:30:17Z")
I live in Canada, don’t have cable, and have a wedding rehearsal tonight. Anyone know if I’ll be able to watch it online tomorrow? --- ## [The future of the Democratic brand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-the-democratic-brand/724312)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-the-democratic-brand/724312 "2015-08-10T15:31:14Z")
A sibling to “The future of the GOP brand” thread inspired by this post in it. The point is reasonably made. Despite overall demographics trending in their direction the Democratic party fairly consistently loses a maj… --- ## [Who gets in the first Republican debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-in-the-first-republican-debate/723817)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-in-the-first-republican-debate/723817 "2015-08-09T03:39:18Z")
The first debate for the Republican primary candidates for President takes place August 6. FOX has said that only the top ten candidates (based on the most recent, recognized, and national polls) will be invited. By my c… --- ## [4 way 2016 race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-way-2016-race/726284)
**Author:** [@bubba001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubba001)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2015, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-way-2016-race/726284 "2015-08-09T03:29:11Z")
If Trump runs a independent campaign, is there any chance Bernie Sanders will also - leaving us with a Democrat, Republican, Trump, Sanders race? I’m a newbie to this, so I hope I am in the right forum? --- ## [Is Pennsylvania turning red?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pennsylvania-turning-red/727148)
**Author:** [@inscrutable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inscrutable)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2015, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pennsylvania-turning-red/727148 "2015-08-08T23:23:07Z")
Though Western PA was always heavily Democratic (union labor, etc.), it seems that Christianity there has gone off the conservative deep-end, and all my relatives have become anti-science Republican gun-nuts. Is this a w… --- ## [Is Hillary running to win, or not to lose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hillary-running-to-win-or-not-to-lose/726968)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hillary-running-to-win-or-not-to-lose/726968 "2015-08-07T22:08:23Z")
First off, I can’t imagine what it would take for me to vote for other than the Dem nominee. Not sure what I’ll do in the primary. And I hate that the election is such big news/money this far in advance. My days as a … --- ## [Politically, what incentive is there for the opposition party to compromise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-what-incentive-is-there-for-the-opposition-party-to-compromise/727105)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-what-incentive-is-there-for-the-opposition-party-to-compromise/727105 "2015-08-07T15:14:42Z")
Much is made of Republican obstructionism of Obama legislation or policies, but pragmatically speaking, it seems that the US political system is simply one that gives little incentive for the opposition party to compromi… --- ## [Is there anywhere online I can stream the debate tonight (8-6)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anywhere-online-i-can-stream-the-debate-tonight-8-6/727201)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2015, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anywhere-online-i-can-stream-the-debate-tonight-8-6/727201 "2015-08-07T01:19:47Z")
I don’t have cable TV, I think fox news requires you to log in with your cable provider which I do not have. --- ## [The Hypocrisy of a Joe Biden Presidential Bid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hypocrisy-of-a-joe-biden-presidential-bid/727044)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hypocrisy-of-a-joe-biden-presidential-bid/727044 "2015-08-06T18:55:05Z")
The idea that Biden should run is based on the idea he would be less vulnerable in a GE than Hillary over ethics, etc. Sure, the press is currently covering Hillary’s mishaps, but if Biden were the nominee, the GOP isn’t… --- ## [Joe Biden runs for president. How screwed is Hillary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-biden-runs-for-president-how-screwed-is-hillary/726899)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-biden-runs-for-president-how-screwed-is-hillary/726899 "2015-08-06T16:18:21Z")
There’s a lot of speculation in the news recently that Vice President Joe Biden will run for president. OK, let’s say he does announce that he’s going to run for president. Is Hillary hosed? It’s pretty much unthinkab… --- ## [The Ross Perot Spoiler Myth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ross-perot-spoiler-myth/725989)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ross-perot-spoiler-myth/725989 "2015-08-06T07:13:54Z")
You know, every so often, particularly during election cycles, the talk about third party candidates come out. Donald Trump is the most recent example. Some people out there have posited that Ross Perot, in 1992, affect… --- ## [Is Joe Biden a viable/likely candidate for President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-biden-a-viable-likely-candidate-for-president/722488)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2015, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-biden-a-viable-likely-candidate-for-president/722488 "2015-08-06T03:44:16Z")
If not, why not? I read an article\* somewhere recently that said he was, in fact, the ideal Democratic candidate. Can’t remember where. It was either NYTimes, Washington Post, Atlantic, or TIME. --- ## [Is Trump's polling helped by the large field of GOP candidates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trumps-polling-helped-by-the-large-field-of-gop-candidates/726991)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2015, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trumps-polling-helped-by-the-large-field-of-gop-candidates/726991 "2015-08-05T23:15:59Z")
Trump is currently polling in 1st place at around 23%. Jeb is a distant 2nd with just under 13%. That’s a sizable margin for the Donald. But I’m curious, have there been any polls done with Trump just head-to-head aga… --- ## [billionaire celebrities that would make good candidates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billionaire-celebrities-that-would-make-good-candidates/726627)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billionaire-celebrities-that-would-make-good-candidates/726627 "2015-08-04T20:57:28Z")
instead of just moaning about Trump, I thought it would be interesting to come up with some suggestions for Billionaire celebrities that might actually make good leaders. For President of the US: Bill Gates: while I a… --- ## [Trump Candidacy Hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-candidacy-hypothetical/726669)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-candidacy-hypothetical/726669 "2015-08-03T21:17:58Z")
For the Republicans: If Donald Trump ends up as the Republican candidate for President, will you vote for him no matter who the Democratic candidate is, or is there a viable Democrat running that you would be willing to… --- ## [Jeb and the Bloomberg Foundation: How Screwed Is Jeb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeb-and-the-bloomberg-foundation-how-screwed-is-jeb/726661)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeb-and-the-bloomberg-foundation-how-screwed-is-jeb/726661 "2015-08-03T17:12:01Z")
Apparently Jeb! was on the board of directors of the Bloomberg foundation (bloomberg.org) from 2010 until last year, when he resigned to run for President. And the foundation (a) has given millions to Planned Parenthood… --- ## [POTUS, SchmoTUS.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potus-schmotus/726780)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2015, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potus-schmotus/726780 "2015-08-03T14:17:13Z")
This was a response I wrote to another thread that made more sense here: The Democrats lose state legislative elections, though. All the time. Why is that? Oh, wait, because they’re too focused on the Presidency. Repu… --- ## [Election strategy: Benghazi subpoena?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-strategy-benghazi-subpoena/726868)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2015, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-strategy-benghazi-subpoena/726868 "2015-08-03T11:22:31Z")
I have the idea that one of the major Republican election strategies will be to subpoena Hillary about Benghazi so that she will have to spend September and October 2016 being grilled by Republican Congressmen rather tha… --- ## [In which Teflon Don hands NBC's Katy Tur her ass and she likes it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-teflon-don-hands-nbcs-katy-tur-her-ass-and-she-likes-it/726006)
**Author:** [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-teflon-don-hands-nbcs-katy-tur-her-ass-and-she-likes-it/726006 "2015-08-03T03:05:40Z")
Just finished watching NBC’s unedited interview with Donald Trump, which took place on July 8th in Trump Tower. I didn’t see the original interview on NBC but I doubt very seriously that it wasn’t edited to pieces. Trump… --- ## [What it Nixon had won the '62 CA Governor election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-it-nixon-had-won-the-62-ca-governor-election/726813)
**Author:** [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-it-nixon-had-won-the-62-ca-governor-election/726813 "2015-08-02T21:29:16Z")
What impact might it have had on '64, '68? What path would Ronald Reagan’s political career have taken? --- ## [Justice Department asked to probe Hillary Clinton's email use: NYT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-department-asked-to-probe-hillary-clintons-email-use-nyt/726045)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2015, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-department-asked-to-probe-hillary-clintons-email-use-nyt/726045 "2015-08-02T12:39:06Z")
uh oh. This isn’t the typical bs, hot air political jab. :frowning: I can’t find the NY Times article. Searched for “Hillary Clinton” and configured the search for the past seven days. Is it hidden behind their paywa… --- ## [Feds close in on allegedly corrupt Congressman (PA-2)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feds-close-in-on-allegedly-corrupt-congressman-pa-2/726559)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feds-close-in-on-allegedly-corrupt-congressman-pa-2/726559 "2015-07-30T16:05:36Z")
The Representative of the 2nd district has been charged with bribery, fraud and money laundering. The alleged SOB was apparently trying to conceal a $1 million contribution to his failed mayorial campaign. I say he shoul… --- ## [GASP! BErnie Sanders Is A Racist Who Hates Mexicans!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasp-bernie-sanders-is-a-racist-who-hates-mexicans/726462)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasp-bernie-sanders-is-a-racist-who-hates-mexicans/726462 "2015-07-29T23:59:49Z")
I mean, everyone else on the SDMB assures me the only possible reason to oppose unlimited immigration is bigotry, so Bernie MUST be a racist! Tear him to shreds now, guys! It’s your duty! Treat him the way you treat Tru… --- ## [Will Christies view on fighting state marijuana legalization efforts help or hurt him](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-christies-view-on-fighting-state-marijuana-legalization-efforts-help-or-hurt-him/726440)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-christies-view-on-fighting-state-marijuana-legalization-efforts-help-or-hurt-him/726440 "2015-07-29T19:25:26Z")
Christie wants to use federal law against states that allow recreational marijuana, and he talks about how you don’t get to choose which laws you follow, if people want to use marijuana they should change the federal law… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=251) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=253)