# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=258 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 259 --- ## [The Obama Presidency in 50 images](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-obama-presidency-in-50-images/713088)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-obama-presidency-in-50-images/713088 "2015-02-20T18:20:30Z")
A nice photogallery. Omissions I noticed would be something about saving the auto industry, or playing basketball, or being on Air Force One: http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/13/politics/gallery/barack-obama/index.html --- ## [White House - Big Block of Cheese Day 2015](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-big-block-of-cheese-day-2015/710131)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2015, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-big-block-of-cheese-day-2015/710131 "2015-01-19T04:09:42Z")
The line between entertainment and reality becomes ever more blurred: 'West Wing' cast reunites to promote White House's Big Block of Cheese Day | EW.com --- ## [What exactly determines legal residency for voting purposes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-determines-legal-residency-for-voting-purposes/702169)
**Author:** [@Lemmytheseal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemmytheseal2)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2015, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-determines-legal-residency-for-voting-purposes/702169 "2015-02-17T08:15:02Z")
I lived for a long time in Texas, and my driver’s license will not expire until 2017. However, I’ve spent most of each year in DC since 2009, and have filed taxes there. I have not been purged from the voter rolls, and a… --- ## [Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber resigns.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-gov-john-kitzhaber-resigns/712604)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-gov-john-kitzhaber-resigns/712604 "2015-02-16T05:05:37Z")
Story here. My father worked with Kitzhaber years ago when he was an ER physician. My dad never was a huge fan of his politics (my dad is a fairly independent libertarian), but he always voted for Kitzhaber because he k… --- ## [The reason Greg Abbott won Texas governor by a 21% margin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reason-greg-abbott-won-texas-governor-by-a-21-margin/703935)
**Author:** [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reason-greg-abbott-won-texas-governor-by-a-21-margin/703935 "2015-02-14T19:03:05Z")
The election was over the minute I saw this ad on tv. Ideology aside, this is the best political ad I have ever seen. Pure demographic genius. --- ## [Will there be a be-liberal-or-else movement among Democrats??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-a-be-liberal-or-else-movement-among-democrats/706507)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2015, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-a-be-liberal-or-else-movement-among-democrats/706507 "2015-02-14T16:45:47Z")
It seems to me that the Tea Party was essentially about keeping things as conservative as possible, and punishing Republican politicians who were perceived as being RINOs or not conservative/right-wing enough. In other w… --- ## [SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Elections 1988](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1988/708146)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1988/708146 "2015-02-13T19:17:21Z")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_presidential\_election,\_1988 While I think George HW Bush was a fairly competent President while Michael Dukakis was a poor candidate for a variety of reasons, I’d still have go… --- ## [Who will be Purr Minister?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-purr-minister/710396)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-purr-minister/710396 "2015-01-22T13:40:59Z")
Forget those irrelevant human elections! Vote for Purr Minister 2015! (Pics in link) --- ## [What "old news" candidate would you like to see again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-old-news-candidate-would-you-like-to-see-again/710530)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-old-news-candidate-would-you-like-to-see-again/710530 "2015-02-11T19:41:26Z")
With Mitt Romney in the news trying to run for President a third time, and with Hillary Clinton definitely trying a second time, it got me thinking about failed Presidential candidates who deserve another look from the p… --- ## [Extreme vs. Extreme in 2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extreme-vs-extreme-in-2016/707788)
**Author:** [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extreme-vs-extreme-in-2016/707788 "2015-02-10T22:42:25Z")
That’s right - it’s crazy hypothetical time. What if, by some magical coincidence, in 2016 both the Democrats and Republicans nominated extreme members of their parties for President? Let’s say Elizabeth Warren vs. Ted C… --- ## [Is this a real PAC or a joke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-real-pac-or-a-joke/711359)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-real-pac-or-a-joke/711359 "2015-02-10T00:31:00Z")
I’m talking about the Chris Christie PAC, leadershipmattersforamerica.org. Notice that the acronym would be LMFAO. --- ## [Romney 2016?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-2016/696562)
**Author:** [@Osiris\_the\_1st](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osiris_the_1st)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-2016/696562 "2015-02-09T21:15:21Z")
An Op-Ed on CNN theorizes that Mitt Romney could be a viable GOP Presidential candidate in 2016 should he decide to run. (He has denied any plans to do so). I don’t know if I buy it. While it looks like he still has a g… --- ## [Rand Paul and Chris Christie believe vaccines should be optional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-paul-and-chris-christie-believe-vaccines-should-be-optional/711654)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-paul-and-chris-christie-believe-vaccines-should-be-optional/711654 "2015-02-07T16:58:12Z")
Not exactly sure why they’re jumping on the anti vaccine movement. While they may be able to lock up the relatively small number of rabid anti vaccine voters, this doesn’t seem to be an issue that can help them or the … --- ## [Shortest interval between parliamentary elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shortest-interval-between-parliamentary-elections/710816)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2015, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shortest-interval-between-parliamentary-elections/710816 "2015-01-26T12:58:24Z")
Sweden had an election in Sept. 2014 that resulted in a hung parliament, but the Social Democrats were able to cobble together a minority government. Three months later, however, their budget was defeated, and the PM … --- ## [Chris Christie: Pay-to-Play Deal with Dallas Cowboys Owner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-christie-pay-to-play-deal-with-dallas-cowboys-owner/710218)
**Author:** [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-christie-pay-to-play-deal-with-dallas-cowboys-owner/710218 "2015-01-19T03:39:45Z")
Christie today has a new scandal. From CNN, its conflict of interest where he may have inside tracked a large construction contract on the WTC Freedom Tower to Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys. At its least, its a con… --- ## [Kansas gubernatorial election 2014](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-gubernatorial-election-2014/694487)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2015, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-gubernatorial-election-2014/694487 "2015-01-17T16:34:53Z")
Interesting Washington Post story; looks like Brownback could be in some trouble: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-kansas-gov-brownbacks-reelection-race-is-case-study-in-republican-party-shift/2014/07/30/3192d86… --- ## [On a personal level - Should Hillary run?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-a-personal-level-should-hillary-run/708796)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2015, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-a-personal-level-should-hillary-run/708796 "2015-01-17T05:43:15Z")
She’ll have to decide very soon. On a personal level I have mixed feelings whether she should run. I was in junior high when Bill ran for and won Attorney General in 76. I still remember the excitement of seeing somebo… --- ## [In the Face of the Blue Wall, The 2016 Presidential Election IS the Democratic Primary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-face-of-the-blue-wall-the-2016-presidential-election-is-the-democratic-primary/708446)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 221\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-face-of-the-blue-wall-the-2016-presidential-election-is-the-democratic-primary/708446 "2015-01-15T17:53:54Z")
The Blue Wall is the theory that the Democrats hold an unbeatable edge in Presidential races because the states that are solidly Democratic hold a total of 270 electoral college votes (accepting the notion that Virginia … --- ## [Obama's is still a name to conjure by](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-is-still-a-name-to-conjure-by/708494)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2015, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-is-still-a-name-to-conjure-by/708494 "2015-01-12T04:06:07Z")
So, we keep on hearing about how massively unpopular Obama is, and how this is going to torpedo Democrats’ chances, and so on. But I noticed something interesting the other day: You know all of those ads that say “Obam… --- ## [Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell & wife indicted \[ed: and convicted\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-virginia-governor-bob-mcdonnell-wife-indicted-ed-and-convicted/679414)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-virginia-governor-bob-mcdonnell-wife-indicted-ed-and-convicted/679414 "2015-01-11T19:00:16Z")
\[ \](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_FORMER\_GOVERNOR\_INDICTED?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-01-21-18-21-42) It sure seems like there’s a lot of evidence here but this is the first I’ve hear… --- ## [Epstein & Hillary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-hillary/709086)
**Author:** [@Waymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waymore)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-hillary/709086 "2015-01-11T17:02:49Z")
Assuming Hillary Clinton runs in 2016, do you think the scandal involving Jeff Epstein will hurt her candidacy? --- ## [Fixed Terms Parliament Act in the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixed-terms-parliament-act-in-the-uk/708316)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2015, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixed-terms-parliament-act-in-the-uk/708316 "2015-01-10T13:22:26Z")
As a Yank, I am always confused about how you all on the old side of the pond conduct your government. I’ve read many of the threads and saw how many posters noted that the 2011 Fixed Terms Parliament Act (Fixed-term Pa… --- ## [Great job, Washington State](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-job-washington-state/703818)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-job-washington-state/703818 "2015-01-05T23:20:36Z")
Washington State had two ballot measures concerning firearm background checks. The first would have removed all requirements (other than federal) for background checks. The other imposed background checks on ALL firearm … --- ## [CNN: Gloomy days for Southern Dems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-gloomy-days-for-southern-dems/706233)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-gloomy-days-for-southern-dems/706233 "2015-01-01T16:58:31Z")
A pretty bleak picture, I’m sorry to say, but nothing political lasts forever: http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/03/politics/southern-democrats/index.html?hpt=hp\_t2 --- ## [SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Elections 1876](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1876/708145)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2014, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1876/708145 "2014-12-25T07:13:56Z")
After a long hiatus, the SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Election Series is back… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_presidential\_election,\_1876 Without hindsight, I would have voted for Hayes as the candida… --- ## [For a political third party to have a genuine chance of capturing the Presidency......](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-a-political-third-party-to-have-a-genuine-chance-of-capturing-the-presidency/705018)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-a-political-third-party-to-have-a-genuine-chance-of-capturing-the-presidency/705018 "2014-12-24T23:14:36Z")
Let’s say that a political third party wants to truly shake up American politics by becoming a genuine, legitimately realistic contender for the Presidency. What are the ingredients it would need? Having an enormous … --- ## [If Clinton stays out, who is likely to be the nominee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-clinton-stays-out-who-is-likely-to-be-the-nominee/707100)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-clinton-stays-out-who-is-likely-to-be-the-nominee/707100 "2014-12-24T02:10:53Z")
For the sake of argument, I’m also assuming Warren stays out, because a) she’s unlikely to run according to her own words, and b) this discussion probably wouldn’t be very interesting since Democrats would probably flock… --- ## [Thesis: the Democrats are no longer cool.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thesis-the-democrats-are-no-longer-cool/704837 "2014-12-22T22:44:25Z")
Regarding the nationwide election results from a week and a half ago, pundits and everyone else have offered a lot of explanations for why the Democrats lost so overwhelmingly. And lose they did. While the U.S. Senate … --- ## [Serious thoughts requested on some 2016 candidates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-thoughts-requested-on-some-2016-candidates/704295)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 183\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-thoughts-requested-on-some-2016-candidates/704295 "2014-12-20T17:18:38Z")
Preferably no “he’s evil personified”, or “he’s crazy”. I’m actually interested in people’s thoughts on some of the lesser known contenders who might be running for President. Democrats: Howard Dean Martin O’Malley J… --- ## [Is it time for Democrats to finally stand up against Obama before 2016 chances are gone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-democrats-to-finally-stand-up-against-obama-before-2016-chances-are-gone/705417)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-democrats-to-finally-stand-up-against-obama-before-2016-chances-are-gone/705417 "2014-12-17T18:14:02Z")
I’m quite surprised there hasn’t been more backlash by Democrats against Obama. He’s cost them a lot in the past two elections. Just in Arkansas we lost both of our Democrat Senators in the last two elections. People in … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=257) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=259)