# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=275 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 276 --- ## [Fiscal Cliff - Doesn't it fix the deficit problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiscal-cliff-doesnt-it-fix-the-deficit-problem/645732)
**Author:** [@Alzarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alzarian)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiscal-cliff-doesnt-it-fix-the-deficit-problem/645732 "2013-01-09T18:06:24Z")
With all this doom and gloom over us all going over the so-called fiscal cliff, aren’t we forgetting that this rather drastic measure does in fact take care of the deficit? Doesn’t it? I mean, I’m not advocating that t… --- ## [Orly Taitz loses in Sacramento](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orly-taitz-loses-in-sacramento/646057)
**Author:** [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orly-taitz-loses-in-sacramento/646057 "2013-01-09T16:15:55Z")
Ms. Taitz seems to have lost yet another challenge to her claims regarding the citizenship of Pres. Obama. This time, she was filing suit on behalf of “two electoral college electors and three minor presidential candidat… --- ## [14/15 of the Lowest Per Capita States are Republican](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/14-15-of-the-lowest-per-capita-states-are-republican/643953)
**Author:** [@Untoward\_Parable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Untoward_Parable)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/14-15-of-the-lowest-per-capita-states-are-republican/643953 "2013-01-09T16:00:49Z")
List starts with worst to best per capita income. #1 Mississippi Romney 55.5% Obama 43.5% #2 West Virginia Romney 62.3% Obama 35.5% #3 Arkansas Romney 60.5% Obama 36.9% #4 Kentucky Romne… --- ## [How did First-Time Voters vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-first-time-voters-vote/646365)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2013, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-first-time-voters-vote/646365 "2013-01-09T01:54:21Z")
To stop a hijack, I’m moving the discussion here from this thread. Here are the posts at question: Since these are claimed to be facts, you’d think that OMGABC would provide the numbers to back them up. He doesn’t an… --- ## [Help, I'm an Undecided Voter \[WA Init. 1240\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-im-an-undecided-voter-wa-init-1240/639861)
**Author:** [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2013, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-im-an-undecided-voter-wa-init-1240/639861 "2013-01-08T07:07:52Z")
The initiative is about charter schools, details here: Washington Charter School Initiative, Initiative 1240 (2012) - Ballotpedia. On the one hand, I’m very sympathetic to the idea of letting individual publically-funde… --- ## [Are there any News Reports analyzing the makeup of the New Congress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-news-reports-analyzing-the-makeup-of-the-new-congress/645784)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-news-reports-analyzing-the-makeup-of-the-new-congress/645784 "2013-01-07T19:34:16Z")
It would be helpful knowing who is leaving and who replaces them. Their party and perceived stance (moderate, hard line tea party, very, to the left liberal etc.) I seemed to get the impression at least a few of the mos… --- ## [Joe Biden is just awesome...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-biden-is-just-awesome/646022)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-biden-is-just-awesome/646022 "2013-01-05T16:45:22Z")
Watching the Ed Show tonight. He showed a clip of him getting flirty with some Republican’s 90yo mother at the swearing in today. I’m not trying to make any arguments as to what kind of politician he is, I just really d… --- ## [Sen. Crapo arrested for DUI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-crapo-arrested-for-dui/645016)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2013, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-crapo-arrested-for-dui/645016 "2013-01-05T10:51:51Z")
Sen Crapo (R-ID) was arrested for DUI in Virginia on Sunday morning. Story He isn’t the first nor will he be the last Senator to drive drunk. This was rather mild DUI arrest, his BAC was .11 and there was no accident o… --- ## [WI: John Kerry Won in 2004?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-john-kerry-won-in-2004/645909)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-john-kerry-won-in-2004/645909 "2013-01-04T15:46:05Z")
What if Senator John Kerry had won the 2004 Presidential Election? Would he have been able to change much of the course what President Bush did in reality even if elected? In many cases, the election of John Kerry could … --- ## [So the House passed the compromise. Where does that leave them with Norquest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-house-passed-the-compromise-where-does-that-leave-them-with-norquest/645924)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2013, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-house-passed-the-compromise-where-does-that-leave-them-with-norquest/645924 "2013-01-03T08:15:10Z")
So a bunch of Republican congressmen, including Boehner, voted for the compromise. As I understand it, all of them had signed Grover Norquist’s vow to never raise taxes. Yet, they did. So where does that leave them? Wil… --- ## [What creative accounting steps is the Treasury taking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-creative-accounting-steps-is-the-treasury-taking/645881)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-creative-accounting-steps-is-the-treasury-taking/645881 "2013-01-02T21:18:16Z")
What exactly is the Treasury doing to keep the US from breaching its debt limit? I see phrases ranging from “creative accounting tricks” to “various measures,” but no details. --- ## [Republican-led efforts to block voter fraud (or reduce turnout among Dems) had the opposite effect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-led-efforts-to-block-voter-fraud-or-reduce-turnout-among-dems-had-the-opposite-effect/645380)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2013, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-led-efforts-to-block-voter-fraud-or-reduce-turnout-among-dems-had-the-opposite-effect/645380 "2013-01-02T02:14:35Z")
It appears that for the first time in history, black turnout may have been higher then white turnout. Undoubtedly the great affection of the African American community for President Obama played a large part in this, bu… --- ## [What are the Occupiers up to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-occupiers-up-to/620117)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-occupiers-up-to/620117 "2012-12-31T22:05:05Z")
Are there any significant occupations ongoing? Have their plans for the political conventions been announced? --- ## [How do rank and file voters are looking at the fiscal cliff negotiations? Electoral effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-rank-and-file-voters-are-looking-at-the-fiscal-cliff-negotiations-electoral-effect/644645)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2012, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-rank-and-file-voters-are-looking-at-the-fiscal-cliff-negotiations-electoral-effect/644645 "2012-12-31T09:11:16Z")
(Added in the last part to add relevance for this forum.) So, before I decided not to continue reading for various reasons, I took a look at the Daily Kos, a significantly liberal/progressive website. They have many di… --- ## [Why Kerry for SoS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-kerry-for-sos/645413)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2012, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-kerry-for-sos/645413 "2012-12-30T23:47:16Z")
I haven’t heard any clear explanation of why Obama selected Sen Kerry - or any sitting Dem Senator - for Secretary of State. Any thoughts? Not saying Kerry isn’t qualified, but wouldn’t there be folk nearly as qualifie… --- ## [Political/Election Resources Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-election-resources-thread/645368)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-election-resources-thread/645368 "2012-12-30T20:19:17Z")
I’m surprised nobody started a thread like this so far. http://www.nytimes.com/-Your standard newspaper of record http://www.washingtonpost.com/-A very good paper for politics, I like their opinions in general better t… --- ## [So, Mitt Romney "...had no desire to ... run" according to his son, Tagg](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-mitt-romney-had-no-desire-to-run-according-to-his-son-tagg/644954)
**Author:** [@Mann\_Slaughter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mann_Slaughter)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2012, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-mitt-romney-had-no-desire-to-run-according-to-his-son-tagg/644954 "2012-12-30T04:15:37Z")
Tagg told the Boston Globe today that the REAL reason his father lost the election was: “He wanted to be president less than anyone I’ve met in my life," Tagg Romney told the paper. “He had no desire to … run. If he cou… --- ## [Why was Obama ahead of McCain before the crash?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-obama-ahead-of-mccain-before-the-crash/643209)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-obama-ahead-of-mccain-before-the-crash/643209 "2012-12-28T02:17:02Z")
This question came to mind after seeing the very good film Margin Call and reading the following in Roger Ebert’s review: It reminded me that, as so often happens, the historical view of that election has already becom… --- ## [Is the Romney candidacy an LDS Mission Call?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-romney-candidacy-an-lds-mission-call/638544)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-romney-candidacy-an-lds-mission-call/638544 "2012-12-27T21:48:07Z")
Romney has referred to his candidacy as a ‘Mission’. Perhaps it actually is - otherwise, Romney is an unlikely candidate: Romney has no reason to run for President - he was not a successful governor and he has been a mi… --- ## [Obama's 2nd term Cabinet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-2nd-term-cabinet/640505)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-2nd-term-cabinet/640505 "2012-12-27T02:06:44Z")
How much of the Cabinet will turnover? Will/should he cross the aisle on a big position? If so, is Lugar viable for SoS? I’ve always thought he’d be perfect for the job, and hey, he’s got nothing else going on. --- ## [How do you justify gun control advocacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-justify-gun-control-advocacy/644132)
**Author:** [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-justify-gun-control-advocacy/644132 "2012-12-27T01:08:47Z")
Upon the wake of this devastating news in CT, I’ve found myself seriously re-evaluating my view on gun control in this country. I’ve always considered myself a deep-hearted liberal, but I was somewhat ambigous about thi… --- ## [getting caught red-faced](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-caught-red-faced/645044)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-caught-red-faced/645044 "2012-12-25T04:32:01Z")
To me, with my liberal sensibilities, there’s a great deal of schadenfreude every time I read about another one of these self-righteous and sanctimonious Republicans getting caught engaging in behaviors that they spend a… --- ## [Hindu to Congress!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hindu-to-congress/640199)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2012, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hindu-to-congress/640199 "2012-12-24T22:40:10Z")
Gabbard Tulsi just got elected the first Hindu member of Congress. --- ## [Let the GOP backbiting and finger-pointing begin!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-gop-backbiting-and-finger-pointing-begin/640441)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-gop-backbiting-and-finger-pointing-begin/640441 "2012-12-24T18:32:42Z")
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/how-race-slipped-away-from-romney.html;\_ylc=X3oDMTNuOHVzMXZlBF9TAzExODMzMDAyNTkEYWN0A21haWxfY2IEY3QDYQRpbnRsA3VzBGxhbmcDZW4tVVMEcGtnAzU4MmUzMzY5LTA4MzUtM2I4Ny1hMTc3LWE2YTBhZWVhMzhjYgRzZWMD… --- ## [How do you go about contacting your representatives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-go-about-contacting-your-representatives/644769)
**Author:** [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-go-about-contacting-your-representatives/644769 "2012-12-22T13:49:37Z")
So lately I’ve been following the fiscal cliff issue and the inability to get a deal done which seems to be primarily the republicans fault. And I’m pissed. I’m tired of these people who are supposed to be representing u… --- ## [How will the Tea Party spin the CT shooting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-tea-party-spin-the-ct-shooting/644098)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-tea-party-spin-the-ct-shooting/644098 "2012-12-22T07:20:54Z")
IMO they will find a tasteless, completely inappropriate take on it, and run with it. What do Dopers think that take will be? --- ## [Jim DeMint (R) is retiring.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jim-demint-r-is-retiring/643203)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jim-demint-r-is-retiring/643203 "2012-12-22T02:36:07Z")
The pain in the butt from South Carolina is leaving at the end of the year. Not like it will change the Senate any, but he was an annoyance to the GOP establishment. --- ## [John Boehner has drawn a line in the sand. (Fiscal cliff)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-boehner-has-drawn-a-line-in-the-sand-fiscal-cliff/644569)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-boehner-has-drawn-a-line-in-the-sand-fiscal-cliff/644569 "2012-12-21T23:34:24Z")
What a dick. So not more than a couple of weeks ago, JB accused the President of being irresponsible because the President said he was prepared to go off the cliff. Tu quoque: Now it seems JB has essentially done the s… --- ## [When will there be a U.S. President who is neither Democrat nor Republican?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-there-be-a-u-s-president-who-is-neither-democrat-nor-republican/644575)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2012, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-there-be-a-u-s-president-who-is-neither-democrat-nor-republican/644575 "2012-12-21T07:30:14Z")
It’s been nearly 140 years since Millard Fillmore, a Whig, left office, and we’ve had nothing but Democrats and Republicans ever since. Third-party and independent candidates are never serious contenders. Under what cir… --- ## [2012 Korean Presidential Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-korean-presidential-election/641535)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-korean-presidential-election/641535 "2012-12-20T17:51:21Z")
Joining among other places the United States of America, Mexico, France, the Netherlands, Greece, and Serbia, Korea is also holding elections this year and the presidential election is coming up this December 19th. The … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=274) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=276)