# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=277 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 278 --- ## [Another candidate is lowering the bar \[TN pro-life Republican\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-candidate-is-lowering-the-bar-tn-pro-life-republican/637350)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2012, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-candidate-is-lowering-the-bar-tn-pro-life-republican/637350 "2012-12-03T13:36:13Z")
Scott DesJarlais is the Representative for Tennessee’s 4th Congressional district. He is a Tea Party Republican and a Pro-Life advocate. He’s also a doctor who was having an extramarital affair with one of his patients.… --- ## [This forum is not as exciting since adaher left.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-forum-is-not-as-exciting-since-adaher-left/642270)
**Author:** [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2012, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-forum-is-not-as-exciting-since-adaher-left/642270 "2012-12-03T07:55:22Z")
Apologies to all the other conservatives but that guy went HAM\* for the Republican cause. He was in every thread arguing polls, debates, campaign rhetoric, you name it. Then he just disappeared like Keyser Soze’(Verbal K… --- ## [Is Boehner the first black Speaker of the House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-boehner-the-first-black-speaker-of-the-house/642633)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-boehner-the-first-black-speaker-of-the-house/642633 "2012-12-02T23:38:23Z")
This photo: http://www.ksat.com/image/view/-/156754/medRes/2/-/maxh/360/maxw/640/-/11ypwpiz/-/Obama-and-Boehner-jpg.jpg --- ## [Never mind Nate Silver, "Yahoo Signal" should get the biggest props](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/never-mind-nate-silver-yahoo-signal-should-get-the-biggest-props/642304)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2012, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/never-mind-nate-silver-yahoo-signal-should-get-the-biggest-props/642304 "2012-12-01T08:12:36Z")
This prediction, made way back in February (I emailed it to friends at the time which is how I serendipitously came across it now, looking through my sent folder for something else), was startlingly close to dead right. … --- ## [NOW will the Republican Party finally deal with Rush Limbaugh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-will-the-republican-party-finally-deal-with-rush-limbaugh/641736)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-will-the-republican-party-finally-deal-with-rush-limbaugh/641736 "2012-11-29T19:47:59Z")
It looks like in the wake of the election, the uneasy alliance between the conservative base and the moderate GOP leadership is fracturing, and no one person better symbolizes the base than El Rushbo, the conservative bl… --- ## [The official post-Election Day thread:11/7/12](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-post-election-day-thread-11-7-12/640177)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-post-election-day-thread-11-7-12/640177 "2012-11-28T22:24:25Z")
News cycle RESET! Obama wins! We know today that Barack Obama is re-elected President. You can read it in the papers today and you can see it on the news neworks, including Fox News! It’'s everywhere. It happened. The s… --- ## [First the truthers, then the birthers, now the third termers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-the-truthers-then-the-birthers-now-the-third-termers/642221)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-the-truthers-then-the-birthers-now-the-third-termers/642221 "2012-11-28T14:21:44Z")
I’ve heard it rattling around the nut-o-sphere, and now here. Is this going to take off like the other conspiracy theories? I think it might, but unlike the other two, it should be pretty easy to debunk (we just need, … --- ## [The tale of Mia Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tale-of-mia-love/641907)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tale-of-mia-love/641907 "2012-11-28T01:33:29Z")
Remember Mia Love? She the mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah, a city of about 17,000 people. She became well known this past election cycle when she was the Republican challenger for a House seat and was called a rising … --- ## [This is a republic, not a democracy!--what's the deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-republic-not-a-democracy-whats-the-deal/641761)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-republic-not-a-democracy-whats-the-deal/641761 "2012-11-27T13:22:30Z")
So, I like to read crazy right-wing message boards in my spare time. Something I’m seeing cropping up more and more is a very angsty cry (I’m not going to link, but : “That is why we have a republic and not a democracy… --- ## [Birther-crap might sink Sheriff Arpaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birther-crap-might-sink-sheriff-arpaio/636350)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birther-crap-might-sink-sheriff-arpaio/636350 "2012-11-26T22:13:47Z")
You’d think it would be all that egregious shit that the DOJ is suing him for. But, no, apparently, it’s gonna be the Birther-crap. (If anything, knock wood.) This Paul Penzone is a former 20-year Phoenix police offi… --- ## [Drop Biden from the ticket](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drop-biden-from-the-ticket/641536)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drop-biden-from-the-ticket/641536 "2012-11-26T18:16:26Z")
Not really about Biden, but about grooming a successor: Obama could probably find a high-level cabinet post for Biden to do well in, and after Biden resigns, Obama could likely get his hand-picked chosen successor design… --- ## ["states' rights"--why would minorities and women support?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-rights-why-would-minorities-and-women-support/641792)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-rights-why-would-minorities-and-women-support/641792 "2012-11-26T15:09:09Z")
One of the aspects of the Republican party that holds no appeal for me is the focus on “states’ rights.” Not only does that make me immediately think of the antebellum south, it makes me ponder on the history of the cou… --- ## [Will the internet increase candidate/pundit responsibilty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-internet-increase-candidate-pundit-responsibilty/640648)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-internet-increase-candidate-pundit-responsibilty/640648 "2012-11-26T02:18:56Z")
The most interesting thing about this post-election time is how at least some fo those who made grand predictions have come back and said they were wrong. I don’t remember this level of crow-eating, and while it would h… --- ## [Obama campaign: Jon Huntsman was the real threat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-campaign-jon-huntsman-was-the-real-threat/641799)
**Author:** [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-campaign-jon-huntsman-was-the-real-threat/641799 "2012-11-24T20:59:19Z")
Anyone see this news article? Although I supported Obama, I liked what I saw of Huntsman, he seemed to reflect a sane and positive side of the Republicans in a way that Romney and their other candidates never could. I … --- ## [Support/refute this online political meme...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-refute-this-online-political-meme/632520)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-refute-this-online-political-meme/632520 "2012-11-23T21:16:38Z")
(Feel free to move to GD if this is the more appropriate forum.) When refuting especially, I (personally) would prefer seeing first any “factual” reasons this meme doesn’t work (e.g. a fundamental misunderstanding of w… --- ## [Latest conservative grievance - polls "oversample" Democrats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latest-conservative-grievance-polls-oversample-democrats/635647)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 329\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latest-conservative-grievance-polls-oversample-democrats/635647 "2012-11-23T18:27:36Z")
They use this report by Rasmussen to prove that more R’s than D’s exist. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public\_content/archive/mood\_of\_america\_archive/partisan\_trends/summary\_of\_party\_affiliation Sure enough, most pol… --- ## [Project ORCA Will Win the Election for Romney!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-orca-will-win-the-election-for-romney/640451)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-orca-will-win-the-election-for-romney/640451 "2012-11-23T00:26:00Z")
I can quote a few excerpts, but it’s worth reading the whole article. The authors Twitter feed is here: https://twitter.com/JohnEkdahl People are on it complaining about the total disorganization. --- ## [Reince, Priebus, Repeat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reince-priebus-repeat/641828)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reince-priebus-repeat/641828 "2012-11-22T21:37:58Z")
Anyone heard anything yet about removing this assclown from the chairmanship of the GOP? Seems to me he did a pretty poor job of running the party, and did little to enhance his national reputation, which was nil before… --- ## [Nixon's Southern strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixons-southern-strategy/641752)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2012, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixons-southern-strategy/641752 "2012-11-22T06:08:20Z")
In one narrow sense, you’ve got to admit that it worked: the GOP sure has a stranglehold on Southern states’ electoral votes. Even when they run an effete, Harvard-educated ex-governor of Massachusetts whose religion is… --- ## [Off-year voting trends](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/off-year-voting-trends/641700)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/off-year-voting-trends/641700 "2012-11-21T16:14:49Z")
In off years, I know usually the POTUS’s party loses seats, is it also true true that the party vote in smaller #'s? (As I type I realize the latter follows from the former) :smack: --- ## [What now for the Tea Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-now-for-the-tea-party/640493)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-now-for-the-tea-party/640493 "2012-11-21T06:47:37Z")
The Tea Party’s name was hardly mentioned this election cycle. Are they a spent force? Will they go third-party, or will they be an intra-GOP factor in 2014 like they were in 2010, or will they just fade away? --- ## [GOP: You lost because Obama is a centrist; you won't win by tacking right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488 "2012-11-21T04:26:42Z")
Look, Pubs, here’s what you have to accept before you can make any progress: Obama is a centrist. Yes, he is. He is not a socialist radical. He is not a stealth Communist. He is not even much of a liberal. His neolibera… --- ## [We all dodged a bullet by not electing Romney.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-all-dodged-a-bullet-by-not-electing-romney/641509)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-all-dodged-a-bullet-by-not-electing-romney/641509 "2012-11-21T03:54:35Z")
Now that we have had a chance to see who the real Mitt Romney is, we can all breath a sigh of relief that this nincompoop didn’t get elected. He is nothing more that a plutocrat with a massive sense of entitlement. http… --- ## [What/who are the moderate Republicans these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-who-are-the-moderate-republicans-these-days/641237)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-who-are-the-moderate-republicans-these-days/641237 "2012-11-21T02:52:43Z")
What is a moderate republican these days? In my heart of hearts, I still consider myself a moderate republican. I was moderate and even liberal on domestic and social policy. I was for “good government”, not the machi… --- ## [What number were you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-number-were-you/641353)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-number-were-you/641353 "2012-11-20T13:19:59Z")
Beware the Smart Campaign: --- ## [How long will it take for you to accept a Romney win?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-it-take-for-you-to-accept-a-romney-win/639542)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-it-take-for-you-to-accept-a-romney-win/639542 "2012-11-20T01:44:37Z")
Well? Shoot, I meant for this to be a poll. Choices are: (1) As soon as the networks are in agreement. (2) When every state has been called coast to coast. (3) When Obama concedes. (4) Inauguration day. (5) NEVER!!… --- ## [Was there always this much comedy in U.S. politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-always-this-much-comedy-in-u-s-politics/641355)
**Author:** [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-always-this-much-comedy-in-u-s-politics/641355 "2012-11-19T19:07:43Z")
I enjoy a good put-down of an opponent as much as the next person, but these days I sometimes feel like we’re in the court of Louis XIV where the ability to deliver a good zinger is a game-changer, if not the most import… --- ## [UK Police Commissioner Elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-police-commissioner-elections/639313)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-police-commissioner-elections/639313 "2012-11-19T17:35:04Z")
So, has anybody in the UK heard anything about these? Polling day is apparently November 15th, but neither myself nor any of my family or friends has seen or heard of any literature explaining what we’re voting on, who’… --- ## [Lets fix the elections process](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-fix-the-elections-process/641044)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2012, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-fix-the-elections-process/641044 "2012-11-19T09:11:38Z")
I posted this in the GOP Vote Suppression Pit Thread but it was ignored. Maybe it will be here also. Hey, now that this election is over, let’s work on improving the voting process. Where should we start? Standardiza… --- ## [Anatomy of How Money is STILL the Most Important Factor in American Politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anatomy-of-how-money-is-still-the-most-important-factor-in-american-politics/641427)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anatomy-of-how-money-is-still-the-most-important-factor-in-american-politics/641427 "2012-11-18T18:47:40Z")
Monday Nov. 12th: Grover Norquist, head of the influential lobbying group Americans for Tax Reform who has bound hundreds of Republicans to a pledge never to raise taxes, showed support for raising a carbon tax in excha… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=276) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=278)