# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=280 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 281 --- ## [Preparing For Post Obama Election (KooKoo Watch)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preparing-for-post-obama-election-kookoo-watch/640454)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preparing-for-post-obama-election-kookoo-watch/640454 "2012-11-10T21:38:49Z")
One of the denizens of FreeRepublic describes his plan to survive as the blight of tyranny descends upon our once fair land: The funniest part is that even the other FReepers are snickering: And, my personal favor… --- ## [Pictures of white people mourning Romney](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-white-people-mourning-romney/640321)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pictures-of-white-people-mourning-romney/640321 "2012-11-10T18:41:03Z")
I especially like this one: http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/election110712/s\_e14\_80937144.jpg --- ## [On the campaign...(why I'm glad Obama won, but not why you think)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-campaign-why-im-glad-obama-won-but-not-why-you-think/640598)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-campaign-why-im-glad-obama-won-but-not-why-you-think/640598 "2012-11-10T18:35:34Z")
So, much has already been said about this campaign and much will undoubtedly be said still as the days and weeks roll by. I spent the first couple of days after Tuesday reading everything I could get my hands on, left a… --- ## [Will marijuana be legalized this fall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-be-legalized-this-fall/636429)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-be-legalized-this-fall/636429 "2012-11-10T17:24:00Z")
Putting it here because these are ballot initiatives. Colorado, Oregon, and Washington have ballot initiatives in 2012 that will legalize production, possession, delivery and distribution of marijuana. You would be abl… --- ## [So, will Hillary really resign as Secretary of State? If so, who should fill the vacancy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-hillary-really-resign-as-secretary-of-state-if-so-who-should-fill-the-vacancy/640182)
**Author:** [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-hillary-really-resign-as-secretary-of-state-if-so-who-should-fill-the-vacancy/640182 "2012-11-10T16:21:44Z")
Title pretty much says it all. Not that it’s likely, but wouldn’t it be funny if Bill replaced his wife? Who else? Powell?! --- ## [Gay marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage/640190)
**Author:** [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage/640190 "2012-11-10T11:45:24Z")
Voters just approved gay marriage in popular referenda in Maine and Maryland. They also rejected a bid to write a ban on gay marriage into the state constitution in Minnesota. If the current lead for gay marriage in Wash… --- ## [Florida "FlexiVote"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-flexivote/640495)
**Author:** [@klarg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/klarg)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-flexivote/640495 "2012-11-10T08:47:18Z")
Many may be puzzled by the exceedingly slow vote count in Florida. And many more may not care, since the Presidential race is decided. But what is actually going on in Florida is a beta test of the GOP FlexiVote system w… --- ## [Has Reince Priebus made any statements since the election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-reince-priebus-made-any-statements-since-the-election/640527)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-reince-priebus-made-any-statements-since-the-election/640527 "2012-11-10T01:54:02Z")
I’m dying to hear his explanation for his titanic failure as GOP chairman. I have seen no statements, just this speculationthat he might actually run for party chairman again in January. Now that’s moxie! Anybody hear… --- ## [Electoral Vote Predictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electoral-vote-predictions/639545)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electoral-vote-predictions/639545 "2012-11-10T01:47:38Z")
Here is an interactive map where you can divvy up the states however you like and see how the EVs fall. The map default is set for safe states already in the win column for each candidate. This comes to 201 EVs for Oba… --- ## [Judge orders partisans to stop asking voters for ID outside Homestead polls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105)
**Author:** [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-orders-partisans-to-stop-asking-voters-for-id-outside-homestead-polls/640105 "2012-11-10T00:58:25Z")
Looks like some Republicans in SW Pennsylvania have been bad boys: http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/judge-orders-partisans-stop-asking-voters-id-outsi/nSyRK/ --- ## [Romney campaign: We lost Florida](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-campaign-we-lost-florida/640402)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-campaign-we-lost-florida/640402 "2012-11-09T23:24:25Z")
A little icing on the cake. http://www.bradenton.com/2012/11/08/4271001/romney-campaign-we-lost-florida.html --- ## [What lessons can be drawn from the 2012 election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-lessons-can-be-drawn-from-the-2012-election/640306)
**Author:** [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-lessons-can-be-drawn-from-the-2012-election/640306 "2012-11-09T23:22:39Z")
My thoughts… In terms of the Presidential and Senate races, all the Citizens United money didn’t seem to have quite as big of an effect as many people thought it would. I believe that’s because: a) They can flood bat… --- ## [Charles Krauthammer's definition of a Mandate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charles-krauthammers-definition-of-a-mandate/640529)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charles-krauthammers-definition-of-a-mandate/640529 "2012-11-09T22:59:01Z")
This election was a mandate, by Krauthammer’s definition: Yep, he really said it. Oh, OK. He said it after the \*2004 \*election. Still, consistency is important. --- ## [Republicans, are you still unwilling to compromise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-you-still-unwilling-to-compromise/640525)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-are-you-still-unwilling-to-compromise/640525 "2012-11-09T22:30:18Z")
We’ve all heard about how this was a perfect environment for Obama and the Dems to lose, and lose big. Everything from the economy, to the heavy partisanship, to all of the big government overreaches that has happened i… --- ## [How come no one told me about the likely election of our first openly gay Senator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-about-the-likely-election-of-our-first-openly-gay-senator/638687)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-no-one-told-me-about-the-likely-election-of-our-first-openly-gay-senator/638687 "2012-11-09T19:28:30Z")
I’m surprised Tammy Baldwin’s candidacy isn’t getting more attention as (1) she is a lesbian and (2) she tried to impeach Cheney (and not on some piddly technicality, either, but basically for being Cheney). And she’s w… --- ## [Whither the filibuster? Any chance of a rules change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-the-filibuster-any-chance-of-a-rules-change/640292)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-the-filibuster-any-chance-of-a-rules-change/640292 "2012-11-09T19:28:28Z")
Harry Reid has surely learned a hard lesson about the extent to which Republicans will utilize the filibuster to block Senate business. So is there any chance the rules may change in the new Congress? Or is there an “ge… --- ## [Virginia Question 1 - Eminent Domain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-question-1-eminent-domain/640153)
**Author:** [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-question-1-eminent-domain/640153 "2012-11-09T19:00:06Z")
The proposed amendment to the Constitution goes like this: I headed to the voting booth with a clear understanding of Kelo v City of New London and figured this’d be a clear decision for everyone who wasn’t on a board … --- ## [Nate Silver: As Nation and Parties Change, Republicans Are at an Electoral College Disadvantage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nate-silver-as-nation-and-parties-change-republicans-are-at-an-electoral-college-disadvantage/640412)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nate-silver-as-nation-and-parties-change-republicans-are-at-an-electoral-college-disadvantage/640412 "2012-11-09T18:23:03Z")
Interesting article: http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/08/as-nation-and-parties-change-republicans-are-at-an-electoral-college-disadvantage More… --- ## [How Effective is Campaigning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-campaigning/640422)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-campaigning/640422 "2012-11-09T17:45:51Z")
I’ve read that William McKinley stayed home the entire campaign and gave interviews. Question is how effective such an approach might be in this era? IOW, suppose a presidential candidate didn’t hold a single campaign r… --- ## [Senate race 2014](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-race-2014/640225)
**Author:** [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-race-2014/640225 "2012-11-09T17:03:58Z")
\ Ouch! \ OK, so they are still counting 2012 ballots in FL (to the suprise of nobody) but I am curious about the prospects for 2014 senate races. Of course it is… --- ## [It was Fox wot lost it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-fox-wot-lost-it/640469)
**Author:** [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-fox-wot-lost-it/640469 "2012-11-09T15:49:32Z")
After losing the popular vote in 4 0f the 5 Presidential elections since Fox started, can we not now say that FN - by its agenda and presentation - contributes to the unelectability (sic) of the GOP; that FN has material… --- ## [Voter Suppression: Did it backfire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-suppression-did-it-backfire/640403)
**Author:** [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-suppression-did-it-backfire/640403 "2012-11-09T15:45:56Z")
Prior to Tuesday, I was extremely anxious about voter suppression and all the voter ID laws. On one hand, supporters of voter ID could point to the election and say, “See? nothing to worry about.” On the other hand, ther… --- ## [Is The Popular Vote A Meaningful Metric In U.S. Elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-popular-vote-a-meaningful-metric-in-u-s-elections/640449)
**Author:** [@hansel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hansel)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-popular-vote-a-meaningful-metric-in-u-s-elections/640449 "2012-11-09T15:10:27Z")
Much analysis of the outcome of the recent to-do has been about comparing the EC totals to the popular vote, or comparing the popular vote to the popular vote of previous elections. I contend that the popular vote is r… --- ## [Which political speech backfired the worst?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-political-speech-backfired-the-worst/640322)
**Author:** [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-political-speech-backfired-the-worst/640322 "2012-11-09T12:59:07Z")
I was thinking about which political speeches did their own cause the most harm. Not interview gaffes where people were caught off-guard, but carefully prepared speeches that blew up in their face. It’s tempting to pic… --- ## [A question for the Republicans.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-the-republicans/640463)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-the-republicans/640463 "2012-11-09T10:31:10Z")
This was a close election in some ways and not so close in other ways. So I ask, of all the Republicans that were serious candidates, semi-serious candidates or suspected to be candidates, who among them would have come… --- ## [Legality of this dirty trick?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-this-dirty-trick/640387)
**Author:** [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-this-dirty-trick/640387 "2012-11-09T02:04:44Z")
The write-in thread got me thinking. Say I am reasonably wealthy (and probably a little crazy.). The year is 2011. I form and register my own political party, called the Repuglican Party. I legally change my name to Mitt… --- ## ["Battleground States"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battleground-states/640230)
**Author:** [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battleground-states/640230 "2012-11-09T01:58:53Z")
How the blazes was New Hampshire ever considered a “battleground state” and how were the polls so wrong when the final number was Obama 67 - Romney 31? Also, Obama carried Wisconsin by 7 and both Nevada and Iowa by 6. N… --- ## [What was your news routine during the 2012 election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-news-routine-during-the-2012-election/640430)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-your-news-routine-during-the-2012-election/640430 "2012-11-09T01:10:40Z")
Mine (not counting Election Day, the Conventions, or the Debates - on days when I was off from work): Go to time.gov and watch as the time changes to 00:00:00 (12:00 AM EST). Sleep from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM. Watch CNN f… --- ## [Hispanics en el Futuro](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hispanics-en-el-futuro/640348)
**Author:** [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hispanics-en-el-futuro/640348 "2012-11-08T22:51:01Z")
I believe that the GOP will actively start courting this voting block within this presidential term. Maybe it will take a year or 2 to figure out, if it’s possible, some sort of stance that could be acceptable to their … --- ## [Who will Lead the Republican Party Now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-lead-the-republican-party-now/640383)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-lead-the-republican-party-now/640383 "2012-11-08T22:47:51Z")
So who is going to lead them out of their mess? Chris Christie? Mitch McConnell? John Boehner? There truly is a divide in the GOP, between those who think they are not Conservative enough and those who think they are not… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=279) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=281)