# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=285 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 286 --- ## [Why is Bengazi such a big deal according to Republicans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-bengazi-such-a-big-deal-according-to-republicans/637628)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-bengazi-such-a-big-deal-according-to-republicans/637628 "2012-11-05T18:43:28Z")
Bush managed to get the US attacked on its own soil, after ignoring reports such as “Bin Laden determined to attack the US”, resulting in thousands of civilians dead and a huge blow to the US. And yet I don’t recall any… --- ## [I saw the PERFECT campaign sign today!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-the-perfect-campaign-sign-today/639914)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-saw-the-perfect-campaign-sign-today/639914 "2012-11-05T18:29:36Z")
How much more appropriate could you get, for a candidate whose positions change with the wind… --- ## [What are you doing for "your guy?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-your-guy/638868)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-for-your-guy/638868 "2012-11-05T18:06:13Z")
It’s almost election day, and soon most of us will be heading to the polls to cast our votes for this guy and that guy, this gal and that dirtbag over there. Now obviously, if you support someone, you vote for them. But… --- ## [Where should I watch election returns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-i-watch-election-returns/639969)
**Author:** [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-i-watch-election-returns/639969 "2012-11-05T17:43:20Z")
Most likely I’ll be glued to my TV tomorrow night watching the returns, but I don’t know which network to watch. During the debates I kind of flipped around between NBC, MSNBC and PBS, but there was nothing spectacular a… --- ## [Romneys latest exaggeration - Bill's BBQ closed, must be Obama's fault](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-latest-exaggeration-bills-bbq-closed-must-be-obamas-fault/639905)
**Author:** [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-latest-exaggeration-bills-bbq-closed-must-be-obamas-fault/639905 "2012-11-05T15:51:48Z")
Romney’s stump speech now includes a story about Rhoda, who owned a BBQ restaurant in Richmond VA. Apparently Bill’s BBQ had been owned by Rhoda and her family for over 80 years. It closed down earlier this year. Her… --- ## [When to arrive at political rally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-arrive-at-political-rally/637825)
**Author:** [@RadicalPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadicalPi)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-to-arrive-at-political-rally/637825 "2012-11-05T15:31:20Z")
President Obama is coming to speak to the Iowa town that I am currently working in on Wednesday. I’m interested in seeing him, since I’ve never seen a sitting president live before, and I am anxious to take the opportuni… --- ## [Tagg Romney "joke"; take a swing at Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tagg-romney-joke-take-a-swing-at-obama/638143)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tagg-romney-joke-take-a-swing-at-obama/638143 "2012-11-05T14:33:54Z")
On a radio show, Tagg Romney recently said about his reaction to Obama’s comments during the debate: Here are some options for reactions for you: Well, who could blame him - that’s the right response when Obama was … --- ## [A123.. another social engineering project gone wrong \[gov't investment in lithium ion battery maker\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a123-another-social-engineering-project-gone-wrong-govt-investment-in-lithium-ion-battery-maker/637912)
**Author:** [@A\_nice\_guy\_with\_an\_opinion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_nice_guy_with_an_opinion)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a123-another-social-engineering-project-gone-wrong-govt-investment-in-lithium-ion-battery-maker/637912 "2012-11-05T10:07:35Z")
Probably too late of a story to change minds at this point. Actually just more of the same anyways. If you couldn’t see the failure earlier, you probably don’t see it now. Anyways…One of Obama’s pet green companies fl… --- ## [Can someone explain the Binders full of women outrage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-binders-full-of-women-outrage/638211)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-the-binders-full-of-women-outrage/638211 "2012-11-05T05:55:44Z")
Maybe more of IMHO poll, but enough election related I figured it should go here.But I don’t want to get into candidate issues, just the phrase it self because I am baffled. I guess I am missing something. I don’t under… --- ## [Economic analyses of Obama/Romney plans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-analyses-of-obama-romney-plans/639592)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-analyses-of-obama-romney-plans/639592 "2012-11-05T02:21:05Z")
These were done by a friend of mine. This is an analysis comparing Obama and Romney’s tax policies — An analyst's perspective: What Will Mitt Romney Do To My Taxes? This is an analysis showing that the U.S. economy is … --- ## [$46.34 \[amounts spent on political advertising\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-34-amounts-spent-on-political-advertising/639863)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-34-amounts-spent-on-political-advertising/639863 "2012-11-04T21:47:38Z")
$46.34 There is an interesting website that shows how much money was spent in each state on political advertising - just for the Presidential Election (not Senate, etc.). This list is from May 1 to Nov 1. (It is interac… --- ## [Sweet, Sad, and SO F\*n TRUE! (Tired of Bronco Bama and Mitt Romney)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-sad-and-so-f-n-true-tired-of-bronco-bama-and-mitt-romney/639548)
**Author:** [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-sad-and-so-f-n-true-tired-of-bronco-bama-and-mitt-romney/639548 "2012-11-04T20:00:57Z")
Just In: Campaign Now Making Children Cry http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/10/31/just-in-campaign-now-making-children-cry/?fb\_action\_ids=10151225016034820&fb\_action\_types=og.recommends&fb\_source=other\_multiline&actio… --- ## [Chris Christie: Just being a good governor or setting his sights on 2016?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-christie-just-being-a-good-governor-or-setting-his-sights-on-2016/639390)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-christie-just-being-a-good-governor-or-setting-his-sights-on-2016/639390 "2012-11-04T19:22:44Z")
In the midst of all this Sandy-craziness, Romney-surrogate Chris Christie has been making the rounds on many of the cable news show heaping praise on Barack Obama for what a great job he’s done in handling the disaster r… --- ## [Donald Trump's big Obama announcement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-big-obama-announcement/638686)
**Author:** [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-big-obama-announcement/638686 "2012-11-04T19:03:06Z")
Donald Trump has announcedthat he’ll make an announcement about Barack Obama tomorrow (Wednesday 10/24). Nobody’s entirely sure what it is, but Trump, in an effort to put himself in the spotlight, has assured us that it… --- ## [Rank the toss-up states on likelihood of Obama winning them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rank-the-toss-up-states-on-likelihood-of-obama-winning-them/638756)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rank-the-toss-up-states-on-likelihood-of-obama-winning-them/638756 "2012-11-04T16:52:32Z")
I’m curious how you guys rank the toss-up states. For my purposes, the toss-up states are those listed by RCP. Here’s my order: \[ol\] \[li\]MI\[/li\]\[li\]PA\[/li\]\[li\]NV\[/li\]\[li\]WI\[/li\]\[li\]IA\[/li\]\[li\]OH\[/li\]\[li\]CO\[/li\]\[li\]NH… --- ## [What's up with Indiana?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-indiana/636052)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-indiana/636052 "2012-11-04T16:06:30Z")
Looking at the538 election map, we see Obama taking the west coast and the north central and north east, while Romney has the south (with the exception of Florida) and the rural mid-west. However tucked between Dark Blu… --- ## [Presidential Debate - Why do Americans Allow This?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-debate-why-do-americans-allow-this/638129)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-debate-why-do-americans-allow-this/638129 "2012-11-04T15:59:12Z")
Let me preface this post by saying I make no leans to one side of the aisle or another, my frustration is fully bi-partisan. However that being said, after watching all the debates this year, I cannot help but wonder wh… --- ## [The final presidential debate: 10/22/12](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-presidential-debate-10-22-12/638497)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 855\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-presidential-debate-10-22-12/638497 "2012-11-04T15:21:43Z")
OK, this is it. The last one. It is widely believed that Romney won the first debate handily. Also, that Obama won the second debate modestly. How will this last one go? Also, this one is focused on foreign policy, … --- ## [Predict how Mitt and Ann will respond to losing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-how-mitt-and-ann-will-respond-to-losing/639416)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-how-mitt-and-ann-will-respond-to-losing/639416 "2012-11-04T14:44:03Z")
I wonder what condescending words either will use to characterize their loss next week. Personally, I think Mitt will talk about the loss as an opportunity squandered by the American people who foolishly believed the fra… --- ## [What's the weather forecast for your location for Election Day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weather-forecast-for-your-location-for-election-day/639815)
**Author:** [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weather-forecast-for-your-location-for-election-day/639815 "2012-11-04T14:24:10Z")
Northern Illinois – “Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s.” --- ## [Democrats: what are the best ideas Republicans have come up with, and the worst ones by Dems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-what-are-the-best-ideas-republicans-have-come-up-with-and-the-worst-ones-by-dems/638132)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-what-are-the-best-ideas-republicans-have-come-up-with-and-the-worst-ones-by-dems/638132 "2012-11-04T04:05:52Z")
So here is the challenge: come up with the best idea generally conceived and embraced by the Republican party. This can’t be something that some minor official thought of, but rather an idea that many in the mainstream … --- ## [Do we need to balance the budget?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-need-to-balance-the-budget/637960)
**Author:** [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-need-to-balance-the-budget/637960 "2012-11-04T03:56:09Z")
As far as I know, the country’s budget is different than that of a households. It seems like we could operate with a deficit perpetually and be fine. Thus, why do we need to balance it? --- ## [Another Presidential election "what happens if"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-presidential-election-what-happens-if/639619)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-presidential-election-what-happens-if/639619 "2012-11-04T01:16:48Z")
What if it comes down to one state that’s “too close to call,” but in the end, Romney squeaks out a win - but the Democrats get 50 Senators and thus control both houses of Congress? Do the Democrats (yes, I’m looking at… --- ## [What could Obama accomplish in a 2nd term that would secure a top 10 ranking for POTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-obama-accomplish-in-a-2nd-term-that-would-secure-a-top-10-ranking-for-potus/638604)
**Author:** [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-obama-accomplish-in-a-2nd-term-that-would-secure-a-top-10-ranking-for-potus/638604 "2012-11-04T00:09:50Z")
as agreed upon by historians, say, a decade after his 2nd term --- ## [Actual TV ad in Texas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actual-tv-ad-in-texas/639525)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actual-tv-ad-in-texas/639525 "2012-11-03T19:17:48Z")
I suppose this is technically about the election, since it’s a political ad. You know you’re in Texas when this is an actual ad: For the youtube impaired: He’s running for Harris County District Attorne… --- ## [I love it. Mark Cuban puts it to Donald Trump.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-it-mark-cuban-puts-it-to-donald-trump/639717)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-it-mark-cuban-puts-it-to-donald-trump/639717 "2012-11-03T17:05:47Z")
I’ll start by posting this in elections because Trump has been meddling in the election process for a long time. Anyway, Mark Cuban who probably has a much greater net worth than Trump offers him $1 million to his favor… --- ## [Have Elections Become Meaningless In America Re: Real Political Change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-elections-become-meaningless-in-america-re-real-political-change/637713)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-elections-become-meaningless-in-america-re-real-political-change/637713 "2012-11-03T16:20:33Z")
I recently read a quote that very nicely describes the difference between Obama and Romney: “Obama wants middle class Americans to go hungry, Romney wants us to starve.” Hyperbole perhaps, but it beautifully illustrates… --- ## [The second presidential debate: 10/16/2012](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 1243\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2012, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-presidential-debate-10-16-2012/637847 "2012-11-03T14:17:17Z")
Here we go again. This debate is going to be a whole different kettle o’ fish than the first. A different set of topics, a different moderator, and a different debate style. After his widely derided performance at the… --- ## [What is the nature of the laws restricting polling in Indiana?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-nature-of-the-laws-restricting-polling-in-indiana/639625)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2012, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-nature-of-the-laws-restricting-polling-in-indiana/639625 "2012-11-03T06:01:25Z")
I can’t find anything with various Google search terms, so maybe an Indianan here can explain? Most recently I found a mention in a National Journal article: RCP’s state polls section mentions this as well. --- ## [Non-Ohioans: Stay home.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ohioans-stay-home/639722)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2012, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-ohioans-stay-home/639722 "2012-11-03T05:18:44Z")
Hey, it seems to be common knowledge that all you guys are gonna cancel each other out, and the only votes that matter are from Ohio. So why not save a lot of time and energy, and just let us decide the election. And it… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=284) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=286)