# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=288 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 289 --- ## [Likely voter models-- Boolean or weighted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likely-voter-models-boolean-or-weighted/639082)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likely-voter-models-boolean-or-weighted/639082 "2012-10-28T01:09:44Z")
Suppose a political pollster calls me up. In addition to the usual questions about which candidate I prefer, etc., they’ll also ask questions like how likely I consider myself to vote, whether I’ve voted in past electio… --- ## [The Creepy Obama Sex Ad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-creepy-obama-sex-ad/639003)
**Author:** [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2012, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-creepy-obama-sex-ad/639003 "2012-10-28T00:25:43Z")
So as most people have probably heard by now, Obama released an ad that it is very similar to an ad that Vladimir Putin put out earlier this year, comparing voting for him to having sex with him. It has of course gener… --- ## [I Shake my Fist at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-shake-my-fist-at-the-democratic-senatorial-campaign-committee/638905)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-shake-my-fist-at-the-democratic-senatorial-campaign-committee/638905 "2012-10-27T20:31:25Z")
I am not a Democrat. Nor am I a Republican, though I was raised as one. I consider myself a conservative Libertarian, but on the whole I’m what gets called a “fiscal conservative/social liberal”, and the end result is th… --- ## [Had He Lived, Could FDR Have Won a Fifth Term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/had-he-lived-could-fdr-have-won-a-fifth-term/638869)
**Author:** [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/had-he-lived-could-fdr-have-won-a-fifth-term/638869 "2012-10-27T15:19:45Z")
No convoluted hypothesis or theory here; just a question that popped into my head. --- ## [Hurricane Sandy and the Election.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-and-the-election/639014)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2012, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-sandy-and-the-election/639014 "2012-10-27T09:19:10Z")
How prepared are we and how will the administration be judged? --- ## [Why do politicians say "So-sal Security"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-politicians-say-so-sal-security/638617)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-politicians-say-so-sal-security/638617 "2012-10-27T01:57:13Z")
They pretty much all do this, and I just don’t get it. It’s not one of those deals where a word gets slurred through repetition: the “sh” sound is easier to make if anything (think of a drunk driver insisting “No, I hav… --- ## [The New Yorker endorsement of President Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865)
**Author:** [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-yorker-endorsement-of-president-obama/638865 "2012-10-26T20:30:23Z")
A long thoughtful piece. It’s been out for several days, but is worth a reading. Speaking of the president: And speaking of the challenger: And conclusion: --- ## [Predict Electoral Vote Scenarios: votenight.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-electoral-vote-scenarios-votenight-com/638914)
**Author:** [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-electoral-vote-scenarios-votenight-com/638914 "2012-10-26T17:02:57Z")
If you like fivethirtyeight, you might like this: www.votenight.com You can see the weightage of each state, and the likely outcome of the election based on which states are won/lost by your preferred party. Very minor… --- ## [I thought Obama was going to do a Dean Yell.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-obama-was-going-to-do-a-dean-yell/638845)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-obama-was-going-to-do-a-dean-yell/638845 "2012-10-26T16:33:27Z")
I had a near laugh this morning. Some radio station was replaying Obama saying “…we’re going to Ohio, then Wisconsin, then Maine, then Oregon, then California…”. I thought for a moment that he was going to add a fine De… --- ## [Libya "scandal" - what motivation is suspected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-scandal-what-motivation-is-suspected/638047)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2012, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-scandal-what-motivation-is-suspected/638047 "2012-10-26T04:11:21Z")
So as you’re probably all aware, there’s a big “scandal” being talked about at least in the conservative media concerning the way the Obama administration reacted to, and described, the attack on the consulate in Libya. … --- ## [Re. robocalls; someone must have studied what pissed off voters do](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-robocalls-someone-must-have-studied-what-pissed-off-voters-do/638765)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2012, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-robocalls-someone-must-have-studied-what-pissed-off-voters-do/638765 "2012-10-26T03:41:30Z")
They must do focus groups and meta studies on the impact of robo-calls. They cannot help but piss off a lot of potential voters. --- ## [Do you ever wonder about the value of mentioning the opponents name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wonder-about-the-value-of-mentioning-the-opponents-name/638767)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wonder-about-the-value-of-mentioning-the-opponents-name/638767 "2012-10-26T01:42:14Z")
It just doesn’t sound right to me. There is a TV ad each day about 3pm on a Tampa station that raves on and on about how bad the one candidate is. I don’t recall if they ever tell me who to vote for. Is this good adverti… --- ## [What would you consider a "big win" for Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-consider-a-big-win-for-obama/638785)
**Author:** [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-consider-a-big-win-for-obama/638785 "2012-10-26T01:08:54Z")
Less than two weeks left to go, some polls are predicting a “big win” for Obama, others have it tight. The common wisdom on the popular vote at the moment is said to be about 50 / 50 So what would YOU consider a “big w… --- ## [If Hillary won the nomination and presidency in 2008](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-won-the-nomination-and-presidency-in-2008/638803)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-won-the-nomination-and-presidency-in-2008/638803 "2012-10-25T22:13:30Z")
Would America be any different today? --- ## [Swing states change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swing-states-change/638791)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swing-states-change/638791 "2012-10-25T15:59:12Z")
Would the swing states be the same with two different candidates? If someone else won the GOp nom? --- ## [Can someone explain how our spending / legislature works in basic terms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-how-our-spending-legislature-works-in-basic-terms/638812)
**Author:** [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-how-our-spending-legislature-works-in-basic-terms/638812 "2012-10-25T13:30:33Z")
Basically, I am curious about the interplay between the House, Senate, and President (I imagine there are more, though). I don’t need a huge amount of detail, just enough basics to understand the gist. And I am curious … --- ## [Weirdness on Intrade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdness-on-intrade/638627)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2012, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdness-on-intrade/638627 "2012-10-25T04:47:24Z")
At about 10:00 AM ET this morning, a single investor(using about $18K) swung Romney from about 40 to about 48- for six minutes (this investor would have lost about $1250 in 6 minutes). Then it went back down to 40. How… --- ## [Romney to businesses, tell your employees who to vote for](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-to-businesses-tell-your-employees-who-to-vote-for/638169)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-to-businesses-tell-your-employees-who-to-vote-for/638169 "2012-10-25T04:29:03Z")
From his speech at the National Federation of Independent Business Discuss please. --- ## [Things Romney won't say to get elected](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-romney-wont-say-to-get-elected/638735)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-romney-wont-say-to-get-elected/638735 "2012-10-25T03:10:17Z")
Give me some help here, I can’t think of any so far. --- ## [Many Americans in Israel Back Romney, Informal Servey Shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/many-americans-in-israel-back-romney-informal-servey-shows/638734)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/many-americans-in-israel-back-romney-informal-servey-shows/638734 "2012-10-24T20:40:56Z")
The New York Times reports: --- ## [Anonymous SDMB poll: Who are you voting for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-sdmb-poll-who-are-you-voting-for/638623)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-sdmb-poll-who-are-you-voting-for/638623 "2012-10-24T20:16:29Z")
The real election is 2 weeks from today. Who’s your man? Probably pointless among the Doper community as I’m certain this will be a monstrous landslide, but let’s do this anyway, just for fun. --- ## ["Foreign Policy Debate", huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-policy-debate-huh/638729)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-policy-debate-huh/638729 "2012-10-24T18:40:41Z")
During the third debate, it occurred to me that the candidates were… let’s say focused on certain areas. Apparently not just to me: I think Europe did get a couple of mentions, to the extent that Turkey and the UK were… --- ## [October Surprise countdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-surprise-countdown/638147)
**Author:** [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-surprise-countdown/638147 "2012-10-24T04:23:44Z")
October Surprise. Anybody want to take a stab in the dark since we’ve got just under 100 hours before the big reveal. My guess is that it’s another fake-out just like the Romney tax return blackmail threat. --- ## [Chris Matthew's lastest rant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-matthews-lastest-rant/638618)
**Author:** [@stevenova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stevenova)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-matthews-lastest-rant/638618 "2012-10-24T00:19:16Z")
“I think they hate Obama. They want him out of the White House more than they want to destroy Al Qaeda. Their No. 1 enemy in the world right now, on the right, is their hatred, hatred for Obama. And we can go into that a… --- ## [Romnesia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romnesia/638285)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romnesia/638285 "2012-10-23T16:50:49Z")
This is some seriously funny shit. The campaign may have hit upon the best catchphrase of the election runup. He also said that Romney is in luck, because under Obamacare, he can get treatment for what is surely a pre… --- ## [International observers to monitor U.S. election for voter suppression](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-observers-to-monitor-u-s-election-for-voter-suppression/638520)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-observers-to-monitor-u-s-election-for-voter-suppression/638520 "2012-10-22T17:54:34Z")
No, really. 44 observers? That ain’t even one per state, guys. Do you realize how big this country is? At any rate, the RW is pissed! :smiley: --- ## [Talk to me about Romney's plans for China](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-about-romneys-plans-for-china/638540)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-to-me-about-romneys-plans-for-china/638540 "2012-10-22T16:41:24Z")
From the debate thread, I’m stealing this quote to launch a new thread specifically on China: I know Romney has been talking a lot about how tough he’ll be on China, but I was curious about what specifically he’s propo… --- ## [Would a post-2nd term Barack Obama be qualified to serve as a Justice of the Supreme Court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-post-2nd-term-barack-obama-be-qualified-to-serve-as-a-justice-of-the-supreme-court/638485)
**Author:** [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-post-2nd-term-barack-obama-be-qualified-to-serve-as-a-justice-of-the-supreme-court/638485 "2012-10-22T15:29:31Z")
And supposing an unknown Democratic POTUS is elected in 2016, would the nomination passing be impossible? I believe it’s 50 votes to pass, and “support” from 60 senators to dodge a filibuster, IIRC. --- ## [How daring would/could a President Romney be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-daring-would-could-a-president-romney-be/637815)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-daring-would-could-a-president-romney-be/637815 "2012-10-22T14:17:28Z")
Jon Chait fears the answer is “very”: It goes on to detail how he could use reconciliation to get it passed by simple majority, especially if his victory gives enough Republican votes in the Senate. Obviously, this wo… --- ## [Independents for Linda McMahon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/independents-for-linda-mcmahon/638471)
**Author:** [@DirtyHippy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirtyHippy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/independents-for-linda-mcmahon/638471 "2012-10-22T06:07:27Z")
In Connecticut, Linda McMahon is the Republican running for the Senate seat being vacated by Lieberman. The ads back and forth between her and Chris Murphy have been pretty nasty, but pretty standard stuff nowadays. Howe… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=287) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=289)