# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=289 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 290 --- ## [Clearing up misinformation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clearing-up-misinformation/638375)
**Author:** [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clearing-up-misinformation/638375 "2012-10-21T22:08:02Z")
Before people start criticizing either political party for their policies, please get your facts straight. One that I have been seeing on FB frequently lately is the assertion that the Affordable Care Act (sheepishly ref… --- ## [Tax Incentives for Shipping Jobs Overseas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-incentives-for-shipping-jobs-overseas/636812)
**Author:** [@Curious\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curious_Mike)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-incentives-for-shipping-jobs-overseas/636812 "2012-10-21T16:26:52Z")
In the debate thread several ppl mentioned that Romney will take some heat for his mistake in saying that he has never heard of incentives for moving jobs overseas. Obama did call them incentives. Here is the quote: “… --- ## [Another conspiracy theory, this time liberal: voting machines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-conspiracy-theory-this-time-liberal-voting-machines/638244)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-conspiracy-theory-this-time-liberal-voting-machines/638244 "2012-10-21T16:04:21Z")
Of course, conservatives aren’t alone in fear of conspiracies. The fact that computerized voting machines are often manufactured and run by large corporations, whose owners tend to skew Republican, has been a topic of d… --- ## [Republicans: what are the best ideas Democrats have come up with, and the worst ones by GOPers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-what-are-the-best-ideas-democrats-have-come-up-with-and-the-worst-ones-by-gopers/638314)
**Author:** [@Bpelta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bpelta)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2012, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-what-are-the-best-ideas-democrats-have-come-up-with-and-the-worst-ones-by-gopers/638314 "2012-10-21T04:40:02Z")
(Asking the inverse of Palo Verde’s question here, since I’m genuinely curious.) So here is the challenge: come up with the best idea generally conceived and embraced by the Democratic party. This can’t be something tha… --- ## [Salt Lake Tribune endorses...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salt-lake-tribune-endorses/638292)
**Author:** [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salt-lake-tribune-endorses/638292 "2012-10-21T02:45:11Z")
…President Obama. Holy smackers --- ## [What will conservatives blame for a Romney loss?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-conservatives-blame-for-a-romney-loss/638242)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-conservatives-blame-for-a-romney-loss/638242 "2012-10-21T02:39:11Z")
If Romney loses, conservatives will have to find a scapegoat that allows them to continue believing their platform was sound, and a loss was the due to some other reason that doesn’t threaten their right wing dogma. Two… --- ## [What is your method for deciding which Judge to vote for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-method-for-deciding-which-judge-to-vote-for/638356)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-method-for-deciding-which-judge-to-vote-for/638356 "2012-10-20T23:16:17Z")
I admit that in the past, I have not done enough research and when it comes time to vote, I see these judges’ names and I have no clue who they are or what they represent. I wonder how people researched before the inter… --- ## [Will Osborne survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-osborne-survive/638249)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-osborne-survive/638249 "2012-10-20T22:30:41Z")
Plebgate (Google it :D) takes another twist! Not only does our esteemed Chancellor try to not pay for a first class seat, but he “couldn’t possibly sit in standard class”. I’ll let someone else Pit him, so I’m opening t… --- ## ["I haven't received a raise in 5 years. Thanks Obama".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-received-a-raise-in-5-years-thanks-obama/638125)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-havent-received-a-raise-in-5-years-thanks-obama/638125 "2012-10-20T17:09:36Z")
This quote is from a friend of mine. He is a blue collar worker. How would you respond to this? --- ## [Why do politicians insist they (or the President) can control gas prices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-politicians-insist-they-or-the-president-can-control-gas-prices/637985)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2012, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-politicians-insist-they-or-the-president-can-control-gas-prices/637985 "2012-10-20T12:36:02Z")
Because they can’t; can they? Is there some sort of Risk vs. Reward factor going on here? In my layman mind, this seems like a monkey BOTH sides would like off their back. So why do they continue to debate it? --- ## [3rd Party Candidates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3rd-party-candidates/638284)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3rd-party-candidates/638284 "2012-10-20T01:11:54Z")
Who are the minor candidates in the race this year? --- ## [Chicago - Jesse Jackson jr. House Race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-jesse-jackson-jr-house-race/638286)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-jesse-jackson-jr-house-race/638286 "2012-10-20T00:50:04Z")
Is this guy really a shoo-in for reelection? The Sun Times seems to think that D makes him an automatic win. Really??? http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/15721717-505/despite-federal-probe-mental-illness-rep-jesse… --- ## [What IS Mitt's stance on education and what are the pros and cons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-mitts-stance-on-education-and-what-are-the-pros-and-cons/638277)
**Author:** [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-mitts-stance-on-education-and-what-are-the-pros-and-cons/638277 "2012-10-19T23:42:52Z")
So is he planning to cut education spending or what? I thought the Ryan plan cut billions from education? Why does he then say he isn’t cutting education? Does Romney support the voucher system? How does he define perfo… --- ## [photo-op -- cleaning clean pans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photo-op-cleaning-clean-pans/637752)
**Author:** [@ahduval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ahduval)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/photo-op-cleaning-clean-pans/637752 "2012-10-19T20:28:50Z")
I know politicians set up photo-ops, but I think this one takes a prize for artificiality. This took place in Youngstown, Ohio: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/10/13/reporters-barred-from-cov… --- ## [Oh god, no!!! Is Romney winning???!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-god-no-is-romney-winning/638202)
**Author:** [@AdanTheSomali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AdanTheSomali)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2012, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-god-no-is-romney-winning/638202 "2012-10-19T11:58:50Z")
Romney is leading 52 to 45% among likely voters WTF, how can Obama lead such a brilliant campaign until all of a sudden one debates propels Romney into a nice lead. Ye people of great political understanding, what are … --- ## [Will the other debates make any real difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-other-debates-make-any-real-difference/637488)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-other-debates-make-any-real-difference/637488 "2012-10-19T03:26:12Z")
I was pondering this earlier in the shower. There’s an argument to be made that the other two Presidential debates can only be lost by Obama, not won (Romney, I think, could win or lose either). The reason this is a po… --- ## [Job Report Should Help Obama.... \[monthly jobs report thread, July through September\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-report-should-help-obama-monthly-jobs-report-thread-july-through-september/630344)
**Author:** [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Replies:** 177\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-report-should-help-obama-monthly-jobs-report-thread-july-through-september/630344 "2012-10-19T02:36:37Z")
… or not? --- ## [Thought I recognized that facial expression](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-i-recognized-that-facial-expression/638082)
**Author:** [@Nazarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nazarene)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-i-recognized-that-facial-expression/638082 "2012-10-18T17:54:46Z")
During the debate last night, there was a few times when Obama got this really intense look on his face, that’s unusual for him. A sort of controlled fury where it looked like he might be on the verge of losing his legen… --- ## [Romney's Tax Plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-tax-plan/637944)
**Author:** [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-tax-plan/637944 "2012-10-18T14:59:24Z")
Somebody posted this on my FB feed, and I haven’t seen it here. So there, for you people that wanted details: http://www.romneytaxplan.com/ --- ## [Debate etiquette...I has it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-etiquette-i-has-it/638091)
**Author:** [@A\_nice\_guy\_with\_an\_opinion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_nice_guy_with_an_opinion)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2012, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-etiquette-i-has-it/638091 "2012-10-18T05:10:41Z")
The thread title is a takeoff from the DirecTv Opulence commercials. I know people need explanations of titles and threads, so now that the title is explained… Michelle had trouble last night following the rules. I kn… --- ## [Poll: Have you ever based your vote on any of the following things?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-have-you-ever-based-your-vote-on-any-of-the-following-things/637586)
**Author:** [@Nazarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nazarene)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-have-you-ever-based-your-vote-on-any-of-the-following-things/637586 "2012-10-17T22:15:19Z")
Personally, I can’t remember my vote ever being the least bit affected by any of these things, but an enormous amount of money and energy gets spent on them in every election cycle. I’m curious how much influence these a… --- ## [Romney v. Big Bird Huh?!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-v-big-bird-huh/637308)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-v-big-bird-huh/637308 "2012-10-17T21:53:01Z")
I keep seeing jokes and such about Romney threatening Big Bird. When I try to search, I only get more jokes. Has this been created whole cloth? Or did Romney actually weigh in on a Sesame Street character? --- ## [RIP Arlen Specter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-arlen-specter/637708)
**Author:** [@Nazarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nazarene)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-arlen-specter/637708 "2012-10-17T16:37:11Z")
Arlen Specter, longtime GOP Senate moderate, dies Taken by cancer at 82. He was one of the \[del\]good\[/del\] not that evil ones. --- ## [GOP trying to suppress the Libertarian Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-trying-to-suppress-the-libertarian-party/637810)
**Author:** [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-trying-to-suppress-the-libertarian-party/637810 "2012-10-17T00:56:25Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/us/politics/gary-johnson-the-libertarian-partys-presidential-nominee-worries-republicans.html?src=twr The Karl Rove win at any cost philosophy at work. --- ## [How will the weird administration spin on Libya affect the election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-weird-administration-spin-on-libya-affect-the-election/635067 "2012-10-16T22:22:49Z")
Why are they so adamant about standing by this absurd theory that a movie got Ambassador Stevens killed, and that a coordinated attack with mortars and RPGs was “spontaneous”? It seems to me like a sure way to piss away… --- ## [Mitt Romney's favorite book](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romneys-favorite-book/637485)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2012, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romneys-favorite-book/637485 "2012-10-16T20:57:15Z")
Old news (it’s from the last election) but I just read it. It’s a standard question reporters ask a candidate, “What’s your favorite book?” Romney had what I considered a surprising answer: Battlefield Earth by L. Ron … --- ## [Post interesting election commercials here...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-interesting-election-commercials-here/636473)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-interesting-election-commercials-here/636473 "2012-10-16T19:31:24Z")
Local, regional, national - what election commercials have caught your fancy… or ire? Pro Obama: Stage - YouTube (Romney buys a paper plant, has workers build a stage for Bain Capital execs, only to use that stage to m… --- ## [Try Not To Be Depressed: Lindsay Lohan Is Voting For Romney](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/try-not-to-be-depressed-lindsay-lohan-is-voting-for-romney/637535)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/try-not-to-be-depressed-lindsay-lohan-is-voting-for-romney/637535 "2012-10-16T17:24:30Z")
I know you all highly value the opinion of Lindsay Lohan, and respect her moral, ethical code and superior grasp of political nuance, but she has announced her support for Mitt Romney. It is a dark day indeed. --- ## [What type of white is Romney?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-white-is-romney/637033)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2012, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-white-is-romney/637033 "2012-10-16T11:08:52Z")
Is he Irish? Turkish? Armenian? Danish? What? --- ## [Odds-makers on Battleground States](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-makers-on-battleground-states/637734)
**Author:** [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2012, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-makers-on-battleground-states/637734 "2012-10-16T09:54:14Z")
From time to time I’ve come across references to odds-makers parsing the probabilities of election outcomes, or at least the POTUS one. Do they ever break down the key U.S. States? I’d like to know what, if anything, h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=288) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=290)