# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=294 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 295 --- ## [What would it take for a third party to be successful long-term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-a-third-party-to-be-successful-long-term/635523)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-a-third-party-to-be-successful-long-term/635523 "2012-09-22T22:28:15Z")
Not sure if this is more elections or GD. We bemoan that there is no third party but the fact is that except for the Republican Party (and that’s because of the Civil War) the history of third parties in the U.S. is eit… --- ## [Sudden swing in the Senate races?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-swing-in-the-senate-races/635073)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2012, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-swing-in-the-senate-races/635073 "2012-09-22T14:05:59Z")
Electoral-vote.com suddenly moved about three seats over from the Republican side to the Democratic side overnight. Nothing in its news section highlights any particular reason for this. What happened? I guess there wer… --- ## [Romney campaign having financial problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-campaign-having-financial-problems/635399)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-campaign-having-financial-problems/635399 "2012-09-21T21:10:17Z")
It appears they can’t live within their income. Or couldn’t during the primary season at least. The Obama campaign is outraising them, outspending them, and has nearly twice the cash still in the bank. And yet, Romney… --- ## [Will Repubs keep the House? Dems the Senate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-repubs-keep-the-house-dems-the-senate/635429)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-repubs-keep-the-house-dems-the-senate/635429 "2012-09-21T20:32:46Z")
Are there any projections yet if power will shift in the House and Senate? How strong is the Republican House majority? The Democrat Senate majority, is it secure? --- ## [Ryan Gives Speech To The AARP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryan-gives-speech-to-the-aarp/635419)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryan-gives-speech-to-the-aarp/635419 "2012-09-21T20:08:15Z")
It didn’t go too well: This is without a doubt the most unfriendly audience Ryan has spoken to as VP candidate. Audience alterantes between silence and boos. now audience members at AARP are yelling “you lie” as Ryan t… --- ## [Congressman Jones appears on white supremacist radio show](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-jones-appears-on-white-supremacist-radio-show/635353)
**Author:** [@Ms.DeeDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms.DeeDee)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-jones-appears-on-white-supremacist-radio-show/635353 "2012-09-21T18:16:00Z")
Congressman Jones appeared on a white nationalist radio program, whose hosts advocate racial separation and espouse views which could be seen by many to be offensive. He is my representative unfortunately :mad: Here’s … --- ## [Are there slogan writers here ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-slogan-writers-here/633794)
**Author:** [@getitrite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/getitrite)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-slogan-writers-here/633794 "2012-09-21T18:08:49Z")
The slogan writer at one time was a great job, with perks. Are there any good ones here ? We know that Biden tried with his, BenLaden is Dead, GM is alive. This one is mine Saved in 4 years, fixed by 8 Can you do b… --- ## [Are Many Americans Too Dependent on Government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-many-americans-too-dependent-on-government/635134)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-many-americans-too-dependent-on-government/635134 "2012-09-21T16:16:15Z")
Recently in a thread about one of Romney’s recent gaffes, a certain Omg a Black Conservative posted about a CNBC Poll, which asks the question: GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney told a fundraising event earlier thi… --- ## [The West Wing Cast Re-Unites For The Best Campaign Video Ever (Not What You Think!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-west-wing-cast-re-unites-for-the-best-campaign-video-ever-not-what-you-think/635358)
**Author:** [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-west-wing-cast-re-unites-for-the-best-campaign-video-ever-not-what-you-think/635358 "2012-09-21T06:49:51Z")
http://eclectablog.com/2012/09/cast-of-the-west-wing-cuts-ad-for-michigan-supreme-court-candidate-bridget-mary-mccormack.html --- ## [So What Else Does Mother Jones Have Up Her Sleeve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-else-does-mother-jones-have-up-her-sleeve/635093)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-else-does-mother-jones-have-up-her-sleeve/635093 "2012-09-21T04:45:58Z")
Or rather, what else did Romney say at that fund-raiser? Yesterday, Mother Jones released the portion of the tape showing Romney dissing almost half the electorate. Today, they release the portion where he states that … --- ## [Will 2012 be the closest incumbent win ever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-2012-be-the-closest-incumbent-win-ever/635320)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-2012-be-the-closest-incumbent-win-ever/635320 "2012-09-21T03:03:23Z")
In 1916, Woodrow Wilson was re-elected to the presidency with 277 EC votes out of 531 or 52.17% of the Electoral College vote. This is the equivalent today of just over 280 votes. So assuming that Obama wins re-electio… --- ## [How can someone screw up so much and still have a nontrivial support base?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-someone-screw-up-so-much-and-still-have-a-nontrivial-support-base/635293)
**Author:** [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-someone-screw-up-so-much-and-still-have-a-nontrivial-support-base/635293 "2012-09-21T02:39:30Z")
Every time I look at the news lately it seems like Romney is screwing up again in some major way. He’s either getting his facts wrong, using shoddy math, relying on magic, saying inappropriate things, writing people off,… --- ## [Obama Ad: Meet the 47%](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-ad-meet-the-47/635183)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2012, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-ad-meet-the-47/635183 "2012-09-20T14:26:34Z")
No, this is not a real advertisement. But what do you think about the following: \ Recently, Governor Romney said the following at a $5,000 a plate fundraiser: "“There are 47% of the people who will vote fo… --- ## [Down Ticket Discussion Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-ticket-discussion-thread/635201)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-ticket-discussion-thread/635201 "2012-09-20T14:19:36Z")
While the Presidential election gets the all the glory and attention, there is no doubt that there is a lot riding on the outcome of the SEnate and House races. While the Democrats should make gains in the House it seem… --- ## [Should the US formally adopt a two-party system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-formally-adopt-a-two-party-system/635136)
**Author:** [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2012, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-formally-adopt-a-two-party-system/635136 "2012-09-20T14:09:32Z")
Many folks (myself included) would argue that one of the major problems in American politics is that third parties are basically nonentities. The obvious solution would be for a third party to actually achieve some sort… --- ## [Media Covering for Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-covering-for-obama/635117)
**Author:** [@Chen019](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chen019)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2012, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-covering-for-obama/635117 "2012-09-20T10:15:21Z")
Ramirez, the IBD’s editorial cartoonist and senior editor, has a point - if Dan Quayle or Bush had made these gaffes the media would be all over it. The media (aside from the equally biased Fox News) simply downplay news… --- ## [Romney For President Announces Black Leadership Council.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-for-president-announces-black-leadership-council/634905)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2012, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-for-president-announces-black-leadership-council/634905 "2012-09-20T07:03:11Z")
http://www.mittromney.com/news/press/2012/09/romney-president-announces-black-leadership-council I can’t do anything but giggle at this. --- ## [Has Romney apologised to Britain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-romney-apologised-to-britain/635162)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-romney-apologised-to-britain/635162 "2012-09-19T22:17:01Z")
Romney was not very polite about the British Olympics before they happened. They were a stonking success. Romney has been proven utterly wrong. Has he apologised yet? --- ## [Department of Justice emails to Media Matters - big deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-justice-emails-to-media-matters-big-deal/635197)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-justice-emails-to-media-matters-big-deal/635197 "2012-09-19T20:09:02Z")
Googling “Media Matters Department of Justice” brings up a ton of news stories - mostly conservative sites parroting each other - about the Departrment of Justice’s public affairs director sending lots of info to Media M… --- ## [Super PAC effect on House races?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-pac-effect-on-house-races/635106)
**Author:** [@Dwindlehop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dwindlehop)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-pac-effect-on-house-races/635106 "2012-09-19T19:28:39Z")
Dan Eggen in the Washington Post today claimed that a few hundred thousand dollars spent in a U.S. House of Representatives election can swing the result. Are there examples of this occurring? I am somewhat dubious of… --- ## [Will Rahm Emanuel's problems in Chicago hurt Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-rahm-emanuels-problems-in-chicago-hurt-obama/635047)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-rahm-emanuels-problems-in-chicago-hurt-obama/635047 "2012-09-19T16:22:10Z")
Emanuel Rahm has been a bull in a china shop since taking office a few short months ago. He basically demanded that school hours be extended 1 ½ hours, and slashed raises for the teachers. There’s also reports of plannin… --- ## [British PM reportedly supports Obama, disses Romney](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-pm-reportedly-supports-obama-disses-romney/635155)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-pm-reportedly-supports-obama-disses-romney/635155 "2012-09-19T14:28:51Z")
Or so says Harvey Weinstein. So on one hand it seems an awfully candid remark for Cameron given the audience. On the other hand, Cameron has already gone on the record with scathing remarks for Romney during his UK vis… --- ## [Debunk (or bunk) this claim about Paul Ryan's plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-or-bunk-this-claim-about-paul-ryans-plan/635049)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunk-or-bunk-this-claim-about-paul-ryans-plan/635049 "2012-09-19T14:01:16Z")
I get emails from the Democratic Party and the Obama campaign all the time, and I usually just glance over them to see if it includes anything I don’t already know. However, I’m looking at a mail claimed to be written b… --- ## [Is Nov 6th going to be a big disaster? (Voter id related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nov-6th-going-to-be-a-big-disaster-voter-id-related/635153)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nov-6th-going-to-be-a-big-disaster-voter-id-related/635153 "2012-09-19T10:33:48Z")
With all the crap that’s been going on with the legality of voter id laws in various states, I get this ominis Al Gore - Bush feeling. One of these states is going to fuck up and it’s going to be one of these deals wher… --- ## [Southern whites troubled by Romney's wealth, religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-whites-troubled-by-romneys-wealth-religion/634588)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/southern-whites-troubled-by-romneys-wealth-religion/634588 "2012-09-19T08:51:48Z")
Or so says Reuters. Among the Bible Belt voters, the choice between the rich Mormon guy and the black “Muslim” guy is apparently not as easy as first thought. What I find interesting about this is that there is any wa… --- ## [Good presidential debate questions for Romney/Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2012, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-presidential-debate-questions-for-romney-ryan/631407 "2012-09-18T15:51:29Z")
What are some good questions to ask MItt Romney and Paul Ryan in the upcoming presidential and vice-presidential debates? You get to ask one question, with one follow up. One I would like answered is as follows: "The d… --- ## [Is the Obama campaign mobilizing the "foodstamp vote?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-obama-campaign-mobilizing-the-foodstamp-vote/634946)
**Author:** [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2012, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-obama-campaign-mobilizing-the-foodstamp-vote/634946 "2012-09-18T14:52:10Z")
I have seen in comments posted around the Internet the idea that one strategy of the Obama administration has been to get as many people as possible onto government assistance programs, under the assumption that this foo… --- ## [Romney thinks 47% of those who vote for Obama are Moochers.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-thinks-47-of-those-who-vote-for-obama-are-moochers/635018)
**Author:** [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-thinks-47-of-those-who-vote-for-obama-are-moochers/635018 "2012-09-17T22:49:39Z")
deleted thread --- ## [Romney: Biggest Debate Hurdle Will Be Dishonesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-biggest-debate-hurdle-will-be-dishonesty/634704)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-biggest-debate-hurdle-will-be-dishonesty/634704 "2012-09-17T22:12:35Z")
Mitt Romney’s latest expectation-lowering spin for the upcoming debates: tell people he’ll have to choose between getting his own message out and rebutting Obama falsehoods: Yeesh, every time I think he can’t get any m… --- ## [Questions about Citizens United and political ads...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-citizens-united-and-political-ads/634316)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-citizens-united-and-political-ads/634316 "2012-09-17T20:58:32Z")
Depending on the election’s outcome, how do you think people will regard the effect of Citizen’s United? Obviously, if Romney wins, it will be pointed to by liberals as a key factor. Equally obviously, if he loses, c… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=293) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=295)