# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=295 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 296 --- ## [U.S. gets another credit downgrade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-gets-another-credit-downgrade/634750)
**Author:** [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-gets-another-credit-downgrade/634750 "2012-09-17T20:44:50Z")
It was either here or GD’s, but given we’re two months out from the election, it’ll probably go better here. Link Thoughts? Conservatives have been railing against Bernake’s proposed stimulus plan since he announced … --- ## [Libyan Killing of Ambassador And Staff: How Will This Play Out In Election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libyan-killing-of-ambassador-and-staff-how-will-this-play-out-in-election/634511)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libyan-killing-of-ambassador-and-staff-how-will-this-play-out-in-election/634511 "2012-09-17T20:43:26Z")
At the time I am writing this, Hillary has made her comments and Obama just made his comments. Will the Republicans (Romney) try to spin this as a failed foreign policy debacle? Will voters see Obama as stronger or wea… --- ## [GOP Activists to Romney: Why Aren't You Winning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-activists-to-romney-why-arent-you-winning/634835)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-activists-to-romney-why-arent-you-winning/634835 "2012-09-17T20:24:15Z")
The Associated Press has an interesting piece on GOP activists wondering why their horse seems a bit lame and halt: The real Reagan would be too liberal for anyone currently hawking “Reagan was right” buttons. Oh dea… --- ## [RNC attendee: 'This is how we feed animals.'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 356\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071 "2012-09-17T14:44:56Z")
From Examiner.com: Somebody is unclear about how a dog whistle is supposed to work. It’s not a bullhorn and you use it to gently suggest the Republican Party is cool with racists. OTOH, CNN and Examiner.com are nests… --- ## [If Obama weighs in on the Chicago teacher strike, which way will be most strategic for him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-obama-weighs-in-on-the-chicago-teacher-strike-which-way-will-be-most-strategic-for-him/634528)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-obama-weighs-in-on-the-chicago-teacher-strike-which-way-will-be-most-strategic-for-him/634528 "2012-09-17T13:38:17Z")
Chicago teachers have been on strike for 3 days now. About 350,000 kids are out of school. The teacher’s union is at odds with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is pushing for more flexibility to evaluate teachers and fire those… --- ## [If America had a multiparty system, which party would you join/support? (poll\])](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-america-had-a-multiparty-system-which-party-would-you-join-support-poll/633407)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-america-had-a-multiparty-system-which-party-would-you-join-support-poll/633407 "2012-09-17T10:30:55Z")
What we have now in America is called a “first-past-the-post/winner-take-all” system combined with a “single-member-district” system: The legislature’s jurisdictional territory is divided into geographic districts of rou… --- ## [Lifting Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-obama/634270)
**Author:** [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifting-obama/634270 "2012-09-17T01:30:58Z")
At least one enthusiastic Republican on the Campaign trail. Apparently there’s been criticism of the Secret Service, but seeing this footage I don’t know how they could intervene. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=… --- ## [Electoral College ties 269-269 Any chance Romney is not elected by House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electoral-college-ties-269-269-any-chance-romney-is-not-elected-by-house/634392)
**Author:** [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electoral-college-ties-269-269-any-chance-romney-is-not-elected-by-house/634392 "2012-09-16T17:39:14Z")
It is a hypothetical, and a lot of the numbers say achieving a 269-269 tie would be mathematically difficult… but just suppose. It is my understanding that such an election would be thrown to the House of Representativ… --- ## [Election predictions: InTrade vs. 538](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-predictions-intrade-vs-538/625888)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-predictions-intrade-vs-538/625888 "2012-09-16T17:34:25Z")
The New York Times blog 538 keeps a running tally of a carefully designed model it uses to predict the popular and electoral vote based on recent polls. As of this afternoon, the model states that Obama has a 63% chance… --- ## [Election Time Positive Thoughts Only](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-time-positive-thoughts-only/634739)
**Author:** [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2012, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-time-positive-thoughts-only/634739 "2012-09-16T15:32:28Z")
It’s election time again, and all you ever hear is how bad the other guy is. In this thread, I ask you to say something positive about your guy, period. (Unless you also have something positive to say about the other gu… --- ## [In major elections, if your side is ahead, how should you (re)act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-major-elections-if-your-side-is-ahead-how-should-you-re-act/634547)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2012, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-major-elections-if-your-side-is-ahead-how-should-you-re-act/634547 "2012-09-15T23:54:36Z")
Happy, maybe even cocky! It energizes your side, and voters like a winner, so they’re more likely to vote for a winner! But no! It’ll make them so overconfident that they’ll let victory slip away, and ambivalent voters… --- ## [Arizona official may keep Obama off the ballot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398 "2012-09-15T21:17:59Z")
No, really. Arpaio’s “investigation.” --- ## [538's %'s vs everybody else's "Tossup" rating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/538s-s-vs-everybody-elses-tossup-rating/634637)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/538s-s-vs-everybody-elses-tossup-rating/634637 "2012-09-15T20:33:47Z")
So … I’ve noticed a lot of folks, particularly liberals, seem to place a lot of stock in Nate Silver’s probabilities. He’s got an interesting model, but his probabibilites definitely seem to be on the high side for Obama… --- ## [Russian ships displayed at DNC tribute to vets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-ships-displayed-at-dnc-tribute-to-vets/634548)
**Author:** [@moonshot925](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moonshot925)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2012, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-ships-displayed-at-dnc-tribute-to-vets/634548 "2012-09-15T10:03:40Z")
\[DNC tribute shows Russian warships instead of U.S.\] http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/09/navy-russian-warships-displayed-dnc-veterans-tribute-091112/ --- ## [2016: Obama's America - What payola mechanism got this in theaters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-obamas-america-what-payola-mechanism-got-this-in-theaters/634038)
**Author:** [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2012, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-obamas-america-what-payola-mechanism-got-this-in-theaters/634038 "2012-09-15T09:08:22Z")
I live in a solidly Democratic locale, but I’m seeing this bit of hackneyed tripe occupying slots in my local theaters as if it were a major motion picture. Who greased the skids here? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016:… --- ## [Most Interesting Man in the World endorses Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-interesting-man-in-the-world-endorses-obama/634625)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-interesting-man-in-the-world-endorses-obama/634625 "2012-09-14T16:21:26Z")
He doesn’t always get political, but when does he apparently prefers the Dems. Anyway here’s the story: Guess it makes sense, seeing as how his small talk has altered foreign policy. I know that when he drinks beer… --- ## [Clinton claimed he had "four surplus budgets" at DNC speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-claimed-he-had-four-surplus-budgets-at-dnc-speech/633918)
**Author:** [@moonshot925](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moonshot925)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-claimed-he-had-four-surplus-budgets-at-dnc-speech/633918 "2012-09-14T02:46:03Z")
“People ask me all the time how we delivered four surplus budgets.” The problem is there was no surplus. The debt held by the public decreased but intergovernmental holdings increased far more. Which is why the total gr… --- ## [What if RT Firefly is right about a GOP game-changer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-rt-firefly-is-right-about-a-gop-game-changer/634596)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-rt-firefly-is-right-about-a-gop-game-changer/634596 "2012-09-13T23:03:35Z")
In this post, Mr. Firefly suggests, if I’m not over-reading him, that maybe the GOP ought to re-assess and decide to abort Romney’s nomination, and start over again fresh with a brand-new candidate, for moral and politic… --- ## [What do you all think of this "poll"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-all-think-of-this-poll/634463)
**Author:** [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-all-think-of-this-poll/634463 "2012-09-13T13:56:05Z")
Offered without comment. Amazon --- ## [How Can Romney Possibly Win?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-romney-possibly-win/632452)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 242\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-romney-possibly-win/632452 "2012-09-13T13:20:01Z")
Not sure if this belongs in GD or IMHO but I’ll leave that decision up to the mods. But with the news of the recent Wall St Journal/NBC Poll showing Romney losing the black vote, 94% to 0% to Obama, in addition to his a… --- ## [Eastwood defends RNC speech, calls Obama ‘greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people’](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eastwood-defends-rnc-speech-calls-obama-greatest-hoax-ever-perpetrated-on-the-american-people/634026)
**Author:** [@moonshot925](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moonshot925)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eastwood-defends-rnc-speech-calls-obama-greatest-hoax-ever-perpetrated-on-the-american-people/634026 "2012-09-12T21:57:19Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/eastwood-defends-rnc-speech-calls-obama-greatest-hoax-165353745--election.html --- ## [WTF Romney's cozy with Pat Robertson?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-romneys-cozy-with-pat-robertson/634360)
**Author:** [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-romneys-cozy-with-pat-robertson/634360 "2012-09-12T17:33:36Z")
First Steve King, now Pat Robertson… these are the old white men that Romney hugs. Robertson: That old windbag. He advocates wife beating. Charming. And this is only the beginning, the guy has a wiki of controversy … --- ## [What effect would an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities have on the presidential election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-israeli-attack-on-irans-nuclear-facilities-have-on-the-presidential-election/634329)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-would-an-israeli-attack-on-irans-nuclear-facilities-have-on-the-presidential-election/634329 "2012-09-12T17:33:17Z")
Would it help Obama? Help Romney? Or would the effect be determined by Obama’s reaction to it (sit on the sidelines or criticize Israel vs ask American air power to pile on and finish the job)? What do you all think? --- ## [Effect of former SEAL's "No Easy Day" book on election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-former-seals-no-easy-day-book-on-election/633077)
**Author:** [@With\_Rye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/With_Rye)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-former-seals-no-easy-day-book-on-election/633077 "2012-09-12T16:57:51Z")
So a former SEAL wrote a book about his firsthand account of the Bin Laden raid. It’ll come out in September. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/08/29/us/politics/ap-us-bin-laden-book.html?hp How much of an effect wi… --- ## [Did Romney break the law regarding foreign donations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-romney-break-the-law-regarding-foreign-donations/631483)
**Author:** [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-romney-break-the-law-regarding-foreign-donations/631483 "2012-09-12T16:48:45Z")
I was send this story this morning. On the surface, it would appear to be pretty damning, but I also know not to believe everything posted on the intertubes. Is there any merit to this or is it just blathering from a par… --- ## [The Principal Themes of the RNC Convention are Built on Lies and Misrepresentations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-principal-themes-of-the-rnc-convention-are-built-on-lies-and-misrepresentations/633037)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 358\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-principal-themes-of-the-rnc-convention-are-built-on-lies-and-misrepresentations/633037 "2012-09-12T16:20:32Z")
I get that it is very common for partisans to see their opponents as lying liars. So I’d like for some conservatives to explain to me why I shouldn’t view Romney’s campaign as objectively far more deceptive and misleadi… --- ## [Will voter ID laws backfire on GOP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-voter-id-laws-backfire-on-gop/634412)
**Author:** [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-voter-id-laws-backfire-on-gop/634412 "2012-09-12T13:00:27Z")
Prompted by Jim “Crazy Money” Cramer’s tweet: Republicans have pushed through voter ID laws in a number of states. It is widely assumed that these tend to disenfranchise poor people who can’t afford cars and don’t oth… --- ## [Put yer money down--Ladbroke's election odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/put-yer-money-down-ladbrokes-election-odds/631650)
**Author:** [@greenslime1951](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenslime1951)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/put-yer-money-down-ladbrokes-election-odds/631650 "2012-09-12T09:35:54Z")
Ladbroke’s has Obama at 4/11 and Romney at 2/1. This translates to Obama -275 and Romney +200. Aside from the fact that this is a truly piratical spread (NFL games, for example, would have about half this spread on a mo… --- ## ["Race" and the Republicans.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-and-the-republicans/634183)
**Author:** [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-and-the-republicans/634183 "2012-09-12T05:49:18Z")
Continuing the hijack from the DNC 2012 thread. Here’s adaher’s contention: (referring to the Republican party). I think this quote from Lee Atwater is sufficient to disprove that particular claim. From the wiki ar… --- ## [How will Israel and Iran factor in now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-israel-and-iran-factor-in-now/634469)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-israel-and-iran-factor-in-now/634469 "2012-09-12T04:25:28Z")
Oops, I accidentally posted this thread when I meant to bump an existing one. Will ask mods to delete. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=294) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=296)