# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=296 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 297 --- ## [Examples of right-wing rhetoric/word usage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-right-wing-rhetoric-word-usage/633635)
**Author:** [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-right-wing-rhetoric-word-usage/633635 "2012-09-12T02:23:25Z")
I’ve noticed some curious things about just the simple way the right wing words things. Instead of “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” it gets labeled as “Obamacare” and then used as a pejorative term. Rich pe… --- ## [Four reasons why Obama should lose but Four other reasons why he will win.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-reasons-why-obama-should-lose-but-four-other-reasons-why-he-will-win/634292)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-reasons-why-obama-should-lose-but-four-other-reasons-why-he-will-win/634292 "2012-09-12T02:14:02Z")
The following article was taken from a local newspaper yesterday. I just love the way the author describes Romney and Ryan in Point number 2 under “why OBama will win”. He calls them a “loser” and “liar” respectively. … --- ## ["America is a center-right country" vs "high turnout helps the Democrats"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-is-a-center-right-country-vs-high-turnout-helps-the-democrats/634283)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-is-a-center-right-country-vs-high-turnout-helps-the-democrats/634283 "2012-09-11T23:38:57Z")
How do these two bits of conventional wisdom, which seem to directly contradict each other, sort themselves out? My view is that the first one is false. The second one seems to be borne out by election data. Whatever … --- ## [Probably Mitt's biggest flip-flop so far: He won't get rid of health care reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-mitts-biggest-flip-flop-so-far-he-wont-get-rid-of-health-care-reform/634197)
**Author:** [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-mitts-biggest-flip-flop-so-far-he-wont-get-rid-of-health-care-reform/634197 "2012-09-11T19:48:31Z")
Or at least all of it. :smack: How does this hurt him with the GOP base, if at all? --- ## [Paul Ryan- compulsive liar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-ryan-compulsive-liar/633401)
**Author:** [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-ryan-compulsive-liar/633401 "2012-09-11T17:02:42Z")
On top of Ryan’s acceptance speech dishonesties, I just heard today about his self-proclaimed Marathon Runner exploits (which were easily exposed as absurd exaggerations). I’m now wondering: could he be a compulsive lia… --- ## [Tasteless, classless Ted Kennedy video at DNC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-classless-ted-kennedy-video-at-dnc/633698)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-classless-ted-kennedy-video-at-dnc/633698 "2012-09-11T08:11:45Z")
The Dems showed a lot of gall tonight, airing a “tribute” to Ted Kennedy in which much time was devoted to showing in minute detail how Kennedy kicked Mitt Romney’s ass around the block a couple of times in their Senate … --- ## [Big Picture thread about the US Presidential election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-picture-thread-about-the-us-presidential-election/632207)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-picture-thread-about-the-us-presidential-election/632207 "2012-09-10T18:03:20Z")
Most of the threads in this forum discuss individual issues and events around the election. I thought it would be nice to have a “big picture” thread on the election as a whole to discuss the broad trends which will dete… --- ## [Will there be a Dem tide in Congress, too?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-a-dem-tide-in-congress-too/634199)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-a-dem-tide-in-congress-too/634199 "2012-09-10T16:47:20Z")
While it’s certainly too early to put Obama’s re-election in the bank, it’s not too early to speculate on the length of his coat-tails in particular and the magnitude of a Democratic tide on down-ticket races. Who here … --- ## [Tell me the stupid stuff Obama has done lately.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-the-stupid-stuff-obama-has-done-lately/632246)
**Author:** [@CastleAnthrax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastleAnthrax)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-the-stupid-stuff-obama-has-done-lately/632246 "2012-09-10T15:55:45Z")
I am pretty liberal and have leaned heavily Democrat lately, and so are most of my friends and people I Facebook with. Because of this self-selection, I hear a lot about the stupid things that Romney and the Republicans… --- ## [The War on Fact-Checkers: New GOP Strategy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-on-fact-checkers-new-gop-strategy/633246)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-on-fact-checkers-new-gop-strategy/633246 "2012-09-10T14:08:32Z")
Something’s been bugging me about the prevailing meme rattling around the mediasphere and interwebs lately. Yes, we’ve all had a good laugh about the Romney campaign announcing "We’re not going to let our campaign be dic… --- ## [Romney attacks....Paul Ryan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-attacks-paul-ryan/634160)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-attacks-paul-ryan/634160 "2012-09-09T16:07:42Z")
Romney slams GOP Leaders for last year’s budget deal. Odd that this comes right after the Dem convention. It actually reminds me of 2008 when, during the last month of the campaign, the McCain campaign pretty much real… --- ## [What evidence that cutting taxes on the rich works to stimulate economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-evidence-that-cutting-taxes-on-the-rich-works-to-stimulate-economy/633919)
**Author:** [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-evidence-that-cutting-taxes-on-the-rich-works-to-stimulate-economy/633919 "2012-09-09T13:52:00Z")
I am a staunch supporter of Obama, lets state that up front. I understand in a vague and misty way the broad strokes of Keynesian economics and am on board with using stimulus to restart an economy. But. I’m eager to un… --- ## [Looking for unbiased assessment of Romney as governor.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-unbiased-assessment-of-romney-as-governor/634046)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-unbiased-assessment-of-romney-as-governor/634046 "2012-09-09T13:23:37Z")
Has factcheck.org or other groups done a reasonably unbiased assessment of Romney as governor? I’d really like to know what kind of governor he was. Not his politics. What kind of leader he was. How well he worked with … --- ## [We need a DNC 2012 Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-dnc-2012-thread/633695)
**Author:** [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Replies:** 435\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2012, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-a-dnc-2012-thread/633695 "2012-09-09T11:45:45Z")
So, what are your reactions? Is it going well? Any major gaffes? How well are the Dems making their case for Obama/Biden 2012? --- ## [If I'm unemployed, should I vote for Romney?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-unemployed-should-i-vote-for-romney/633745)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-unemployed-should-i-vote-for-romney/633745 "2012-09-09T00:48:59Z")
Listening to a major Colorado Dem extoll the virtues on Obama yesterday on talkradio. She said that everyone who was out of work that got a job in the last four years should vote for Obama because his policies worked \[f… --- ## [How have your political opinions changed over the years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-have-your-political-opinions-changed-over-the-years/632494)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-have-your-political-opinions-changed-over-the-years/632494 "2012-09-08T22:44:00Z")
The old saw goes, “If you aren’t liberal when you’re young, you lack a heart, but if you aren’t conservative when you’re old, you lack a brain.” So have you gone more conservative as you’ve gotten older, or more liberal… --- ## [Job reports effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-reports-effect/634015)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-reports-effect/634015 "2012-09-08T16:05:59Z")
Especially since this latest was below expectations, and one will come out days before the election. There are many different tacks you can take with this. Is “disappointment” already baked into poll results or not? W… --- ## [Which state is the least in play?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-state-is-the-least-in-play/633950)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2012, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-state-is-the-least-in-play/633950 "2012-09-08T07:12:29Z")
I’m calling Utah. It’s a solid Republican state and the Mormons there are having their first chance to vote for one of their own. I’m predicting Romney hits at least 70%. --- ## [Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.). "We’re not generating enough angry white guys"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2012, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277 "2012-09-08T04:16:38Z")
Lately, finding Republicans to pit is like shooting fish in a barrel. I suppose you have to admire his candor. http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/as-republican-convention-emphasizes-diversity-racial-incidents-intr… --- ## [Are you better off now . . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-better-off-now/633954)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-better-off-now/633954 "2012-09-08T02:05:31Z")
. . . than you would be if McCain/Palin had won in 2008? Yes, you are. --- ## ["Do you feel the same way about the President as the day you voted for him?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-the-same-way-about-the-president-as-the-day-you-voted-for-him/633980)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-the-same-way-about-the-president-as-the-day-you-voted-for-him/633980 "2012-09-08T01:09:50Z")
“You know there is something wrong with the kind of job he has done as president when the best feeling you had was the day you voted for him.” Now Republicans have an alternative to the question, Are you better off than … --- ## [Paul Ryan is "Bowhunter"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-ryan-is-bowhunter/633657)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-ryan-is-bowhunter/633657 "2012-09-08T00:43:38Z")
That’s his self-selected Secret Service code-name. From the same piece: Ryan’s wife is “Buttercup” Romney is “Javelin” The Obamas are fixated on the letter “R”, with Barack as Renegade, Michelle as Renaissance, and… --- ## [difference between Granholm last night and Dean's "Scream"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-granholm-last-night-and-deans-scream/633996)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-granholm-last-night-and-deans-scream/633996 "2012-09-07T23:19:01Z")
Jennifer Granholm gave an extremely spirited speech for Obama last night, flailing her arms around like she was having a full-on epileptic fit at times, pointing, screaming, just extremely animated. (I actually wondered … --- ## [American Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-election/633632)
**Author:** [@Zep\_Tepi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zep_Tepi)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-election/633632 "2012-09-07T20:38:27Z")
Just in passing - If I were Mitt Romney I would be shouting from the rooftops at every rally “No You Didn’t” --- ## [How do they pick the dates for the party conventions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-pick-the-dates-for-the-party-conventions/633979)
**Author:** [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-pick-the-dates-for-the-party-conventions/633979 "2012-09-07T16:36:37Z")
Just watching the DNC convention last night and noticed that the Dems have the opportunity to reply to specific statements made by the Republicans, because they are doing their convention second. It seems to me that hav… --- ## [Legality/Ethics of paid bloggers/posters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-ethics-of-paid-bloggers-posters/633924)
**Author:** [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-ethics-of-paid-bloggers-posters/633924 "2012-09-07T16:28:56Z")
I guess this could go either in GQ or Elections or even Great Debates, but I was wondering about the legal and ethical ramifications of paid bloggers/posters on the internet. I'm sure we've all seen the new arrivals sho… --- ## [The Perils of Fact-Checking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perils-of-fact-checking/634001)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perils-of-fact-checking/634001 "2012-09-07T16:09:45Z")
Salon has an interesting piece about the AP’s “fact check” of Clinton’s Wednesday night speech. Not so much about Clinton but the inanities to which these supposed “fact checkers” go to achieve a mythical balance. Here… --- ## [Mitt Romney's Dad on Welfare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romneys-dad-on-welfare/633876)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romneys-dad-on-welfare/633876 "2012-09-07T14:46:31Z")
Source here. Romney’s dad got governmental help when he came here. To me this seems huge, but it came out yesterday and doesn’t seem to have gone viral, exploding around the world. Is it a big deal? I think it is. A hu… --- ## [Optimism/pessimism and election strategy...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimism-pessimism-and-election-strategy/633957)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimism-pessimism-and-election-strategy/633957 "2012-09-07T05:24:33Z")
Reading the thread on the DNC, a thought struck me: the Republicans, by very dint of their basic outlook and strategy, must paint a pessimistic picture of the current/future state of the U.S. under President Obama. This… --- ## [What's this about the Paulites starting a new party?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-the-paulites-starting-a-new-party/632985)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-the-paulites-starting-a-new-party/632985 "2012-09-06T23:45:52Z")
I was watching TV coverage of the Republican National Convention, and a Ron Paul supporter was being interviewed, and the journalist said the idea of Paul’s wing of the GOP bolting and starting their own party was “all o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=295) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=297)