# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=308 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 309 --- ## [Who is Newt trying to screw by staying in the race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-newt-trying-to-screw-by-staying-in-the-race/615818)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-newt-trying-to-screw-by-staying-in-the-race/615818 "2012-03-17T00:42:37Z")
Romney? The Republican establishment? His new girlfriend? He is really screwing Rick Santorum, and I imagine that Romney is praying to his sacred underwear every night for Newt to stay in. What is Newt thinking? IS … --- ## [Can someone explain why it is controversial that Obama hugged Derrick Bell?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-why-it-is-controversial-that-obama-hugged-derrick-bell/615140 "2012-03-16T23:46:17Z")
I just don’t get it, but maybe that’s because I’m a pointy-headed ivory tower liberal. I know liberals all over Twitter have been having a good laugh over this nontroversy, but surely there’s some angle here or Hannity … --- ## [Best Santorum Headline](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-santorum-headline/614893)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-santorum-headline/614893 "2012-03-16T20:08:21Z")
Okay, okay, we know that you think the whole Dan Savage Santorum thing is immature and beneath one’s dignity, whatever. Go find another thread to Santorum up. That said, I thought we could collect the best Santorum hea… --- ## [Who should I vote for in the WI Republican primary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-i-vote-for-in-the-wi-republican-primary/615732 "2012-03-16T17:00:39Z")
Wisconsin’s primary is next month, and it seems there will still be 4 people in the race. It’s an open primary, which means a liberal like me can go in and vote for any one of these obnoxious guys. So, who to vote for … --- ## [How does a long primary campaign impact the general election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-long-primary-campaign-impact-the-general-election/615449)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2012, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-long-primary-campaign-impact-the-general-election/615449 "2012-03-16T12:05:19Z")
Everyone seems to agree that Romney is going to be eventual nominee but there is some discussion about whether the relatively long primary campaign is going to hurt him in the general.Obama also went through a long prima… --- ## [Are both Romney and Santorum Beating Obama among Swing Voters due to Health Care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-both-romney-and-santorum-beating-obama-among-swing-voters-due-to-health-care/614175)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-both-romney-and-santorum-beating-obama-among-swing-voters-due-to-health-care/614175 "2012-03-16T01:26:16Z")
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2012-02-23/swing-states-health-care-obama/53260222/1 This poll seems to indicate that because of the Affordable Care law, both Romney and Santorum are beating Obama among “swi… --- ## [The "Republicans are too far to the right" notion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republicans-are-too-far-to-the-right-notion/614460)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republicans-are-too-far-to-the-right-notion/614460 "2012-03-15T22:16:22Z")
Inspired by this thread and endless talk in countless places. Some folks think that because the 'Pub candidates have shifted so far rightward, a large Democratic victory is guaranteed. I do not see history as validatin… --- ## [If Gingrich got out of the race today, could Santorum win it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-gingrich-got-out-of-the-race-today-could-santorum-win-it/615749)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-gingrich-got-out-of-the-race-today-could-santorum-win-it/615749 "2012-03-15T18:06:37Z")
For months I’ve been hearing about Gingrich and Santorum splitting the ultra-conservative base and allowing Romney to squeeze out narrow victories in state after state. So if Gingrich dropped dead today (because he does… --- ## [Mississippi, Alabama, Hawaii, Samoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mississippi-alabama-hawaii-samoa/615702)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mississippi-alabama-hawaii-samoa/615702 "2012-03-15T16:01:20Z")
Polls will be closing shortly in Alabama and Mississippi, and the (other) polls are showing a very close three-way race. I don’t care what Gingrich says, if he doesn’t win at least one of these states, he’s toast. These… --- ## [voter ID- why? why not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-why-why-not/615351)
**Author:** [@tenacious\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tenacious_j)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-why-why-not/615351 "2012-03-14T21:33:25Z")
Without throwing knives at me, or at each other, please explain what’s wrong with voter ID laws. I would prefer to be asked than to let just anyone come in and tell the poll worker she’s me. I am generally a social lib… --- ## [Will gas prices help determine the next President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gas-prices-help-determine-the-next-president/613309)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2012, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gas-prices-help-determine-the-next-president/613309 "2012-03-14T06:29:38Z")
OK, so I noticed that gas at the station I usually buy at seems to have gone up 13 cents a gallon just in the past 24 hours. Coincidentally, a Washington Monthly blog also looks at this, in the context of the election. … --- ## [Ben Nelson retiring. Good (I hope)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-nelson-retiring-good-i-hope/607572)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2012, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-nelson-retiring-good-i-hope/607572 "2012-03-12T15:50:35Z")
With Democrats like Nelson, one hardly needs Republicans. Still, with a state like Nebraska, the next person could be worse. Good luck, Nebraska Dems – I’m sure you can find a more progressive candidate than him, I jus… --- ## [Super Tuesday Results thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-tuesday-results-thread/614992)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-tuesday-results-thread/614992 "2012-03-12T02:01:23Z")
Georgia has already been called for Gingrich. No surprise there. Santorum’s in second place. Virginia has been called for Romney. No surprise there. Romney and Santorum are neck and neck in Ohio with 1% reporting. --- ## [Would nominee Romney win or lose MA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-nominee-romney-win-or-lose-ma/615055)
**Author:** [@TheonX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheonX)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-nominee-romney-win-or-lose-ma/615055 "2012-03-12T02:00:08Z")
It might be a bit speculative at this point, but has anyone made a guess at whether Romney could carry his home state in a general election? Also, are there any modern occurrences of candidates loosing their home state? … --- ## [State judge orders Pres. Obama to appear 1/26 in person w/ birth cert. to be on Georgia ballot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-judge-orders-pres-obama-to-appear-1-26-in-person-w-birth-cert-to-be-on-georgia-ballot/610275)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-judge-orders-pres-obama-to-appear-1-26-in-person-w-birth-cert-to-be-on-georgia-ballot/610275 "2012-03-11T17:22:29Z")
I thought we were past this. How can this craziness continue? Georgia Judge Denies Obama’s Motion To Quash Taitz Subpoena In Ballot Eligibility Case --- ## [A young male African American FB friend is apparently supporting Ron Paul. Is this common?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-young-male-african-american-fb-friend-is-apparently-supporting-ron-paul-is-this-common/613791)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2012, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-young-male-african-american-fb-friend-is-apparently-supporting-ron-paul-is-this-common/613791 "2012-03-10T04:55:14Z")
A young black man, a coworker from a previous job posted “Don’t Think and Vote, Think and vote for Ron Paul” on FB. Then a young black woman (whom I don’t know) responded with a like and “Paul 2012”. How common is this? … --- ## [Jimmy Dimora guilty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-dimora-guilty/615320)
**Author:** [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-dimora-guilty/615320 "2012-03-09T21:42:53Z")
Most Ohioan’s have heard about this sensational trial, and maybe some other parts of the country. I am SICK of these no good politicians and thier stinking greed and power trips. The voters of Cuyahoga County did away w… --- ## [Why is Ohio so important?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-ohio-so-important/615011)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-ohio-so-important/615011 "2012-03-09T04:30:26Z")
Why is Ohio so important in the primary process, compared to other major states like New York or California? The commentators keep emphasising how significant it is, but without explaining why? --- ## [Olympia Snowe retiring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympia-snowe-retiring/614292)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympia-snowe-retiring/614292 "2012-03-07T17:37:22Z")
… after her current term. She was the Ben Nelson of Democrats. Who’s likely to run in her place? How will this affect the balance of power in the Senate? --- ## [Super Tuesday and Democrats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-tuesday-and-democrats/614925)
**Author:** [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-tuesday-and-democrats/614925 "2012-03-06T23:07:02Z")
I’m a Democrat that lives in Georgia. If I want to vote for Obama in November, Do I need to do anything today in regards to heading to my polling place? Is there any validity in going to the polls, and voting for the e… --- ## [Below the waterline hit? \[Obama's speech to the UAW\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/below-the-waterline-hit-obamas-speech-to-the-uaw/614318)
**Author:** [@littlespeedysuperbike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/littlespeedysuperbike)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/below-the-waterline-hit-obamas-speech-to-the-uaw/614318 "2012-03-06T20:40:32Z")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT1516iJ57U&feature=player\_embedded Does either Republican candidate have a snowball’s chance in a fire of winning Michigan after that? --- ## [Obama's 2nd term: what will be GOP's top goal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-2nd-term-what-will-be-gops-top-goal/613613)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2012, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-2nd-term-what-will-be-gops-top-goal/613613 "2012-03-06T07:32:51Z")
Making the assumption that Obama wins re-election to his second term, congressional Republicans will have lost what had been their main (some might say sole) priority in the years of his first term: making sure Barack O… --- ## [The Anti-Romney Parade: Palin, Trump, Bachmann, Perry, Cain, Gingrich, Paul...Santorum?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-romney-parade-palin-trump-bachmann-perry-cain-gingrich-paul-santorum/608032)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-romney-parade-palin-trump-bachmann-perry-cain-gingrich-paul-santorum/608032 "2012-03-05T20:09:17Z")
Yep, it looks like Rick “Man On Dog,” “Frothy Mix” Santorum is the last anti-Romney standing. Who knew the wingnuts would get this desperate? But if you follow the link (to the single-day and rolling two-day results fr… --- ## [Obama re-election campaign is growing the analytics team](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-re-election-campaign-is-growing-the-analytics-team/590136)
**Author:** [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-re-election-campaign-is-growing-the-analytics-team/590136 "2012-03-05T19:34:00Z")
from LinkedIn Login, Sign in | LinkedIn --- ## [Michigan Primary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-primary/614301)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-primary/614301 "2012-03-03T00:09:48Z")
Let the party begin. With 5% of precincts reporting: Santorum 18,090 40% Romney 17,845 39% Paul 4,943 11% Gingrich 3,255 7% --- ## [Romney and taxes: Morally unfit to be President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-and-taxes-morally-unfit-to-be-president/610492)
**Author:** [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Replies:** 292\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-and-taxes-morally-unfit-to-be-president/610492 "2012-03-01T16:12:31Z")
Romney’s federal tax returns are out and it turns out that he paid only 15% taxes on his income. You can already see his defense of this by misdirection: Of course, this neatly avoids the real issue: The issue is not… --- ## [Ron Paul ensures a Romney Win](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-ensures-a-romney-win/609563)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-ensures-a-romney-win/609563 "2012-02-29T21:50:27Z")
This thesis was put forth by both Shields and Brooks on the PBS NewsHour last night, and I think it makes a lot of sense. Romney isn’t getting a majority in any state, but between him and Paul, they are. And that leave… --- ## [What on earth are Romney and Santorum doing in this photo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-on-earth-are-romney-and-santorum-doing-in-this-photo/613719)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2012, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-on-earth-are-romney-and-santorum-doing-in-this-photo/613719 "2012-02-29T06:17:17Z")
I watched this GOP debate, but I didn’t watch it closely (I was reading Twitter, the great Economist liveblog, and talking to my wife). I missed this weird moment: http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/02/the-da… --- ## [I think Mitt's going to regret pissing off Gingrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-mitts-going-to-regret-pissing-off-gingrich/608972)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-mitts-going-to-regret-pissing-off-gingrich/608972 "2012-02-29T02:41:17Z")
Newt Gingrich’s campaign is going to start running ads in South Carolina that “will be built on excerpts from a scathing movie about Bain Capital, the private equity firm Mr. Romney once ran. The movie, financed by a Rep… --- ## [What are Conservative Republicans Thinking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-conservative-republicans-thinking/613883)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-conservative-republicans-thinking/613883 "2012-02-28T23:07:52Z")
It seems to me that in order to win the Republican nomination the candidates have to out-Right Wing the next guy or gal. Is this because the Republicans actually think this kind of candidate can defeat Obama, or is it be… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=307) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=309)