# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=310 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 311 --- ## [2% of Americans think Romney's real first name is "Mittens"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195 "2012-02-10T22:08:38Z")
Question: What is his REAL first name? Betcha didn’t know that. I didn’t. But at least I didn’t think it was “Mittens” \[spoiler\] “Mitt” is apparently diminutive of “Milton”, since Romney was named in part after his… --- ## [Nevada Caucus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-caucus/611917)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2012, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nevada-caucus/611917 "2012-02-10T04:48:15Z")
Surprised there was no thead on it. Unsurprisingly it was a Romney win but so far his margin of victory seems to worse than in 2008 but than again the votes from Clark County aren’t fully in yet. I wish Ron Paul had got… --- ## [Why is it hard to get on the ballot in Virginia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-hard-to-get-on-the-ballot-in-virginia/612276)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-hard-to-get-on-the-ballot-in-virginia/612276 "2012-02-09T23:56:51Z")
In this thread, there’s the following discussion about the Virginia primary: So what did Virginia do to make it so hard to get on the ballot? --- ## [I just LOVE this Republican primary season!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-republican-primary-season/612200)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-love-this-republican-primary-season/612200 "2012-02-09T00:54:11Z")
What’s not to love? It’s like watching a cock fight with real cocks! And ironically, all the cocks are tearing each other new assholes. I love all the debates where we get to see who’s willing to go farthest out on th… --- ## [Question about 2000 presidential election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-2000-presidential-election/612150)
**Author:** [@Pablo\_O\_Malley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pablo_O_Malley)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-2000-presidential-election/612150 "2012-02-08T23:08:07Z")
There was something I’ve wondered about re the 2000 election between bush and gore…while the controversy was going on as to who won florida, it came to light that the u.s. constitution states clearly that if there’s a qu… --- ## [Another Liberals and the Non-GOP Right Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-liberals-and-the-non-gop-right-thread/609660)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2012, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-liberals-and-the-non-gop-right-thread/609660 "2012-02-08T21:05:26Z")
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=637741 Inspire by this obviously. Suppose there was a middle-aged politician, and a former very popular governor of a large Midwestern State who was running to primar… --- ## [Why Saturday Caucuses and Primaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-saturday-caucuses-and-primaries/611721)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2012, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-saturday-caucuses-and-primaries/611721 "2012-02-07T10:37:09Z")
Why do some states such as Nevada and South Carolina hold their election contests on a Saturday? --- ## [Partisan reliability of disabled voters (U.S.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partisan-reliability-of-disabled-voters-u-s/611690)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partisan-reliability-of-disabled-voters-u-s/611690 "2012-02-06T21:14:16Z")
Has any research been conducted on the voting habits of disabled American voters? --- ## [President Roseanne Barr (G-Hawaii)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-roseanne-barr-g-hawaii/611606)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-roseanne-barr-g-hawaii/611606 "2012-02-06T15:13:29Z")
I don’t know whether to scratch my head (:confused:), catch flies (:eek:) or Let’s go to the quarry and throw stuff down there (:D), but Roseanne Barr has filed paperwork to the Green Party seeking to be their president… --- ## [Proposed Primary Ballot Requirement for Presidential Candidates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-primary-ballot-requirement-for-presidential-candidates/611144)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-primary-ballot-requirement-for-presidential-candidates/611144 "2012-02-06T00:53:06Z")
You should need the signatures of 8 party leaders. When I look at the Republican Presidential debates I wonder, “Who vetted these people?” The answer of course is nobody, which is scandalous. I propose that if you want… --- ## [Colorado Republican Caucus - February 7th - Who cares?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-republican-caucus-february-7th-who-cares/611609)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-republican-caucus-february-7th-who-cares/611609 "2012-02-03T16:26:12Z")
It’s meaningless. There will be a straw poll, for what that’s worth. Delegates committed to a particular candidate will not be selected until April. The February 7th caucus will select delegates to the district conventi… --- ## [Trump: GOP Infighting May Force Me To Run](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gop-infighting-may-force-me-to-run/611098)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gop-infighting-may-force-me-to-run/611098 "2012-02-03T02:27:33Z")
As if the Republican race for their presidential candidate could not get more silly: \[Makes popcorn\] I mean, really, I would love to see him do it as it would virtually guarantee a victory for Obama but this IMHO spea… --- ## [Conservatives rally behind Santorum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-rally-behind-santorum/609651)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-rally-behind-santorum/609651 "2012-02-02T18:54:27Z")
So the conservative conclave in Texas has sent up some white smoke. They have anointed Santorum as the standard bearer for the conservative cause. I think this might bode well for Obama. --- ## [Romney or Gingrich?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-or-gingrich/610178)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-or-gingrich/610178 "2012-02-02T16:22:44Z")
Simple question. Difficult answer. If the South Carolina primary tomorrow does not settle it then perhaps the debates on Tuesday and Thursday will. --- ## [Is there some benefit to using this sort of presidential approval metric?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-benefit-to-using-this-sort-of-presidential-approval-metric/610994)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-benefit-to-using-this-sort-of-presidential-approval-metric/610994 "2012-02-02T03:08:43Z")
Rasmussen Reports does a daily rolling poll on presidential approval and they report the issue in a way I find odd. (All quotes and data from that same cite.) And then they put up a graphic that shows how the Strongly… --- ## [FiveThirtyEight launches their predictions for the primaries/caucuses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fivethirtyeight-launches-their-predictions-for-the-primaries-caucuses/606465)
**Author:** [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fivethirtyeight-launches-their-predictions-for-the-primaries-caucuses/606465 "2012-02-01T19:13:52Z")
The predictions are available here, and there’s an explanation of the methodology here. Nate Silver is a damn good statistician, and I’ll be following his blog pretty closely for the next year or so. --- ## [Term Limits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-limits/610430)
**Author:** [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2012, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-limits/610430 "2012-02-01T10:08:42Z")
One of my facebook “friends” posted this on his wall and be the curious type I went and read it. https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/push-32-term-limit-law-3-terms-house2-terms-senate-change-people-change-d… --- ## [Why isn't the GOP talking about 'Cash for Clunkers'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-the-gop-talking-about-cash-for-clunkers/610057)
**Author:** [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-the-gop-talking-about-cash-for-clunkers/610057 "2012-01-31T19:36:49Z")
The GOP candidates are seem to spend as much time talking about Obama as they do their primary opponents. But I haven’t heard any of them bring up ‘Cash for Clunkers’. Likewise, I don’t hear any Dems bring it up as a plu… --- ## [Anti-gerrymandering measures on Florida ballot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-gerrymandering-measures-on-florida-ballot/551396)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-gerrymandering-measures-on-florida-ballot/551396 "2012-01-31T18:37:12Z")
This has been tried before: The Committee for Fair Elections in 2006 collected enough petition signatures to place on the ballot a measure that would have taken the redistricting power away from the state legislature an… --- ## [Will there be a significant Third Party Candidate in the General Election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-a-significant-third-party-candidate-in-the-general-election/611181)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-a-significant-third-party-candidate-in-the-general-election/611181 "2012-01-31T16:55:21Z")
In the latest Trump Thread, no one seems to really take seriously the idea that Trump will run as a third party. Still, there are a few in that Thread mentioning a strong possibility of someone running as a third party. … --- ## [Negative Republican primary ads - trouble for the general election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-republican-primary-ads-trouble-for-the-general-election/611158)
**Author:** [@Scholar\_Beardpig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scholar_Beardpig)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-republican-primary-ads-trouble-for-the-general-election/611158 "2012-01-31T02:47:10Z")
This is a question that, I regret, I must ask in a somewhat inarticulate way. Having sat down and watched TV seriously for the first time in weeks, I am struck - STRUCK! - by how many political ads there are. (My state… --- ## [Newt's backers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newts-backers/611063)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newts-backers/611063 "2012-01-30T01:19:08Z")
So far, Palin and Herman Cain have both announced that they are backing Gingrich. Now if he can just get Randy Quaid and Glenn Beck to come out for him, he’ll have a nearly full complement of loonies behind him. I can’… --- ## [Your Presidential Soulmate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-presidential-soulmate/610062)
**Author:** [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-presidential-soulmate/610062 "2012-01-30T00:58:58Z")
We’ve posted a few links on here to quizzes seeing which candidate you agree with the most. Here’s one I don’t think has been posted, which not only asks you questions about issues, but has a sliding scale on how import… --- ## [So If Gingrich Wins The Presidency...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-gingrich-wins-the-presidency/610910)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-gingrich-wins-the-presidency/610910 "2012-01-29T02:44:48Z")
… I will know him up close and (somewhat) personal, since he taught me History at West Georgia College (now the University of West Georgia) and I’ve had him in my broadcast studio when I interviewed him during his run fo… --- ## [Is Rachel Maddow right about Herman Cain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rachel-maddow-right-about-herman-cain/602156 "2012-01-28T12:49:39Z")
Here’s a link that includes both a video and written summation of her argument. I found this when I was watching an old video of hers and this came on afterwards. I was blown away. And I couldn’t help asking the Dope’s … --- ## [Newt will win big in SC today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newt-will-win-big-in-sc-today/610217)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newt-will-win-big-in-sc-today/610217 "2012-01-27T20:00:55Z")
The swing to Newt, both in SC and nationally, is pretty astounding. In SC, the final PPP poll is out. They were in the field Wednesday night through Friday night - last night. Over the three-day period, Newt leads Mit… --- ## [Can Gingrich Be Serious?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-gingrich-be-serious/610085)
**Author:** [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Replies:** 285\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-gingrich-be-serious/610085 "2012-01-27T18:37:33Z")
In tonight’s debate, Gingrich went on a tirade against CNN for asking him about his second wife’s “open marriage” allegations, and said that the networks were clearly anti-Republican because they had not accepted his off… --- ## [Warren-Brown pledge to discourage outside spending](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498)
**Author:** [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-brown-pledge-to-discourage-outside-spending/610498 "2012-01-27T07:24:34Z")
Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) and his challenger Elizabeth Warren (full disclosure: my political crush) have signed an agreement intended to discourage campaign spending by groups and individuals from outside the respective… --- ## [Are the 'rules' about citizenship different for Presidents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-rules-about-citizenship-different-for-presidents/610353)
**Author:** [@ShannonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShannonR)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-rules-about-citizenship-different-for-presidents/610353 "2012-01-26T18:27:39Z")
Hi! I’m new, so be gentle with me please! :slight\_smile: I wasn’t sure where to post this. Hopefully if I posted it in the wrong place, a host can let me know! All of the questions about Obama’s eligibility to be presid… --- ## [Mitt Romney...Socialist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-socialist/610437)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-socialist/610437 "2012-01-26T13:04:40Z")
Romney ran a photo-op in Florida today with a few foreclosure victims, trying to lay their pain at the feet of former Fanny/Freddie “historian” Newt Gingrich. But it appears the Romneybot had a misfire while trying to s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=309) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=311)