# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=311 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 312 --- ## [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… --- ## [U.S. House of Representatives elections 2012](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-house-of-representatives-elections-2012/610255)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-house-of-representatives-elections-2012/610255 "2012-01-26T05:53:36Z")
Lotta retirements this cycle (18 Dems, 13 Pubs). Any chance the elections will swing the House back to the Dems? --- ## [Rick Santorum Fundraiser: C.U.M. (Seriously!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-santorum-fundraiser-c-u-m-seriously/610366)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-santorum-fundraiser-c-u-m-seriously/610366 "2012-01-25T19:30:04Z")
Conservatives Unite Moneybomb https://www.ricksantorum.com/unite If I didn’t know better, I’d think the guy is some kind of performance artist who’s even more talented than Colbert. It’s even worded awkwardly as if som… --- ## [How will the OWS vs. Tea Party lineup affect the 2012 elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-ows-vs-tea-party-lineup-affect-the-2012-elections/602729)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2012, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-ows-vs-tea-party-lineup-affect-the-2012-elections/602729 "2012-01-25T03:59:44Z")
Since 2008 we’ve seen the emergence of two highly visible political insurgencies outside, and to some extent against, the two main parties’ organizations and mainstreams – and, clearly, diametrically opposed to each othe… --- ## [What do national tickets really do in states they're writing off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-national-tickets-really-do-in-states-theyre-writing-off/610307)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-national-tickets-really-do-in-states-theyre-writing-off/610307 "2012-01-23T20:54:43Z")
I know they SAY they’re running 50-state campaigns, and I know they put up a semblence of a campaign in states they’re not competitive in, but what’s the calculus on such a strategy? IOW, take Obama in South Carolina, o… --- ## [Will the Tea Party have any influence on the presidential election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tea-party-have-any-influence-on-the-presidential-election/610302)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tea-party-have-any-influence-on-the-presidential-election/610302 "2012-01-23T19:08:13Z")
Do they favor any of the four remaining Republican candidates? If not, will they protest vote for someone else? --- ## [I hereby tender my candidacy, and initiate my campaign for the Presidency of the United States.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-tender-my-candidacy-and-initiate-my-campaign-for-the-presidency-of-the-united-states/610145)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hereby-tender-my-candidacy-and-initiate-my-campaign-for-the-presidency-of-the-united-states/610145 "2012-01-23T02:02:32Z")
Article II, Sect. 1, Clause 5: “\*No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall a… --- ## [Mute Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mute-zombie/610301)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mute-zombie/610301 "2012-01-22T16:36:54Z")
It’s not only Chris Matthews (though he’s the worst offender), but the two front-runners for the Pubbie nom often comically get their names mixed up by news commentators, newsreaders, analysts, and one level it’s obvious… --- ## [U.S. Senate elections 2012](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-elections-2012/610254)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2012, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-elections-2012/610254 "2012-01-22T05:44:09Z")
More Dem than Pub seats are open for challenge this cycle. Does that mean the Pubs might take the Senate? --- ## [Why are congressional districts numbered rather than named?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-congressional-districts-numbered-rather-than-named/610249)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-congressional-districts-numbered-rather-than-named/610249 "2012-01-22T04:01:07Z")
Just curious - in Britain, Canada, and (I think) Australia, constituencies have names. For instance, the current Prime Minister represents the constituency of Calgary Southwest, the Speaker is from Regina-Qu’Appelle, th… --- ## [Bye Bye Perry. Can't Say I'm Surprised](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009 "2012-01-21T22:47:16Z")
According to NPR this morning, and other sources, Rick Perry will announce that he’s dropping out of the race for the presidency at 11:00 Eastern time, this morning. Will this, in the esteemed opinion of dopers, have an… --- ## [Rick Perry creates diplomatic incident.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-perry-creates-diplomatic-incident/609862)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-perry-creates-diplomatic-incident/609862 "2012-01-21T04:27:03Z")
Link. He basically said Turkey is ruled by Islamic terrorists and that they should have no part in NATO, nor receive any U.S. Foreign Aid. That’s three strikes right there, fuckwit. Time to head back to Texas, where th… --- ## [Potentially stupid question: COULD Colbert become President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-question-could-colbert-become-president/610060)
**Author:** [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2012, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potentially-stupid-question-could-colbert-become-president/610060 "2012-01-21T03:34:39Z")
I’m not really interested in whether or not he should or would or what the voter numbers might be, but at this point in the game, with less than a year to go until the 2012 US Election, is there a mechanism by which Ste… --- ## [Voter Suppression and the 14th Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-suppression-and-the-14th-amendment/609861)
**Author:** [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-suppression-and-the-14th-amendment/609861 "2012-01-20T20:52:04Z")
Following on from the various threads about the use of voter ID and similar tactics as a form of voter suppression in US elections, is the representation reduction part of Section 2 of the 14th amendment ever applied in … --- ## [Do you think Rick Perry could make a comeback?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-rick-perry-could-make-a-comeback/608743)
**Author:** [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2012, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-rick-perry-could-make-a-comeback/608743 "2012-01-20T05:22:48Z")
So we’ve pretty much cycled through all the not-Romneys now. Santorum even got his turn, which I incorrectly predicted would never happen. Now I’m wondering if Perry might have his turn again. Here’s my reasoning: Pe… --- ## [Mitt loses Iowa, Santorum wins; "split decision" says the GOP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-loses-iowa-santorum-wins-split-decision-says-the-gop/609997)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-loses-iowa-santorum-wins-split-decision-says-the-gop/609997 "2012-01-20T02:42:24Z")
From the Des Moines Register: Could someone who knows more about the Iowa caucuses explain this for us? what impact, if any, will it have on the nomination process? --- ## [Gingrich attack ad/Romney speaking French \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gingrich-attack-ad-romney-speaking-french-edited-title/609453)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gingrich-attack-ad-romney-speaking-french-edited-title/609453 "2012-01-20T02:15:20Z")
Apparently Gingrich is attacking Romney for his ability to speak French. WTF? I mean… seriously? Is there something I’m missing? --- ## [Campaign logos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-logos/609594)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-logos/609594 "2012-01-19T17:33:22Z")
I’ve always had a secret interest in campaign logos. Almost like a graphic haiku, they can poetically distill a candidate’s whole campaign into a single bumper sticker or website header. I think 2008 had two of the str… --- ## [Colbert Super PAC vs. Mitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-super-pac-vs-mitt/609659)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-super-pac-vs-mitt/609659 "2012-01-19T16:16:30Z")
Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC attacks Mitt Romney - as a Serial Killer!! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Mitt the Ripper: There’s some fun in the primary season at last! --- ## [If Politicians Ran On Issues the Internet Cares About (Cracked.com humor break)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-ran-on-issues-the-internet-cares-about-cracked-com-humor-break/609655)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-ran-on-issues-the-internet-cares-about-cracked-com-humor-break/609655 "2012-01-19T14:55:11Z")
I know this is a very serious forum where we discuss very important topics in a very important way, but I thought maybe it would be okay to bring some humor that doesn’t involve the inadvertent words of one of the candid… --- ## [Not from the US but WTF kind of candidates are the Republicans really offering up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-from-the-us-but-wtf-kind-of-candidates-are-the-republicans-really-offering-up/609182)
**Author:** [@biddee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biddee)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2012, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-from-the-us-but-wtf-kind-of-candidates-are-the-republicans-really-offering-up/609182 "2012-01-19T08:09:14Z")
I am not from the US but we get our tv from the US so of course every time I turn on the news I get snippets on the upcoming elections. My question to all Republicans (I know there aren’t many on this board) is really? T… --- ## [Huntsman dropping out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huntsman-dropping-out/609654)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2012, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huntsman-dropping-out/609654 "2012-01-18T04:48:33Z")
According to this, he’ll announce he’s folding Monday morning. Given his performance so far, this isn’t the biggest shock of the 2012 campaign, but I figured he’s at least stay in until after the SC primary. --- ## [Bill Kristol says GOP should kick Ron Paul to the curb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-kristol-says-gop-should-kick-ron-paul-to-the-curb/609832)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-kristol-says-gop-should-kick-ron-paul-to-the-curb/609832 "2012-01-18T01:53:27Z")
“\[Buchanan\] left the party in 1999 and a lot of people, and I was one of them, said, goodbye and good riddance, you’re not in the mainstream of the Republican party, go run as some Reform party candidate . . . he did in … --- ## [Taiwan presidential election -- China-friendly incumbent, Chinaphobe challenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taiwan-presidential-election-china-friendly-incumbent-chinaphobe-challenger/609439)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taiwan-presidential-election-china-friendly-incumbent-chinaphobe-challenger/609439 "2012-01-18T00:54:41Z")
Voting tomorrow: Hm. I wonder, if Tsai wins, how will that still-more-complicate relations between Taiwan, the PRC, and every country that has to deal with either? --- ## [Stephen Colbert - South Carolina Focus Group](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-colbert-south-carolina-focus-group/609774)
**Author:** [@Aestivalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aestivalis)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2012, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-colbert-south-carolina-focus-group/609774 "2012-01-17T06:13:21Z")
Here’s what appears to be a sneak preview of what we can expect to see on the Colbert report this week. Frank Luntz holds a focus group in South Carolina with a CafeMom.com organized group. It’s fair to say that this… --- ## [Rand Paul cuts check to Treasury Department](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-paul-cuts-check-to-treasury-department/609445)
**Author:** [@C4nuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C4nuck)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rand-paul-cuts-check-to-treasury-department/609445 "2012-01-16T13:40:44Z")
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/13/rand-paul-cuts-check-to-treasury-department/ Not sure if this is the right forum for this or not, my apologies if it isn’t. Some will say it’s a “political move” so I gu… --- ## [What if Obama really had turned out to be the POTUS those to his left hoped/expected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-obama-really-had-turned-out-to-be-the-potus-those-to-his-left-hoped-expected/609549)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2012, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-obama-really-had-turned-out-to-be-the-potus-those-to-his-left-hoped-expected/609549 "2012-01-16T07:17:04Z")
Would his chances of re-election now be better, or worse? --- ## [Bachmann Supports Big Government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bachmann-supports-big-government/609622)
**Author:** [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2012, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bachmann-supports-big-government/609622 "2012-01-16T03:27:10Z")
In a delicious irony: Boy, the idea that we can require broadcasters to operate in the public interest is pretty much out of the liberal playbook rather than those free market Republicans. --- ## [Hillary for VP! Plausible? Practical? Positive change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-for-vp-plausible-practical-positive-change/609606)
**Author:** [@Miss\_Violaceous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Violaceous)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-for-vp-plausible-practical-positive-change/609606 "2012-01-16T02:19:10Z")
NPR has done a few segments lately about rumors that Obama is considering dropping Biden and taking on HC for VP in 2012. Some are saying it’s never going to happen, others are saying it’s plausible. Some are saying it … --- ## [Will Ron Paul beat Romney in Virginia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ron-paul-beat-romney-in-virginia/609500)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ron-paul-beat-romney-in-virginia/609500 "2012-01-14T17:27:17Z")
A federal judge on Friday ruled against four Republican presidential candidatesseeking a spot on Virginia’s March 6 primary ballot, saying they waited too long to file their claims. This means only Mitt Romney and Ron Pa… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=310) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=312)