# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=314 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 315 --- ## [Europe Re-Elects Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/europe-re-elects-obama/601094)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/europe-re-elects-obama/601094 "2011-12-15T19:28:59Z")
Some general thoughts. The thread title is hyperbole, but Obama has to be sneaking into the garden for a celebratory smoke, if Michelle hasn’t told the Secret Service to wrestle the lighter to the ground. The crisis in … --- ## [What Would a Republican Cabinet Look Like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-republican-cabinet-look-like/605696)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2011, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-republican-cabinet-look-like/605696 "2011-12-15T05:35:06Z")
What would a Republican cabinet of either Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich look like? --- ## [$1.3 trillion Bush deficit forecast to fall over 30% in 2012](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-3-trillion-bush-deficit-forecast-to-fall-over-30-in-2012/605967)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-3-trillion-bush-deficit-forecast-to-fall-over-30-in-2012/605967 "2011-12-14T21:42:19Z")
"The Treasury Department forecast Monday that the budget deficit for fiscal 2012 will come in at $996 billion, the first time President Obama has presided over an annual deficit of less than $1 trillion. The budget defi… --- ## [The 800 pound gorilla in the room: Barack Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-800-pound-gorilla-in-the-room-barack-obama/605948)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2011, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-800-pound-gorilla-in-the-room-barack-obama/605948 "2011-12-14T01:28:58Z")
The 2012 election will not be about Iraq or 9/11 because Barack Obama is the President of the United States. What will the 2012 election be about? The 800 pound gorilla in the room or the elephant in the room? Will the 8… --- ## [Flawed perceptions hamstring real debate and progress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flawed-perceptions-hamstring-real-debate-and-progress/605992)
**Author:** [@Hambil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hambil)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2011, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flawed-perceptions-hamstring-real-debate-and-progress/605992 "2011-12-13T07:12:56Z")
As I have dived into this with a new determination the last few days (a desire to find the truth and reach deeper than party divides and have real debate) I found there is a fundamental perception issue that is making th… --- ## [If Gingrich & Obama go head to head what is Obama's best strategy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-gingrich-obama-go-head-to-head-what-is-obamas-best-strategy/605054)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2011, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-gingrich-obama-go-head-to-head-what-is-obamas-best-strategy/605054 "2011-12-13T06:48:03Z")
It looks like this has a possibility of happening. If Gingrich is the candidate what’s the game plan for Obama? --- ## [A Trump independent run? A dream come true.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-trump-independent-run-a-dream-come-true/605711)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2011, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-trump-independent-run-a-dream-come-true/605711 "2011-12-10T23:36:53Z")
This: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/trump\_might\_scrub\_his\_gop\_presidential\_Yl3mszzfxWS6OdOSzRUVON This is a dream. Trump runs as an independent, spends a significant piece of his worth, (like Forbes), drains enoug… --- ## [A Theory of Political Parties (or) The Tail That Wags the Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-theory-of-political-parties-or-the-tail-that-wags-the-dog/605660)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-theory-of-political-parties-or-the-tail-that-wags-the-dog/605660 "2011-12-10T03:09:53Z")
I just read about a theory of political parties that posits the opposite relationship between parties and voters than the dynamic I had always assumed: This came to me from Pressthink who got it from Ezra Klein who read… --- ## [Election ads: What works, what doesn't, and what are some memorable ones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-ads-what-works-what-doesnt-and-what-are-some-memorable-ones/605421)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-ads-what-works-what-doesnt-and-what-are-some-memorable-ones/605421 "2011-12-09T19:17:05Z")
There are a few ads coming out now from the Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman camps going after the flip-flopping of Gingrich and Romney respectively. They appear fairly powerful to me, though I’m not a potential Republican pri… --- ## [Barney Frank not running again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399)
**Author:** [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2011, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399 "2011-12-09T05:09:24Z")
Certainly big news in MA, so I’m hearing a lot about it. Figured I’d give his retirement a thread to hear others opinions. He included a number of reasons for not running again one of the biggest being redistricting. Hi… --- ## [New left-populist direction for Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-left-populist-direction-for-obama/605378)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2011, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-left-populist-direction-for-obama/605378 "2011-12-08T06:57:22Z")
Obama’s latest speech, in Osawatamie, Kansas, is being taken as the kickoff for his re-election campaign and as, perhaps, setting the tone for it. Talking of FDR, invoking the New Deal, demanding more progressive taxati… --- ## [No Invitation for Ron Paul to RJC Forum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-invitation-for-ron-paul-to-rjc-forum/604930)
**Author:** [@Chen019](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chen019)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-invitation-for-ron-paul-to-rjc-forum/604930 "2011-12-08T02:41:10Z")
Fascinating censorship of insufficiently pro Israeli views. --- ## [Some (simple) US election build-up questions...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-simple-us-election-build-up-questions/605126)
**Author:** [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2011, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-simple-us-election-build-up-questions/605126 "2011-12-07T06:40:56Z")
Hi all, I haven’t as yet been following the circus quite as closely as perhaps I have in previous years, so was wondering if you could fill me in with a quick synopsis of a few goings-on; thanks. Any sniff of a Democra… --- ## [Cain has a Clarence Thomas problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cain-has-a-clarence-thomas-problem/601387)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2011, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cain-has-a-clarence-thomas-problem/601387 "2011-12-07T00:41:29Z")
The NYT is reporting this morning that there were sexual harassment accusations against Cain back in the 90s. He is of course denying it, but nobody is denying that there were payoffs to make the complaints go away. Tr… --- ## [Cain & why politicians don't admit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cain-why-politicians-dont-admit/604985)
**Author:** [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cain-why-politicians-dont-admit/604985 "2011-12-06T21:55:23Z")
(There are a couple of Cain threads, but I have a specific question. Hope this is the right place mods, it might be IMHO or GQ or something?) It seems Cain is trying to tell people that he: Had a friend his wife didn’… --- ## [Election in DR Congo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-in-dr-congo/604721)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-in-dr-congo/604721 "2011-12-04T20:30:08Z")
Yes, that one. And things are going no better than you’d expect. Al Jazeera says there are complaints of fraud and irregularities and voting might be extended to a third day, and four opposition leaders (not including … --- ## [Ron Paul's Plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-pauls-plan/600082)
**Author:** [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Replies:** 276\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-pauls-plan/600082 "2011-12-03T02:54:36Z")
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/ron-paul-plan-to-restore-america/ It’s not perfect. But I believe this plan to be the sanest proposal from a candidate of any party in recent memory. Implementing this plan would be… --- ## [Republican Debate on National Security November 22nd](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-on-national-security-november-22nd/603827)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-debate-on-national-security-november-22nd/603827 "2011-12-02T02:37:54Z")
I’m thoroughly enjoying the debate. Romney had good points on Afghanistan IMO while Perry says we should finally stop having Pakistan leeching off us like some intestinal parasite. :cool: --- ## [2011 New Zealand General Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-new-zealand-general-election/601542)
**Author:** [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2011, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-new-zealand-general-election/601542 "2011-12-02T00:32:26Z")
Bored of the US’s interminable election cycle? Want to discuss an election that’ll be over in less than four weeks time? Well this is the thread for you fellow political junkie. Background New Zealand goes to the polls… --- ## [Mitt Romney-solved.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-solved/604530)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-solved/604530 "2011-11-30T15:30:29Z")
He doesn’t constantly flip-flop and change his stance on everything to the point of absurdity because he is lacking any convictions or beliefs of his own or real moral fiber; no, he has been Lying for the Lord this whole… --- ## [Will you do your job in our American democracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-do-your-job-in-our-american-democracy/604163)
**Author:** [@Untoward\_Parable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Untoward_Parable)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2011, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-do-your-job-in-our-american-democracy/604163 "2011-11-30T04:38:17Z")
That job being voting for whoever spends the most money? --- ## [Spanish Elections 2011](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-elections-2011/603598)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spanish-elections-2011/603598 "2011-11-28T19:47:31Z")
Fortunately in yet another victory for conservative forces, Spain has elected a new Popular Party government. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/world/europe/spanish-voters-punish-socialists.html?\_r=1&hp What will this e… --- ## [What's so bad about Mitt Romney?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-mitt-romney/603710)
**Author:** [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-mitt-romney/603710 "2011-11-27T18:41:54Z")
Let me start by saying I am by no means an expert in all things politics. But I know enough to see the obvious flaws in most of the GOP candidates. And, perhaps this is my ignorance showing, but I haven’t seen why a lo… --- ## [Why do American Jewish voters favour the Democrats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-jewish-voters-favour-the-democrats/602456)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 249\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-american-jewish-voters-favour-the-democrats/602456 "2011-11-22T20:00:18Z")
In another thread, Simplico states Why? --- ## [Cain: Stupidity/Ignorance OK; Propositioning is Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cain-stupidity-ignorance-ok-propositioning-is-death/601699)
**Author:** [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cain-stupidity-ignorance-ok-propositioning-is-death/601699 "2011-11-21T22:04:07Z")
I understand that nobody can know everything about everything, but come on. The guy wants to be President, but he didn’t know what the “right of return” was when discussing Israel, he didn’t know that China had nuclear … --- ## [Libruls are scared of Herman Cain!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libruls-are-scared-of-herman-cain/601976)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libruls-are-scared-of-herman-cain/601976 "2011-11-21T20:15:09Z")
Or of Sarah Palin! Or of Michelle Backmann! Or of Rick Santorum! Well, yes and no. Mostly, they’re huge figures of fun to liberals, I think. (I’m not really one of them, but I think I understand them well, and can spea… --- ## [WaPo calls out Gingrich for his preposterous lie about his Freddie Mac role](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wapo-calls-out-gingrich-for-his-preposterous-lie-about-his-freddie-mac-role/602736)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wapo-calls-out-gingrich-for-his-preposterous-lie-about-his-freddie-mac-role/602736 "2011-11-20T16:10:07Z")
Remember when Newt claimed he was just a “historian” for his $300,000 payday at Freddie Mac? Wow - such lying. Stunning. Will conservatives notice? --- ## [Perry the Showman \[Rick Perry's speeches and debate performances\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perry-the-showman-rick-perrys-speeches-and-debate-performances/601460)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perry-the-showman-rick-perrys-speeches-and-debate-performances/601460 "2011-11-17T15:51:13Z")
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=perry’s%20speech%20in%20new%20hampshire&source=web&cd=3&sqi=2&ved=0CDcQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F1011%2F67196.html&ei=YnOvTsP3O-ry0gH91\_itAQ&usg=AFQj… --- ## [November 8, 2011 - not a good night for the Right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/november-8-2011-not-a-good-night-for-the-right/602377)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/november-8-2011-not-a-good-night-for-the-right/602377 "2011-11-13T21:21:44Z")
It seems things may not be so dire for Democrats as some would have us think - Senate Bill 5 repeal sets table for Dems and Obama in 2012 Mississippi voters reject Personhood Amendment Mainers vote to continue Electio… --- ## [Ohio Issue 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohio-issue-2/601514)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohio-issue-2/601514 "2011-11-12T22:33:27Z")
Forgive me if there’s another thread on this, I searched and couldn’t find one. Ohio Issue 2 is a ballot measure to repeal Senate Bill 5, which was recently signed into law by Gov Kasich. SB5 restricts the collective b… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=313) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=315)