# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=317 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 318 --- ## [I don't know what it is...... but it is not "Democracy" any more](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-it-is-but-it-is-not-democracy-any-more/595382)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2011, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-know-what-it-is-but-it-is-not-democracy-any-more/595382 "2011-09-23T23:20:32Z")
With what is going on in American politics these days with Super PAC’s, we really cannot call what we have DEMOCRACY anymore since in essence a select group of big money folks can gather together and buy themselves a Pre… --- ## [Democrats 2012 absent Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-2012-absent-obama/594502)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-2012-absent-obama/594502 "2011-09-23T19:03:15Z")
Imagine that for whatever reason, Obama does not stand for re-election in 2012. He’ll serve out his term, but that’s it. He’s leaving with integrity, too: there are no shenanigans. (Scenarios as to why this should happen… --- ## [Fallout from Ron Suskind's book "Confidence Men?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fallout-from-ron-suskinds-book-confidence-men/597159)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fallout-from-ron-suskinds-book-confidence-men/597159 "2011-09-23T16:28:53Z")
I haven’t read the book myself yet of course, but reviews & discussion ranging from the New York Times to the Daily Show are painting this in rather dire tones. And yet, the SDMB elections forum is oddly quiet on the sub… --- ## [Rick Perry's Texas Job Miracle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-perrys-texas-job-miracle/597281)
**Author:** [@Chen019](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chen019)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-perrys-texas-job-miracle/597281 "2011-09-23T12:51:53Z")
Interesting analysis shows the unemployment rate and the employment rate show a deterioration in the Texas for the native-born that was similar to the rest of the country. --- ## [Could/should/will Obama replace Joe Biden as his VP for 2012? If so, who?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-should-will-obama-replace-joe-biden-as-his-vp-for-2012-if-so-who/596499)
**Author:** [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-should-will-obama-replace-joe-biden-as-his-vp-for-2012-if-so-who/596499 "2011-09-21T20:57:15Z")
I’m just interested to hear people’s opinions on this. It seems to me that Obama might need to inject something new into his reelection campaign. Replacing boring, old Joe Biden (while coming up with some convenient ex… --- ## [Romney wants an Evil VP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-wants-an-evil-vp/596563)
**Author:** [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-wants-an-evil-vp/596563 "2011-09-18T19:53:02Z")
What the fuck? He just blew any chance that I might vote for him. Is he really this stupid, or does this somehow play well in Conservative circles? http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/09/romney-s… --- ## [Why is private sector experience so trumpeted by the GOP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-private-sector-experience-so-trumpeted-by-the-gop/585511)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2011, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-private-sector-experience-so-trumpeted-by-the-gop/585511 "2011-09-17T02:59:56Z")
Running a private equity firm is NOTHING like running a country! The candidate I’m alluding to is just the latest to trumpet his private sector experience, not seeming to understand that government IS NOT a business. --- ## [How did Turner (R) win Weiner's vacated seat in the NY 9th district?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-turner-r-win-weiners-vacated-seat-in-the-ny-9th-district/596282)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2011, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-turner-r-win-weiners-vacated-seat-in-the-ny-9th-district/596282 "2011-09-17T00:38:37Z")
I thought that was a hardcore democratic district. --- ## [What is wrong with Huntsman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-huntsman/595712)
**Author:** [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-huntsman/595712 "2011-09-15T22:51:49Z")
I don’t understand why he has so little support among republicans in USA. He is presidential looking. From wikipedia: “During his tenure, Huntsman cut taxes by more than $400 million—the largest tax cut in the state’s hi… --- ## [Sarah Palin smoked weed, did blow and banged Glen Rice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-smoked-weed-did-blow-and-banged-glen-rice/596310)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-smoked-weed-did-blow-and-banged-glen-rice/596310 "2011-09-15T17:31:04Z")
Leaks from Joe McGuinness’ upcoming book about Sarah palin will allegedly reveal that she engaged in all kinds of illegal drug use, had a one night stand with NBA star, Glen Rice (a friend is quoted as saying Sarah “had … --- ## [What is Huntsman up to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-huntsman-up-to/596069)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-huntsman-up-to/596069 "2011-09-14T15:46:48Z")
I’m sure he knew from the beginning his strategy wasn’t a winning one. Is he thinking people will be more amenable to his approach in 2016? (So he’s presently just getting his bona fides lined up?) Is he poking around … --- ## [Educate me on the characters of the Republican candidates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educate-me-on-the-characters-of-the-republican-candidates/595604)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2011, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educate-me-on-the-characters-of-the-republican-candidates/595604 "2011-09-14T13:02:58Z")
I’ve read a fair amount about the policies - or the lack thereof - of the various Republican candidates, but I’ve read little about their personal characters. So educate me. And let’s keep this thread policy-free. --- ## [What's going to be left of the Democratic base by Nov 2012?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-to-be-left-of-the-democratic-base-by-nov-2012/592800)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-to-be-left-of-the-democratic-base-by-nov-2012/592800 "2011-09-12T00:59:21Z")
Here are my concerns as best as I can state them. Obama is turning out to be the best possible Democratic president a Republican could hope for. The Democrats in Congress are even more splintered and less effective tha… --- ## [Herman Cain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herman-cain/589093)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herman-cain/589093 "2011-09-10T21:56:05Z")
I thought maybe it would be a good idea to have threads for individual POTUS 2012 candidates, so their positions, pledges, promises and gaffes could be easily tracked, and since a story on Herman Cain popped up today, I … --- ## [Which Candidate Would Make the Best President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-best-president/595769)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-best-president/595769 "2011-09-10T15:52:40Z")
Which of the men and women running for the Presidency for 2012 would make the best President-both major and minor (even obscure candidates) from any party are eligable. Personally I would say Jon Huntsman-Bachmann and P… --- ## [Unemployment and the President's re-election chances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployment-and-the-presidents-re-election-chances/588423)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployment-and-the-presidents-re-election-chances/588423 "2011-09-08T16:21:46Z")
Since this topic is threatening to take over the Elections forum, let’s just consolidate all of the discussion here. Please keep this topic out of the other threads ostensibly on other topics. What is the impact of the… --- ## [Even if you're Obama fan, don't you wonder WTH he's thinking sometimes? (Social Security checks)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-if-youre-obama-fan-dont-you-wonder-wth-hes-thinking-sometimes-social-security-checks/588824)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-if-youre-obama-fan-dont-you-wonder-wth-hes-thinking-sometimes-social-security-checks/588824 "2011-09-02T22:40:16Z")
I know it’s not exactly what he’s saying saying here, but Drudge is already trumpeting that Obama THREATENS TO HOLD UP SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS. OK, you may despise Drudge all you want, but isn’t it a jaw dropping rookie m… --- ## [Contract For The American Dream](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contract-for-the-american-dream/592062)
**Author:** [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contract-for-the-american-dream/592062 "2011-09-02T20:01:46Z")
Van Jones and MoveOn have been trying to gather progressives under one umbrella. Recently the asked everyone interested to contribute ideas and have distilled them into about 10 things that progressives need to come toge… --- ## [If H.W. Bush had been reelected in '92](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-h-w-bush-had-been-reelected-in-92/594002)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-h-w-bush-had-been-reelected-in-92/594002 "2011-09-01T16:18:46Z")
What would the '96 field have looked like? My guesses: GOP Quayle Dole Robertson Democrats Clinton Gore Gephardt Nunn Simon B. Kerrey J. Kerry Who else, any of these offbase? (may end up in GD) --- ## [Richard Dawkins on Republicans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-dawkins-on-republicans/594125)
**Author:** [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-dawkins-on-republicans/594125 "2011-08-31T02:53:41Z")
“There is nothing unusual about Governor Rick Perry. Uneducated fools can be found in every country and every period of history, and they are not unknown in high office. What is unusual about today’s Republican party … --- ## [If Obama has any sense he and his team will watching this hurricane very carefully](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-obama-has-any-sense-he-and-his-team-will-watching-this-hurricane-very-carefully/594267)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-obama-has-any-sense-he-and-his-team-will-watching-this-hurricane-very-carefully/594267 "2011-08-31T00:51:23Z")
I don’t know if it’s been pointed out much, but like a lot of somewhat conservative independent minded voters, there were two things that really made up my mind that George W. Bush was as bad as everybody else was saying… --- ## [Paths to the White House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paths-to-the-white-house/585148)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paths-to-the-white-house/585148 "2011-08-30T21:04:20Z")
The idea here is to argue a plausible case for how a specific candidate is planning (IYO) to get through the nomination and general election process. You must supply specific choices and barriers: for example, it’s not e… --- ## [Does Rick Perry's stance on NY's gay marriage law lead you to like him a little bit more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-rick-perrys-stance-on-nys-gay-marriage-law-lead-you-to-like-him-a-little-bit-more/590469)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-rick-perrys-stance-on-nys-gay-marriage-law-lead-you-to-like-him-a-little-bit-more/590469 "2011-08-30T16:54:14Z")
Regarding New York’s gay marriage law, Rick Perry seems to have ruffled a lot of social conservative feathers, including those of the Republican presidential frontrunners, by saying, “That’s New York, and that’s their bu… --- ## [Jon Huntsman tweets with regard to evolution and global warming.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jon-huntsman-tweets-with-regard-to-evolution-and-global-warming/593228)
**Author:** [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2011, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jon-huntsman-tweets-with-regard-to-evolution-and-global-warming/593228 "2011-08-29T10:30:49Z")
I…didn’t see that coming. I know he has no hope in hell of winning the nomination, but that would make me consider voting for him. --- ## [Republican National Convention delegate count rules?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-delegate-count-rules/593940)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2011, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-delegate-count-rules/593940 "2011-08-29T00:16:02Z")
Let me see if I have this straight: The number of “pledged” delegates each state gets is the sum of: (a) 10 (b) 3 per congressional district (I’m not sure if this is based on the 2010 numbers or the 2012 ones) © A st… --- ## [GOP Candidate Chances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-candidate-chances/593465)
**Author:** [@Bpelta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bpelta)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-candidate-chances/593465 "2011-08-28T15:38:56Z")
Romney and Perry are the main contenders in the GOP primary. Huntsman, I realize, hasn’t built any momentum yet but (call me crazy) I think he could be the McCain-ish moderate-ish wild card who wins the race. The other t… --- ## [Did a political debate ever decide your vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-a-political-debate-ever-decide-your-vote/593379)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2011, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-a-political-debate-ever-decide-your-vote/593379 "2011-08-27T02:08:36Z")
Pretty much what the title says. Has your vote ever been decided by a debate you witnessed, on TV or in person? It’s happened only once for me, in 1992. Remember Ross Perot running for President? I didn’t see the thr… --- ## [Romney Skips SC Forum; What's His Plan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-skips-sc-forum-whats-his-plan/594058)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-skips-sc-forum-whats-his-plan/594058 "2011-08-26T19:50:34Z")
Link. A lot of people out there still seem to think Romney’s gonna be the GOP nominee. I increasingly don’t see it, not so much in terms of him and his rivals, but in terms of his game plan. Maybe he can essentially … --- ## [President Bachmann.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bachmann/592795)
**Author:** [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bachmann/592795 "2011-08-26T16:49:12Z")
Assume that Michelle Bachmann gets the Republican nomination and is eventually elected your President. Having gained power, what policies do you believe she will REALISTICALLY attempt to get through Congress? For insta… --- ## [What Contributed to Current Female Prominence in GOP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-contributed-to-current-female-prominence-in-gop/593499)
**Author:** [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2011, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-contributed-to-current-female-prominence-in-gop/593499 "2011-08-26T00:42:15Z")
What contributed the most to the current Female Prominence in GOP? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=316) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=318)