# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=319 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 320 --- ## [How will quitting as governor affect Palin's chances.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-quitting-as-governor-affect-palins-chances/584051)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 265\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-quitting-as-governor-affect-palins-chances/584051 "2011-07-19T15:30:43Z")
Forgetting that she is a complete idiot or a Tea Bagger for a minute, how much of an impact would Sarah Palin quitting as governor of Alaska have on her numbers in either the primary or general election in 2012. I know … --- ## [Palin says she has "Fire In the Belly." Is it just gas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614)
**Author:** [@Profound\_Gibberish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profound_Gibberish)\ **Replies:** 337\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614 "2011-07-16T19:22:39Z")
So where is she on the Gingrich Scale of Electability? --- ## [October 2012 Campaign Slogans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-2012-campaign-slogans/589009)
**Author:** [@Profound\_Gibberish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profound_Gibberish)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-2012-campaign-slogans/589009 "2011-07-15T21:51:05Z")
Ok, one month to go before the election. The Democratic and Republican candidates have their VP choice and signs and bumper stickers are flying off the shelves. What would they say? Here’s mine: Perry / Palin 2012 … --- ## [In Recent Cycles, What's the Latest Someone's Entered the Nomination Race and Strongly Contended?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-recent-cycles-whats-the-latest-someones-entered-the-nomination-race-and-strongly-contended/588300)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2011, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-recent-cycles-whats-the-latest-someones-entered-the-nomination-race-and-strongly-contended/588300 "2011-07-15T10:30:54Z")
This is indirectly about Rick Perry, of course: given that it’s July and he’s still deciding whether to jump in, I’m wondering what the track record is of candidates who waited this long to become an active candidate for… --- ## [Signing Pledges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-pledges/588763)
**Author:** [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signing-pledges/588763 "2011-07-13T16:13:14Z")
While there are at least two major pledges that candidates are signing these days, I don’t really want to discuss the details of either. I would like to discuss the more general nature of this trend. My view is that I … --- ## [So what if the country goes bankrupt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-the-country-goes-bankrupt/571497)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-the-country-goes-bankrupt/571497 "2011-07-12T17:05:50Z")
People on both sides of the political spectrum have been talking about it since the crap hit the fan 2 1/2 years ago. But I’ve never heard anyone spell out in concrete terms what it means. If the country does go bankru… --- ## [Why would Obama want a second term, anyway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-obama-want-a-second-term-anyway/588611)
**Author:** [@Recovering\_Republican](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recovering_Republican)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2011, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-obama-want-a-second-term-anyway/588611 "2011-07-12T02:11:50Z")
Seriously. When you think about it, Presidents who win second terms rarely have as much fun the second time around. Let’s look at the recent ones. Dubya Bush had the Iraq War go south, he had Katrina, he lost Congress… --- ## [If the GOP could roll back the New Deal or Great Society](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-gop-could-roll-back-the-new-deal-or-great-society/588358)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2011, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-gop-could-roll-back-the-new-deal-or-great-society/588358 "2011-07-12T00:50:29Z")
And they can pick 1 OR the other, which would they pick? IMO, their aminity is more directed toward FDR than LBJ. --- ## [The Legacy of 2008?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-legacy-of-2008/588633)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-legacy-of-2008/588633 "2011-07-11T21:29:29Z")
2008 Obama, the first non-full Anglo on a major ticket wins the Presidency. Hillary Clinton for a while stood a chance of being the first female presidential candidate for a major party. Sarah Palin was the second fem… --- ## [Thaddeus McCotter for President!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thaddeus-mccotter-for-president/587556)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thaddeus-mccotter-for-president/587556 "2011-07-11T15:48:03Z")
Thaddeus McCotter is running for President No, I don’t think he has a snowball’s chance in hell. He’s strange looking, he’s sarcastic, and he doesn’t have any fundraising support behind him. But… He’s funny. He’s in… --- ## [Obama sees handwriting on the wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-sees-handwriting-on-the-wall/585431)
**Author:** [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2011, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-sees-handwriting-on-the-wall/585431 "2011-07-11T11:19:59Z")
Family would be just fine with one term Fluff, or sending early smoke signals? --- ## [Can ANY poll tell us ANYTHING about '12 at this point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-any-poll-tell-us-anything-about-12-at-this-point/586688)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-any-poll-tell-us-anything-about-12-at-this-point/586688 "2011-07-08T23:49:52Z")
I ask because of this article, which seems to show some pretty firm opinions and pretty stark messages (at least in the first section). While I don’t quite buy the spin that the message board commenter who pointed to it… --- ## [Anyone who voted for Obama in '08 not voting for him in '12?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-who-voted-for-obama-in-08-not-voting-for-him-in-12/579330)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-who-voted-for-obama-in-08-not-voting-for-him-in-12/579330 "2011-07-08T18:02:43Z")
I know this thread is a bit premature, but has anyone here voted for Obama last time and thinking of voting for someone else next year? Why? --- ## [Purple states](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purple-states/586884)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2011, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purple-states/586884 "2011-07-01T06:22:07Z")
What are the most “purple” states? Meaning-states consistently up for grabs in the election, and consistently changing columns from election to election. --- ## [What is the possibility of a Romney-Bachmann ticket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-possibility-of-a-romney-bachmann-ticket/585504)
**Author:** [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-possibility-of-a-romney-bachmann-ticket/585504 "2011-07-01T00:29:27Z")
It would appeal to the establishment GOP and it would appeal to the Tea Party. Would it win the WH? --- ## [First major party gay candidate for president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-major-party-gay-candidate-for-president/576249)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-major-party-gay-candidate-for-president/576249 "2011-06-30T19:30:08Z")
I guess he won’t get very far, he is Republican http://fredkarger.com/posts/fred-karger-first-to-file-for-president-at-fec-in-washington-dc --- ## [The Koch Oil Speculation Kingdom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-koch-oil-speculation-kingdom/585053)
**Author:** [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2011, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-koch-oil-speculation-kingdom/585053 "2011-06-30T13:03:26Z")
http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/06/06/237542/koch-oil-speculation/ --- ## [Who could challenge Obama in the Dem primaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-challenge-obama-in-the-dem-primaries/586878)
**Author:** [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2011, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-could-challenge-obama-in-the-dem-primaries/586878 "2011-06-29T00:03:46Z")
My better-than-passing knowledge of US politics doesn’t help me with this one. If Obama were perceived as weak for the 2012 election and his 2nd term seemed in danger, who (non-loony) would rise to the challenge? What D… --- ## [Tomorrow's NSW state election (26 March) - any predictions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomorrows-nsw-state-election-26-march-any-predictions/575930)
**Author:** [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomorrows-nsw-state-election-26-march-any-predictions/575930 "2011-06-27T00:08:24Z")
All the polls are predicting a bloodbath for the incumbent Labor government, with suggestions that it will be reduced from 50 to as few as 15 seats in the Legislative Assembly. I suspect that the swing won’t be as large … --- ## [Huntsman to formally enter race.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huntsman-to-formally-enter-race/585470)
**Author:** [@Dostoyevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dostoyevsky)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huntsman-to-formally-enter-race/585470 "2011-06-26T01:14:02Z")
Here is news unlikely to surprise anyone. Huntsman is in it, or is soon to be. Question(s): is he the new Daniels, as in the alternative to Romney who’s not Pawlenty? Will his Mormonism help Romney by making the faith… --- ## [Alec Baldwin for Mayor of NYC....really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alec-baldwin-for-mayor-of-nyc-really/584976)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alec-baldwin-for-mayor-of-nyc-really/584976 "2011-06-22T23:37:12Z")
I guess it’s not completely out of the question. Arnold, Sony Bono, Reagan, etc. But wouldn’t that infamous voicemail rant he left on his daughter’s cell phone come back to haunt him. So what say you? Would he make a… --- ## [Trump hints at 3rd party run](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-hints-at-3rd-party-run/584920)
**Author:** [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2011, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-hints-at-3rd-party-run/584920 "2011-06-22T17:46:59Z")
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/\_news/2011/06/09/6822175-trump-you-know-what-its-time-to-take-the-money This guy is not so smart, is he? He wants Obama out, and then he hints he might run as a 3rd party candidate. Doe… --- ## [Florida's Unpopular Governor could hurt GOP in 2012](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-unpopular-governor-could-hurt-gop-in-2012/585167)
**Author:** [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2011, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-unpopular-governor-could-hurt-gop-in-2012/585167 "2011-06-20T12:08:32Z")
Florida is always a key state in a Presidential race. --- ## [Pawlenty: If you can Google it, cut it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pawlenty-if-you-can-google-it-cut-it/584689)
**Author:** [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pawlenty-if-you-can-google-it-cut-it/584689 "2011-06-19T22:23:40Z")
WHAT IS HE TALKING ABOUT? --- ## [Mitt Romney is Unemployed and Needs your Vote!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-unemployed-and-needs-your-vote/585742)
**Author:** [@Profound\_Gibberish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profound_Gibberish)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2011, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-romney-is-unemployed-and-needs-your-vote/585742 "2011-06-19T01:05:05Z")
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/16/romney-tells-actual-unemployed-people-he-is-also-unemployed/#more-164012 So this guy worth 250+ million is trying to relate to some unemployed Floridians and says this. W… --- ## [Pick a president, any president!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-president-any-president/577645)
**Author:** [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-a-president-any-president/577645 "2011-06-17T01:23:17Z")
If you theoretically had complete autonomy to personally hand pick the next POTUS, who would it be? No need to worry about electability or anything else, it’s completely up to you who will be the next president. If you… --- ## [Romney beating Obama in one poll...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-beating-obama-in-one-poll/584703)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2011, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-beating-obama-in-one-poll/584703 "2011-06-15T11:38:26Z")
This one. Of course, one could argue that it’s an outlier (IIRC, it’s the only poll that has such a state at this point) and that such polls are meaningless so far out from the election. OTOH, one could also claim that… --- ## [Does Gingrich scare you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-gingrich-scare-you/580812)
**Author:** [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-gingrich-scare-you/580812 "2011-06-13T16:17:12Z")
Couldn’t find any Gingrich threads. Gingrich to Run for President I can brush off Trump, Buchanan, and others, but Gingrich? Errrrm…do Republicans miss the party of yesteryear? Here’s a current poll that gives Trump t… --- ## [McCotter gets rough on Romney in Mich](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccotter-gets-rough-on-romney-in-mich/584919)
**Author:** [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccotter-gets-rough-on-romney-in-mich/584919 "2011-06-13T03:39:44Z")
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/06/09/mccotter-gets-rough-on-romney/ --- ## [Palin e-mails released](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-e-mails-released/584997)
**Author:** [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2011, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-e-mails-released/584997 "2011-06-11T11:46:57Z")
http://www.wkow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14880395 We can call it Princess Diary III These should be interesting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=318) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=320)