# The 2012 SDMB Presidential Debate--more fun than a barrel full of independents! **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 23, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368 "2012-01-23T04:38:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/21 "2012-02-21T08:30:39Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > And are we limited to two candidates? Not so far as I’m aware. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/22 "2012-02-23T01:17:23Z")
OK, so we need at least two candidates. Tripler Snowmaster if he ever shows ??? ??? Otherwise do the rules agree with you all? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/23 "2012-02-23T03:53:54Z")
> [@Rico](#): > > I just found out. > > I sent **Trip** a message that I must respectfully decline this great honor at this time. > > My apologies. Besides, I told Trip that I’m about as political as the cat that’s clawing my leg right now. > > This would have been fun. Mother of Mercy, is this the end of Rico? ---
**Author:** ![snowmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@snowmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowmaster)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/24 "2012-02-24T19:16:36Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > OK, so we need at least two candidates. > > Tripler > Snowmaster if he ever shows > ??? > ??? > > Otherwise do the rules agree with you all? I’m fine with the tax weekend date, the rules and our new moderator. And of course I’m gonna show! ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/25 "2012-02-25T06:59:18Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > OK, so we need at least two candidates. > > Tripler > Snowmaster if he ever shows > ??? > ??? > > Otherwise do the rules agree with you all? I am announcing my candidacy for SDMB Presidency. ---
**Author:** ![Stelios](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Stelios](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stelios)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2012, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/26 "2012-02-25T09:52:55Z")
Fuck it, why not? I’m in. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/27 "2012-02-26T00:13:06Z")
All right that gives us four. Stelios Sage Rat Snowmaster Tripler So again, our rules: 1. I ask up to 10 questions. You MUST answer them in 750 words or less. 2. Non moderators may ask questions and you MAY answer those. 3. To any answer the other candidate may reply ONCE with 250 words. 4. I may choose to follow up any answer with a ‘clarification’ question that must be on topic. This is called the ‘That doesn’t really answer my question, Senator’ rule. Random folks may submit questions for me to consider making ‘official’. PM me those, please. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/28 "2012-03-25T11:08:38Z")
_bump_ So. . . when do we want to start? Tripler Let the hand-wringing begin. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/29 "2012-03-25T11:10:41Z")
OK, I will private message all of the candidates with the rules for sign off since it hasn’t be happening here. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/30 "2012-03-25T13:20:06Z")
I have just sent this private message off to our participants: > [@](#): > > OK, you, fool that you are, have agreed to be a participant in the 2012 Presidential Debate. Please respond to this message that you are still willing to participate and agree to the below rules: > > 1. The debate will commence on April 15, 2012. > 2. Over the course of time I will ask at least 10 questions. You, as the candidate, are REQUIRED to answer these questions. Your answers must be 750 words or less. > 3. You may respond to another candidates answers with a rebuttal of no more than 250 words. If you do so you must quote the other candidates answer IN FULL in your rebuttal. > 4. At my discretion I may ask you for clarification of your answer. This is called the ‘That really doesn’t answer my question, Senator’ rule. You are REQUIRED to respond to my request for clarification. > 5. Non-moderators, the audience, may toss questions into the discussion but you are NOT required to respond to them unless they are reaffirmed by me in my role as moderator of the debate. > > Scheduling: > > 1. I will begin asking questions on April 15, 2012. > 2. I intend to ask one question per day, along with follow ups, for at least 10 days. I reserve the right to ask more than one question per day depending on traffic and so forth. > > Warm up: > > 1. Please choose your party name. Make it fictional so I don’t get wrapped up in realities. > 2. On or about April 10, 2012 I will create the official ‘Debate Thread’. Please be prepared to make a brief opening statement of 500 words or less outlining your party’s basic stance on the role of government and so forth. That can give the audience and myself some guidance on what to expect. I should note that I already have one question from a bystander in the queue. I look forward to seeing how this works out. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/31 "2012-03-25T23:26:45Z")
Ok, so far Sage Rat and Stelios have checked in! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2012, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/32 "2012-03-26T22:40:29Z")
Tripler has now checked in. I await only snowmaster ---
**Author:** ![snowmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@snowmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowmaster)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/33 "2012-03-27T02:40:56Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Tripler has now checked in. I await only snowmaster You await no more. I stand ready. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/34 "2012-03-27T13:41:08Z")
Indeed I do. Over the next week I will attempt to drum up questions and interest. You have until April 10 to select party names and prepare your ending statements. Get cracking. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/35 "2012-04-06T23:37:36Z")
I’m watching for that new thread, chomping at the political bit. I’ve got my opening pitch all warmed up and ready to go. . . . but then again, I recall a li’l something I surmised from some of my history lessons: “Only an idiot would run for office.” Tripler The lesser of several idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/36 "2012-04-10T11:00:23Z")
Just locking up some promotional work. Be patient, Trip. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/37 "2012-04-14T12:00:03Z")
I guess we may as well use this thread for discussion in order to keep the actual election thread as focused as possible. Which candidates look best to you guys from their opening statements? To me it looks like there are two relatively conservative candidates (Tripler and snowmaster), one that will attempt to be independent (Sage Rat) and one that is quite left-wing by US standards (Stelios). I’d be interested in seeing each of their results on the political compass, if they think it is an accurate measure of political alignment (I think it is biased towards anarchosyndicalism or at least left wing views, since the company that produced it also publishes a newspaper supportive of Obama). ---
**Author:** ![Stelios](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Stelios](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stelios)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/38 "2012-04-14T16:48:13Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > I’d be interested in seeing each of their results on the political compass [Ask, and ye shall receive.](http://www.politicalcompass.org/printablegraph?ec=-3.00&soc=-4.36) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/39 "2012-04-14T18:23:13Z")
From an old poll on the forums. I appear to be the only candidate who was present for it. [http://www.1728.org/SD.htm](http://www.1728.org/SD.htm) ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368/40 "2012-04-14T18:38:19Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > Which candidates look best to you guys from their opening statements? > > … one that is quite left-wing by US standards (Stelios). There’s little, if any, doubt which of the four most Dopers will support. **stelios** sounds very much like what we used to call “moderate Republican.” If that’s now “quite left-wing” I pity America. Two of the opening statements were so teeming with sweet-sounding but meaningless platitudes (e.g. “genuine positive change that is good for citizens and good for businesses”), I think Moderators should add a _Warning for Diabetics_ to the thread title. What’s their position on Motherhood and Apple Pie? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-sdmb-presidential-debate-more-fun-than-a-barrel-full-of-independents/610368.md?page=3)