# The 2016 Republican candidates **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 9, 2015, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444 "2015-01-09T22:38:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/321 "2015-01-25T01:02:51Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > _Audacity of Hope_ page 130. > > How can he, or posters here, justify his 132 “present” votes, based on his own criterion? That 3% of the time he had, either through a broader strategy, or personal reasons varied from that. Whooptie do. I’ll assume that 3% of the time he had a reason. You certainly suggested above that he did it all the time. And that’s not correct, or even close to correct. And yet you haven’t retracted it. Instead you double down and launch the goalposts. The article you posted above said that he voted present as part of a broader strategy with his caucus, or when he thought the bill was constitutionally unsound. That the utter depths that Obama’s haters have to go to are so goofy is the best thing that can be said about him. He voted “present” 3% of the time!!!1 OH NOES!!1 Yeah, well Ben Carson thinks that biology is a liberal plot and he sells magic vitamins. Also, read that whole quoted sentence. He’s saying that no matter your vote, no one is going to be totally happy. He’s talking about compromise, which a present vote is. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/322 "2015-01-25T01:16:26Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > The article you posted above said that he voted present as part of a broader strategy with his caucus, or when he thought the bill was constitutionally unsound. Given multiple Supreme Court rulings against him and his Administration, he’s not very familiar with the Constitution, is he? > [@](#): > > He’s talking about compromise, which a present vote is. No, it’s a chicken-shit vote. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/323 "2015-01-25T01:23:59Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Given multiple Supreme Court rulings against him and his Administration, he’s not very familiar with the Constitution, is he? Care to list them? The one you keep harping on about the recess appointments was due to an unprecedented tantrum thrown by GOP Republicans. Might as well get a ruling on the books, since the tantrum wasn’t going away. > [@](#): > > No, it’s a chicken-shit vote. No, it’s political vote. And you have utterly failed to show that he did it more than any other Democrat at the same time period in his same body. So you really have nothing but an assertion of wrongdoing that has nothing to back it up. You’re just making noise. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/324 "2015-01-25T01:32:04Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > You’re just making noise. Shocker, amirite?! ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/325 "2015-01-25T01:35:45Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > You’re just making noise. No, you’re just making noise. In many of his present votes, he was the **only** person to vote that way, according to that ultra right rag, the New York Times. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/326 "2015-01-25T01:43:31Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > No, you’re just making noise. In many of his present votes, he was the **only** person to vote that way, according to that ultra right rag, the New York Times. So? What do you think that shows? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/327 "2015-01-25T01:47:35Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > So? What do you think that shows? That it wasn’t a regular procedure, by any means. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/328 "2015-01-25T01:54:39Z")
What it really seems to show is that some people would rather fight about Obama than actually stick to the topic of this thread. Those who simply MUST fight over Obama are free to go open a new thread (in GD, IMHO, or The Pit, since he will not be running for office in 2016). [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/329 "2015-01-25T01:57:08Z")
ETA: Just saw the moderation. Feel free to open a thread, D’Aconia. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/330 "2015-01-25T02:52:48Z")
Someone earlier asked what purpose John Bolton served in the race. First, he’s the only guy with foreign policy experience, and second, he’s pro gay marriage and accepts the science on climate change. I know liberals learned to hate Bolton, but on domestic issues they’d find little to disagree with other than on abortion. He’s a unique voice in the race. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/331 "2015-01-25T03:42:07Z")
Sarah Palin says she’s “seriously interested” in running in 2016: [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/24/palin-say-shes-seriously-interested-in-2016-campaign/](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/24/palin-say-shes-seriously-interested-in-2016-campaign/) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/332 "2015-01-25T03:50:04Z")
The large field of big name candidates demonstrates one thing at least: confidence that Republicans will win in 2016. Of course, that’s not predictive of anything. Bill Clinton was the frontrunner in 1992 precisely because the big name Democrats like Cuomo and Gore decided to stay out of the race, seeing Bush as unbeatable with his 90% approval ratings in early 1991. By the time Bush looked beatable, it was too late to build a team and raise money. But at least for now, it looks like all the biggest names are interested in running, which is a good sign. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/333 "2015-01-25T03:57:39Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > But at least for now, it looks like all the biggest names are interested in running, which is a good sign. You just keep telling yourself that. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/334 "2015-01-25T04:11:56Z")
Well, they all seem to want in. Maybe they are just delusional. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2015, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/335 "2015-01-25T05:47:03Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Here’s [an assessment](http://theiowarepublican.com/2015/high-stakes-for-presidential-hopefuls-at-iowa-freedom-summit/), from a decidedly GOP POV, of those GOP proto-candidates speaking at the Freedumb Summit in iowa this weekend. Iowa GOP activist/commentator Kevin Hall goes over what Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Chris Christie, John Bolton, Mike Huckabee, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Scott Walker, and Ted Cruz need to accomplish with their speeches. > > I still can’t believe John Bolton and Carly Fiorina consider themselves candidates. I can’t believe a nontrivial number of people consider Ben Carson to be a candidate. I like the part about how Iowa Republicans no like Chris Christie because he got the Obama stench on him by touching him and being all nice to him in 2012 instead of luring him into the Pine Barrens and hitting him with a shovel ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/336 "2015-01-26T00:57:41Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Sarah Palin says she’s “seriously interested” in running in 2016: [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/24/palin-say-shes-seriously-interested-in-2016-campaign/](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/24/palin-say-shes-seriously-interested-in-2016-campaign/) Beat ya - see post 311. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/337 "2015-01-26T01:14:17Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The large field of big name candidates demonstrates one thing at least: confidence that Republicans will win in 2016. Or it could just indicate that nobody already running looks like they can win the nomination, but the rules say_somebody_’s got to, so if you see yourself as even marginally Presidential timber, you might as well throw your hat in the ring and see if you get lucky. It’s kinda like the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes. They’re gonna do the photo-op with the big check on _somebody_’s front lawn. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/338 "2015-01-26T01:26:11Z")
Bush and Romney aren’t exactly marginal, and by definition any blue state Republican governor is a serious contender. That makes four serious contenders right there, any one of whom would have won the nomination if they were up against the 2012 field. it’s a much stronger field, there’s no way one can rationally deny that. Contrast that to the Democrats’ 2004 field, which saw the two strongest potential candidates(Clinton and Gore) decline to run. How willing your biggest names are to get in isn’t truly predictive of who will win the race, but it is a sign of how much confidence there is in the party. Everyone on the GOP side seems to see this as the best opportunity that will ever come around for them. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/339 "2015-01-26T01:38:55Z")
I hear Donald Trump ripped it up, and it looks like this time he is serious about running. Joy. Trumps’ obviously a smart guy, and competent too, but he can be out of touch with reality sometimes. What the Democrats did to Mitt, he doesn’t think they’ll do triple to him? Republicans can’t nominate gazillionaire businessmen, it just doesn’t work. At least with the neurosurgeon we get a story that the Democrats can’t trash. Then all we have to do is teach Carson some message discipline. That’s easier than selling Trump to the public in a time of middle class anxiety. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/340 "2015-01-26T01:52:07Z")
Trump’s business acumen is overrated. [There are many failures that he has brought forth.](http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-businesses-that-no-longer-exist-2014-10)There was the mortgage company, the vodka, the steaks, the board game… He’s even doing the impossible- losing money on a casino. And if you think Romney was private about his tax returns, just wait till Trump faces turning his in. He’s just trying to get his name out there because he’s addicted to fame. The Republicans are not about to nominate Ben Carson. After eight years of having a conniption fit about a black guy in the White House, they are not going to nominate a black guy. Bigots are far too big a part of their base. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=18)