# 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:** 37
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/722 "2015-02-18T01:31:46Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Plus I just don’t think you’ll get very far trying to tell Americans that what Scott Walker didn’t do 25 years ago matters more than what he’s done since. Well, that’s Walker’s problem; he can’t run on his record. He can in the primary, but in the general he’ll have to pretend he never even heard of Wisconsin – that’s somewhere in Nebraska, right? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/723 "2015-02-18T02:21:57Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Not really. He won against the idea of a recall for one of those. Khripes Almighty!:smack: Not this horseshit again. :rolleyes: More people voted in the recall than the election in 2010. This idea that people who didn’t like Walker voted for him anyway because they didn’t like the idea of a recall is delusional. Give it up already, **Bob**! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/724 "2015-02-18T02:27:07Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Khripes Almighty!:smack: Not this horseshit again. :rolleyes: > > More people voted in the recall than the election in 2010. This idea that people who didn’t like Walker voted for him anyway because they didn’t like the idea of a recall is delusional. Give it up already, **Bob**! Turnout was still significantly lower than in Presidential elections – total turnout (in Wisconsin) was about 2.4 million in the 2012 recall, while it was over 3 million the 2012 general election. Romney got ~100K more votes than Walker did, but Obama got nearly half a million more votes than the “yes to recall” vote. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/725 "2015-02-18T02:31:37Z")
It is good that most states elect their governors in non general election years.🙂 ---
**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:** [February 18, 2015, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/726 "2015-02-18T03:08:16Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > All of whom graduated from college. Walker, not so much. All but the most brain dead voter will be horrified to learn he holds no degree beyond a high school diploma. I’m not so sure of that. There’ll be a lot more attention paid to what he’s done (or not) as governor than on his educational background. He could pretty easily turn it to his advantage as a “scrappy, School of Hard Knocks, self-made man” narrative. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/727 "2015-02-18T03:15:24Z")
Rand Paul lying about his degrees would bother me. Walker not having any? Not an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/728 "2015-02-18T09:39:59Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Democrats already get perceived as elitists and they’ll be running the ultimate elitist candidate in all likelihood. You think the Democrats are going to nominate Mitt Romney? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/729 "2015-02-18T10:05:16Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > All of whom graduated from college. Walker, not so much. All but the most brain dead voter will be horrified to learn he holds no degree beyond a high school diploma. Why? He’s long past the stage where such things matter. And surely he anyway holds a degree from URL - the University of Real Life? Speaking of education, Slate thinks he’s [baiting the universities](http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/02/scott_walker_cuts_university_of_wisconsin_funding_the_republican_governor.html) and they’re falling for it hook, line, and sinker. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/730 "2015-02-18T19:42:40Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Turnout was still significantly lower than in Presidential elections You’re missing the big bump at the end of the nose. \*\* BobLibDem \*\*has been posting this crap for a long time now that voters who don’t like Governor Scott Walker, and [probably] didn’t vote for him in 2010 and still didn’t like him, somehow voted to keep him in office in 2012 because they voted out of protest of the recall system. According to Bob after months of campaigning and tens of millions of dollars spent against him, this is the ONLY reason Walker survived the recall. It’s tinfoil hat delusional nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/731 "2015-02-18T19:52:46Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > You’re missing the big bump at the end of the nose. > \*\* > BobLibDem \*\*has been posting this crap for a long time now that voters who don’t like Governor Scott Walker, and [probably] didn’t vote for him in 2010 and still didn’t like him, somehow voted to keep him in office in 2012 because they voted out of protest of the recall system. According to Bob after months of campaigning and tens of millions of dollars spent against him, this is the ONLY reason Walker survived the recall. It’s tinfoil hat delusional nonsense. Maybe – I’m disputing the claim that Walker’s electoral success in midterm and recall elections translates to near-certain success in WI (and other states) in a presidential election. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/732 "2015-02-18T19:56:42Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > You’re missing the big bump at the end of the nose. > \*\* > BobLibDem \*\*has been posting this crap for a long time now that voters who don’t like Governor Scott Walker, and [probably] didn’t vote for him in 2010 and still didn’t like him, somehow voted to keep him in office in 2012 because they voted out of protest of the recall system. According to Bob after months of campaigning and tens of millions of dollars spent against him, this is the ONLY reason Walker survived the recall. It’s tinfoil hat delusional nonsense. It was a significant factor. From [CBS](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-scott-walker-won-the-wisconsin-recall-election/) > [@](#): > > Wisconsin voters had strong opinions on the merit of recall elections. Sixty percent told exit pollsters that recall elections are only appropriate when there has been official misconduct, and another 10 percent think such elections are never appropriate. Just 27 percent of Wisconsin voters supported holding recall elections for any reason. So 70% of Wisconsinites said that the recall election was inappropriate and you want me to believe that it wasn’t an extremely significant factor? I think it was THE significant factor. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/733 "2015-02-18T19:58:20Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Why? He’s long past the stage where such things matter. And surely he anyway holds a degree from URL - the University of Real Life? > > Speaking of education, Slate thinks he’s [baiting the universities](http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/02/scott_walker_cuts_university_of_wisconsin_funding_the_republican_governor.html) and they’re falling for it hook, line, and sinker. And he’s trying to preempt the argument, too – [Megyn Kelly and Scott Walker trash “Ivy Leaguers” like Obama and Hillary](http://www.salon.com/2015/02/18/fox_news_phony_1_percent_populism_megyn_kelly_helps_scott_walker_solve_one_of_his_college_problems/). A charge of “elitism” does play well with the GOP base. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/734 "2015-02-18T20:10:26Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > It was a significant factor. From [CBS](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-scott-walker-won-the-wisconsin-recall-election/) > > So 70% of Wisconsinites said that the recall election was inappropriate and you want me to believe that it wasn’t an extremely significant factor? I think it was THE significant factor. And they stood over their shoulder and watched how they actually voted? You really believe Walker only survived the recall because a large majority who don’t approve of his policies and performance voted for him anyway because they disapprove of the recall system more than they disapprove of him? And after months and tens of millions spent THAT is the only reason he won? You can believe what you want. My only advice to anyone else with these views is buy name-brand tin foil for their hat and get some psychiatric help! ---
**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:** [February 18, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/735 "2015-02-18T20:18:01Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > And they stood over their shoulder and watched how they actually voted? > > You really believe Walker only survived the recall because a large majority who don’t approve of his policies and performance voted for him anyway because they disapprove of the recall system more than they disapprove of him? And after months and tens of millions spent THAT is the only reason he won? > > You can believe what you want. My only advice to anyone else with these views is buy name-brand tin foil for their hat and get some psychiatric help! Of course not, that’s not how polling works. They asked people questions and they answered them. It wasn’t the only reason but it was likely the most significant. There were those who like Walker- there’s no accounting for taste. There were those who dislike Walker but didn’t think the recall election was warranted without the charges of official misconduct. Finally, there were those who dislike Walker and thought the recall election was justified. There simply weren’t enough of that last group. Those in the first group came out in droves, like Republicans always do. Those in the second group either held their nose and voted for Walker or stayed home. Those in the third group were simply outnumbered. To read that vote as vindication of Walker and his slimy policies is misguided. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/736 "2015-02-18T20:43:39Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Those in the second group either held their nose and voted for Walker or stayed home. No, they either stayed home or voted against him. The very idea that someone who voted against Walker in '10 and '14 voted for him in '10 because it was a protest vote against the actual system is beyond ludicrous. Post all the cites you want, it just didn’t happen that way. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > To read that vote as vindication of Walker and his slimy policies is misguided. Then what was his 2014 reelection victory? People who don’t approve of his policies voted for him again just to confirm their protest vote in 2010? Will they vote for him in 2016 as POTUS not because they approve of him but just to get him out of Wisconsin politics? C’mon, Bob. Your explanations are getting just as comical. Let it go. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2015, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/737 "2015-02-18T21:05:02Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > No, they either stayed home or voted against him. The very idea that someone who voted against Walker in '10 and '14 voted for him in '10 because it was a protest vote against the actual system is beyond ludicrous. Post all the cites you want, it just didn’t happen that way. > Then what was his 2014 reelection victory? People who don’t approve of his policies voted for him again just to confirm their protest vote in 2010? > > Will they vote for him in 2016 as POTUS not because they approve of him but just to get him out of Wisconsin politics? C’mon, Bob. Your explanations are getting just as comical. Let it go. I can see someone voting against Walker in 2010 and voting for him in the recall election on the grounds that the recall is unwarranted. His win in 2014 was due to a weak opponent. We’ll just have to agree to disagree. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/738 "2015-02-18T21:23:20Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > No, they either stayed home or voted against him. The very idea that someone who voted against Walker in '10 and '14 voted for him in '10 because it was a protest vote against the actual system is beyond ludicrous. Post all the cites you want, it just didn’t happen that way. I’m not in Wisconsin, and frankly I have no opinion of recall votes, but if I think it’s inappropriate to hold a recall, I’m not going to vote for recall just because it gets me the result I want. I sincerely doubt I am alone in this. Having a hammer does not actually turn everything into a nail. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/739 "2015-02-18T23:17:58Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > We’ll just have to agree to disagree. I don’t agree to that ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/740 "2015-02-18T23:25:42Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I’m not in Wisconsin, and frankly I have no opinion of recall votes, but if I think it’s inappropriate to hold a recall, I’m not going to vote for recall just because it gets me the result I want. I sincerely doubt I am alone in this. Having a hammer does not actually turn everything into a nail. And you would go into a voting booth and vote for someone who you did not want to be Governor, someone you previously voted against, someone you voted against and for the same candidate running against them again, someone you will vote against in the next election, yet vote for them now because you don’t like the concept of recall? That’s absurd. And it’s absurd to think a majority of people did just that. In fact, the issue of recall itself wasn’t an issue during the actual recall campaign. Like it or not it’s a legal means of extracting an office holder. I don’t recall (pun intended) hearing or reading a single opinion piece, editorial, or conversation where someone said they didn’t like Walker but was voting for him in the recall because they didn’t like recall elections. The very idea is just nonsense! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/741 "2015-02-18T23:37:34Z")
I had a long reply then realized I was participating in a highjack. I may or may not start another thread, but it’s probably not important enough to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=38)