# 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:** 54
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1062 "2015-03-18T15:24:25Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > The purpose of Trump’s exploratory committee is to get Trump’s name in the news. This. Actually running for president is a lot like work and involves having policies and subjecting oneself to extraordinary scrutiny. The Donald just wants to play at being taken seriously as a presidential contender without ever being serious about being a presidential contender. Trump’s not Perot. Hell, he’s not even Fred Thompson. He’s a category unto himself. A stupid, self-aggrandizing category. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1063 "2015-03-18T15:33:55Z")
[7-year-old asks Scott Walker, “Do you even care about climate change?” Walker has no coherent answer.](http://www.occupydemocrats.com/watch-7-year-old-makes-scott-walker-crash-and-burn-with-2-questions/) ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1064 "2015-03-19T10:06:48Z")
Ben Carson’s [ignorance of international relations](http://huff.to/1H0jlEX) is cringeworthy: > [@](#): > > Asked whether NATO should be willing to go to war if Russian President Vladimir Putin takes aggressive actions against the Baltic states, Carson said, “We need to convince them to get involved in NATO and strengthen NATO.” > > Before cutting to a commercial break, Hewitt pointed out that the Baltic states are already in NATO. Later in the interview, Carson admitted he was confused about what Hewitt was referring to. The Baltic states are Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. > > “Well, when you were saying Baltic state, I thought you were continuing our conversation about the former components of the Soviet Union,” Carson said. “Obviously, there’s only three Baltic states.” > > “Right, and they’re all part of NATO,” Hewitt said, prompting Carson to reply, “right.” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1065 "2015-03-19T16:28:50Z")
Yes, are three. Only one has potato. But still sad. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1066 "2015-03-19T17:11:06Z")
You know, for me 2016’s is shaping up to be THE weakest presidential election field in this country that I can think of since 1988. At this point in time I DEFINITELY “lean left” in my thinking but H.R.C. doesn’t really do anything for me and neither do any other potential Democratic candidates (well, Al Gore kinda does. I still feel that he got TOTALLY JOBBED back in Y2K. But the dude totally lacks charisma from what I can tell). The Republicans? Ha! I can’t think of even ONE person being touted as a potential candidate for President on that side of the aisle right now that I would even give much consideration to, let alone actually VOTE for (well, actually, I HAD been thinking “Jeb Bush” [of all freakin’ people] but the more I’m seeing about him, now, the more I’m thinking “Naaaaahhh!”). I’m tellin’ you - I won’t be surprised if I “forget” to vote in November 2016. Just not an inspiring group to me AT ALL. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1067 "2015-03-19T17:15:40Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > You know, for me 2016’s is shaping up to be THE weakest presidential election field in this country that I can think of since 1988. At this point in time I DEFINITELY “lean left” in my thinking but H.R.C. doesn’t really do anything for me and neither do any other potential Democratic candidates (well, Al Gore kinda does. I still feel that he got TOTALLY JOBBED back in Y2K. But the dude totally lacks charisma from what I can tell). The Republicans? Ha! I can’t think of even ONE person being touted as a potential candidate for President on that side of the aisle right now that I would even give much consideration to, let alone actually VOTE for (well, actually, I HAD been thinking “Jeb Bush” [of all freakin’ people] but the more I’m seeing about him, now, the more I’m thinking “Naaaaahhh!”). I’m tellin’ you - I won’t be surprised if I “forget” to vote in November 2016. Just not an inspiring group to me AT ALL. I’m long past any hope of “inspiration” for voting. I just vote to avoid more dead Americans, and to avoid the worst of the nuttery on display. That means to me, in every recent election, voting for the Democratic candidate over the Republican candidate. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1068 "2015-03-19T23:48:40Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > You know, for me 2016’s is shaping up to be THE weakest presidential election field in this country that I can think of since 1988. At this point in time I DEFINITELY “lean left” in my thinking but H.R.C. doesn’t really do anything for me and neither do any other potential Democratic candidates (well, Al Gore kinda does. I still feel that he got TOTALLY JOBBED back in Y2K. But the dude totally lacks charisma from what I can tell). The Republicans? Ha! I can’t think of even ONE person being touted as a potential candidate for President on that side of the aisle right now that I would even give much consideration to, let alone actually VOTE for (well, actually, I HAD been thinking “Jeb Bush” [of all freakin’ people] but the more I’m seeing about him, now, the more I’m thinking “Naaaaahhh!”). I’m tellin’ you - I won’t be surprised if I “forget” to vote in November 2016. Just not an inspiring group to me AT ALL. Like Pappy told me: “You may not find someone to vote _for_ – but you’ll always find someone to vote _against._” ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1069 "2015-03-19T23:53:42Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > At this point in time I DEFINITELY “lean left” in my thinking but H.R.C. doesn’t really do anything for me Vote for Hillary: _Not Insane!_ There, that’s all you need to know. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1070 "2015-03-20T00:08:06Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > That is hilarious, both in a grammatical and political sense. I first pictured an Archer scene with the running joke about literally. My next picture was the reaction from the Joint Chiefs when he issued the order. I’d love to have that be in person and be in the back of the room to watch. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1071 "2015-03-20T00:16:46Z")
Ben Carson :smack: It’s strange times. The Democrats are likely to nominate someone who’s strong on my most heavily weighted factor in voting for President - foreign policy. Rarely do the Democratic candidates, who do well with me in that regard, make it past the early primaries. Most of the Republican potential candidates are weak in that area that traditionally was a strength for the Party. The Republican candidates seem to ignore that area and focus on domestic, especially domestic social, issues. Is this election going to be held in opposite world?!? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1072 "2015-03-20T00:20:58Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Vote for Hillary: _Not Insane!_ > > There, that’s all you need to know. And, at least somewhat more inspiring than [“Vote For the Crook. It’s Important.”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Edwards#Second_comeback:_Edwards_vs._Duke.2C_1991) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1073 "2015-03-20T00:46:22Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Piss poor bass player as well. Not that it matters. But still… Looks like I’ll be writing in Phil Lesh for Prez yet again… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1074 "2015-03-20T21:52:08Z")
[Jeb: “People have a right” to refuse services to gays.](http://www.salon.com/2015/03/20/gay_friendly_jeb_bush_people_have_a_right_to_refuse_services_to_gays/) ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1075 "2015-03-21T01:04:59Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Jeb: “People have a right” to refuse services to gays.](http://www.salon.com/2015/03/20/gay_friendly_jeb_bush_people_have_a_right_to_refuse_services_to_gays/) **BG** , could I possibly ask a favor? Some of us occasionally browse the Dope when clicking links is not convenient. In the other thread where you posted this same link, \*\*eschereal \*\* posted the money quote so that your dear, dedicated readers don’t have to click out to an external site to see what you’re on about. Could you maybe…just maybe…do the same? It would really be **ever** so helpful. Thx. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1076 "2015-03-21T01:12:19Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > **BG** , could I possibly ask a favor? Some of us occasionally browse the Dope when clicking links is not convenient. In the other thread where you posted this same link, \*\*eschereal \*\* posted the money quote so that your dear, dedicated readers don’t have to click out to an external site to see what you’re on about. Could you maybe…just maybe…do the same? It would really be **ever** so helpful. Thx. 🙂 Here ya go: > [@](#): > > Though Bush did not explicitly endorse a proposed measure in the Georgia legislature that would allow such discrimination, he expressed sympathy for the movement to sanction religiously-based discrimination. > > “I don’t know about the law, but religious freedom is a serious issue, and it’s increasingly so, and I think people that act on their conscience shouldn’t be discriminated against, for sure,” Bush told reporters, speaking on the steps of the Georgia Statehouse. “There should be protections, and so, as it relates to marriage equality — and that may change, the Supreme Court may change that. That automatically then shifts the focus to people of conscience, and, I don’t know, have their faith make — they want to act on their faith, and may not be able to be employed for example.” > > The former Florida governor added, “People have a right to do that, just as we need to be respectful for people who are in long-term committed relationships. Sorting that out is important.” > > Bush’s remarks echo the statement he released after a court ruling paved the path for marriage equality to take effect in Florida earlier this year. > > “I hope that we can show respect for the good people on all sides of the gay and lesbian marriage issue – including couples making lifetime commitments to each other who are seeking greater legal protections and those of us who believe marriage is a sacrament and want to safeguard religious liberty,” Bush said at the time. He’s rather trying to have it both ways. (A position, nay, an orientation which many Dopers can endorse, I’m sure. ;)) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1077 "2015-03-21T03:05:23Z")
I think it’s less trying to have it both ways than an Obamaesque statement about seeing things from both sides and trying to figure out where to draw the line. Politically it’s probably the smartest thing to do. Actually, I’m pretty sure Obama himself has talked this way about gay rights vs. freedom of religion. ---
**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 21, 2015, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1078 "2015-03-21T12:56:02Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Jeb: “People have a right” to refuse services to gays.](http://www.salon.com/2015/03/20/gay_friendly_jeb_bush_people_have_a_right_to_refuse_services_to_gays/) BrainGlutton, you posted this exact same thing in two different threads. Please refrain from the cut and paste style of posting in the future. If you have something to add, at least try to be creative about it. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1079 "2015-03-21T14:24:14Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > And, at least somewhat more inspiring than [“Vote For the Crook. It’s Important.”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Edwards#Second_comeback:_Edwards_vs._Duke.2C_1991) Well, in the fall of 2013, I was urging Virginians to “[Vote for the faceless, soulless hack - it’s important!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16820889&highlight=soulless#post16820889)” - and Terry McAuliffe has turned out to be a pretty decent governor of my former home state. And I really think it’s time that the Dems incorporated the fact that Dem candidates are sane, and GOP candidates are quite often not, into their basic message. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1080 "2015-03-21T14:38:34Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I think it’s less trying to have it both ways than an Obamaesque statement about seeing things from both sides and trying to figure out where to draw the line. Politically it’s probably the smartest thing to do. > > Actually, I’m pretty sure Obama himself has talked this way about gay rights vs. freedom of religion. I seriously doubt that Obama has so much as left the door open a crack to the notion that a business establishment can choose who it’s going to serve, and who it’s not, on the basis of anything besides appropriate behavior and dress on its premises, and of course ability to pay. I’m sure I could create a church that had low regard for Republicans and other conservatives, so that if I had a business, I could refuse to serve them on the grounds of religious liberty. And that would be ridiculous. We can’t Balkanize our commerce, so that you might never know, until you go into a store, whether they might be unwilling to serve you. That’s something we need to be able to take for granted, and being open to both sides of the issue of whether you can choose who you want to do business with on religious grounds is frankly like being open to both sides on the issue of whether the Earth is more like a sphere, or has more of a resemblance to a cube. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1081 "2015-03-21T15:34:58Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > BrainGlutton, you posted this exact same thing in two different threads. Please refrain from the cut and paste style of posting in the future. If you have something to add, at least try to be creative about it. :dubious: **Of course** I did. It fit **perfectly** in all three. **That,** sir, is creativity. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=55)