# 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:** 65
**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:** [April 21, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1282 "2015-04-21T16:18:54Z")
I gave up my last shreds of respect for Graham when I heard him slip in a “you’ve got some 'splaining to do” reference in the Sotomayor hearings. She’s a candidate for the Supreme Court of the United States in an official Senate hearing and he’s doing racist shtick. Stay classy, shitbird. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1283 "2015-04-21T16:22:57Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Graham’s always been considered one of the sane members of the GOP… Setting the bar pretty low aren’t you? And, I disagree anyway. He’s a nut. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1284 "2015-04-21T16:43:34Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Politicians tend to regard themselves as among the elites, as undeserved as that opinion is. Pols are an elite by definition, regardless of their social background or educational credentials or anything else. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1285 "2015-04-21T18:21:01Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Except for Rand Paul. We are talking about Randy, here, he is not Ron, not by a long shot. He is becoming establishment and starting to lose his glibertarian cred. We shall see if he can talk a good game, but that temper thing is probably going to trip him up. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1286 "2015-04-21T18:26:48Z")
[Bobby Jindal claims he’s unpopular in his red home state because of his Republican agenda](http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/jindals-unique-spin-his-unpopularity?cid=sm_fb_maddow). If even his Republican constituents don’t like it, why does he think the whole country will? ---
**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:** [April 21, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1287 "2015-04-21T18:41:25Z")
Cbristie hits a new polling low in Joisey: [Christie sinks to new low in New Jersey poll - POLITICO](http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/chris-christie-new-low-new-jersey-poll-117136.html) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1288 "2015-04-21T18:47:06Z")
[In Wisconsin, Scott Walker’s proposed budget scares **Republicans.**](http://www.rawstory.com/2015/04/scott-walkers-new-budget-is-so-brutal-even-republicans-are-afraid-of-it/) ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1289 "2015-04-21T18:59:08Z")
[David Koch is pumping Scott Walker.](http://observer.com/2015/04/david-koch-scott-walker-would-defeat-hillary-clinton-by-a-major-margin/) ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1290 "2015-04-21T19:04:27Z")
Are the Kochs and Adelson going to work out their differences and pick the nominee before a wasteful primary season, or is it going to be Jeb vs. Walker to the end? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1291 "2015-04-21T19:26:18Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > [David Koch is pumping Scott Walker.](http://observer.com/2015/04/david-koch-scott-walker-would-defeat-hillary-clinton-by-a-major-margin/) :eek: Image! In head! Brain bleach! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1292 "2015-04-21T19:59:15Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > :eek: Image! In head! Brain bleach! [Let me give a hand with that](http://mindbleach.org/) umm, wait a sec while I rephrase … ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1293 "2015-04-21T20:14:55Z")
Did we get [the chart at the bottom of this page (from last week)](http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/clinton-begins-the-2016-campaign-and-its-a-toss-up/), which shows the only Republican in positive approval territory as being Ben Carson? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1294 "2015-04-21T20:20:08Z")
Actually, Rand Paul is too: [http://pollingreport.com/p.htm#Rand](http://pollingreport.com/p.htm#Rand) But Rubio and Walker are in break even territory, with a whole bunch of voters undecided. So unlike Clinton, all the candidates other than Jeb have a chance to make a good impression. And notice this poll on Clinton: [http://pollingreport.com/hrc.htm](http://pollingreport.com/hrc.htm) Only 35% of voters will probably or definitely vote for her. Another 25% MIGHT vote for her. Sounds to me like those 25% are up for grabs. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1295 "2015-04-21T20:24:04Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > So unlike Clinton, all the candidates other than Jeb have a chance to make a good impression. Or a bad one. Which is more likely? > [@](#): > > Only 35% of voters will probably or definitely vote for her. Another 25% MIGHT vote for her. Sounds to me like those 25% are up for grabs. Not really. There are psychological studies that show people who admit they’re leaning one way, or seriously considering one side, have actually already subconsciously decided and will act that way when it’s time. Certainly there will be a turnout issue, since there always is, but wouldn’t you rather have a strategy that depends on showing why people should support your nominee than one based on hoping the other nominee screws up worse? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1296 "2015-04-21T20:34:32Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Or a bad one. Which is more likely? Given the sheer number of them, I’m sure one of them will do well. > [@](#): > > Not really. There are psychological studies that show people who admit they’re leaning one way, or seriously considering one side, have actually already subconsciously decided and will act that way when it’s time. Certainly there will be a turnout issue, since there always is, but wouldn’t you rather have a strategy that depends on showing why people should support your nominee than one based on hoping the other nominee screws up worse? That’s why we have so many contenders. All of them think they have a vision that the people will like. Clinton is going to play it ultra safe and cautious. The Republicans are eager to tell people what their ideas are, while Clinton is eager to keep her ideas to herself and avoid meeting actual people who might ask her questions. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1297 "2015-04-21T20:37:03Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Given the sheer number of them, I’m sure one of them will do well. Welcome to the reality-based community. > [@](#): > > The Republicans are eager to tell people what their ideas are Repeal and replace! > [@](#): > > Clinton is eager to keep her ideas to herself 😃 > [@](#): > > and avoid meeting actual people who might ask her questions. That’s all she’s \*been \*doing! Amazing. Just … amazing. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1298 "2015-04-21T20:48:50Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Repeal and replace! You have too many words there. I mean, just for the sake of accuracy. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1299 "2015-04-21T20:59:17Z")
It’s just a valid as “The Affordable Care Act must be modified! In ways I won’t specify.” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1300 "2015-04-21T23:20:37Z")
Your reference being to … what? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1301 "2015-04-22T10:00:30Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Only 35% of voters will probably or definitely vote for her. Another 25% MIGHT vote for her. Sounds to me like those 25% are up for grabs. You’ve got to go back to 1988 to find a Presidential election where the Dem lost by more than 2.5% of the vote. And even that 2.5% loss was by a pretty mediocre Dem candidate against an incumbent Republican President. That’s probably a pretty solid floor for the worst that a Dem candidate can do in a Presidential election these days. And Obama’s 7% margin of victory in 2008 is probably a pretty solid ceiling, unless you guys manage to nominate Ben Carson, in which case all bets are off. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=64) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=66)