# 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:** 75
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2015, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1482 "2015-05-12T04:50:17Z")
Christie is a centrist light on the derp. But he has other problems. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2015, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1483 "2015-05-12T05:13:01Z")
And there, lo, what should I see, out on the dark and gloaming derp, but a light! A centrist light!.. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2015, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1484 "2015-05-12T09:03:32Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > And there, lo, what should I see, out on the dark and gloaming derp, but a light! A centrist light!.. …over at the Frankenstein place… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1485 "2015-05-12T14:36:01Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Give Jeb credit though, he’s giving straight answers to all the questions, even when they aren’t popular answers. Saying he asks W for foreign policy advice is not just unpopular, it is clinical evidence of mental illness. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1486 "2015-05-12T15:44:41Z")
That’s a _little_ strong - but it does show he lacks intellectual rigor and curiosity, or even basic self-honesty, and might be subject to the same conclusion-driven reasoning and reliance on yes-men that were integral to his brother’s disastrousness. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1487 "2015-05-12T19:47:12Z")
When are we going to see the _Quien Es Mas Cubano_ skit on SNL with Rubio and Cruz? ---
**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:** [May 12, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1488 "2015-05-12T21:24:38Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > When are we going to see the _Quien Es Mas Cubano_ skit on SNL with Rubio and Cruz? Fernando Lamas o Ricardo Montalban? Pineapple or knife? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1489 "2015-05-13T14:41:50Z")
[Too many clowns in the car](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2015/05/10/gops_debate_plight_big_cast_small_stage.html) (or is it a short bus?) to fit them all on the debate stages. Problem is, if they cut out the no-hopers, that leaves only white men. Sorta defeats the purpose. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1490 "2015-05-13T14:50:23Z")
I think the early debates would be better if they limit the number on stage at once. Put 6 of them on stage for 2 hours then 6 other guys for another 2 hours. Sure, it makes for a long night but I think it would be fairer and more interesting. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1491 "2015-05-13T14:55:42Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > When you’re a moderate, things have to be perfect for you to win. Given an excuse to not back a moderate, we’ll take it. Don’t you see that as a **problem?** ---
**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:** [May 13, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1492 "2015-05-13T15:30:34Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Fernando Lamas o Ricardo Montalban? > > Pineapple or knife? “My guess is that a pineapple is more macho than a knife.” “Si! Correcto!” > [@BobLibDem](#): > > I think the early debates would be better if they limit the number on stage at once. Put 6 of them on stage for 2 hours then 6 other guys for another 2 hours. Sure, it makes for a long night but I think it would be fairer and more interesting. Maybe they could have two-person battle rounds, like in The Voice. You could eliminate half of them right there, with the option to save a few for the next round. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1493 "2015-05-13T20:22:26Z")
New [PPP poll](http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2015/PPP_Release_National_51315.pdf). Top line numbers… Scott Walker 18% Marco Rubio 13% Ben Carson 12% Mike Huckabee 12% Jeb Bush 11% Ted Cruz 10% Rand Paul 9% Chris Christie 5% Rick Perry 2% Here’s what I found interesting. Question 23 is, “Do you think that the Government is trying to take over Texas or not?” The results, yes/no/not sure -\> 32/40/28. The really interesting part is where this is broken down by which candidate was supported. (p. 11) Jeb Bush voters -\> 18/59/23 Scott Walker voters -\> 38/36/27 Ted Cruz voters -\> 56/21/22 I’m not sure what conclusion to draw from this. Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1494 "2015-05-13T21:58:15Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Here’s what I found interesting. Question 23 is, “Do you think that the Government is trying to take over Texas or not?” The results, yes/no/not sure -\> 32/40/28. > > The really interesting part is where this is broken down by which candidate was supported. (p. 11) > > Jeb Bush voters -\> 18/59/23 > Scott Walker voters -\> 38/36/27 > Ted Cruz voters -\> 56/21/22 > > I’m not sure what conclusion to draw from this. Any thoughts? You basically have the candidates listed by their appeal to the most conservative parts of the GOP. It’s not too surprising that Ted Cruz voters would be most likely to believe something crazy like that FedGov was trying to take over Texas. Nor is it surprising that Jeb Bush voters would be least likely to believe that. Or am I missing the surprising part? ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1495 "2015-05-14T11:07:40Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > You basically have the candidates listed by their appeal to the most conservative parts of the GOP. It’s not too surprising that Ted Cruz voters would be most likely to believe something crazy like that FedGov was trying to take over Texas. Nor is it surprising that Jeb Bush voters would be least likely to believe that. > > Or am I missing the surprising part? Where did Lance Turbo say surprising? “interesting”, and “really interesting”, yes. I couldn’t find “surprising” though. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2015, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1496 "2015-05-14T11:51:28Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Saying he asks W for foreign policy advice is not just unpopular, it is clinical evidence of mental illness. Mathematically/logically when someone is wrong 100% of the time, that conveys information just as usefully as if they were always right. So, Jeb’s assertion might be quite smart, so long as he does the opposite of his brother’s advice. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1497 "2015-05-20T15:12:30Z")
[Rubio says](https://marcorubio.com/news/nothing-matters-if-we-arent-safe/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Link_Tweet&utm_term=NONE&utm_content=Nothing_Matters_If_We_Aren%27t_Safe&utm_campaign=Daily_Social_Organic&utm_0id=051415c) “The world has never been more dangerous than it is today.” What an ignoramus. He’s got it totally backwards. The world has rarely been safer than it is today, and in the past 3/4 of a century, America has rarely been safer than it is now. And he’s making national security his big issue, too. So it’s not like he said something stupid about some issue that’s barely on the edge of his radar screen. This is what he’s campaigning on. So he’s just another clown in the car. Squeeze the wheeze. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1498 "2015-05-20T15:40:12Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > You basically have the candidates listed by their appeal to the most conservative parts of the GOP. It’s not too surprising that Ted Cruz voters would be most likely to believe something crazy like that FedGov was trying to take over Texas. Nor is it surprising that Jeb Bush voters would be least likely to believe that. > > Or am I missing the surprising part? Also if you believe that the Feds are trying to take over Texas, you are more likely to support the one person who has taken actions to prevent it. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1499 "2015-05-20T18:02:37Z")
How many liberals think the federal government already controls Texas? I thought the concept of state sovereignty was something the left not only opposed, but didn’t even accept the reality of. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1500 "2015-05-20T18:09:03Z")
Pull out your pocket constitution and read the Supremacy Clause. We’ve been over this before. So have Grant and Lee, for that matter. ---
**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:** [May 20, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444/1501 "2015-05-20T18:19:05Z")
[George Pataki is about to announce his candidacy](http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150519/NEWS0605/150518981). More clowns for the clown car. It looks like Christie will not be running, because “[the people of New Jersey want me to stay as Governor.](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/chris-christie-nj-want-me-to-stay)” For which he gets [called out by the largest newspaper in New Jersey](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/star-ledger-christie-lost-touch). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=74) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2016-republican-candidates/709444.md?page=76)