# The Republican circus just gets more and more hilarious. Obama's re-election to follow. **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 3, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976 "2011-12-03T20:45:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/1 "2011-12-03T20:45:22Z")
Cain dropping out of the race today is just another lick of frosting on the cake of absurdity that has been going on among these clowns vying for the Republican presidential nomination. I have been confident in Obama’s re-election since well before this delightful little circus started (and will point to prior posts to prove it if anyone cares), but now I’m even more comfortable in saying that nothing short of a cataclysmic event can overturn the inevitability of it. Three months ago, **pkbites** started a thread saying “[I’m calling it: Obama is Jimmy Carter, and he is finished!!!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=623924)”. In that thread, I offered **pkbites** a gentleman’s wager, since he seemed so certain of this outcome. He never responded to me, and I’d like to re-state the offer. So **pkbites** , how ya feelin’ now? I’m curious which of these clowns in particular do you think has a snowflake’s chance in hell at ousting the President? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/2 "2011-12-03T21:01:12Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > So **pkbites** , how ya feelin’ now? I’m curious which of these clowns in particular do you think has a snowflake’s chance in hell at ousting the President? I wouldn’t be surprised if his response is the latest in the parade of Not-Romneys, ol’ Newtie. Just a thought: Does Santorum get a turn as a Not-Romney if the icing on the Gingrich cake melts away? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/3 "2011-12-03T21:19:36Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Just a thought: Does Santorum get a turn as a Not-Romney if the icing on the Gingrich cake melts away? I hope so! Searches for Santorum would go through the roof! And searches for the former Congressman would be as well! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/4 "2011-12-03T22:07:05Z")
I like how they’re gonna have a reality television star moderate one of their debates. The freak show just keeps getting freakier. What’s next- Flavor Flav to host nude GOP presidential candidate Jello wrestling in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool? Simon Cowell to open the nomination up to a phone vote? Satire has come alive. ---
**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:** [December 3, 2011, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/5 "2011-12-03T22:11:05Z")
Cain was never a viable candidate. I don’t see that this changes things one way or another. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/6 "2011-12-03T22:25:12Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Cain was never a viable candidate. I don’t see that this changes things one way or another. Well, he could’ve divided the anti-Romney vote, so I think it does have an effect on what the primary will look like, and makes it more likely Romney will face a semi-credible challenger instead of just having a bunch of wannabes divide the rest of the vote (I guess Newt Gingrich is the new flavor of the month now? Well, I did say “ **semi** -credible, he’s more believable then Cain was anyways”). But I don’t really see how Cain dropping out makes the GOP primary _more_ circus like. > [@OP](#): > > Three months ago, pkbites started a thread saying “I’m calling it: Obama is Jimmy Carter, and he is finished!!!”. In that thread, I offered pkbites a gentleman’s wager, since he seemed so certain of this outcome. He never responded to me, and I’d like to re-state the offer. I believe tradition and honor dictate that when someone makes a prediction followed by more then one exclamation mark, they must accept all bets on the accuracy of that prediction and offer up at least 50$ per extraneous piece of punctuation. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/7 "2011-12-03T22:33:17Z")
When the presidential debates happen, I could never see Cain, Bachmann, and Perry do anything but make fools of themselves (like a Palin) when debating a US President. Sure, they could all rally up the GOP crowd when they mention executions and banning SSM, but that would be about it. Cain would do the same. Imagine questions concerning foreign policy? With only Mitt and Newt looking like they’ll get the nomination, I know I’m not voting for a Mormon or a reptile. (I WOULD however, vote for the Geico Gekko) 😃 ---
**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:** [December 3, 2011, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/8 "2011-12-03T22:36:04Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Well, he could’ve divided the anti-Romney vote, so I think it does have an effect on what the primary will look like, and makes it more likely Romney will face a semi-credible challenger instead of just having a bunch of wannabes divide the rest of the vote (I guess Newt Gingrich is the new flavor of the month now? Well, I did say “ **semi** -credible, he’s more believable then Cain was anyways”). > > But I don’t really see how Cain dropping out makes the GOP primary _more_ circus like. Yes, it takes one of the circus rings away. I think Romney is just doing what Obama did last time-- steady as she goes, let the other guys trip up. Gingrich should be a credible candidate, but I think the more he has the mike and spotlight, the more likely he’ll get himself in trouble. He loves to hear himself talk. > [@](#): > > I believe tradition and honor dictate that when someone makes a prediction followed by more then one exclamation mark, they must accept all bets on the accuracy of that prediction and offer up at least 50$ per extraneous piece of punctuation. And anyone who places the dollar sign in the wrong location has to buy everyone in the thread a drink. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/9 "2011-12-03T23:42:01Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I like how they’re gonna have a reality television star moderate one of their debates. The freak show just keeps getting freakier. What’s next- Flavor Flav to host nude GOP presidential candidate Jello wrestling in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool? Simon Cowell to open the nomination up to a phone vote? > > Satire has come alive. I’m sending you the bill for Brain Bleach… ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/10 "2011-12-04T00:09:55Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I like how they’re gonna have a reality television star moderate one of their debates. The freak show just keeps getting freakier. What’s next- Flavor Flav to host nude GOP presidential candidate Jello wrestling in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool? Simon Cowell to open the nomination up to a phone vote? > > Satire has come alive. Is Jello the name of a person? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/11 "2011-12-04T00:20:49Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Is Jello the name of a person? Never mind, I just got it. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/12 "2011-12-04T00:24:29Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Is Jello the name of a person? It’s the name of a product, though it’s actually spelled Jell-O. Still, what’s your point? Do you think it’s not a proper noun? Or were you hinting at the Dead Kennedys? ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/13 "2011-12-04T00:26:02Z")
> [@Nametag](#): > > It’s the name of a product, though it’s actually spelled Jell-O. Still, what’s your point? Do you think it’s not a proper noun? Or were you hinting at the Dead Kennedys? Never mind, he just got it. Former Dead Kennedy Jello Biafra, FWIW, is a Green. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/14 "2011-12-04T00:43:50Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Cain was never a viable candidate. Really? He was \*leading \*most of the polls just a few months ago. If none of them is a viable candidate, then they \*all \*are, right? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/15 "2011-12-04T01:22:04Z")
> [@Nametag](#): > > It’s the name of a product, though it’s actually spelled Jell-O. Still, what’s your point? Do you think it’s not a proper noun? Or were you hinting at the Dead Kennedys? I do my best to avoid rhetorical questions. Had I wished to make a point, I would have simply said what I meant. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/16 "2011-12-04T01:41:18Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Really? He was \*leading \*most of the polls just a few months ago. > > If none of them is a viable candidate, then they \*all \*are, right? He was never a viable candidate. [The amount of money you can raise at this stage](http://www.npr.org/2011/10/15/141390417/campaign-finance-reports-reveal-gop-disparity) is more important than any poll numbers. This will be a big problem for Gingrich, too, if he can’t raise more money real soon. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/17 "2011-12-04T04:03:39Z")
> [@](#): > > With only Mitt and Newt looking like they’ll get the nomination, I know I’m not voting for a Mormon or a reptile. (I WOULD however, vote for the Geico Gekko) Nitpick: The Newt is an amphibian, not a reptile. (Where’s **Pseudotriton ruber ruber** when you need him?) And it’s difficult to compare the relative importance of fundraising and polling, because never before in history have they been so uncorrelated. How can one make any sense of anything, when the current front runner dropped out of the race last spring? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/18 "2011-12-04T04:22:44Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > He was never a viable candidate. [The amount of money you can raise at this stage](http://www.npr.org/2011/10/15/141390417/campaign-finance-reports-reveal-gop-disparity) is more important than any poll numbers. I think the McCain campaign was broke at this point in the last cycle, and this primary is fairly unique in how little cash even the well funded candidates are spending on ad-buys and the like (at least according to the talking heads on NPR), so I’m not so sure fundraising numbers are so crucial (but I agree Cain was never a viable candidate, I just attribute it to his inexperience, transparent lack of knowledge in the issues and the fact that he was obviously more interested in upping his book sales then getting into the WH). > [@](#): > > This will be a big problem for Gingrich, too, if he can’t raise more money real soon. Newts nothing if not well connected. Assuming he’s making an honest go at the Presidency, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t bring in the bucks now that his poll numbers are up. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/19 "2011-12-04T04:38:53Z")
Why would anyone assume that Newt would do _anything_ honest? ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/20 "2011-12-04T05:42:54Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Is Jello the name of a person? > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Never mind, I just got it. I prefer your version. Find a fighter, and whoever can defeat him in unarmed combat gets the nomination. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976.md?page=2)