# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/121 "2011-12-09T20:03:26Z")
Only Gingrich and Santorum have agreed to show up. I think we’re going to have settle for listening to Trump weasel his way out of it - which should be entertaining in its own right, just not gigantic train-wreck entertaining. ---
**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 9, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/122 "2011-12-09T21:06:54Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Donald Trump’s attempted Republican debate will be the greatest thing to happen in this election cycle. If he can get a few more candidates, I predict his ego will visibly clash with some of the people on stage. There will probably be shouting and things will be thrown. I can’t wait, it’ll be the only Republican debate that I actually watch! 😃 And all the candidates can arrive in the same car! ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/123 "2011-12-09T21:38:29Z")
I am still trying to figure out how Gingrich will use his current debating tactic of scolding the moderator for asking “gotcha questions” like “what are you actually going to do as president , if elected?” rather than addressing the actual debate. Can he really accuse _Trump_ of being a Liberal media shill trying to provoke a fight between the Republicans? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/124 "2011-12-10T04:39:44Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > Can he really accuse _Trump_ of being a Liberal media shill trying to provoke a fight between the Republicans? You’re kidding, right? He’s Newt the Magnificent! He can do anything he wants!!! HUZZAH! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/125 "2011-12-10T16:50:38Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > Can he really accuse _Trump_ of being a Liberal media shill trying to provoke a fight between the Republicans? Nah, if this thing comes off at all, it’ll just be a ballwashing session. Might as well be on Fox. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/126 "2011-12-12T14:38:47Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Way to miss the point. OK, then what was you piont? That a demographic that isn’t likely to line up very well with Perry supporters don’t like Rick Perry? Its like those call in polls they have on Fox or the Ed show. > [@elucidator](#): > > Pet peeve. Its your fucking job to vote! You are a citizen. So you vote. Other people do their duty, and put their asses on the line. You have to make a tough choice, between are whore and a harlot? Pick the one with the least number of open sores, and vote! Why do you have to [pick the whore presented to you by the Republican Party or the Democratic party? Why can’t I go with someome presented by a third party? ---
**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 12, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/127 "2011-12-12T19:37:25Z")
Well, you don’t _have_ to pick the [**D**] whore or the [**R**] whore. You can pick the [**G**] whore, or even the [**I**] madonna (if that’s who’s available). It would probably be wise to do this with the understanding that it’s actually going to be the [**D**] whore or the [**R**] whore who wins the election regardless of what you do, though. Given this stark slice of reality, counting the number of open sores is probably good advice… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/128 "2011-12-12T19:48:52Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > Don’t forget Donald Trump! I keep trying. He won’t let me. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/129 "2011-12-19T22:20:06Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Your logic is poor. > …Turning on people who voted for Nader because they didn’t toe the party line is just weird. It’s not their fault; they were part of the problem, but only a small part. It’s just easier to blame them because voter apathy is harder to put a face to. If even a small portion of the Nader voters had voted for Gore, Gore would have won the election. Period. The question remains: Who would you have rather had as Pres: Bush or Gore? Nader voters are painfully unwilling to answer this question. I find it easier to condemn Nader voters than the stay-at-homes. The latter may be uninformed or apathetic. The former tend to be informed, concerned, and progressive in politics yet acted foolishly in a way that did grave damage to America and the world. Had the two major candidates each been sensible centrists, a vote for Nader would be defensible. But, instead, Gore should have been particularly appealing to “green” thinkers, while GWB turned out to be the worst President ever. > [@drewtwo99](#): > > Gore cost Gore the election, not Nader. Yes, were it not for Gore’s foolish campaign, Gore would have won. If not for Clinton’s foolish dalliance, Gore would have won. If not for Starr’s vendetta, Gore would have won. If not for Rush Limbaugh’s popularity, Gore would have won. If not for hanky-panky in Florida, Gore would have won. These are all true statements. **But the fact remains: If not for Nader votes, Gore would have won.** ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/130 "2011-12-19T22:38:37Z")
True, but these facts **also** remain: **If not for left-leaning non-voters, Gore would have won.** **If not for Bush voters, Gore would have won.** **If not for Florida, Gore would have won.** **If not for _any number of other factors which might have been different but weren’t_, Gore would have won.** etc. If you can show me logically why Nader voters are more to blame than another factor, go ahead. Otherwise, you’re just arguing from emotion. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2011, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/131 "2011-12-20T02:26:01Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > If you can show me logically why Nader voters are more to blame than another factor, go ahead. Otherwise, you’re just arguing from emotion. Because of all those things (in both lists), the Nader vote is the one that the voter had control over. I voted for Gore. I couldn’t help with the Clinton baggage (although I still think he was a great President). I didn’t vote for or campaign for Bush. I didn’t design the damn butterfly ballot. I couldn’t force left-leaning voters to vote (although I did encourage them). I couldn’t put a bullet in Rush’s head (well, I _could_ have, but that would be bad). What _I_ _could_ do, is pull the damn lever (color the bubble - whatever) for the candidate whose positions most closely matched mine **that actually had a chance to win**. Period. End of story. Nader voters didn’t and while they certainly exercised their right to vote for the candidate of their choice, they did so in a (as it turned out) spectacularly counter-productive fashion. Thus, regardless of all those other factors, based on their implementation of the single decision that they had at their disposal, the Nader voters must accept some responsibility for GW I. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/132 "2011-12-20T02:55:55Z")
You know the Nader voters suffered through GWB with the rest of us. This continued pile on of blame is ridiculous. If the Democrats were better organized and sold themselves and explained their actions better there wouldn’t have been room for a Nader Campaign. I don’t blame Nader voters for their vote, I blame democrats for there inability to connect with their own freaking base. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/133 "2011-12-20T03:03:41Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > You know the Nader voters suffered through GWB with the rest of us. This continued pile on of blame is ridiculous. If the Democrats were better organized and sold themselves and explained their actions better there wouldn’t have been room for a Nader Campaign. I don’t blame Nader voters for their vote, I blame democrats for there inability to connect with their own freaking base. The Democratic Party’s base is further to the right than you think it is. ☹ ---
**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:** [December 20, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/134 "2011-12-20T03:18:32Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > You know the Nader voters suffered through GWB with the rest of us. This continued pile on of blame is ridiculous. If the Democrats were better organized and sold themselves and explained their actions better there wouldn’t have been room for a Nader Campaign. I don’t blame Nader voters for their vote, I blame democrats for there inability to connect with their own freaking base. Sorry if I gave a misimpression there. I don’t blame Nader voters for GW I and I certainly agree that the Democrats (and Gore) badly mishandled that election (although I would frankly question calling the far left the Democrat’s “base” - I don’t think that’s been true for 30 or more years). I was simply pointing out that, in the grand scheme of things, some responsbility for GW’s win must lie with the Nader voters - particularly those whose vote was some sort of protest against Gore and the party. The true Naderites (who wouldn’t have voted for Gore anyway) have no responsibility for the debacle. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/135 "2011-12-20T03:32:39Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Because of all those things (in both lists), the Nader vote is the one that the voter had control over. > > I voted for Gore. I couldn’t help with the Clinton baggage (although I still think he was a great President). I didn’t vote for or campaign for Bush. I didn’t design the damn butterfly ballot. I couldn’t force left-leaning voters to vote (although I did encourage them). I couldn’t put a bullet in Rush’s head (well, I _could_ have, but that would be bad). > > What _I_ _could_ do, is pull the damn lever (color the bubble - whatever) for the candidate whose positions most closely matched mine **that actually had a chance to win**. Period. End of story. > > Nader voters didn’t and while they certainly exercised their right to vote for the candidate of their choice, they did so in a (as it turned out) spectacularly counter-productive fashion. > > Thus, regardless of all those other factors, based on their implementation of the single decision that they had at their disposal, the Nader voters must accept some responsibility for GW I. I think they do accept some responsibility, just not the level that is being assigned to them by bitter Gore voters. You voted for Gore. Good for you. But you’re blaming Mr. NaderVoter for not doing that, which you had zero control over. Equally, the man in Florida who didn’t vote at all is someone you had zero control over. You had zero control over the Floridian who voted for Bush. If you want to blame someone, why is NaderVoter more to blame than NonVoter or BushVoter? The blame should be equally shared among all individuals who did not vote for Gore, _ **no matter the reason** _. Cherry-picking a subset because you feel betrayed is illogical. ETA: Never mind—your last post crept in there while I was writing, and I’d agree with that. ---
**Author:** ![gatorslap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gatorslap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gatorslap)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/136 "2011-12-20T03:34:25Z")
The irrational blame placed on Nader voters continues to amaze me. Nevermind the voters who were illegally disenfranchised. Nevermind the votes that were not counted or improperly counted. Nevermind the highly political assist from the US Supreme Court. No, what’s really heinous is that anyone had the audacity to vote for Nader. And let’s not mention the myriad problems with the Gore campaign or his (perceived) mediocre performance in the debates. That’s not to say that Nader wasn’t a factor. But to focus on Nader voters is to gloss over some pretty major issues. Instead of slamming the Green Party and leaving it at that, Democrats should have been arguing for voting reform. But alas, it’s easier to simply blame others and shrug. ---
**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 20, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/137 "2011-12-20T03:34:32Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Thus, regardless of all those other factors, based on their implementation of the single decision that they had at their disposal, the Nader voters must accept some responsibility for GW I. Oh no. Is this a passive-aggressive prediction for a GW II? ---
**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:** [December 20, 2011, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/138 "2011-12-20T03:40:28Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > ETA: Never mind—your last post crept in there while I was writing, and I’d agree with that. Cool. It always surprises me when people equate “responsibility” with “sole responsibility”. Happy Lendervedder, oh no. GW II happened in 2004. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/139 "2011-12-27T15:32:53Z")
Adding to the hilarity of these clowns running out of all the candidates running only 2 managed to be on the Virginia ballot. Virgina does not allow write in campaigns. Only Mitt Romney and Ron Paul can win Virgina now. Virgina’s 151 electoral voted are predicted to be a requirement to win the Presidency. This shows how un-serious a candidate Newt Gingrich is. Newt is from Virgina and probably could have collected the 10,000 signatures needed by leaving a clipboard on his front door. He now claims the problem is Virginia’s laws, mainly them now allowing write in campaigns. Do people really want to elect a guy who couldn’t possibly win his home state now? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976/140 "2011-12-27T15:51:54Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Only Mitt Romney and Ron Paul can win Virgina now. Virgina’s 151 electoral voted are predicted to be a requirement to win the Presidency. You must have only skimmed the news. Romney and Paul are the only candidates on the Republican _primary_ ballot. Still doesn’t say anything good about the campaign organizations of the other six dwarves. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-circus-just-gets-more-and-more-hilarious-obamas-re-election-to-follow/604976.md?page=8)