# The SDMB Mock election. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 16, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749 "2008-01-16T16:05:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/41 "2008-01-17T14:59:30Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I did not know that. Well feel free to PM him, we still don’t have a democratic candidate yet, though I am hoping \*\*Elendil’s Heir \*\* checks in as one. I guess we can have more than one in theory. [/QUOTE] For the record, Canada’s [New Democratic Party](http://www.ndp.ca/workingfamiliesfirst) bears similarity to the U.S. Democratic Party pretty much only in one word of its name. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/42 "2008-01-17T15:05:54Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] For the record, Canada’s [New Democratic Party](http://www.ndp.ca/workingfamiliesfirst) bears similarity to the U.S. Democratic Party pretty much only in one word of its name. [/QUOTE] Now, I am really confused. Thanks for clearing that up. Hopefully we get a few more candidates and can start the debates tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/43 "2008-01-17T15:23:05Z")
Oh, do you want us to post our full platform here? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/44 "2008-01-17T15:36:07Z")
[QUOTE=Sage Rat] Oh, do you want us to post our full platform here? [/QUOTE] Actually, I think the platforms will need to be posted in the first GD thread. So, you might as well wait for tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/45 "2008-01-17T15:36:15Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] I can change my platform to “end world hunger” and “bring peace throughout the land” if I can legislate and everything. [/QUOTE] I’d be interested in what practical policies you’d use to implement that platform. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/46 "2008-01-17T16:33:23Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] You are now my president. Don’t mess it up though, I can get revolting. [/QUOTE] Woo hoo! I have a constituency! ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/47 "2008-01-17T16:51:41Z")
[QUOTE=Priceguy] I’d be interested in what practical policies you’d use to implement that platform. [/QUOTE] Our children need to come first. We should treat our veterans better. Our health care system is a mess. God bless America. ETA [Uncle Louie] Oh, wait. You were serious about dat? ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/48 "2008-01-17T17:01:21Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Later today, I will make a short list of the current candidates and their parties. [/QUOTE] I think you need to provide a little more structure here for how you want this to go. Are you going to do one issue/question a day? A week? Do you want to have as many candidates running as possible, or limit it to a fixed, workable number? Do you want to try to ensure an equal spread along the ideological spectrum, or just that let itself work out? I find the idea iteresting, but I have no idea what sort of commitment you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/49 "2008-01-17T17:26:46Z")
[QUOTE=furt] I think you need to provide a little more structure here for how you want this to go. Are you going to do one issue/question a day? A week? Do you want to have as many candidates running as possible, or limit it to a fixed, workable number? Do you want to try to ensure an equal spread along the ideological spectrum, or just that let itself work out? I find the idea iteresting, but I have no idea what sort of commitment you’re looking for. [/QUOTE] Great points. Each thread should address a policy area. So perhaps start a thread a day. Thread 1 Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran & Pakistan. Thread 2 Economy, Healthcare, Social Security & Poverty Thread 3 Global Warming, Energy Policy, Green Issues & Technology Thread 4: Education & Science & Space Thread 5: Military & Veteran’s affairs Thread 6: Foreign policy, highlighting China, Russia, Cuba & Israel and whatever seems important to people. Thread 7: Ethics & Campaign Reform Thread 8: Homeland Security & Immigration What should be changed or added to this list? There are more areas, a good [example is Obama’s issues page](http://www.barackobama.com/issues/). Maybe each candidate should post his positions here and then in the debates link back to their post here. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/50 "2008-01-17T18:44:38Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] What should be changed or added to this list? [/QUOTE] I think that number 2 might be better to be split into “Healthcare & Social Security”, and “Economics & Poverty”. “Space” could probably be put into its own topic. Or at least it doesn’t strike me as having much relevance to education or general scientific study. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/51 "2008-01-17T18:52:25Z")
[QUOTE=Sage Rat] I think that number 2 might be better to be split into “Healthcare & Social Security”, and “Economics & Poverty”. “Space” could probably be put into its own topic. Or at least it doesn’t strike me as having much relevance to education or general scientific study. [/QUOTE] There is also a question of how long the candidates are willing to do this. I was trying to consolidate the topics a bit. I was unsure whether to try to keep near 7 or to go ahead and expand to 10 or more and just post on weekdays. ---
**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:** [January 17, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/52 "2008-01-17T21:49:25Z")
I thank my friend **What Exit?** for giving me the chance to discuss my Democratic Party candidacy and the challenges facing our great republic. Have a look at my campaign thread, [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=422344&page=1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=422344&page=1), where I’ve already addressed many of the issues. I’ll be glad to take further questions either here or there. ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/53 "2008-01-17T23:56:07Z")
Thanks **What Exit?** - I’m in. As I said in my post, the name of the party is “the Satanic States of America” party. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/54 "2008-01-18T03:13:11Z")
\*\*The Candidates and their parties so far: \*\* It \*won’t be too late to announce until the last debate I guess. \* **Liberal** Libertarian Party \*\*Revenant Threshold \*\* Independence party of America \*\*Phlosphr \*\* Green Party USA \*\*Bricker \*\* Republican Party **Elendil’s Heir** Democratic Party **Kythereia** Green Party of Canada **Illuminatiprimus** the Satanic States of America **Sam Stone** Liberal Market **foolsguinea** If you want it, the Socialist party appears to be open. **Sage Rat** Scientific Results and Delegation Party * * * I will start the first debate thread tomorrow. It will concern specifically the Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran & Pakistan questions and policies. Feel free to post a full policy position here [as Liberal did](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9374445&postcount=8). It will make for easy reference back to in various debates. Elendil’s Heir has a [prior thread with his detailed positions](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=422344&page=1). Any more suggestions as to debate formats will be greatly appreicated. I hope we can have fun with this and learn from it. Just a thought, anyone that wants to appoint an official running mate or campaign manager to assist in their debates is welcome to. Just be careful they represent what you do. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/55 "2008-01-18T03:35:19Z")
Oh, is THAT your little election?! _OOOOOOO!_ I’m _sooooo_ impressed by your huge election! _“Ooh, look at me; I’m such a proud and wonderful election! Everyone must bow down and worship me immediately! Tremble in fear at the mighty election!”_ …See, the thread title said “Mock election,” and I just… it was at the top of the forum and… Sorry. I’m done now. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/56 "2008-01-18T07:52:07Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] Oh, wait. You were serious about dat? [/QUOTE] Always, dawg. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/57 "2008-01-18T11:36:15Z")
> **[Vote Rat for Prez!](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=451954)** > > Why wait to find out that you elected a rat? If you’re going to get one anyways, at least go for the honest one! I have been nominated by the Scientific Results and Delegation Party as a new choice for Americans in 2008. We hope that a politically... ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/58 "2008-01-18T14:06:38Z")
Here is the first debate: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9381128](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9381128). I am still accepting candidates and suggestions on the debate formats. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/59 "2008-01-18T18:56:50Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I am still accepting candidates [/quote] I’d do the Socialist party but I’m afraid my unamericanism would shine through. > [@](#): > > and suggestions on the debate formats. I’d like to see a gay marriage/civil union question, even though I think there would be little difference of opinion among the candidates. Perhaps a “should government deal with marriage at all?” question? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749/60 "2008-01-18T19:30:39Z")
[QUOTE=Priceguy] I’d do the Socialist party but I’m afraid my unamericanism would shine through.I’d like to see a gay marriage/civil union question, even though I think there would be little difference of opinion among the candidates. Perhaps a “should government deal with marriage at all?” question? [/QUOTE] The slot is open, please go ahead and declare. \*\*BG \*\* seems to have passed on it. I should and will add a planned debate on How should the national government deal with marriage, where candidates stand on abortion, where they stand on domestic spying and the patriot act and what part faith has in government and government programs. This is a glaring oversight on my part. Thread 1 Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran & Pakistan. Thread 2 Economy, Health care, Social Security & Poverty Thread 3 Global Warming, Energy Policy, Green Issues & Technology Thread 4: Education & Science & Space Thread 5: Military & Veteran’s affairs and speak to your stand on the US use of torture and waterboarding. Thread 6: The question of Gay Rights/Marriage, Civil Rights, The candidates position on abortion and if this will play into his or hers judicial appointments. Thread 7: Foreign policy, highlighting China, Russia, Cuba & Israel and whatever seems important to people. Thread 8: Ethics & Campaign Reform Thread 9: Homeland Security, The Patriot Act, Domestic Spying & Immigration [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election/433749.md?page=4)