# Which candidate would make the worst president? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 18, 2011, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149 "2011-08-18T13:08:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/101 "2011-09-12T00:10:03Z")
> [@NNN99](#): > > If you compare all the Republican candidates to the man who is currently in the office as president, none, in my opinion could do a worse job. Obama thought the presidency would give him free reign to fly and talk without reprecussions. He was/is wrong. Fly and talk? What? Spell check is your friend, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/102 "2011-09-12T00:21:52Z")
> [@hodagg](#): > > Presidents don’t create jobs…private businesses do. Obama has done more to scare off investment by private business than any president ever has. Companies right now are sitting one tons of money but will not invest it in growing their companies because of the uncertainty that this president has left them with: how much is Obamacare gonna cost them? What new regulations will be added to the already burdensome regulations that are strangling businesses? > > Obama is the most anti-business president this country has ever seen. Businesses are just waiting him out right now. He needs to go. It has been the most profitable time for business since 1928. They are making incredible profits. How do you think they got a few trillion to sit on? They do not hire because they meet demand without it. They don’t hire because they have more money. They do it when they can not keep up with customers. The rich are getting richer than they did, with a concentration of wealth that rivals the gilded age, and you say the business climate is unfriendly. What the hell do they need ? You are repeating a right wing talking point that has no basis in fact. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/103 "2011-09-12T00:31:21Z")
Whichever candidate takes the Republican nomination next year would make the worst president. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/104 "2011-09-12T02:50:59Z")
> [@NNN99](#): > > If you compare all the Republican candidates to the man who is currently in the office as president, none, in my opinion could do a worse job. If you believe that the President runs the economy, than President Obama has done an average job. Compared to, say, Germany, we are weathering the world-wide depression worse, compared to Italy, better, compared to Britain, I guess about the same. Considering that GW Bush unnecessarily lowered taxes while fighting wars, thus raising the debt, Obama’s economic performance is better than average. If you look on the President more as a victim of events and projection of the public mood, as I sometimes do, all the Republicans would do a worse job simply because their election would be a sign that confrontationalism and obstructionism is what wins elections. It would set up a situation in which the Democrats would respond by trying to be just as extreme. Worst case, you get a situation like in Argentina where the country’s economic policy swings from one extreme to another, ruining long-term economic performance. Now, if Romney won the presidency, and the Democrats took back the house, and the Democrats held the Senate, that might be good for the country. But not because Obama was a bad President. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/105 "2011-09-12T03:07:58Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > If you believe that the President runs the economy, than President Obama has done an average job. Compared to, say, Germany, we are weathering the world-wide depression worse, compared to Italy, better, compared to Britain, I guess about the same. Considering that GW Bush unnecessarily lowered taxes while fighting wars, thus raising the debt, Obama’s economic performance is better than average. > > If you look on the President more as a victim of events and projection of the public mood, as I sometimes do, all the Republicans would do a worse job simply because their election would be a sign that confrontationalism and obstructionism is what wins elections. It would set up a situation in which the Democrats would respond by trying to be just as extreme. Worst case, you get a situation like in Argentina where the country’s economic policy swings from one extreme to another, ruining long-term economic performance. > > Now, if Romney won the presidency, and the Democrats took back the house, and the Democrats held the Senate, that might be good for the country. But not because Obama was a bad President. I can agree with this. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/106 "2011-09-12T03:45:25Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#): > > I can agree with this. Not only can I agree with it but I will spend the next year hoping it is actually the worst possible outcome of the 2012 election. Sadly, I’m not that optimistic at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/107 "2011-09-12T04:30:07Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Not only can I agree with it but I will spend the next year hoping it is actually the worst possible outcome of the 2012 election. > > Sadly, I’m not that optimistic at the moment. If anyone thinks the Democrats will win back the house in 2012, they’re out of their goddamned mind. ---
**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:** [September 12, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/108 "2011-09-12T16:45:20Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > If anyone thinks the Democrats will win back the house in 2012, they’re out of their goddamned mind. I suppose you didn’t notice the part where I said I was NOT optimistic about that particular outcome? Or what was your point then? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/109 "2011-09-12T17:59:25Z")
All the Republican candidates are many levels below Obama as Presidential material. Obama got us out of the stinking mess Bush left us in, we’re not fully recovered yet but the economy is not in free-fall. If the Republicans had not fought letting the Bush tax cuts sunset with every means at their disposal the debt would not be NEARLY as bad as it is. If they had let Obama institute single-payer medical costs would be, or would be on the wya to being, way way lower. If they had not weakened the stimulus the economic recovery would have been MUCH stronger. At every step, in every way, Republicans have stifled the economy. If one of them gets elected President they will do what they always do of late: send the economy straight to hell. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/110 "2011-09-12T22:14:35Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I suppose you didn’t notice the part where I said I was NOT optimistic about that particular outcome? Or what was your point then? Yeah, I was violently agreeing with you, but even more. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/111 "2011-09-26T22:01:14Z")
The Repubs are on the verge of shutting down the government again. If they want to continue the brinksmanship and holding the country hostage to their right wing ideals, they better learn the electorate is getting pissed. I do not guarantee the Repubs will hold the house. they are risking a backlash. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/112 "2011-09-26T23:47:30Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > The Repubs are on the verge of shutting down the government again. If they want to continue the brinksmanship and holding the country hostage to their right wing ideals, they better learn the electorate is getting pissed. I do not guarantee the Repubs will hold the house. they are risking a backlash. Actually FEMA fortunately found enough money without having to increase spending. Without getting into this debate 1) the GOP cut things that should and would have been cut anyways and 2) if you were going to donate a large amount of money to charity you might decide not to buy the flat-screen TV or not to eat out that week. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/113 "2011-09-26T23:56:29Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Actually FEMA fortunately found enough money without having to increase spending. Without getting into this debate 1) the GOP cut things that should and would have been cut anyways Not surprisingly, I disagree with your opinion that they should have been cut; but if they were going to be cut anyway, why would Republicans threaten to shut down the government if they are not cut now? > [@](#): > > and 2) if you were going to donate a large amount of money to charity you might decide not to buy the flat-screen TV or not to eat out that week. I don’t know what this means. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/114 "2011-09-27T00:01:58Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Not surprisingly, I disagree with your opinion that they should have been cut; but if they were going to be cut anyway, why would Republicans threaten to shut down the government if they are not cut now? I didn’t agree with that either. But it should be noted that it was the Democrats voted against the bill passed by the House, which otherwise would have gone on without a hitch. > [@](#): > > I don’t know what this means. I mean usually when people donate to charity heavily (rather than say a dollar in a collecting jar), they usually will end up saving elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/115 "2011-09-27T00:06:28Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > I didn’t agree with that either. But it should be noted that it was the Democrats voted against the bill passed by the House, which otherwise would have gone on without a hitch. Why should Democrats in the Senate acquiesce to everything the Republicans pass in the House? ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/116 "2011-09-27T14:45:23Z")
“Make where You live Jersey. Vote Christie 2012.” I’m ordering my bumper sticker now… ---
**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:** [September 27, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/117 "2011-09-27T15:03:05Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > The Repubs are on the verge of shutting down the government again. If they want to continue the brinksmanship and holding the country hostage to their right wing ideals, they better learn the electorate is getting pissed. I do not guarantee the Repubs will hold the house. they are risking a backlash. When you’re a hostage-taker, everything looks like a hostage. The Republican Party is unfit to have any role in the US Congress. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/118 "2011-09-27T16:43:19Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > “Make where You live Jersey. Vote Christie 2012.” > I’m ordering my bumper sticker now… 😃 ---
**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:** [September 28, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/119 "2011-09-28T04:00:45Z")
Well, it seems there are some who think [The Antichrist](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cP-FTX5tVg&feature=related) would be the worst choice. Personally, I’m not convinced. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149/120 "2011-09-28T09:36:44Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Well, it seems there are some who think [The Antichrist](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cP-FTX5tVg&feature=related) would be the worst choice. > > Personally, I’m not convinced. The Antichrist, as currently defined by mid and post tribulationists, would more likely be the most seemingly pious person. The idea is that he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be Christian while in fact undermining everything Christianity stands for. Christians have to, by in large, be convinced that he is fine, and only learn the truth when it’s too late. And if you are a pre-tribulationist, then none of the candidates can be the Antichrist because he won’t come to power until after the Rapture. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-would-make-the-worst-president/593149.md?page=7)