The ONE & ONLY 2012 Politics/Election Thread

[SOAR]

The 2012 elections are quickly approaching, and there is a lot of election discussion going on in OT these days. In order to keep OT from becoming the "Politics Forum" this election season, this will be the one and only thread where discussion of the 2012 elections will be permitted.

Trolling and flaming will not be tolerated. Please keep this thread civil, and respect the opinions of your fellow forum members.

-SOAR

[Zombiee313]

Good luck to the Mods on actually being able to keep control of this thread

That being said I will be the first one to go on record and predict that Obama will not win the 2012 Election....

[Egilbe]

Good to the Mods on actually being able to keep control of this thread

That being said I will be the first one to go on record and predict that Obama will not win the 2012 Election....

I'm pretty sure he will. If Bill Clinton can get re-elected and Little George Bush, too, there's no reason to think that Obama will get booted, especially since the repubs don't have a real candidate running. Romney is just a paler Obama.

[Zombiee313]

I'm pretty sure he will. If Bill Clinton can get re-elected and Little George Bush, too, there's no reason to think that Obama will get booted, especially since the repubs don't have a real candidate running. Romney is just a paler Obama.

While I did not agree with some things Slick Willy did (like Monica... really that was the best he could do?) he was a pretty decent President....

Baby Bush won re-election because of being in the middle of a war

I think too many people that supported Obama in 2008 are now pissed at him and either won't vote or will vote against him.

[1.8TRabbit]

http://campaign2012.washingtonexamin...st-iowa/316366

[HideYoKids]

I'm voting for Vermin Supreme.

The guy I voted for in the last national election up here is dead, so maybe I can help get rid of that crazy.

[20aeman]

This election will be a disaster. It's like watching a train wreck...I'm so excited!

[Sporin]

Predicting Romney vs. Obama with the President winning not in a landslide, but not in a nail biter either.

The economy is improving slowly, but it is improving, and while there is a general disappointment with the President by many, it's no where near enough to get them to vote for Romney, or any Republican, imo.

A lot of the political chat forums where the Obama-hate is so crazy-strong are echo chambers and just don't reflect the real world.

I'm curious to see how the "Anyone can beat this failure of a Communist/Kenyan/Hates-America President" will do when he wins reelection.

[Mike!]

In a straight-up Romney versus Obama scenario, Obama is well set up to win. Sometimes I wonder if 'jedi master' Obama specifically went with a health care reform plan based on 'Romneycare' rather than a public option specifically in order to remove the health care angle from the Republican campaign against him if Romney got the nomination. Yes, I know, Romney swears that at a state level his plan was appropriate, and at a federal level it oversteps states' rights. However, practically, when it comes to the election campaign, it's going to take any thunder out of 'Obamacare' criticisms.

Romney has a concrete platform for lowering taxes and reducing revenue, but unspecific promises of where he would cut spending. His is a recipe for increasing the deficit, whereas Obama is actually trying to cut spending and raise revenue to narrow the deficit. I'd argue that Obama's more fiscally conservative than Romney in that sense. Whether you believe that or not, when it comes to Romney I'm not sure fiscal conservatives and Tea Partiers will have the enthusiasm of a candidate to rally behind.

It is true that some of Obama's former supporters are disappointed that Obama hasn't met some lofty goals of transforming the country. That said, this criticism is generally that he didn't go far enough, not that he went too far. I don't think those voters will gravitate towards Romney either. I have some disappointments with Obama's performance, but on a promise-by-promise level, he has met quite a few, and I am hopeful that given a second term without the spectre of reelection on the horizon that he will be more bold and get more accomplished.

Any scenario where there is a big-name 3rd party candidate like Trump or even Paul, the odds move even more into Obama's camp with conservative vote splitting. Call it the Perot Effect that helped Clinton get elected, twice.

[Fritz27]

Obama's gonna win. This is 2004 all over again.

[rsj0714]

Obama's gonna win. This is 2004 all over again.

If Republicans don't show strong support for 1 or 2 candidates they will continue to be spread apart. If this b.s. continues Obama will hold office again.

[A.Wilder]

A lot of the political chat forums where the Obama-hate is so crazy-strong are echo chambers and just don't reflect the real world.

Forgot one, http://www.npboards.com/index.php

[1.8TRabbit]

If Republicans don't show strong support for 1 or 2 candidates they will continue to be spread apart. If this b.s. continues Obama will hold office again.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tu...xrs=share_copy

[rsj0714]

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tu...xrs=share_copy

Neat video, I can't back Ron Paul for the election.

[Mike!]

I saw that and couldn't help but agree with what he was saying, but then also agreeing with Jon Stewart in still not being able to vote for RP

[1.8TRabbit]

"IT’S OVER – ONLY TWO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ON VIRGINIA BALLOT"

http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/1...rginia-ballot/

[rsj0714]

"IT’S OVER – ONLY TWO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ON VIRGINIA BALLOT"

Does that really drop the two candidates down to Paul and Romney?

The Virginia primary shouldn't even be that big of a deal but I guess it would give Romney and Paul an advantage.

[Mike!]

By the time the Virginia primary rolls around, the race will probably be decided. That said, it will be interesting to see how the votes stack up in a strict 2-way matchup of "Romney" versus "Not-Romney," and whether there's really been an "anyone but Romney" group all along...

[Slipstream]

Does that really drop the two candidates down to Paul and Romney?

The Virginia primary shouldn't even be that big of a deal but I guess it would give Romney and Paul an advantage.

It'll be interesting to see how well Paul does when it's just him vs. the establishment that Romney embodies perfectly.

[1.8TRabbit]

Does that really drop the two candidates down to Paul and Romney?

The Virginia primary shouldn't even be that big of a deal but I guess it would give Romney and Paul an advantage.

Thats what I thought too. I have a feeling this debate for the Republican nominee is going to be the most behind door pulling strings we have ever seen.

Also most recent news.


Whether you support RP or not, the fact that he takes time during the presidential run to still debate certain bills, laws, topics, etc has to be appreciated in an American. I dont see any other candidates doing this and as far as my memory can go I dont remember others of the past doing this during their presidential run either. Am I mistaken?

[O_G]

Ron Paul is pure evil.

Romney/Obama 2012!

[rsj0714]

Ron Paul is pure evil.

Romney/Obama 2012!

This thread kinda sucks as a sticky.

No arguments or debate going on, I guess you win O_G.

[rsj0714]

I guess I win. I have no clue what that entails.

[Mike!]

You get to be the Republican nominee!

[Mike!]

This just in!

FIRST ON CNN: Sources: Perry dropping out of GOP race

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...day/?hpt=hp_t1

Waking up to reality I guess. I didn't really comment much on Huntsman dropping out, but now this leaves a field of 4, which will have a big impact on SC. It will be interesting to see where the former Huntsman and Perry supporters break. It could give a boost to either Santorum or Gingrich, or it could be split between all four candidates, effectively padding Romney's campaign.

In Canada, party leaders are generally voted for by delegates, with multiple ballots being run until someone gets a majority. I've seen it before (Dion, for those familiar) where someone was the front runner for ballot after ballot, until enough candidates had dropped out that the guy who was in 4th place going in, and 3rd place on the first ballot, ended up winning the leadership. It will be interesting to see if Perry wants to play Kingmaker and endorse someone after dropping out, who that will be, and assuming one of Santorum/Gingrich will be gone before Florida, who the dropout there will play Kingmaker for.

[Tornado2dr]

Whether you support RP or not, the fact that he takes time during the presidential run to still debate certain bills, laws, topics, etc has to be appreciated in an American. I dont see any other candidates doing this and as far as my memory can go I dont remember others of the past doing this during their presidential run either. Am I mistaken?

I wouldn't say you are mistaken, but hes actually the only candidate seeking the R nomination that is a sitting elected representative. Perry is Texas governor...but I wouldn't say he is any part of a viable candidacy- I have no idea how texans feel about his absence from the state in recent months.

I'd say that it would be an easy leap to judge a candidate that is or is not "present" at their battlestations(as it were) if they are an elected rep . However, think back to '08 when McCain's press release said something about stopping the campaign temporarily to go back to washington and deal with the financial meltdown....and all kinds of people piped up "WTF is the big deal, you've got an army of advisors, computers, and telephones, and a private plane if you really need to get back for a vote". I'm not sure location really matters.

[Mike!]

Fox News: Perry to back Gingrich.

[Tornado2dr]

Fox News: Perry to back Gingrich.

Real life - Gingrich slides a small (very) case of money to Perry under the table.

[rsj0714]

Real life - Gingrich slides a small (very) case of money to Perry under the table.

Perry is already double dipping, he might as well take another suitcase of money.

[Slipstream]

Real life - Gingrich slides a small (very) case of money to Perry under the table.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...cretary-palin/

Sometimes I think Newt is just making fun of us. It's like he's TRYING to sabotage his campaign, and the harder he tries the more his numbers go UP. It's bizarre.

[Tornado2dr]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...cretary-palin/

Sometimes I think Newt is just making fun of us. It's like he's TRYING to sabotage his campaign, and the harder he tries the more his numbers go UP. It's bizarre.

Anyone who considers asking Palin for advice is a person I can't cast a vote for, unfortunately. Just like in 2008.

[rsj0714]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...cretary-palin/

Sometimes I think Newt is just making fun of us. It's like he's TRYING to sabotage his campaign, and the harder he tries the more his numbers go UP. It's bizarre.

Seriously.

It will be a repeat of McCain/Palin.

[1.8TRabbit]

This is just sad when the system is blatantly fixed and no one seems to see it.

[barry2952]

Seriously.

It will be a repeat of McCain/Palin.

Perfect.

[DoDoubleGeo]

Ron Paul is just trying to build up brand-name recognition so his son has a chance at the oval office somewhere in the future.

If Gingrich can keep his **** together and avoid anymore of this Palin talk he will at least have won over one liberal. Yeah, that's not gonna happen...