Ask Grandstander

[Zen653]

I didn't know about Grant running in 1880. That's interesting.

Why didn't Grover Cleveland run in 1896? Cleveland recovered well from his surgery. How would you handicap a McKinley vs. Cleveland match-up?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by Zen653

I didn't know about Grant running in 1880. That's interesting.

Why didn't Grover Cleveland run in 1896? Cleveland recovered well from his surgery. How would you handicap a McKinley vs. Cleveland match-up?

Cleveland had the misfortune to have a major depression set in the year he took office for the second time. Naturally he was unreasonably blamed and naturally his popularity suffered as a consequence. McKinley probably would not have had any trouble defeating him had be been renominated, which is among the reasons he was not renominated. By 1896, the Democractic Party was under the control of the Populist wing and Cleveland was too friendly toward big business to suit their agenda.

[phenweigh]

What do you like best about the Olympics?

Least?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by phenweigh

What do you like best about the Olympics?

Least?

Best? Sometimes some of the women gymnists are cute.

Worst? When they aren't.

[LongtimeBravesFan]

Obviously Nixon would have been very unlikely to try to run in 1976, but do you think Reagan, Clinton or Bush would have run a third time if they had not been blocked by the 22nd amendment? Do you think they could have won?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by LongtimeBravesFan

Obviously Nixon would have been very unlikely to try to run in 1976, but do you think Reagan, Clinton or Bush would have run a third time if they had not been blocked by the 22nd amendment? Do you think they could have won?

Reagan was too old and the Iran Contra stuff all spilled out toward the end of his second term. The Bush popularity is running low at the moment, so I think that he would be seen as a certain loser and the party would have encouraged him to depart. A 2000 Bill Clinton campaign would have been a year long Monica rehash and probably a lot of people would have resisted supporting him because of that, but if he had run, I suspect he would have won again.

[LongtimeBravesFan]

What is you opinon of the 22nd amendment and term limits in general?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by LongtimeBravesFan

What is you opinon of the 22nd amendment and term limits in general?

Very much against such stupidities. How could people not realize that all that they are actually accomplishing is the passing of laws to limit their own options? If someone is unsatisfactory in office, there already exists a remedy, vote for the opponent next time. If someone is doing an excellent job and is willing to serve longer, why would we wish to deny ourselves such service?

It's the voters passing laws which are predicated on the idea that the voters are too dumb to be trusted with decision making. And such laws are well deserved.

[Zen653]

If someone is unsatisfactory in office, there already exists a remedy, vote for the opponent next time.

Isn't it difficult to vote out even the most corrupt leaders once they've been firmly entrenched in office for a long period of time? Heads of state, in particular, seem to be in a position where they can unduly influence the electorate by withholding information in the name of executive privilege or national security. Do you know of any international examples where a long-term elected head of state eventually lost a democratic vote?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by Zen653

Isn't it difficult to vote out even the most corrupt leaders once they've been firmly entrenched in office for a long period of time? Heads of state, in particular, seem to be in a position where they can unduly influence the electorate by withholding information in the name of executive privilege or national security. Do you know of any international examples where a long-term elected head of state eventually lost a democratic vote?

That such a thing is regarded as difficult is a tribute to the ignorance or stupidity of the electorate. If a democracy has the need to protect voters from their own foolishness, then it isn't truly a democracy, is it?

Along with not reelecting the undesirables, there is also the impeachment process for the intolerable. If despite these political weapons, the people still are putting up with someone who is bad for them, then they deserve what they get.

[phenweigh]

Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by phenweigh

Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?

Panties isn't plural, it is a singular word ending with an "s" such as gunwales, trousers, or binoculars.

[Wiggen]

Favorite submariner - Chad Bradford or Hyman Rickover?

[perfectstormhits]

Mine is Ted Abernathy.

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by Wiggen

Favorite submariner - Chad Bradford or Hyman Rickover?

I liked Bradford until I found out that he was a heavy duty god squader. My personal favorite had been Kent Tekulve of the Pirates who sustained the Pitt tradition of having impossibly skinny ace relievers, Kent having followed Bruce Kison in the role. But he was overthrown in the '80's by my all time fave, the late Dan Quisenberry who was the fastest man with a quip in all MLB during his career. He was also a great pitcher, as deserving as Gossage of being inducted into the HoF.