Random One Time Issues

[Skill and Chance]

What will be the next issue to come out of nowhere and decide a presidential election?  I am thinking of something like Manifest Destiny/war with Mexico in 1844, coinage of silver in 1896, Catholic/Protestant identity politics in 1960 (less so in 1928) or the War on Terror in 2004.  Perhaps some candidates would be weed, a revolution in Russia or China, or future severe inflation due to debt repayment issues?  I am thinking of something that would be more or less resolved within 4 years.

[ElectionsGuy]

Ebola might have been one if it was 2014. We'll have to wait and see what new "crisis" comes up.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

Ebola might have been one if it was 2014. We'll have to wait and see what new "crisis" comes up.

There's often an October surprise:

2008: Economic collapse (helped DEM)
2010: None
2012: Hurricane Sandy (helped DEM)
2014: Ebola (helped GOP)

[Joe Republic]

What will be the next issue to come out of nowhere and decide a presidential election?

You want us to predict something that you have defined as unpredictable?

And how the heck did Ebola have any effect on the 2014 elections?

[100% pro-life no matter what]

What will be the next issue to come out of nowhere and decide a presidential election?

You want us to predict something that you have defined as unpredictable?

And how the heck did Ebola have any effect on the 2014 elections?

Some on the right did not think Obama handled it well.

[Thunderbird is the word]

Maybe a Supreme Court justice dying a week before the election?

[Joe Republic]

What will be the next issue to come out of nowhere and decide a presidential election?

You want us to predict something that you have defined as unpredictable?

And how the heck did Ebola have any effect on the 2014 elections?

Some on the right did not think Obama handled it well.

"Some right-wingers believe Obama didn't handle [insert whatever here] very well.  News at 11."

[Prince of Salem]

You want us to predict something that you have defined as unpredictable?

Of course it is unpredictable, but man don't you love the intrigue?

[/]

Figuring out that Donald Trump is a Mexican illegal immigrant with Communist ties and a sex change

[NeverAgain]

Figuring out that Donald Trump is a Mexican illegal immigrant with Communist ties and a sex change

He said things that are not as predictable.

[Skill and Chance]

What will be the next issue to come out of nowhere and decide a presidential election?

You want us to predict something that you have defined as unpredictable?

And how the heck did Ebola have any effect on the 2014 elections?

Some on the right did not think Obama handled it well.

"Some right-wingers believe Obama didn't handle [insert whatever here] very well.  News at 11."

I actually do think Ebola qualifies.  It really came out of nowhere for a significant election issue.  I don't think weather events/natural disasters would generally qualify at a national level though, unless there are 1000's of lives lost.  Katrina became only a minor factor in 2006. 

[Crumpets]

You can always count on either Hamas, Hezbollah, or some other group to be at war with Israel the summer before an election, and this summer seems to be going by without any issues. So... that.

[Stranger in a strange land]

The Elian Gonzalez Controversy in 2000 caused Cuba Policy to be in issue in a way that it really hasn't been before or since.