# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=144 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 145 --- ## [Crossover appeal - a meandering pro-Gabbard post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossover-appeal-a-meandering-pro-gabbard-post/838058)
**Author:** [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossover-appeal-a-meandering-pro-gabbard-post/838058 "2019-08-07T03:37:47Z")
What forms of crossover appeal are acceptable to the Democrats? There are broadly speaking two camps in the Dem party. They both agree Trump must be defeated. Some believe a pure progressive would stand a better chance … --- ## [I get the argument for Medicare for all, but what is the argument for abolishing private insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-the-argument-for-medicare-for-all-but-what-is-the-argument-for-abolishing-private-insurance/838057)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-the-argument-for-medicare-for-all-but-what-is-the-argument-for-abolishing-private-insurance/838057 "2019-08-04T18:31:16Z")
While I can’t say I read policy papers on health insurance, I certainly keep up with the daily news. I certainly understand why Warren and Sanders would want Medicare for All, but I don’t know their argument for abolish… --- ## [Cast the Democratic primary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cast-the-democratic-primary/837976)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2019, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cast-the-democratic-primary/837976 "2019-08-02T17:37:02Z")
You’re now in charge of securing guest stars for SNL this fall, actors and comedians to play the roles of the Democratic candidates. Who you got? My initial thoughts: Bernie: Larry David returns. Beto: Jon Heder, comp… --- ## [What progressive agenda items actually have a realistic chance of coming to fruition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-progressive-agenda-items-actually-have-a-realistic-chance-of-coming-to-fruition/837957)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2019, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-progressive-agenda-items-actually-have-a-realistic-chance-of-coming-to-fruition/837957 "2019-08-02T00:48:19Z")
Wathcing the Democratic debates and hearing moderate and progressive wing, litmus test each other over the Green new deal, Medicare for all, and free tuition, seemed to me to akin to listening to an argument over what co… --- ## [A Democratic president and the border wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-democratic-president-and-the-border-wall/837766)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-democratic-president-and-the-border-wall/837766 "2019-08-01T17:25:51Z")
Okay, so let’s say the White House changes parties in 2020 or 2024. We’ve already got part or all of the border wall completed. (That certainly will take much longer than January 20, 2021). The Democratic challenger f… --- ## [What should the Democratic 2020 main campaign message be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-democratic-2020-main-campaign-message-be/837768)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-democratic-2020-main-campaign-message-be/837768 "2019-07-31T23:42:36Z")
Getting Trump out of office, and pushing for progressive causes, are of course not mutually exclusive. But by and large, one tends to supersede the other. Which would you prefer? (There is the “other” button in case I’… --- ## [President Obama warns of progressive "purity" and "circular firing squads"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-warns-of-progressive-purity-and-circular-firing-squads/832662)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 330\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2019, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-warns-of-progressive-purity-and-circular-firing-squads/832662 "2019-07-31T03:19:32Z")
I have warned about this many times, but it is always pooh-poohed as “a few people on Twitter” who are said to be irrelevant to the party overall, or even its image. I wonder if people will take it a little more serious… --- ## [The next British Prime Minister](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-british-prime-minister/834450)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2019, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-british-prime-minister/834450 "2019-07-30T15:22:05Z")
Ruined by Brexit, Theresa May has resigned in tears… as the next PM just might end up doing, too: Brexit failure forces Theresa May to announce resignation | CNN Here’s CNN on possible successors: Boris Johnson is front… --- ## [Trump commutes sentence of Arkansas businessman.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-commutes-sentence-of-arkansas-businessman/837832)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-commutes-sentence-of-arkansas-businessman/837832 "2019-07-29T22:22:55Z")
“Strongly supported by Mike Huckabee”. I see no reason to commute the sentence of a guy who bribed a state official. I presume this is a federal crime because he was defrauding Medicaid. Since Mr. Suhl was convicted o… --- ## [Now, Al Franken](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 1762\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2019, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-al-franken/801770 "2019-07-29T07:43:25Z")
Accused of sexual harassment, with apparent photographic evidence. Senator Al Franken Kissed and Groped Me Without My Consent, And There’s Nothing Funny About It ETA: from looking at the picture it’s looks more like he… --- ## [Supreme Court allows military spending to be used for border wall: blueprint for future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-allows-military-spending-to-be-used-for-border-wall-blueprint-for-future/837730)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-allows-military-spending-to-be-used-for-border-wall-blueprint-for-future/837730 "2019-07-29T01:29:33Z")
Supreme Court just ruled (by a 5-4 vote, unsurprisingly,) that the Trump administration can use $2.5 billion in military spending for the purpose of building a border wall. Now, all politics of the border wall itself as… --- ## [Puerto Rico governor facing calls to quit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-governor-facing-calls-to-quit/837328)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/puerto-rico-governor-facing-calls-to-quit/837328 "2019-07-28T21:47:01Z")
Almost 900 pages of texts came out and he looks very bad in them. --- ## [Did Russia Succeed in a Terrible, Awful, No-Good Plot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-russia-succeed-in-a-terrible-awful-no-good-plot/837704)
**Author:** [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2019, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-russia-succeed-in-a-terrible-awful-no-good-plot/837704 "2019-07-28T10:49:30Z")
OK, you all know most of this already. How Russian bots targeted lefties on social media, drumming up anti-Hillary hatred to help elect Donald Trump. You’ve read the stuff about how razor thin was the margin (88,000 o… --- ## [Which political office would you take?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-political-office-would-you-take/837670)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-political-office-would-you-take/837670 "2019-07-27T15:17:17Z")
Straight-up poll (also, although these are for American political offices, feel free to substitute any position of your own if you are a non-American Doper - for instance, prime minister instead of president) Poll inco… --- ## [How can the Democrats win the election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-democrats-win-the-election/837262)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-democrats-win-the-election/837262 "2019-07-27T10:01:14Z")
If there is the slightest possibility of the Democrats winning the next election and getting rid of Trump, what steps would have to be taken? All responses are welcome…but I will keep in mind something my pappy once tol… --- ## [Special Counsel Robert Mueller testifies before Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 280\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2019, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-counsel-robert-mueller-testifies-before-congress/837542 "2019-07-27T00:53:03Z")
C-SPAN live feed --- ## [Is it unethical to work to promote voter turnout in anoher state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-unethical-to-work-to-promote-voter-turnout-in-anoher-state/837470)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-unethical-to-work-to-promote-voter-turnout-in-anoher-state/837470 "2019-07-25T19:30:51Z")
I’ve never been motivated to volunteer in a political context, but I feel like I have to in 2020. Voting and donating aren’t enough. I live in Illinois, but literally minutes from the Wisconsin line. It’s occurred to me… --- ## [Trump will win every time! His plan is breathtaking! (Prove me wrong. Please.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-win-every-time-his-plan-is-breathtaking-prove-me-wrong-please/835459)
**Author:** [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2019, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-win-every-time-his-plan-is-breathtaking-prove-me-wrong-please/835459 "2019-07-25T12:54:17Z")
Today he moved forward again. Said there is nothing wrong with taking campaign info from foreign governments AND he would not allow the US to use a Kim family member as a spy in North Korea. Wacky? Criminal? Does not ma… --- ## [Zero miles of new border wall built since Trump took office](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-miles-of-new-border-wall-built-since-trump-took-office/837449)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-miles-of-new-border-wall-built-since-trump-took-office/837449 "2019-07-24T19:30:27Z")
But I guess the idea of new walls will drive people to the polls next November. Trump has not built single mile of new border wall since taking office --- ## [Can the Justice Department limit Mueller's testimony?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-justice-department-limit-muellers-testimony/837502)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2019, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-justice-department-limit-muellers-testimony/837502 "2019-07-24T12:56:52Z")
As reported here(and a hundred or so other places), the Justice Department has written a letter to Mueller stating that his testimony Do they have the legal authority to restrict his testimony this much? --- ## [MAGA people ask "Will you take illegals into your house?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-people-ask-will-you-take-illegals-into-your-house/837412)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-people-ask-will-you-take-illegals-into-your-house/837412 "2019-07-22T19:22:13Z")
MAGA people ask "Will you take illegals into your house?" The government is paying out between $775 to $170 a DAY per person to put the asylum seekers into nasty concentration camps. Paid into the pockets of GOP cronies… --- ## [Trump vs Regular Joe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-regular-joe/836629)
**Author:** [@Unreconstructed\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unreconstructed_Man)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2019, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-regular-joe/836629 "2019-07-18T01:19:25Z")
Inspired by Bone’s thread. Imagine if you could choose the next US President, but your only choices were: 1). Donald Trump. 2). An eligible US citizen picked entirely at random. Which would you go for? To make it ea… --- ## [Oregon vs. Right-Wing Militias, Round 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-vs-right-wing-militias-round-2/835899)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oregon-vs-right-wing-militias-round-2/835899 "2019-07-17T18:32:54Z")
At least I think this is the 2nd round; I welcome correction if I’ve got that wrong. For those not following along at home yet: Militia threat shuts down Oregon Statehouse amid walkout. A few days ago some Oregon \[del\]… --- ## [What do Republicans have to do to win Democratic votes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-republicans-have-to-do-to-win-democratic-votes/836712)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-republicans-have-to-do-to-win-democratic-votes/836712 "2019-07-17T16:44:08Z")
A few threads ago, a poster complained that Democrats often talk about what they need to do to win over (certain types of) Trump voters or Republicans - such as voters in the Rust Belt, farmers in Iowa, “flyover country”… --- ## [Mark Sanford may challenge Trump in primary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-sanford-may-challenge-trump-in-primary/837170)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2019, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-sanford-may-challenge-trump-in-primary/837170 "2019-07-17T02:00:23Z")
I guess Sanford must be bored. It’s funny that Trump attacked him for cheating on his wife. We know Trump would never do that ! --- ## [What sort of Republican cheating and foreign interference do you anticipate in the 2020 election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-republican-cheating-and-foreign-interference-do-you-anticipate-in-the-2020-election/837067)
**Author:** [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2019, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-republican-cheating-and-foreign-interference-do-you-anticipate-in-the-2020-election/837067 "2019-07-16T15:49:23Z")
One of the reasons why I suspect that Trump is the (slight) favorite to win reelection next year is because he will assuredly be the beneficiary of any kind of Republican cheating efforts and foreign interference operati… --- ## [Trump to defy SCOTUS on census citizenship question. How will this end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-to-defy-scotus-on-census-citizenship-question-how-will-this-end/836901)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-to-defy-scotus-on-census-citizenship-question-how-will-this-end/836901 "2019-07-16T13:51:05Z")
Trump plans to issue an executive order to have the citizenship question placed on the census. How will this likely work out? My guess is that Roberts will roll over and let Trump have his way. If he doesn’t, how wo… --- ## [What was the largest city/town to vote Trump in 2016?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-largest-city-town-to-vote-trump-in-2016/836880)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2019, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-largest-city-town-to-vote-trump-in-2016/836880 "2019-07-16T03:32:21Z")
Urban voters tend to vote Democrat. What were the largest cities or towns that voted Trump (i.e. that Trump won the most votes in) in the 2016 election? --- ## [If Epstein information and testimony directly implicates Trump, what happens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-epstein-information-and-testimony-directly-implicates-trump-what-happens/836850)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-epstein-information-and-testimony-directly-implicates-trump-what-happens/836850 "2019-07-14T19:29:52Z")
Suppose there is evidence and/or testimony that comes up in the Epstein case that implicates Trump in the rape of children. What would be the short and medium-term political fallout? My guess – if the evidence is alleg… --- ## [Was the Democratic Party always such a spineless shitshow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-democratic-party-always-such-a-spineless-shitshow/836207)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2019, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-democratic-party-always-such-a-spineless-shitshow/836207 "2019-07-13T21:29:41Z")
Biden, particularly, is just another Hillary with a dick (one presumes) and no backbone, no vision whatsoever, just a thirst for power and an eagerness to sacrifice all of his values to the highest bidder. Nasty shit, th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=143) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=145)