# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=153 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 154 --- ## [Democratic March Madness - West Semifinal 1 - Castro/Bloomberg](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-march-madness-west-semifinal-1-castro-bloomberg/829606)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2019, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-march-madness-west-semifinal-1-castro-bloomberg/829606 "2019-02-16T00:14:20Z")
Pick one: --- ## [Democratic March Madness - East Semifinal 1 - O'Rourke/Gabbard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-march-madness-east-semifinal-1-orourke-gabbard/829604)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-march-madness-east-semifinal-1-orourke-gabbard/829604 "2019-02-16T00:12:22Z")
Pick one: --- ## [The Kavanaugh Effect.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kavanaugh-effect/824189)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 339\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2019, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kavanaugh-effect/824189 "2019-02-15T20:23:49Z")
Could we have won the Senate without the Kavanaugh effect? https://www.usatoday.com/amp/1739876002 --- ## [Lyndon LaRouche 2020?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyndon-larouche-2020/790341)
**Author:** [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2019, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyndon-larouche-2020/790341 "2019-02-15T05:09:22Z")
This is more of a thought experiment. No matter what happens to the DNC over the next few years I’m hard pressed to see a fringe figure like LaRouche getting nominated. When it comes down to it I would rather think of un… --- ## [Biggest Worry for 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-worry-for-2020/829346)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2019, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-worry-for-2020/829346 "2019-02-14T03:15:42Z")
The democratic party is becoming splintered more by the day and whether you love or despise Ocasio-Cortez, the “new green deal” and social/progressive movement there is no question it is driving away the moderate/centris… --- ## [What is "red meat" for each party's base?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-red-meat-for-each-partys-base/829428)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-red-meat-for-each-partys-base/829428 "2019-02-13T21:19:26Z")
Trump is often said to be “throwing red meat to his base” when he brings up the border wall, Supreme Court nominations, and illegal immigration to rev up his core supporters. But what’s the Democratic equivalent of “red … --- ## [A single ballot will decide control of the Alaska House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-single-ballot-will-decide-control-of-the-alaska-house/825298)
**Author:** [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2018, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-single-ballot-will-decide-control-of-the-alaska-house/825298 "2018-11-30T23:23:19Z")
Apparently a single ballot will decide control of Alaska’s House of Representives: The House is currently divided 20-19, with one seat in Fairbanks undecided. The latest count of that seat came to an exact tie, 2661-26… --- ## [Warren forms Exploratory Committee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-forms-exploratory-committee/826983)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 409\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2019, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-forms-exploratory-committee/826983 "2019-02-12T22:02:54Z")
And thus we begin… I feel like Theoden King when the rain begins coming down at Helm’s Deep. It’s going to be a long night before the dawn. It’ll be filled with twists and turns, heroes and villains and we’ll likely… --- ## [Scandal! Ross Thomson - my local MP - in trouble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scandal-ross-thomson-my-local-mp-in-trouble/829077)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2019, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scandal-ross-thomson-my-local-mp-in-trouble/829077 "2019-02-12T15:04:17Z")
Ross Thomson is my local Westminster MP. I’ve not been very impressed with him to date. But breaking news is that he’s been involved in disorder in a bar in the Palace of Westminster. There’s more at the link. May can… --- ## [What's Up With Biden and Sanders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-biden-and-sanders/829134)
**Author:** [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2019, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-biden-and-sanders/829134 "2019-02-10T05:30:58Z")
While the ranks of Democratic Presidential candidates swell seemingly on a daily basis, the two big elephants remain slightly outside the room. Both men have been acting like Presidential candidates pretty much since Hil… --- ## [The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Congressional Support.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-civil-rights-act-of-1964-and-congressional-support/829155)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2019, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-civil-rights-act-of-1964-and-congressional-support/829155 "2019-02-09T23:02:10Z")
(I have to start by pointing out this message board doesn’t let me copy and paste from my smartphone. Otherwise I would provide citations.) But I don’t have to, because it is a well-known fact. The Civil Rights Act of 1… --- ## [Grand Inquisitor Cory Booker](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-inquisitor-cory-booker/829137)
**Author:** [@EscAlaMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EscAlaMike)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2019, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-inquisitor-cory-booker/829137 "2019-02-09T04:40:12Z")
Cory Booker brings in the Inquisition on a judicial nominee, giving her a religious test in direct violation of Article VI of the US Constitution. What is he trying to prove? I also thought the way he handled the Kava… --- ## ['Cause the Voters gonna vote vote vote vote vote (Early voting patterns)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cause-the-voters-gonna-vote-vote-vote-vote-vote-early-voting-patterns/828724)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2019, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cause-the-voters-gonna-vote-vote-vote-vote-vote-early-voting-patterns/828724 "2019-02-08T10:08:59Z")
Forgive the Taylor Swift references. I have teen girls. An interesting analysis of early voting patterns published by 538 this morning. It appears that instituting early voting - contrary to earlier belief - doesn’t… --- ## [Has the Merrick Garland ship officially set sail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-merrick-garland-ship-officially-set-sail/829088)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2019, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-merrick-garland-ship-officially-set-sail/829088 "2019-02-08T08:55:41Z")
During the Gorsuch nomination process, there were people who insisted that no nominee not named “Merrick Garland” should be considered for the position. IIRC, there were even some people still insisting on that when it … --- ## [Right, which white Virginia politicians didn't wear blackface in college?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-which-white-virginia-politicians-didnt-wear-blackface-in-college/829101)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2019, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-which-white-virginia-politicians-didnt-wear-blackface-in-college/829101 "2019-02-07T20:55:12Z")
Political Consultant: “Come on, hands up, the ones who didn’t wear blackface in college! At least some of you must have been content with making fools of yourselves just with your ordinary pinkie-white complexions!” \[W… --- ## [Booker presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booker-presidency/777132)
**Author:** [@NiceGuyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NiceGuyJack)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2019, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booker-presidency/777132 "2019-02-07T19:35:38Z")
So, I understand Cory Booker is preparing to run for president in 2020 and he was showing some force by criticizing Jeff Sessions appointment for which he can use 4 years from now. But then he voted against allowing Ame… --- ## [No State of the Union thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-state-of-the-union-thread/829059)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-state-of-the-union-thread/829059 "2019-02-07T15:16:25Z")
Am I missing it? I couldn’t make myself watch it, and was hoping for some discussion by you brilliant folk. --- ## [For Republicans: Will you be upset if your state drops the Primary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-republicans-will-you-be-upset-if-your-state-drops-the-primary/828788)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2019, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-republicans-will-you-be-upset-if-your-state-drops-the-primary/828788 "2019-02-05T12:34:01Z")
I am hearing more and more about the possibility of the Republican Party in some states not holding primaries at all and just giving the votes to Trump, out of fear that too many people will run and divide the Republican… --- ## [How much ethnicity needed to be the "first \_\_\_\_\_ President?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-ethnicity-needed-to-be-the-first-_____-president/828285)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2019, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-ethnicity-needed-to-be-the-first-_____-president/828285 "2019-02-04T22:14:24Z")
Obama was half-black, and there is no serious dispute in society that he was the first black president. But what if he had been only 1/4 or 1/8 black instead, would that still have counted? At what point does a candida… --- ## [National emergencies, the wall, and Trump. How will this likely go down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-emergencies-the-wall-and-trump-how-will-this-likely-go-down/828813)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-emergencies-the-wall-and-trump-how-will-this-likely-go-down/828813 "2019-02-04T19:52:08Z")
I’ve been reading several news articles that Trump is likely to declare a national emergency shortly after Valentine’s Day to direct funding toward building the border wall. What do you all think is the likely way this w… --- ## [Roger Stone arrested in early morning FBI raid!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roger-stone-arrested-in-early-morning-fbi-raid/828387)
**Author:** [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roger-stone-arrested-in-early-morning-fbi-raid/828387 "2019-02-02T15:34:00Z")
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/25/politics/roger-stone-arrested/index.html Shit just got really real. --- ## [President Baghdad Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-baghdad-bob/828646)
**Author:** [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2019, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-baghdad-bob/828646 "2019-02-01T20:57:49Z")
It turns out that the national security leaders in America believe pretty much the opposite of what our lying bastard propaganda vomitter in chiefs claims to believe. “Point by point, the country’s top intelligence lead… --- ## [What does the GOP do about 2020?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2019, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476 "2019-02-01T13:42:02Z")
If you’ll remember I have never been a Trump fan: I’llhave to do some soul searching if Trump wins. But it ain’t going to happen. It’s fun to be at the circus, but when you walk out of the tent you turn back into a grow… --- ## [Conservative ('republican') leaning third party in 2020 - is this possible? Not gonna happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-republican-leaning-third-party-in-2020-is-this-possible-not-gonna-happen/828496)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2019, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-republican-leaning-third-party-in-2020-is-this-possible-not-gonna-happen/828496 "2019-01-31T23:54:14Z")
What are the possibilities for a right-leaning, small ‘r’ republican third party in 2020? Basically, an option for those who will not vote Democrat but cannot bear to support Trump? There would be a good chance, I suppo… --- ## [Alito Has a 'Libertarian Bent'--???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alito-has-a-libertarian-bent/828694)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alito-has-a-libertarian-bent/828694 "2019-01-31T21:49:24Z")
Wikipedia has an interesting article on SCOTUS associate justice Sam Alito. (I would include a link. But the SDMB doesn’t let me cut and paste from my smartphone, even though I can do it everywhere else.) Anyway, he obv… --- ## [Will the Republican Party's early advocacy for Trump hurt them in primaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-republican-partys-early-advocacy-for-trump-hurt-them-in-primaries/828685)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-republican-partys-early-advocacy-for-trump-hurt-them-in-primaries/828685 "2019-01-31T20:46:21Z")
I keep seeing reports of state Republican Parties announcing they won’t hold Presidential primaries in 2020 and just cede the nomination to Individual 1. And even the national party is talking about blending their campa… --- ## [Trump's Huawei comments turn Canada in to a hostage-taking accomplice and I'm pissed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-huawei-comments-turn-canada-in-to-a-hostage-taking-accomplice-and-im-pissed/826031)
**Author:** [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2019, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-huawei-comments-turn-canada-in-to-a-hostage-taking-accomplice-and-im-pissed/826031 "2019-01-31T02:11:47Z")
(And I’d encourage any Canadians of a similar mind to let your representatives know). Yesterday we were fulfilling our responsibilities to US treaties and international law. After Trump’s comments today saying he’s wil… --- ## [Do Democrats and Republicans know well what the other side ought to do to win?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-democrats-and-republicans-know-well-what-the-other-side-ought-to-do-to-win/827871)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2019, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-democrats-and-republicans-know-well-what-the-other-side-ought-to-do-to-win/827871 "2019-01-30T22:01:53Z")
Any Democrat or Republican who goes about in real life trying to “advise” the other side on what they ought to do in order to win stands a good chance of being a concern troll, but similar to how sports coaches spend a l… --- ## [Will Trump have any "incumbent advantage" in 2020?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-have-any-incumbent-advantage-in-2020/828632)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-have-any-incumbent-advantage-in-2020/828632 "2019-01-30T21:15:01Z")
The rules pretty much don’t apply to Trump, and I don’t see why the historical ones would in his favor in 2020 either. Sure, he (might) have a decent economy still in 2020, maybe one better than what Obama had in 2012 (a… --- ## [The mighty air traffic controllers.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mighty-air-traffic-controllers/828440)
**Author:** [@Ancient\_Erudite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Erudite)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mighty-air-traffic-controllers/828440 "2019-01-29T20:50:54Z")
I predict the next shut down will last until the air traffic controllers stop showing up for work. The news and the knee jerk reaction is Trump caved, but fails to explain why he had to. Trump had to re-open the gover… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=152) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=154)