# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=159 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 160 --- ## [Utah U.S. Senate race 2018](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utah-u-s-senate-race-2018/808931)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2018, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utah-u-s-senate-race-2018/808931 "2018-11-07T04:33:47Z")
As expected, Mitt Romney, the 2012 GOP nominee for President, is jumping in: https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/16/politics/mitt-romney-senate-utah/index.html Is he a shoo-in or could this really be a race, either in the Repub… --- ## [Is anyone here voting early, if your area offers it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-here-voting-early-if-your-area-offers-it/823067)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2018, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-here-voting-early-if-your-area-offers-it/823067 "2018-11-07T01:47:23Z")
I did; in my case, I ordered an absentee ballot and sent it in later in the day that I got it. The county I live in started it yesterday, at the libraries. I volunteer at one branch on Monday, and yesterday, they had a… --- ## [How are pollsters accounting for the "too embarrassed to admit I voted for Trump" effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-pollsters-accounting-for-the-too-embarrassed-to-admit-i-voted-for-trump-effect/824091)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2018, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-pollsters-accounting-for-the-too-embarrassed-to-admit-i-voted-for-trump-effect/824091 "2018-11-06T23:11:27Z")
This is a GQ, possibly devolving into a GD, but I thought Elections was the best fit. My understanding is that pollsters believe that part of the reason they were wrong about 2016 was that Trump voters were too embarras… --- ## [2018 US midterm elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-us-midterm-elections/801125)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 255\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2018, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-us-midterm-elections/801125 "2018-11-06T20:14:29Z")
An interesting overview by NPR, in light of Democrats this week winning the governorships of both Virginia and New Jersey: 2018 Midterms: Republicans Grapple With Trump While Democrats See Hope : NPR At this point, the … --- ## [Where are the funny ads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-funny-ads/824018)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-funny-ads/824018 "2018-11-06T16:57:45Z")
A Tony Evers ‘get out and vote’ type ad just made me laugh, and I realized that was the first time any political ad has ever done that. Fear is a powerful motivator so most ads are attack ads and they’re all doom and gl… --- ## [Worst campaign ads, 2018 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-campaign-ads-2018-edition/813754)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2018, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-campaign-ads-2018-edition/813754 "2018-11-06T12:15:18Z")
This one is going to be tough to beat… but I just believe that the ingenuity and incompetence of American politicians can give it a run for its money! Ok, let's start with the copy. Wow. Strong stuff. China people? … --- ## [Most politicians are shockingly ignorant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-politicians-are-shockingly-ignorant/759856)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2018, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-politicians-are-shockingly-ignorant/759856 "2018-11-06T09:16:25Z")
Matt Yglesias writes this as an apology to Mike Pence, because he had originally thought Mike Pence was a moron and found out that he’s one moron in a chamber full of them. It’s not that these people aren’t smart, it’s… --- ## [Canadians overstaying their visas in the US -- an invasion we must repel with massed force?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadians-overstaying-their-visas-in-the-us-an-invasion-we-must-repel-with-massed-force/823777)
**Author:** [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2018, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadians-overstaying-their-visas-in-the-us-an-invasion-we-must-repel-with-massed-force/823777 "2018-11-06T04:41:29Z")
There are many Canadian foreigners who are occupying US soil illegally. Should we deploy extra thousands among our military and security forces to root them out? Are they dangerous vermin, including some Middle Easterne… --- ## [When defeated ballot measures are revived over and over and over again...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-defeated-ballot-measures-are-revived-over-and-over-and-over-again/823955)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-defeated-ballot-measures-are-revived-over-and-over-and-over-again/823955 "2018-11-05T20:48:54Z")
…should limits be placed on how many times we have to vote on the damn things? Case in point: voters in the Nashville/Davidson County (TN) area voted 24 years ago to require term limits (2 terms) for Metro Council membe… --- ## [GDP grew at a 3.5% annual rate in 2018 Q3](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gdp-grew-at-a-3-5-annual-rate-in-2018-q3/823557)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gdp-grew-at-a-3-5-annual-rate-in-2018-q3/823557 "2018-11-05T20:29:58Z")
The Commerce Department released their quarterly GDP estimate today: CNBC: The US economy grew at a 3.5% pace in the third quarter, faster than expected I suspect this fact will get featured in some end-of-the-electio… --- ## [Legal basis for FBI report being kept secret?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-basis-for-fbi-report-being-kept-secret/822449)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2018, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-basis-for-fbi-report-being-kept-secret/822449 "2018-10-05T00:28:17Z")
The FBI report on Kavanaugh is in a safe in a secured room where phones aren’t allowed, and it’s said that it will likely never be made public. What’s the legal basis for keeping it secret? Why wouldn’t an FOIA request … --- ## [Trump and Native Americans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-native-americans/823975)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2018, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-native-americans/823975 "2018-11-05T04:48:36Z")
On the news today there was a clip of Trump at a rally in Montana (search for “Trump barbed wire”) and I was surprised to see a large contigent of what seemed to be Native Americans in headdress directly behind him. Doin… --- ## [Trump trying to end birthright citizenship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-trying-to-end-birthright-citizenship/823712)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2018, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-trying-to-end-birthright-citizenship/823712 "2018-11-04T03:56:26Z")
Don’t think this is legit for him to change but I guess the courts will decide. --- ## [Plot to smear Mueller uncovered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plot-to-smear-mueller-uncovered/823744)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2018, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plot-to-smear-mueller-uncovered/823744 "2018-11-03T05:13:07Z")
I wonder where this plot was hatched? Tampa? Orlando ? Miami? Mueller refers sex misconduct scheme targeting him to FBI for investigation --- ## [Democrats: "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-snatch-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory/823247)
**Author:** [@SantaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SantaMan)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-snatch-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory/823247 "2018-11-03T00:37:14Z")
Two common sayings about the Democratic party: “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory” and the Will Rogers quote “I am not a member of an organized political party. I’m a Democrat” Elderly female spouses’ tale? --- ## [What have you done to help your candidates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-done-to-help-your-candidates/823796)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-you-done-to-help-your-candidates/823796 "2018-11-01T00:23:17Z")
Local or otherwise, what have you done, other than voting, to help your side or candidate prevail? We’ve donated to several who are in tight races nationally. We’ve done knock & talk on two weekends here in Portland as… --- ## [Kansas GOP Gubernatorial Primary - conflict of interest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-gop-gubernatorial-primary-conflict-of-interest/819271)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2018, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kansas-gop-gubernatorial-primary-conflict-of-interest/819271 "2018-10-31T18:38:10Z")
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach was up against current Governor Jeff Colyer (former Lt. Gov. under Sam Brownback) in the Kansas GOP primary. At the moment they are still saying the race is too close to call, both a… --- ## [The Republicans will say anything to hold onto power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republicans-will-say-anything-to-hold-onto-power/823382)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republicans-will-say-anything-to-hold-onto-power/823382 "2018-10-31T16:55:32Z")
Trump: National Republican Congressional Committee: More than a little projection there, of course, but you get the idea. They’ll say any damn thing they want; they’re totally disconnected from reality. --- ## [Violence leading into the 2018 Midterms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/violence-leading-into-the-2018-midterms/823699)
**Author:** [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2018, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/violence-leading-into-the-2018-midterms/823699 "2018-10-30T22:16:25Z")
Starting this more due to this: Someone put four rounds through the window of a local Republican party office in Florida. Nobody was there at the time. I am wondering if we are going to see more as we head to the pol… --- ## [Jair Bolsonaro wins Brazilian presidential election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jair-bolsonaro-wins-brazilian-presidential-election/823660)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jair-bolsonaro-wins-brazilian-presidential-election/823660 "2018-10-30T19:18:43Z")
Won by a margin of 11% or so, defeating Haddad, the candidate from the Worker’s Party. Bolsonaro is often called the Donald Trump of Brazil… --- ## [Julián Castro: Running for President in 2020?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julian-castro-running-for-president-in-2020/823076)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2018, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julian-castro-running-for-president-in-2020/823076 "2018-10-30T12:49:17Z")
Both him being Hispanic and the name “Castro” would seem to be negatives for him. --- ## [The impending Democratic House and Republican Senate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-democratic-house-and-republican-senate/823599)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2018, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-impending-democratic-house-and-republican-senate/823599 "2018-10-29T22:36:40Z")
The likeliest outcome as forecasted is that Democrats will capture the House by a substantial majority but Republicans will keep the Senate narrowly. If so, I think we will see Trump and the Republican House try to ram … --- ## [The things you discover in political party rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-things-you-discover-in-political-party-rules/819359)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-things-you-discover-in-political-party-rules/819359 "2018-10-29T19:17:20Z")
I was going through the new Republican Party Rules, and I noticed something: all Republican primaries held before March 15 must be proportional, although a “winner take all” threshhold of 50% or higher may be set. This … --- ## [The U.S. Electoral College - What Should Be Done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-electoral-college-what-should-be-done/823357)
**Author:** [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2018, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-electoral-college-what-should-be-done/823357 "2018-10-29T13:59:56Z")
Do you think it malfunctioned in 2000 and 2016? Should we do something about? If so, what? --- ## [Deplorables vs. Crazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deplorables-vs-crazy/823419)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deplorables-vs-crazy/823419 "2018-10-28T19:58:06Z")
Trump just claimed that everyone willing to vote for democrats in the upcoming election is crazy. Remember that whole “basket of deplorables” thing? In the fall of 2016, Hillary Clinton, asked at a fundraiser how she… --- ## [Assuming Senate remains R in 2018 and Trump is re-elected in 2020. What's your plan B?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-senate-remains-r-in-2018-and-trump-is-re-elected-in-2020-whats-your-plan-b/823436)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-senate-remains-r-in-2018-and-trump-is-re-elected-in-2020-whats-your-plan-b/823436 "2018-10-27T21:30:36Z")
Title pretty much sums it up. Presumptions. The blue wave is inadequate in November and the senate stays with a Republican majority. Trump is re-elected in 2020 running on a strong economy, low unemployment, and Repub… --- ## [President Trump's approval rating at the highest it's been in many months. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-trumps-approval-rating-at-the-highest-its-been-in-many-months-why/823457)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-trumps-approval-rating-at-the-highest-its-been-in-many-months-why/823457 "2018-10-27T13:57:07Z")
If I’m reading Nate Silver’s graph right, President Trump’s approval rating (currently 42.8%) is the highest it’s been since the middle of March 2017 (about 8 weeks after he took office). Anyone have an explanation or th… --- ## [Elizabeth Warren 2020. How do you feel about it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elizabeth-warren-2020-how-do-you-feel-about-it/821028)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 400\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2018, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elizabeth-warren-2020-how-do-you-feel-about-it/821028 "2018-10-27T01:27:31Z")
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m seeing signs that she may run. I don’t think this would be a good idea. I just don’t think she could win. What do you guys think? p.s. I found a Michelle 2020 pin the other day. I’m wearin… --- ## [Weighting swing states much more heavily in primaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighting-swing-states-much-more-heavily-in-primaries/823453)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2018, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighting-swing-states-much-more-heavily-in-primaries/823453 "2018-10-26T12:40:21Z")
So I encountered an idea on another message board which I thought intriguing: It would benefit the D’s and R’s if they were to change their primaries so that instead of states with larger populations having more delegat… --- ## [Michigan Gubernatorial Race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-gubernatorial-race/811720)
**Author:** [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2018, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-gubernatorial-race/811720 "2018-10-26T01:57:36Z")
Here in a state that went trump by an rch we are having an election for Governor this year. On the Republican side we have Bill Schutte, the incumbent (and term-limited AG). Persona assessment: If you like Jeff Sessio… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=158) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=160)