# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=171 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 172 --- ## [Why are Trump and the Republicans polling better now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-trump-and-the-republicans-polling-better-now/808255)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-trump-and-the-republicans-polling-better-now/808255 "2018-02-23T03:38:28Z")
Trump has seen a significant improvement in his polling since mid-December, and the generic ballot question has shown considerable improvement for Republicans over the same time period. Why? I certainly don’t want to ov… --- ## [Ill. Holocaust Denier Arthur Jones Running for Congress has no Opponents in Republican Primary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-holocaust-denier-arthur-jones-running-for-congress-has-no-opponents-in-republican-primary/808194)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-holocaust-denier-arthur-jones-running-for-congress-has-no-opponents-in-republican-primary/808194 "2018-02-22T17:21:42Z")
Republican candidates are getting crazier and crazier. --- ## [Here's a twist: Wife of Kentucky lawmaker who killed self to run for his office](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-twist-wife-of-kentucky-lawmaker-who-killed-self-to-run-for-his-office/804531)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2018, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-twist-wife-of-kentucky-lawmaker-who-killed-self-to-run-for-his-office/804531 "2018-02-22T17:05:14Z")
The AP is reporting: I don’t think this will go quite the way she envisions it going. --- ## [When Did We Get So Hateful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-we-get-so-hateful/808664)
**Author:** [@thatbpguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thatbpguy)\ **Replies:** 349\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2018, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-we-get-so-hateful/808664 "2018-02-21T01:30:46Z")
DISCLAIMER I am a registered independent. I sometimes vote democrat and sometimes republican. I dislike political parties. I am 60. So I’ve been around for a while. Growing up and well into adulthood the parties had the… --- ## [President Trump's sexual harassment thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-trumps-sexual-harassment-thread/804412)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2018, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-trumps-sexual-harassment-thread/804412 "2018-02-20T20:55:33Z")
Today, the AP quietly printed this brief story: A year ago, Trump threatened to sue all his accusers. \]I can’t find the story at the moment, but I recall reading in the past week or so that three or 4 of the women wh… --- ## [South Africa: ANC Recalls President Jacob Zuma, elects Cyril Ramaphosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-africa-anc-recalls-president-jacob-zuma-elects-cyril-ramaphosa/808758)
**Author:** [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2018, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-africa-anc-recalls-president-jacob-zuma-elects-cyril-ramaphosa/808758 "2018-02-19T12:55:19Z")
Story here. This doesn’t mean he’s resigned yet, he’s digging his heels in, but a parliamentary motion of no confidence is probably the next step and his imminent ouster is inevitable. This is great news, even if severa… --- ## [What more is the Special Counsel looking for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-more-is-the-special-counsel-looking-for/808847)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2018, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-more-is-the-special-counsel-looking-for/808847 "2018-02-17T23:27:32Z")
Just based on the publicly known information on the escapades of George Papadopoulos, Donald Trump jr., Paul Manafort and the Michael Flynn connections alone, there is evidence of unlawful collusion between the Trump Cam… --- ## [Why would Trump firing Rosenstein be OK, but not Mueller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-trump-firing-rosenstein-be-ok-but-not-mueller/808063)
**Author:** [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2018, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-trump-firing-rosenstein-be-ok-but-not-mueller/808063 "2018-02-15T14:21:14Z")
It has been widely stated that were Trump to fire Muller, it would be the “end of his presidency” If Rosenstein is Mueller’s boss, why would firing Rosenstein be any less “offensive” than firing Mueller? --- ## [Another state legislative seat flipped (#36) - Florida](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-state-legislative-seat-flipped-36-florida/808801)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2018, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-state-legislative-seat-flipped-36-florida/808801 "2018-02-14T10:50:11Z")
Per an article in Vox: Democrat Margaret Good defeated Republican James Buchanan by a 52-45 margin in a special election for Florida House District 72, marking the 36th state legislative seat Democrats have flipped in a… --- ## [Race for Kansas governor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-for-kansas-governor/808572)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-for-kansas-governor/808572 "2018-02-11T00:47:52Z")
Feel free to offer any thoughts you might have on the subject. As I recall, in the last race, Sam Brownback had many Republicans standing in opposition to his re-election and yet he failed to lose. This year, there is a… --- ## [Are these the basics of the "Memo" story?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-the-basics-of-the-memo-story/808054)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2018, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-the-basics-of-the-memo-story/808054 "2018-02-10T13:39:19Z")
I haven’t been paying attention to this story so I know none of the details. Is this basically what happened? Trump won the election. Some people were so unhappy about Trump’s win they thought “Maybe we can get the… --- ## [Assume that Trump colluded with Russia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assume-that-trump-colluded-with-russia/808060)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assume-that-trump-colluded-with-russia/808060 "2018-02-09T21:22:01Z")
Let’s assume that Trump (and his campaign) DID in fact collude with Russia. All of it is true, is the starting point for this discussion. How should the FBI have handled it and what should be done? --- ## [Dems pick up deep-red legislative seat in Missouri](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-pick-up-deep-red-legislative-seat-in-missouri/808347)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2018, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-pick-up-deep-red-legislative-seat-in-missouri/808347 "2018-02-08T15:41:37Z")
I guess the title carries the message, but some detail: With all ten precincts within the district reporting, Revis led Republican David Linton by 108 votes, or about three percentage points. If Revis’s lead holds, it … --- ## [Gowdy retires.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gowdy-retires/807901)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2018, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gowdy-retires/807901 "2018-02-04T17:06:20Z")
The Benghazi Bulldog (or Bullshitter, your call) will not run for re-election. Man, talk about rats fleeing a sinking ship! --- ## [Ex-Mississippi Gov. and RNC chairman Haley Barbour arrested with gun at airport](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-mississippi-gov-and-rnc-chairman-haley-barbour-arrested-with-gun-at-airport/807856)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-mississippi-gov-and-rnc-chairman-haley-barbour-arrested-with-gun-at-airport/807856 "2018-02-03T20:06:37Z")
AP story here. To his credit, he does seem to be owning this right from the start. I gotta wonder if this is standard practice, tho: --- ## [Would you rather have Ben Carson as president right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rather-have-ben-carson-as-president-right-now/805867)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-rather-have-ben-carson-as-president-right-now/805867 "2018-02-02T18:05:52Z")
Not interested in discussing any of the other contenders of the GOP primary. Just Carson. Imagine somehow he won the nomination and beat Hillary. Do you think he would have done a better job so far than Trump has? --- ## [Arizona House votes to expel Rep. Don Shooter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-house-votes-to-expel-rep-don-shooter/807984)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2018, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-house-votes-to-expel-rep-don-shooter/807984 "2018-02-02T07:58:05Z")
AP story here: 90 minutes earlier: So he thought he was gonna get a scolding and he was gonna take it, but his own words pushed the body over the edge and they voted to expel him. See how fast change happens in the … --- ## [What if all the election-fixing suggested against Trump is proven true?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-all-the-election-fixing-suggested-against-trump-is-proven-true/807768)
**Author:** [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2018, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-all-the-election-fixing-suggested-against-trump-is-proven-true/807768 "2018-02-02T02:34:52Z")
I know it’s a long shot, but let’s say that: Enough evidence is produced to confirm that Trump & co colluded with the Russians and/or others to influence the election AND It is deemed (somehow? By someone?) that tha… --- ## [State of the Union 2018 follow-along thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 226\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846 "2018-02-01T16:36:35Z")
CBS News already has their live stream up and they’ll have the Democratic response afterwards as well. --- ## [Dems - Defend your Senators holding the budget bill hostage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-defend-your-senators-holding-the-budget-bill-hostage/806968)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 616\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-defend-your-senators-holding-the-budget-bill-hostage/806968 "2018-02-01T14:25:40Z")
Every time the Pubs held the government hostage by threatening a shutdown because of the increasing debt, the Dems (here and in Congress) lose their stuff. “How dare they allow a shutdown.” “OMG this is the end of Amer… --- ## [New South Wales Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance caught up in scandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-south-wales-minister-for-transport-and-infrastructure-andrew-constance-caught-up-in-scandal/807864)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-south-wales-minister-for-transport-and-infrastructure-andrew-constance-caught-up-in-scandal/807864 "2018-02-01T08:36:42Z")
AP story here; the details are pretty, uh, weird. :smiley: Okay… But wait: Scandal! No word in the article if the opposition has asked for a recount. I did love this denouement tho: When is America gonna get … --- ## [The Distinguished Gentleman fracas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-distinguished-gentleman-fracas/807801)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2018, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-distinguished-gentleman-fracas/807801 "2018-02-01T00:39:50Z")
In 1992, Representative Jeff Johnson met an untimely demise while giving his secretary an demonstration of the ins and outs of Congress. Representative Johnson was succeeded in office by Jeff Johnson who… wait, what? Di… --- ## [Bernie Sanders to give his own State of the Union response](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-sanders-to-give-his-own-state-of-the-union-response/807758)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-sanders-to-give-his-own-state-of-the-union-response/807758 "2018-01-31T21:24:59Z")
Really? Bernie, your 15 minutes are up. Yes, I know you are not a Democrat, you just hijacked the party for your own gain when convenient. However, can you ever play nice? The Democrats have picked U.S. Rep. Joe Kenned… --- ## [Can the Democrats win the Alabama senate special election in December?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504)
**Author:** [@EndlessEntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EndlessEntropy)\ **Replies:** 1508\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504 "2018-01-31T19:22:22Z")
Looks like the Republican frontrunner, Roy Moore, has issues with a suspension, ethics codes violations, interference, and authority abuse. Doug Jones looks like a solid choice for the Democrats and if the turnout is fav… --- ## [When did applauding for the First Lady's entrance at SOTU become a "thing"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-applauding-for-the-first-ladys-entrance-at-sotu-become-a-thing/807879)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2018, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-applauding-for-the-first-ladys-entrance-at-sotu-become-a-thing/807879 "2018-01-31T15:23:25Z")
\[Moderator Request: since this involves the State of the Union address, I put it in Elections, but if it’s out of place, move it to MPSIMS\] In recent years, everybody seems to applaud when the First Lady shows up at the… --- ## [How would a Presidnet Bernie Sanders been treated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-presidnet-bernie-sanders-been-treated/807792)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2018, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-presidnet-bernie-sanders-been-treated/807792 "2018-01-31T06:03:28Z")
I ask this question because he is a socialist. Not a democrat or a republican. Like Trump he didnt have years of networking within his party. He also would have beaten a democratic establishment person (Clinton). Do you… --- ## [538's take on gerrymandering (US politics)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/538s-take-on-gerrymandering-us-politics/807444)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/538s-take-on-gerrymandering-us-politics/807444 "2018-01-30T17:23:50Z")
Since no one is going to gerrymander for partisan competitveness, the only fair system on the table is compact districts. Which gives the GOP a +28 to +30 advantage, compared to their current +34 advantage. --- ## [Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) to retire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-rodney-frelinghuysen-r-nj-to-retire/807757)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-rodney-frelinghuysen-r-nj-to-retire/807757 "2018-01-29T19:46:16Z")
“Never heard of him” you’re prolly thinking; “why should I care?” Well, Rep. Frelinghuysen is the chair of the Appropriations Committee. Lots of GOP are retiring tho, for term limit reasons, advancing age, etc. That’… --- ## [Mid-term prediction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mid-term-prediction/806108)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2018, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mid-term-prediction/806108 "2018-01-29T04:32:45Z")
It’s 10 months until the mid-terms. Time for some predictions. Currently the House of Representatives has 239 Republicans, 193 Democrats, and 3 vacancies. The vacancies in Pennsylvania and Arizona will be filled through… --- ## [Is there any part of the Republican agenda that is actually popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-part-of-the-republican-agenda-that-is-actually-popular/804647 "2018-01-28T17:59:20Z")
So it looks like the Republicans are going to get their tax plan through both houses (29% approval). Shortly after getting rid of Net Neutrality (17% approval). While the last major partisan push was the afforadable ca… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=170) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=172)