# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=173 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 174 --- ## [Hillary Clinton evil ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-evil/804569)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-evil/804569 "2017-12-22T02:16:43Z")
“Trump says some deplorable things, but Hillary is downright evil” I have come across this sentiment often enough and yet I can’t recall anything Hillary has done that can even remotely be described as evil. She has ha… --- ## [Why is it considered a "win" when Republicans pass legislation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678)
**Author:** [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2017, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678 "2017-12-20T16:30:01Z")
I mean, they completely control the congress and White House. What’s the challenge? That’s like me bragging that I managed to masturbate last night. It’s not a win when no one else is playing the game. --- ## [federal government shutdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-government-shutdown/803079)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-government-shutdown/803079 "2017-12-20T14:02:30Z")
I haven’t seen a thread on this here or in GD, so I figured I’d start one. Here’s where things stand today: Trump, Democrats Cast Preemptive Shutdown Blame It seems like the shoe is on the other foot now, as is often… --- ## [Does the economy carry less weight nowadays in elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-economy-carry-less-weight-nowadays-in-elections/804615)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-economy-carry-less-weight-nowadays-in-elections/804615 "2017-12-19T20:00:27Z")
I recall reading somewhere that Obama was the first incumbent president in (however many years) to win reelection despite a 7% unemployment rate. And as of right now, Trump’s approval ratings are cratering despite the e… --- ## [70% chance Trump attacks North Korea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/70-chance-trump-attacks-north-korea/804540)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/70-chance-trump-attacks-north-korea/804540 "2017-12-19T17:41:53Z")
If NK have another nuke test. According to Lindsey Graham I think it’s pretty certain they will do another test . How can NK be attacked without South Korea being impacted? --- ## [Pew Research Center rates the Presidents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pew-research-center-rates-the-presidents/804804)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pew-research-center-rates-the-presidents/804804 "2017-12-19T00:41:28Z")
The Pew Research Center did a study of partisanship study-news flash it is worse than ever! The study was done in April 2016 and does not include anything about Trump. Now that the old news is out of the way, they pub… --- ## [Politico: Paul Ryan retiring in 2018](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politico-paul-ryan-retiring-in-2018/804514 "2017-12-18T19:35:46Z")
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/14/paul-ryan-retire-speaker-ready-leave-washington-216103 So… thoughts? Assuming the R’s maintain their majority, who do you think is on the short list to replace Ryan? --- ## [Is it just Republicans who keep putting up these candidates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-republicans-who-keep-putting-up-these-candidates/804403)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-republicans-who-keep-putting-up-these-candidates/804403 "2017-12-18T16:14:50Z")
ISTM that over the last decade or so the Republicans have squandered quite a lot of opportunities to pick up very winnable Senate seats by putting up too-extreme or otherwise not-ready-for-prime-time candidates. I’m thin… --- ## [Would a war with North Korea and/or a terrorist attack boost the popularity of Trump and the GOP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-war-with-north-korea-and-or-a-terrorist-attack-boost-the-popularity-of-trump-and-the-gop/804648)
**Author:** [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-war-with-north-korea-and-or-a-terrorist-attack-boost-the-popularity-of-trump-and-the-gop/804648 "2017-12-17T19:01:43Z")
I think this is one of the primary fears of left-leaning folks like me; this idea that a declaration of war against North Korea or a serious terrorist attack would induce a ‘rally-to-the-president’ effect and boost Trump… --- ## [Ongoing Trump Poll Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-trump-poll-thread/804675)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-trump-poll-thread/804675 "2017-12-17T03:15:16Z")
First, if this thread already exists, my apologies; this one can close, and I’ll bump that one. That said, I suspect I’m not the only one who obsessively checks fivethirtyeight, not least for its ongoing Trump Approval … --- ## [Trumps's Judicial Nominations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumpss-judicial-nominations/804627)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumpss-judicial-nominations/804627 "2017-12-16T15:01:21Z")
I accept that Trump isn’t personally picking these unqualified nominees (or is he?) but who is? Who in their right mind decided that this completely unqualified guy should become a judge for life?! Who signs off on such … --- ## [Will Doug Jones Lose In Alabama in 2020?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-doug-jones-lose-in-alabama-in-2020/804367)
**Author:** [@golffan1963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/golffan1963)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2017, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-doug-jones-lose-in-alabama-in-2020/804367 "2017-12-16T03:37:48Z")
I’ve always thought this was an outlier as elections go. It was a referendum on Moore and his alleged conduct. I think the odds are Jones won’t win a full term. What do you think? --- ## [Bannon's War: The Fight for the GOP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannons-war-the-fight-for-the-gop/799437)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannons-war-the-fight-for-the-gop/799437 "2017-12-15T18:48:05Z")
I’m pretty sure that the first real salvos in The Fight for the GOP™ have taken place recently. George Bush lobbed a soft grenade the other day; Steve Bannon showed up with a bazooka in response. I think the alt-right… --- ## [On the idea of Senators kicking Roy Moore out of the Senate if he wins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-idea-of-senators-kicking-roy-moore-out-of-the-senate-if-he-wins/804349)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2017, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-idea-of-senators-kicking-roy-moore-out-of-the-senate-if-he-wins/804349 "2017-12-15T02:34:38Z")
As we know, the Senate could collectively decide not to seat Roy Moore, thus kicking him out of the Senate seat he was elected to (assuming he wins). I’m interested in hearing what folks think about that. Me, I’m not a… --- ## [What all things were working in the democrats favor and against the GOP in Alabama in that election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-all-things-were-working-in-the-democrats-favor-and-against-the-gop-in-alabama-in-that-election/804461)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2017, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-all-things-were-working-in-the-democrats-favor-and-against-the-gop-in-alabama-in-that-election/804461 "2017-12-14T23:44:52Z")
That was a pretty big upset, and most people didn’t see it coming. Alabama is a deep red state. But there were a lot of tail winds for Jones, and a lot of head winds for Moore. Has anyone made up a list of all of them? … --- ## [And President Pence nominates ...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-president-pence-nominates/804326)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-president-pence-nominates/804326 "2017-12-14T21:21:23Z")
Ok, it appears my other thread posits a hypothetical beyond the imagination of some Dopers. Let’s say the Democrats somehow take enough seats in Congress but they only impeach Trump and remove him from office. Who could … --- ## [CNN , Wash post looking into 20-30 more guys for sex harrasment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-wash-post-looking-into-20-30-more-guys-for-sex-harrasment/803844)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-wash-post-looking-into-20-30-more-guys-for-sex-harrasment/803844 "2017-12-14T17:51:27Z")
Based on a tweet from this guy who is a Dem https://twitter.com/mikehtrujillo --- ## [A local DA could prosecute Trump for state crimes right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-local-da-could-prosecute-trump-for-state-crimes-right/804236)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-local-da-could-prosecute-trump-for-state-crimes-right/804236 "2017-12-13T22:59:33Z")
I assume every state has laws against sexual assault right? Is there anything preventing a state court trying him for a crime he was alleged to commit before he was in office? (assuming statute of limitations has n… --- ## [PA-18 Special Election 3-13-2018](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-18-special-election-3-13-2018/804413)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pa-18-special-election-3-13-2018/804413 "2017-12-13T18:25:17Z")
There’s a special election on March 13 in Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional district, to replace Tim Murphy, the pro-life Congressman who resigned after news got out that he’d had an extramarital affair and had asked the… --- ## [Is this Alabama Senate Race the worst timed election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-alabama-senate-race-the-worst-timed-election/804350)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2017, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-alabama-senate-race-the-worst-timed-election/804350 "2017-12-13T17:00:25Z")
Jeff Sessions became attorney general back in January. Now, it’s almost Christmas and they’re finally getting around to the general election to fill the seat. Yes, there were primaries and runoff primaries, but holding a… --- ## [Trump popularity by electoral college vote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-popularity-by-electoral-college-vote/803421)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-popularity-by-electoral-college-vote/803421 "2017-12-12T01:30:39Z")
I check 538 in my regular rotation, and I’m morbidly curious about its polls of Trump’s approval rating; it’s hovered just below 40% for several months now. But I was wondering whether anyone has broken that down by sta… --- ## [John Anderson in the 1980 Pres. election...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-anderson-in-the-1980-pres-election/791658)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-anderson-in-the-1980-pres-election/791658 "2017-12-11T19:39:43Z")
I went for him 'cuz I was a dumb, uninformed 18 year old. Anybody out there have a good reason or two to vote for him? --- ## [Brexit and the Irish Border Conundrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexit-and-the-irish-border-conundrum/797185)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 225\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2017, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexit-and-the-irish-border-conundrum/797185 "2017-12-11T11:14:29Z")
As it leaves the European Union, the United Kingdom must figure out what to do about its 310-mile-long border with the Irish Republic, which remains an EU member. The UK pledges it will not return to the pre-1992 days o… --- ## [1968: Could LBJ have won if he stayed in the race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1968-could-lbj-have-won-if-he-stayed-in-the-race/786009)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2017, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1968-could-lbj-have-won-if-he-stayed-in-the-race/786009 "2017-12-11T03:00:10Z")
I know LBJ wasn’t popular in '68, but as it was, the election was rather close even with his (less politically capable) surrogate being the nominee. I’m wondering if LBJ could pull out all the stops to win a narrow vict… --- ## [What could be in a progressive budget passed via reconciliation in 2021](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-be-in-a-progressive-budget-passed-via-reconciliation-in-2021/803570)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-be-in-a-progressive-budget-passed-via-reconciliation-in-2021/803570 "2017-12-10T22:45:04Z")
Assume the dems win the house presidency and senate by 2020. What should they put in a 2021 budget? The 1993 budget had a lot of tax hikes in the rich. So something like that to reverse the gop budget of 2017 would be… --- ## [Do the public expect too much from politicians, and is this going to lead to endless wave elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-public-expect-too-much-from-politicians-and-is-this-going-to-lead-to-endless-wave-elections/803959)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-public-expect-too-much-from-politicians-and-is-this-going-to-lead-to-endless-wave-elections/803959 "2017-12-10T20:52:14Z")
About 25% of the electorate are strong conservatives, about 25% are strong liberals. I get the impression a lot in both groups want their parties to be very ideologically pure, and also want as much of America under the… --- ## [Now, Alcee Hastings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-alcee-hastings/803996)
**Author:** [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2017, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-alcee-hastings/803996 "2017-12-10T06:15:01Z")
Well, it looks like the taxpayers had to fork over $220,000 to a woman who accused Alcee Hastings(D-FL) of sexual harassment. https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/alcee-hastings-sexual-harassment --- ## [Not one new job since 2007](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-one-new-job-since-2007/803915)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2017, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-one-new-job-since-2007/803915 "2017-12-10T05:37:59Z")
According to David Stockman, former Budget Director for Ronald Reagan, the monthly jobs report which shows an unemployment rate of 4.1%, characterized as “Full Employment”, is grossly misleading. The most recent report s… --- ## [Now, Trent Franks? (R-AZ)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-trent-franks-r-az/803848)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2017, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-trent-franks-r-az/803848 "2017-12-10T03:50:49Z")
Congressman Trent Franks, a Republican from Arizona, has suddenly announced his resignation over potential misconduct claims. The first Republican to do so and perhaps this helps knock Franken out of the news. --- ## [Now, John Conyers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-john-conyers/802887)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-john-conyers/802887 "2017-12-08T23:21:42Z")
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/conyers-steps-aside-from-top-spot-on-house-judiciary-committee/ar-BBFHYqU?OCID=ansmsnnews11 I’m guessing this doesn’t get the traction of the Franken story. Conyers wasn’t on SNL. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=172) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=174)