# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=177 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 178 --- ## [Trump's upcoming turnaround](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-upcoming-turnaround/794128)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-upcoming-turnaround/794128 "2017-09-07T20:19:26Z")
Yesterday I was inwardly chortling about Bannon’s ouster, thinking it a further sign of an inexorable downward spiral for Trump, his administration and - hopefully - the Repubs’ future. Then I had a horrible thought, wh… --- ## [Sheriff Clarke resigns!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sheriff-clarke-resigns/795603)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sheriff-clarke-resigns/795603 "2017-09-07T19:30:19Z")
Surprised nobody opened a thread on this. Sheriff Clarke abruptly resign on Thursday, August 31, 2017. This is an actual resignation, not a take back like when he was caught plagerizing. As some of you know I have been… --- ## [What should Dems be doing differently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-dems-be-doing-differently/794588)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2017, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-dems-be-doing-differently/794588 "2017-09-07T12:43:30Z")
I find myself thinking about the Dems in Congress similarly to the Repub Senate under Obama. I know they oppose (pretty much) everything Trump and the Repub majorities propose, but I’m not clear what exactly they stand … --- ## [Spiro Agnew and Watergate question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiro-agnew-and-watergate-question/793200)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiro-agnew-and-watergate-question/793200 "2017-09-06T17:51:08Z")
I have heard Spiro Agnew was basically like the Mike Pence of the 1970s, and was considered Nixon’s best insurance policy - That was part of why Nixon kept him as VP for 1972 even though he wanted John Connally. I have a… --- ## [Why have so many White House aides been ousted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-so-many-white-house-aides-been-ousted/794823)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2017, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-so-many-white-house-aides-been-ousted/794823 "2017-09-06T12:43:06Z")
Few things about the Trump administration surprise me, but I can’t understand the constant purge of apparently loyal aides from the White House. Is it over personality clashes or policy differences? It doesn’t seem lik… --- ## [Had Robert Kennedy Lived, Would He Have Won the 1968 Democratic Nomination?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/had-robert-kennedy-lived-would-he-have-won-the-1968-democratic-nomination/794961)
**Author:** [@golffan1963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/golffan1963)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/had-robert-kennedy-lived-would-he-have-won-the-1968-democratic-nomination/794961 "2017-09-05T19:34:13Z")
While I lean conservative politically, I have always admired Robert F. Kennedy. His death–coming at the peak of his success–has always struck me as one of the great tragedies in American political history…and American hi… --- ## ["The media gave Trump $2 billion of free attention" - what was the alternative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-media-gave-trump-2-billion-of-free-attention-what-was-the-alternative/793996)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2017, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-media-gave-trump-2-billion-of-free-attention-what-was-the-alternative/793996 "2017-09-05T07:03:59Z")
There were post-election complaints that the media enabled Trump by giving him $2 billion (or maybe even $3 billion) worth of free attention and coverage, but what would the alternative have been? Trump was making shock… --- ## [Why did Reagan win so handily in '84?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-reagan-win-so-handily-in-84/792428)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-reagan-win-so-handily-in-84/792428 "2017-09-05T04:47:34Z")
With regard to the two biggest landslides in American history short of Washington, I have to ask: Why did Reagan win 49 out of 50 states in 1984? I understand that Mondale was a weak candidate, but why did no state seem… --- ## [Kasich-Hickenlooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kasich-hickenlooper/794723)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kasich-hickenlooper/794723 "2017-09-01T18:27:29Z")
Apparently these two plan to make an independent run in 2020. I love it personally, but the only way it works is if the Democrats endorse it. Since the Republicans can’t and won’t, that means Hickenlooper has to head … --- ## [Election Night: How do you watch it? (like a sports game?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-night-how-do-you-watch-it-like-a-sports-game/794307)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-night-how-do-you-watch-it-like-a-sports-game/794307 "2017-08-31T21:26:38Z")
When Election Night comes around, how do you usually follow it? Do you watch it alone or with family in your living room? Go to a large gathering of political like-minded folks to watch it in a big party? Just follow t… --- ## [Trump and spelling.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-spelling/794433)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-spelling/794433 "2017-08-31T20:49:39Z")
Hi SD, Serious question here. Trump is known to spell words wrong…easy words. Like saying he wants to “heel” our country (instead of “heal.”) Why don’t more politicians focus on this aspect when questioning his overa… --- ## [Florida Congressman proposes amendment to stop Mueller investigation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-congressman-proposes-amendment-to-stop-mueller-investigation/795046)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-congressman-proposes-amendment-to-stop-mueller-investigation/795046 "2017-08-30T20:29:45Z")
DOJ order 3915-2017 is APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE WITH THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND RELATED MATTERS (link). According to The Hill, the bill was You may remember Desantis … --- ## [Did Trump Miscalculate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-miscalculate/793543)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 293\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-miscalculate/793543 "2017-08-29T22:04:15Z")
For a year and a half, people have said after every Trump outrage that this time is different. This time people will see what he really is. This time his supporters will have to denounce him. This time they’ll refuse to … --- ## [Arpaio pardon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arpaio-pardon/794729)
**Author:** [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2017, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arpaio-pardon/794729 "2017-08-26T15:05:51Z")
Law enforcement officer convicted of criminal contempt for defying a court order. Pardoned a month after the conviction. The water is officially boiling now. --- ## [In 2018, which political prognosticators will you pay attention to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2018-which-political-prognosticators-will-you-pay-attention-to/794283)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2018-which-political-prognosticators-will-you-pay-attention-to/794283 "2017-08-26T14:25:24Z")
Given the ass-kicking 2016 gave most political prognosticators, which ones will you be paying attention to in 2018? Is Sam Wang still your guy, even with bugs in his teeth? Nate Silver all the way, for being less certai… --- ## [7 Rules For Reading Trump’s Approval Rating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-rules-for-reading-trump-s-approval-rating/794664)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-rules-for-reading-trump-s-approval-rating/794664 "2017-08-25T18:46:28Z")
Oh noes, it’s that font of misprediction Nate Silver pontificating again. I think that he’s saying basic common sense here, including that nothing so far is a reliable predictor of where Trump’s approval rating will be … --- ## [The treatment of Romney gave us Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-treatment-of-romney-gave-us-trump/794197)
**Author:** [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-treatment-of-romney-gave-us-trump/794197 "2017-08-25T11:16:12Z")
So I doubt much of anyone would disagree that Romney would be preferable as president over Trump. Yet the treatment of Romney in 2012 showed to many that no Republican would get a fair chance from the media. I’m not say… --- ## [Bannon Degraded](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannon-degraded/783829)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bannon-degraded/783829 "2017-08-23T02:48:01Z")
The White House begins to normalize things a bit. Steve Bannon is dropped from the list of NSC regulars. I find it quite interesting that he was theoretically on there solely to keep an eye on Flynn. It seems more lik… --- ## [What if the Russians didn't hack the DNC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-russians-didnt-hack-the-dnc/793990)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2017, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-russians-didnt-hack-the-dnc/793990 "2017-08-20T05:54:57Z")
Lately, there’s been a stir over the whole Russian hacking thing. This story seems to have started it: The Nation on 8/9/17: A New Report Raises Big Questions About Last Year’s DNC Hack Then there were some stories-abo… --- ## [So what's the best way to deal for someone with no party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-the-best-way-to-deal-for-someone-with-no-party/793707)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-the-best-way-to-deal-for-someone-with-no-party/793707 "2017-08-19T20:32:04Z")
I just can’t anymore. The Republicans are nowhere near getting any better despite me hoping for a long time that the light would finally go on. In opposition, I could tolerate the stupid, because they were doing the job … --- ## [Maine on the brink of a government shutdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-on-the-brink-of-a-government-shutdown/789922)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2017, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-on-the-brink-of-a-government-shutdown/789922 "2017-08-19T09:34:09Z")
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/top-state-lawmakers-want-budget-deal-in-48-hours/452040968 Due to fighting over last years education referendum, the Maine Legislature has failed to come up with a new 2-year budget. If … --- ## [Anyone else Biden or Bust?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-biden-or-bust/793833)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2017, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-biden-or-bust/793833 "2017-08-19T02:33:38Z")
I’m a middle of the road Democrat. If the GOP was still sane, I’d be a Jerry Ford to Nelson Rockefeller type Republican, but they’re not, so here I am. For eight years, I grew to really like and grow cool with Joe Biden… --- ## [Trump's gonna need a bigger bus (to throw people under)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-gonna-need-a-bigger-bus-to-throw-people-under/793276)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-gonna-need-a-bigger-bus-to-throw-people-under/793276 "2017-08-19T00:38:28Z")
I am amused to see that Trump just said we should declare opioid abuse a national emergence, just a day after his very own Secretary of HHS, Tom Price, stated that this approach wasn’t needed. On the substance (no pun i… --- ## [Has Trump made or spent $ on his election? \[+ Trump 2016 = Springtime Hitler?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-trump-made-or-spent-on-his-election-trump-2016-springtime-hitler/768464)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-trump-made-or-spent-on-his-election-trump-2016-springtime-hitler/768464 "2017-08-18T16:53:08Z")
I heard a lot about Trump hosting events at his facilities. Don’t recall anything about how much (if any) he contributed to his own campaign. And there are apparent examples of him blurring the line between his suppose… --- ## [Statue of Lincoln torched in Chicago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statue-of-lincoln-torched-in-chicago/793902)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2017, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statue-of-lincoln-torched-in-chicago/793902 "2017-08-17T21:50:12Z")
https://pbs.twimg.com/card\_img/898190443241930753/F\_EwO-qw?format=jpg&name=386x202 --- ## [The UK Prime Minister thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2017, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-prime-minister-thread/788503 "2017-08-16T06:37:33Z")
Theresa May has been seriously wounded - politically, that is. Her election performance was catastrophically bad. The Tories have a penchant for ruthlessness. They’re going to need a better leader for what I think will b… --- ## [Why has Ohio swung to the right recently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-ohio-swung-to-the-right-recently/792193)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2017, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-ohio-swung-to-the-right-recently/792193 "2017-08-15T10:57:47Z")
I read a couple of articles today about Ohio that got me thinking about that state. I’ve only ever passed through briefly, never lived there. Reuters: In Ohio, a struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party is playing … --- ## [Poll: Nearly Half of Pubs Would Support Postponing 2020 Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-nearly-half-of-pubs-would-support-postponing-2020-election/793264)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-nearly-half-of-pubs-would-support-postponing-2020-election/793264 "2017-08-14T16:28:13Z")
According to this article: I find this very disturbing. Why do so many Republicans believe Loser Donald won the popular vote? What evidence are they basing this belief on? I wonder if they survey had asked whether t… --- ## [Ronald Reagan & Margaret Thatcher phone call - 1987](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ronald-reagan-margaret-thatcher-phone-call-1987/793617)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2017, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ronald-reagan-margaret-thatcher-phone-call-1987/793617 "2017-08-14T09:52:32Z")
One of a few surviving tapes. Most were wiped immediately after they were transcribed; this tape was never intended to be heard. They were made for the benefit of the NSC for transcription for record keeping purposes and… --- ## [Switching Parties After an Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-parties-after-an-election/792767)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/switching-parties-after-an-election/792767 "2017-08-14T00:27:00Z")
So Governor Jim Justice of WV has switched to the Republican Party. Others have done so in the recent past as well, e.g. Arlen Spector and some others. Personally, I think this is morally dubious. Fact is that the Democ… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=176) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=178)