# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=179 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 180 --- ## [What's the best website to keep track of House races?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-website-to-keep-track-of-house-races/792158)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-website-to-keep-track-of-house-races/792158 "2017-07-27T15:23:30Z")
Let’s say I want to keep track of the various House races across the country, such as who is running in the Democratic and Republican primaries, the date of the primaries, etc. Is there a good web site that keeps track o… --- ## [Going from two-party to three- or four-party country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-from-two-party-to-three-or-four-party-country/791819)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-from-two-party-to-three-or-four-party-country/791819 "2017-07-27T14:01:09Z")
The failure of Congress to (so far, anyway) pass a healthcare bill makes it seem like the two factions of the GOP are moving farther and farther from each other. I think the Dems may be starting to fracture a bit too. S… --- ## [Do political scientists today feel a sense of futility?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-scientists-today-feel-a-sense-of-futility/791666)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2017, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-political-scientists-today-feel-a-sense-of-futility/791666 "2017-07-27T12:23:19Z")
It seems to me that the ultimate objective of political science is to improve governance. It also seems to me that in the last nine months, we in the U.S. have taken a massive step backwards in the quality of our govern… --- ## [I watch less TV (seemingly) than the President of the United States](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-watch-less-tv-seemingly-than-the-president-of-the-united-states/792033)
**Author:** [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2017, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-watch-less-tv-seemingly-than-the-president-of-the-united-states/792033 "2017-07-25T01:02:38Z")
This seems like a post for MPSIMS, but it involves Trump, so I’m posting it here. Based on what he tweets about, it appears that Trump watches at least a couple hours of television almost every day. Anonymous sources i… --- ## [For British members: Who has been the best PM of your lifetime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-british-members-who-has-been-the-best-pm-of-your-lifetime/790879)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-british-members-who-has-been-the-best-pm-of-your-lifetime/790879 "2017-07-22T19:43:05Z")
Who would you say you feel has been the best PM in your lifetime, and why? --- ## [Republicans in Baltimore](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-in-baltimore/791717)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-in-baltimore/791717 "2017-07-22T15:29:01Z")
Interviewed yesterday by the New York Times, Trump said: This seemed very weird. Not to make too big a deal of it, there were a little more than twice as many Democrats as Republicans registered in Baltimore County dur… --- ## [George McGovern, Walter Mondale or Hillary Clinton?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-mcgovern-walter-mondale-or-hillary-clinton/785560)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-mcgovern-walter-mondale-or-hillary-clinton/785560 "2017-07-22T13:56:04Z")
Of the three, which was the worst candidate? I’d have to say, as a Democrat, Hillary. Such a weak candidate. She lost to Donald Trump. Nixon may have been “Nixon” but at least he was more intelligent and classy than Tru… --- ## [Two term Presidents whose legacy might've been better as one-termers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-term-presidents-whose-legacy-mightve-been-better-as-one-termers/789621)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-term-presidents-whose-legacy-mightve-been-better-as-one-termers/789621 "2017-07-21T21:46:58Z")
Who are some two-term Presidents you feel might’ve been thought of much better had they failed to run for a second term? Myself: Harry Truman - No second term means no Korea (at least for him), no McCarthy hounding him… --- ## [Chris Christie blames his wife for his lack of a job with Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-christie-blames-his-wife-for-his-lack-of-a-job-with-trump/777601)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-christie-blames-his-wife-for-his-lack-of-a-job-with-trump/777601 "2017-07-21T18:15:29Z")
Story here. I guess it’s a good thing that he wasn’t considering running for President himself, since his wife wouldn’t move to DC. :rolleyes: --- ## [Is Bernie Sanders the Democratic Front-Runner for 2020?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bernie-sanders-the-democratic-front-runner-for-2020/791190)
**Author:** [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bernie-sanders-the-democratic-front-runner-for-2020/791190 "2017-07-21T00:38:16Z")
Inspired by this Vox article, which argues strongly that he is, and this 538 chat, discussing same. There have beenthree decent pollsof this question this spring (scroll about halfway down the page). Bernie won all thr… --- ## [Which of these politicians has a bright future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-politicians-has-a-bright-future/790845)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-politicians-has-a-bright-future/790845 "2017-07-20T20:59:28Z")
For the purposes of clarity, I’m talking about the likelihood that these politicians will advance their careers within the next ten years. That would include getting elected President or VP, becoming party leader, whip, … --- ## [2020 US Presidential election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-us-presidential-election/790946)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2017, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-us-presidential-election/790946 "2017-07-19T20:40:56Z")
Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson has officially filed with the Federal Election Commission as a candidate for President of the United States. It isn’t clear that he has endorsed the campaign as of yet, though he has talked abo… --- ## [Trump met Putin again at G20 but meeting not disclosed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-met-putin-again-at-g20-but-meeting-not-disclosed/791604)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-met-putin-again-at-g20-but-meeting-not-disclosed/791604 "2017-07-19T17:58:27Z")
Trump was the only American at the 2nd meeting. --- ## [Referring to the President by number (45). Is this a new thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/referring-to-the-president-by-number-45-is-this-a-new-thing/790930)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/referring-to-the-president-by-number-45-is-this-a-new-thing/790930 "2017-07-16T16:11:19Z")
I don’t remember it for past administrations and certainly not to the degree that it is being used now. ISTM that it was used somewhat to distinguish the Presidents Bush but that at least made sense. Is it supposed to … --- ## [Would Joe Biden have won against Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-joe-biden-have-won-against-trump/788838)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-joe-biden-have-won-against-trump/788838 "2017-07-13T19:50:05Z")
If he had run and been nominated, do you think former Vice President Joe Biden could have defeated Trump in last year’s election? Why or why not? --- ## [2018: If Democrats take House, Republicans gain more Senate seats, who "won?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-if-democrats-take-house-republicans-gain-more-senate-seats-who-won/790519)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2017, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2018-if-democrats-take-house-republicans-gain-more-senate-seats-who-won/790519 "2017-07-11T12:26:46Z")
It is possible that the 2018 midterms will involve the Democrats taking the House of Representatives, but Republicans running up their advantage in the Senate. Suppose that the Democrats take a 218-217 majority in the H… --- ## [Bernie and Jane Sanders under investigation for bank fraud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-and-jane-sanders-under-investigation-for-bank-fraud/789781)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-and-jane-sanders-under-investigation-for-bank-fraud/789781 "2017-07-10T17:50:12Z")
Lengthy Politco story This could prove to be quite interesting and hopefully put an end to the perception that Bernie Sanders is the savior of the Democratic Party. In fact, if there’s even a small fire with all this s… --- ## [Netherlands Elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netherlands-elections/782225)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2017, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netherlands-elections/782225 "2017-07-10T04:26:31Z")
I didn’t see a thread about today’s elections in the Netherlands. https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-03-14/dutch-vote-in-test-of-populism-s-potency-at-the-heart-of-europe?cmpid=BBBXT031517 https://www.blo… --- ## [Any politician Obama could not defeat between 2008-2020?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-politician-obama-could-not-defeat-between-2008-2020/790317)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-politician-obama-could-not-defeat-between-2008-2020/790317 "2017-07-10T03:21:12Z")
Ignoring Constitutional term limits, is there any politician (D, R or I) in America whom Barack Obama could \*not \*have beaten in a presidential primary or general election from 2008 through 2020? (Doesn’t necessarily ha… --- ## [How do caucuses and delegates work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-caucuses-and-delegates-work/790697)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2017, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-caucuses-and-delegates-work/790697 "2017-07-10T01:01:19Z")
Sorry, maybe this is something I missed in civics or US history, but what exactly is a political “caucus” and what is this about delegates and superdelegates? My pieced-together guess is that each state has a certain nu… --- ## [Democratic Game Plan For 2020.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-game-plan-for-2020/789353)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2017, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-game-plan-for-2020/789353 "2017-07-08T12:06:40Z")
I guess even now, some Democrats are looking to 2020, hoping we will get a Democrat in the White House, and save whatever is left of Roe v. Wade and the ACA. But I think I am a keen observer of things, and I suspect it m… --- ## [If Mueller finds non-Russia related illegal activities by Trump, can he pursue them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-mueller-finds-non-russia-related-illegal-activities-by-trump-can-he-pursue-them/789552)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2017, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-mueller-finds-non-russia-related-illegal-activities-by-trump-can-he-pursue-them/789552 "2017-06-23T10:34:48Z")
As part of the investigation into Russian collusion, Mueller will likely investigate many of Trump’s activities, both in his business and personal life. If he comes across illegal activities not related to Russia, can h… --- ## [\[If\] Ginsburg dies, Trump nominates far-righter, what's the opposition strategy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ginsburg-dies-trump-nominates-far-righter-whats-the-opposition-strategy/790159)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2017, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ginsburg-dies-trump-nominates-far-righter-whats-the-opposition-strategy/790159 "2017-07-06T23:43:14Z")
If Ginsburg dies before January 2021 and the GOP still holds a Senate majority, and Trump nominates a far-right justice as her replacement, I don’t see any way the Democrats can stop the confirmation from proceeding exce… --- ## [Is there a practical reason to pick party over country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-practical-reason-to-pick-party-over-country/787574)
**Author:** [@hcoburn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hcoburn)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2017, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-practical-reason-to-pick-party-over-country/787574 "2017-07-05T04:42:01Z")
When politicians are making decisions, is there a logical/practical reason for basing their decision on what’s best for their political party over what’s best for the country? --- ## [Sheriff Clarke, Trump's new Assistant Secretary in the Dept of Homeland Security is a plagarist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sheriff-clarke-trumps-new-assistant-secretary-in-the-dept-of-homeland-security-is-a-plagarist/787179)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2017, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sheriff-clarke-trumps-new-assistant-secretary-in-the-dept-of-homeland-security-is-a-plagarist/787179 "2017-07-04T03:33:47Z")
Story here - It’s pretty much direct quotes. It’s pretty balls out, he barely even tried to re-write. Sheriff David Clarke plagiarized portions of his master’s thesis on homeland security . --- ## [Why I think Chaffetz is really stepping down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-think-chaffetz-is-really-stepping-down/785054)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-think-chaffetz-is-really-stepping-down/785054 "2017-07-03T02:42:36Z")
To put it simply, modern politics is to polarized that it’s unthinkable for a party to investigate its own President anymore. Chaffetz always had a reputation for honesty and reaching out to the other side. Rather than s… --- ## [Would Kennedy have been a forgotten President if he wasn't killed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-kennedy-have-been-a-forgotten-president-if-he-wasnt-killed/789620)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2017, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-kennedy-have-been-a-forgotten-president-if-he-wasnt-killed/789620 "2017-07-01T14:47:38Z")
I’m no Kennedy hater mind you. I admire his and his wife’s sense of style, and I recognize what a symbol they were to two different generations and for various groups of people. I’m not taking that away from him. But, I… --- ## [Why must they resign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-must-they-resign/789170)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2017, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-must-they-resign/789170 "2017-06-30T05:37:30Z")
Nixon ordered Richardson to fire Cox. Richardson refused and resigned. Nixon ordered Ruckelshaus to fire Cox. Ruckelshaus refused and resigned. Trump, speculatively, might order Rosenstein to fire Mueller. Op-eds on… --- ## [Was Gerald Ford a good President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-gerald-ford-a-good-president/789661)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2017, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-gerald-ford-a-good-president/789661 "2017-06-29T22:15:38Z")
I’ve always had a great fondness for Jerry Ford and feel, with hindsight, he should’ve gotten a second term of his own. What do you guys feel about ol’ Jerry? --- ## [Trumpcare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumpcare/781625)
**Author:** [@quimper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quimper)\ **Replies:** 803\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2017, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumpcare/781625 "2017-06-29T11:16:12Z")
The GOP covertly dropped the Trumpcare bill yesterday night. Besides devoting 7 pages to denying Medicare coverage to lottery winners it also dumps the individual and employer mandates, repeals the Medicaid expansion an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=178) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=180)