# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=181 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 182 --- ## [UK General Election 2017, Polling Day and results thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2017-polling-day-and-results-thread/788443)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2017, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2017-polling-day-and-results-thread/788443 "2017-06-09T11:12:56Z")
Although we already have a big thread for the campaign, I thought an election day and results thread might be appropriate, since we had one for the US. --- ## [How, if at all, does the WI results reflect future of union/Democratic political power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-if-at-all-does-the-wi-results-reflect-future-of-union-democratic-political-power/624252)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2017, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-if-at-all-does-the-wi-results-reflect-future-of-union-democratic-political-power/624252 "2017-06-09T02:54:12Z")
Yes, I know there’s a WI/Walker thread already, but it’s way long and its subject line became irrelevant to current events long ago. There are a lot of pundits out there analyzing tonight to death. Some say (some with … --- ## [Dems want Hillary Clinton to leave spotlight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-want-hillary-clinton-to-leave-spotlight/788133)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-want-hillary-clinton-to-leave-spotlight/788133 "2017-06-07T13:35:26Z")
So reports The Hill. Before I’m jumped on by the usual crowd let me say first that I’m not a liberal, I have no strong feelings at this point about Clinton or her future activities and I do not particularly enjoy watchin… --- ## [Obama administration systematically and illegally spied on Americans for years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-administration-systematically-and-illegally-spied-on-americans-for-years/787930)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-administration-systematically-and-illegally-spied-on-americans-for-years/787930 "2017-06-06T16:26:41Z")
http://circa.com/politics/barack-obamas-team-secretly-disclosed-years-of-illegal-nsa-searches-spying-on-americans "The National Security Agency under former President Barack Obama routinely violated American privacy pro… --- ## [BC election or Comey firing: most relevant to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bc-election-or-comey-firing-most-relevant-to-you/786236)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2017, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bc-election-or-comey-firing-most-relevant-to-you/786236 "2017-06-06T04:44:55Z")
Especially for Canadopers and friends, but which is of more interest and relevance to you: today’s provincial election in British Columbia, or the Comey firing? --- ## [Slate article - Dems are still pooping the bed when it comes to dealing with the white working class](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slate-article-dems-are-still-pooping-the-bed-when-it-comes-to-dealing-with-the-white-working-class/788208)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2017, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slate-article-dems-are-still-pooping-the-bed-when-it-comes-to-dealing-with-the-white-working-class/788208 "2017-06-06T04:14:35Z")
Interesting Slate interview here. The amusing thing is that the interviewer even knowing what the author’s thesis is can barely restrain himself from doing the very name calling the author is talking about that alienates… --- ## [Elections where all of the major candidates were well thought of by the most people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elections-where-all-of-the-major-candidates-were-well-thought-of-by-the-most-people/788114)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elections-where-all-of-the-major-candidates-were-well-thought-of-by-the-most-people/788114 "2017-06-06T03:20:28Z")
Elections in the US have turned into bitter, rancorous affairs where each side castigates the other’s as manifestly unfit to hold office. Have there been elections, either in the US or abroad which were marked by an atti… --- ## [2/3rds of 2016 Trump general election supporters not economically disadvantaged per study](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-3rds-of-2016-trump-general-election-supporters-not-economically-disadvantaged-per-study/788181)
**Author:** [@ganthet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ganthet)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-3rds-of-2016-trump-general-election-supporters-not-economically-disadvantaged-per-study/788181 "2017-06-05T21:18:41Z")
Per a recent study of Trump’s 2016 general election supporters, only about 1/3 of them were what might be considered working class or lower middle class (making at or less than the median national income of $50,000). A … --- ## [Why do so many really rich people donate millions to political candidates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-really-rich-people-donate-millions-to-political-candidates/787842)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-really-rich-people-donate-millions-to-political-candidates/787842 "2017-06-05T19:16:19Z")
The obvious answer is potential influence but that money is just gone if your candidate loses right? How much influence do you actually get for the money and is it worth it? You could support a particular Presidential ca… --- ## [Swapping Genders for the Trump & Clinton debates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swapping-genders-for-the-trump-clinton-debates/787956)
**Author:** [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swapping-genders-for-the-trump-clinton-debates/787956 "2017-06-05T13:50:22Z")
Some professors reenacted parts of the 2016 Presidential Debates, except with gender swapped actors. They thought if a woman acted like Trump she would seem ridiculous, and if a man acted like Hillary he would seem stron… --- ## [Johnson/Hanks in 2020-After Trump, is anything possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnson-hanks-in-2020-after-trump-is-anything-possible/787279)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnson-hanks-in-2020-after-trump-is-anything-possible/787279 "2017-06-03T19:35:22Z")
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced what he called a serious bid for President on SNL, picking Tom Hanks as his running mate. Normally I’d laugh something like this off…but after the Trump Debacle I’m wondering I’d rath… --- ## [Any other democracy in which outnumbered party gets as much majority power as the GOP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-other-democracy-in-which-outnumbered-party-gets-as-much-majority-power-as-the-gop/787563)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-other-democracy-in-which-outnumbered-party-gets-as-much-majority-power-as-the-gop/787563 "2017-06-03T17:05:48Z")
The GOP is in many ways an outnumbered party, yet wields a disproportionately favorable amount of power, due to the electoral systems of the United States: The Electoral College, gerrymandering, and the way the Senate is… --- ## [getting money out of politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-money-out-of-politics/787717)
**Author:** [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-money-out-of-politics/787717 "2017-06-03T17:03:24Z")
I suspect this has been covered before. Is there a consensus about a way to get rid of the situation where most office holders above dog catcher have to spend substantial amounts of their time raising money for campaign… --- ## [Canada: Conservative Party Leadership vote today; electronic preference-based balloting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-conservative-party-leadership-vote-today-electronic-preference-based-balloting/787533)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2017, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-conservative-party-leadership-vote-today-electronic-preference-based-balloting/787533 "2017-06-03T06:41:18Z")
After he lost the federal election in October 2015, Stephen Harper resigned as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. After a year-long leadership contest, the votes get counted today. Every member of the Party as… --- ## [New cock-up theory on Russia and Trump/Clinton](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-cock-up-theory-on-russia-and-trump-clinton/781314)
**Author:** [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-cock-up-theory-on-russia-and-trump-clinton/781314 "2017-06-02T20:42:56Z")
Watched this last night and it’s just come online- it’s 4 minutes long. Basic idea is Russia wanted only to undermine Clinton’s legitimacy and to cause here domestic distractions. At no point did Russia support Trump. P… --- ## [MT-AL Special Election 5/25/17](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mt-al-special-election-5-25-17/784665)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mt-al-special-election-5-25-17/784665 "2017-05-31T17:15:22Z")
Montana just has one Congressional district, the entire state. The state had been represented in the House by Ryan Zinke, now Secretary of the Interior. Montanans will vote on Thursday, May 25, to elect Zinke’s replace… --- ## [Voting By Mail Downside: voters are unable to react to last-minute information](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-downside-voters-are-unable-to-react-to-last-minute-information/787416)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-by-mail-downside-voters-are-unable-to-react-to-last-minute-information/787416 "2017-05-31T14:33:18Z")
In a thread discussing the Montana congressional special election, we learn that the GOP candidate is alleged to have assaulted a reporter by body-slamming, prompting RTFirefly to wryly observe: However, the electoral … --- ## [UK General Election:How would you vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-how-would-you-vote/787606)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2017, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-how-would-you-vote/787606 "2017-05-31T11:08:04Z")
Here’s a poll to vote on which UK political party you would vote for in the upcoming general election. This poll is open to everyone, don’t have to be a UK voter to participate. --- ## [Why run for President when there is no chance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-run-for-president-when-there-is-no-chance/787405)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2017, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-run-for-president-when-there-is-no-chance/787405 "2017-05-28T07:49:52Z")
I understand why the cranks do it. They are cranks, and cranks run for President. It’s what they do. I also understand why far right and far left candidates run. It’s to pull the party in a certain direction. What I do… --- ## [Maine Ranked Choice Voting Initiative struck down by court](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-ranked-choice-voting-initiative-struck-down-by-court/787290)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2017, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maine-ranked-choice-voting-initiative-struck-down-by-court/787290 "2017-05-27T04:12:35Z")
Question 5 passed last November. It was to use ranked choice voting for all elections to the Legislature, Congress, and Governor. The court struck it down because of issues with “plurality” in the state constitution. … --- ## [I want to learn more about "Brand New Congress"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-more-about-brand-new-congress/787424)
**Author:** [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2017, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-learn-more-about-brand-new-congress/787424 "2017-05-26T12:29:05Z")
I heard part of an interview with someone running for congress as a Republican but who has been endorsed by Brand New Congress. I looked at the linked website and it seems pretty good so far - especially that they want … --- ## [Joe Lieberman Front-runner for FBI Director](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-lieberman-front-runner-for-fbi-director/786956)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-lieberman-front-runner-for-fbi-director/786956 "2017-05-25T20:19:55Z")
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/18/joe-lieberman-fbi-frontrunner-238563?lo=ap\_b1 I think a law enforcement person would be better than a politician for this job. And note he is 75, so I doubt if he would serve ve… --- ## [How long will it be before the U.S. elects a female President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-it-be-before-the-u-s-elects-a-female-president/787204)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2017, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-it-be-before-the-u-s-elects-a-female-president/787204 "2017-05-25T04:29:40Z")
The subject says it all. What are your predictions? --- ## [Sometimes it's just better to lose an election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-its-just-better-to-lose-an-election/787137)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-its-just-better-to-lose-an-election/787137 "2017-05-24T16:33:16Z")
I’ve said this before, but given recent events it bears repeating: elections are like hands of poker. You’re never going to win them all. The key is to go all in when you’ve got a good hand and fold when you’ve got a ba… --- ## [4/18/2017 GA-6 Special Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-18-2017-ga-6-special-election/779907)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-18-2017-ga-6-special-election/779907 "2017-05-23T17:19:53Z")
There’s a special election in Georgia’s 6th district on April 18, 2017 to fill the seat of Tom Price, who resigned on February 10 to become Secretary of HHS. In the event that nobody wins a majority of the vote on April… --- ## [Tom Hanks for President, would you support him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-hanks-for-president-would-you-support-him/786768 "2017-05-23T00:24:56Z")
I see him as a centrist kind of guy, who would have the ability, especially after this administration, of being appealing to alot of voters. The Dems don’t really have any notable candidates for the next election, and th… --- ## [Trump will resign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-resign/786922)
**Author:** [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2017, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-will-resign/786922 "2017-05-23T00:10:35Z")
As more and more damning information is made public about trump, it seems to me that the most likely scenario is that he will very suddenly resign, and immediately declare to his “base” that he was hounded out of office … --- ## [Why do conservatives think of Trump as a christian example?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-think-of-trump-as-a-christian-example/786420)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-think-of-trump-as-a-christian-example/786420 "2017-05-22T21:57:24Z")
It is not that any Democrats are regarded as good Christians, but for Republicans to be claimed as the “more christian party” is hypocrisy. Donald Trump has been married 3 times, and he is insanely rich. He was insanel… --- ## [what do you mean by "Impeachment"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-impeachment/786947)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-impeachment/786947 "2017-05-22T21:20:00Z")
We have heard this a lot; “Impeach Trump”, so by that what do you mean? --- ## [Will President Pence pardon Donald Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-president-pence-pardon-donald-trump/786340)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-president-pence-pardon-donald-trump/786340 "2017-05-22T19:40:17Z")
I guess I’m getting ahead of myself here so let me restate: Assuming Mike Pence is still Vice President when Donald Trump resigns to avoid impeachment will President Pence pardon Donald Trump? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=180) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=182)