# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=192 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 193 --- ## [...STOP THE PRESSES! BREAKING NEWS! John Key, NZ Prime Minster, resigns.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-the-presses-breaking-news-john-key-nz-prime-minster-resigns/773886)
**Author:** [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2016, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-the-presses-breaking-news-john-key-nz-prime-minster-resigns/773886 "2016-12-05T16:45:46Z")
…not that anyone outside of NZ will care of course. :slight\_smile: Breaking news right now. This is…unusual. Thats all I can really say about it at the moment until the “talking heads” on the telly start putting in… --- ## [Italian Referendum, 4 December 2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-referendum-4-december-2016/773704)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2016, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-referendum-4-december-2016/773704 "2016-12-05T12:24:19Z")
Italy is having a very important referendum on Sunday. The referendum is technically a constitutional reform to curb the powers of the Italian Senate, which is one of the reasons why Italian politics is constantly at a s… --- ## [Far right defeated in 2016 Austrian presidential runoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/far-right-defeated-in-2016-austrian-presidential-runoff/773907)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2016, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/far-right-defeated-in-2016-austrian-presidential-runoff/773907 "2016-12-05T07:40:18Z")
Former Green Party leader, now independent Alexander Van der Bellen defeated his far right populist opponent Norbert Hofer (who’s already conceded defeat). This is encouraging to say the least (also not that surprising… --- ## [History of the Democratic party in Texas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-the-democratic-party-in-texas/773458)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-of-the-democratic-party-in-texas/773458 "2016-12-04T16:59:37Z")
Forty years later: Democratic Party In the early 1990s the GOP also successfully gained control of about a third of the Texas congressional delegation. Before the 1950s, Democrats had controlled the entire delegatio… --- ## [Greens switching to federal court for PA recount.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greens-switching-to-federal-court-for-pa-recount/773825)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greens-switching-to-federal-court-for-pa-recount/773825 "2016-12-04T16:28:42Z")
It’s unclear to me what arguments they plan to use. --- ## [The Sen Intel Comm knows something about Russia and the election that Democrats want declassified.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sen-intel-comm-knows-something-about-russia-and-the-election-that-democrats-want-declassified/773516)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2016, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sen-intel-comm-knows-something-about-russia-and-the-election-that-democrats-want-declassified/773516 "2016-12-04T02:26:31Z")
Yes, Mother Jones is a lefty publication, but here’s Ron Wyden’s Press release. And here’s the actual letter to the President. So what is it, why does Wyden feel the need to let the public know that they’ve reque… --- ## [Is there really any such thing as presidential mandate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-any-such-thing-as-presidential-mandate/773540)
**Author:** [@RPTPatriot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RPTPatriot)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2016, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-any-such-thing-as-presidential-mandate/773540 "2016-12-04T00:31:08Z")
Is there really any such thing as a presidential mandate, as we understand them? My take is that Trump does not have a mandate, and was never going to. Ditto for Clinton. The whole idea was anathema to the founders, who … --- ## [Donald Trump transition 2016-2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-transition-2016-2017/771181)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2016, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-transition-2016-2017/771181 "2016-12-03T21:39:40Z")
Not sure if this is the right forum but. Sec of State. Gingrich? Chritsie. Vince McMahon. SecDef:? NSA: --- ## [Shock election result: Admiral loses!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shock-election-result-admiral-loses/773670)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2016, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shock-election-result-admiral-loses/773670 "2016-12-03T00:53:01Z")
The Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska just lost the election in Gambia. Better known as President Yahya Jammeh (and that Admiral thing is a real title, believe it or not) he once promised to rule Gambia … --- ## [The French have an election in 2017. Ne c'est pas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-french-have-an-election-in-2017-ne-cest-pas/773401)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2016, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-french-have-an-election-in-2017-ne-cest-pas/773401 "2016-12-03T00:49:32Z")
There seems to have been a bit of excitement here about a recent election in the United States, but the forum is open to discussions about other countries as well. France has an election coming up, and interesting thing… --- ## [How soon will the Clinton team carcus call for investigation of election results in swing states?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-will-the-clinton-team-carcus-call-for-investigation-of-election-results-in-swing-states/772793)
**Author:** [@Enlightening\_Meditation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enlightening_Meditation)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2016, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-will-the-clinton-team-carcus-call-for-investigation-of-election-results-in-swing-states/772793 "2016-12-03T00:35:04Z")
I think that December 7th would be seen as too orchestrated (being such an important anniversary and all), but I do not think like the Clintons…so who knows. My guess is that the Clintons will choose evening December 4t… --- ## [Gerrymandering results in special election for NC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerrymandering-results-in-special-election-for-nc/773454)
**Author:** [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerrymandering-results-in-special-election-for-nc/773454 "2016-12-02T17:28:41Z")
A Federal court today ruled that NC’s state legislative districts are so gerrymandered they have to be redrawn and a special election held in 2017. Is this as unusual as I think it is? A little googling didn’t turn up mu… --- ## [This is the last chance Republicans will ever get](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-last-chance-republicans-will-ever-get/771330)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-last-chance-republicans-will-ever-get/771330 "2016-12-02T14:30:21Z")
This is it, guys. Just eight years after running the country into the ground, you’ve been given the keys to the castle again. And even stronger than eight years ago. The Democratic Party hasn’t been this weak in 100 yea… --- ## [What's Next For a Guy Like Tim Ryan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-next-for-a-guy-like-tim-ryan/773474)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-next-for-a-guy-like-tim-ryan/773474 "2016-12-02T10:53:11Z")
Having failed to topple Nancy Pelosi. If you strike at a King you must kill him. So does he gain stature by having garnered 63 votes, or is he punished for having challenged the leader? I would guess the latter. Because… --- ## [Questions on the Stein recounts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-on-the-stein-recounts/773600)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-on-the-stein-recounts/773600 "2016-12-02T07:54:35Z")
I know it is probably state law that any candidate … But why is she allowed to file for recounts at all in any state? Isn’t there a presumption that the candidate actually has to have a chance of winning i.e. the numbe… --- ## [SCOTUS: Jean Pirro?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-jean-pirro/773545)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-jean-pirro/773545 "2016-12-01T23:29:49Z")
The American friend who was voting Trump because of the SCOTUS picks has forwarded me a link that hints that Trump may be considering Jean Pirro as his first SCOTUS pick. Who is she? Tell me about her. --- ## [What if the recounts go Clinton's way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-recounts-go-clintons-way/773087)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-recounts-go-clintons-way/773087 "2016-12-01T20:37:05Z")
Assorted recounts are in the works. What if they go Clinton’s way and hand her the Presidency? Outside the US I expect there will be huge - no, huuuuge :slight\_smile: - sighs of relief but what about inside the US? --- ## [Presidential Pranks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-pranks/773530)
**Author:** [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-pranks/773530 "2016-12-01T15:31:06Z")
Time to cheer up this forum a little. There was a rumour that when Clinton left the White House his staff removed the ‘W’ key from lots of keyboards as a prank on W Bush. Here in the UK we had someone at the Treasury l… --- ## [General counsel for Hillary's campaign announces that the campaign will participate in recounts.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-counsel-for-hillarys-campaign-announces-that-the-campaign-will-participate-in-recounts/773068)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-counsel-for-hillarys-campaign-announces-that-the-campaign-will-participate-in-recounts/773068 "2016-12-01T07:59:20Z")
Marc Elias, general counsel for Hillary Clinton’s campaign has announced that the campaign will be participating in Jill Stein’s recounts. https://twitter.com/marceelias/status/802529071020339200 In a statement on med… --- ## [Coincidence, or disturbing trend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coincidence-or-disturbing-trend/773467)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2016, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coincidence-or-disturbing-trend/773467 "2016-11-30T20:03:44Z")
I was a poll watcher for the election. One two occasions (separated by an hour so likely not related) a voter proclaimed that it was “terrible” or “disgusting” that she was not required to show ID in order to vote. As … --- ## [Goldman exec for Treasury](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goldman-exec-for-treasury/773428)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goldman-exec-for-treasury/773428 "2016-11-30T15:54:34Z")
The swamp-draining continues: :frowning: Make America Great Again. --- ## [Why is California Vote Counting So Slow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-california-vote-counting-so-slow/773437)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2016, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-california-vote-counting-so-slow/773437 "2016-11-30T05:36:02Z")
Simple question. Is there a simple answer? Election Day was three weeks ago, and vote tallying is still going on. What’s up? I don’t like the Electoral college, but the agonizingly slow vote count makes me wonder if we … --- ## [The arrogance of the left-wing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-arrogance-of-the-left-wing/772037)
**Author:** [@Crisstti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crisstti)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-arrogance-of-the-left-wing/772037 "2016-11-29T14:17:15Z")
It’s one of the most unappealing aspects of it, and it’s been in full display with the whole elections thing, including on this fórum… so many people are so completely certain they are right and so whoever disagrees with… --- ## [Some glass-half-full thoughts for dispirited Dems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-glass-half-full-thoughts-for-dispirited-dems/772069)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2016, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-glass-half-full-thoughts-for-dispirited-dems/772069 "2016-11-29T13:30:30Z")
A week after Election Day… As it now stands, Hillary has a popular-vote majority of more than 672k votes out of some 121 million cast. The Democratic candidate for President has now won the popular vote in every electi… --- ## [WI recount and "safe harbor" deadline](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-recount-and-safe-harbor-deadline/773071)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2016, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-recount-and-safe-harbor-deadline/773071 "2016-11-28T23:57:01Z")
Last time they did a recount it took a month. There are ~two weeks until the “safe harbor” deadline (Dec 13 I believe?) for certifying the electors so that they can be counted in the total electoral college count. It s… --- ## [Is trying to get 37 faithless GOP electors futile, given the Electoral Count Act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trying-to-get-37-faithless-gop-electors-futile-given-the-electoral-count-act/772755)
**Author:** [@Curious2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curious2016)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trying-to-get-37-faithless-gop-electors-futile-given-the-electoral-count-act/772755 "2016-11-28T22:28:33Z")
Let’s assume the lunatic “Hamilton Electors” who think Article II gives them unfettered discretion to have an enlightened debate before casting votes for Mr. Rogers. The Electoral Count Act (ECA) provides that, on Jan 6… --- ## [Predict turnout and share by demographic group.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-turnout-and-share-by-demographic-group/770585)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2016, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-turnout-and-share-by-demographic-group/770585 "2016-11-28T12:27:24Z")
To refresh memories here, courtesy of 538’s fun “Swing the Election” app, are the turnout and shares of major demographic groups in 2012: Non-college educated White: turnout 55% 60%R College-educated White: turnout 78… --- ## [Are there any good authors, books or articles discussing the rise of right wing populism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-good-authors-books-or-articles-discussing-the-rise-of-right-wing-populism/773154)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2016, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-good-authors-books-or-articles-discussing-the-rise-of-right-wing-populism/773154 "2016-11-28T04:51:43Z")
I’m under the impression there are multiple factors behind the rise of right wing populism in the west (not just America). \[ul\] \[li\]Economic insecurity due to globalization\[/li\]\[li\]Anger over rapid social progress (non… --- ## [strictly about getting rid of the electoral college](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-about-getting-rid-of-the-electoral-college/773032)
**Author:** [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2016, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-about-getting-rid-of-the-electoral-college/773032 "2016-11-27T13:02:31Z")
Surveys, polls, what have you, seem remarkably consistent that a bit over 60% of Americans want the popular vote overall to determine the winner of the Presidential election. The 60+ percent has to, mathematically, inc… --- ## [Just how easy to manipulate IS Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-easy-to-manipulate-is-trump/772681)
**Author:** [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-easy-to-manipulate-is-trump/772681 "2016-11-26T21:05:52Z")
Back in October, Kellyanne Conway made some minor news by opening up about the difficulties of dealing with her boss, and how she’d learned to solve them: That the news was minor–that few seemed to think it was any s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=191) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=193)