# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=259 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 260 --- ## [I LOVE AUSSIE ELECTIONS...'cos I get to perve on Antony!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-aussie-elections-cos-i-get-to-perve-on-antony/705887)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-aussie-elections-cos-i-get-to-perve-on-antony/705887 "2014-12-14T19:49:33Z")
State election in Vic, Australia today. Don’t give a shit which party gets in (they’re all shysters)…but I get an evening of Antony Green calling the seats. Nothing is more laid-back or phenomenally ordinary than a nig… --- ## [I Hate Being a Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-a-democrat/704968)
**Author:** [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2014, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-a-democrat/704968 "2014-11-27T09:57:34Z")
Democrats didn’t lose this election cycle because of the President, they lost in spite of him. Over two elections the President received over 100 million votes. While low, his approval rating is still 3-4x higher than … --- ## [What is the Dem strategy with Landrieu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-dem-strategy-with-landrieu/705064)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-dem-strategy-with-landrieu/705064 "2014-12-08T17:43:36Z")
Seems like they have given up on her and are simply hoping the run-off election ends without further damage. --- ## [Back in 2009: If you could make 5 changes to ACA, what would they be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-in-2009-if-you-could-make-5-changes-to-aca-what-would-they-be/704926)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-in-2009-if-you-could-make-5-changes-to-aca-what-would-they-be/704926 "2014-12-07T18:04:52Z")
With the benefit of hindsight, let’s say you could go back to 2009: If you could make 5 changes to ACA, what would they be? --- ## [What's the big deal with deferred deportation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-deferred-deportation/704875)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-deferred-deportation/704875 "2014-12-02T02:26:28Z")
Reagan and Bush both took executive action to prevent millions of illegal immigrants from being deported. It’s not like they’re going anywhere without such executive action. So what’s the big deal, beyond brainless nat… --- ## [Mathematically, how would supporting citizenship for illegal immigrants help the GOP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematically-how-would-supporting-citizenship-for-illegal-immigrants-help-the-gop/705682)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematically-how-would-supporting-citizenship-for-illegal-immigrants-help-the-gop/705682 "2014-12-02T02:07:12Z")
The argument has been made that the Republican Party must support immigration reform if it wants to remain relevant as a party, but mathematically speaking, wouldn’t supporting citizenship for illegal immigrants hinder t… --- ## [Republican Analyst Says 2014 Was Disaster for Republicans, Long Term](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-analyst-says-2014-was-disaster-for-republicans-long-term/705289)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-analyst-says-2014-was-disaster-for-republicans-long-term/705289 "2014-11-28T19:30:43Z")
An article in The Daily Kos points to an analysis by Houston Columnist Chris Ladd, who says the week of the 2014 midterms was, "a dark week for Republicans, and for everyone who wants to see America remain the world’s mo… --- ## [Barak Obama = Harry Truman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barak-obama-harry-truman/703872)
**Author:** [@Waymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waymore)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2014, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barak-obama-harry-truman/703872 "2014-11-27T06:01:18Z")
Both two term Democrat presidents. Both suffered major defeats in their last midterm. Both have low approval ratings late in their presidency. Both end their terms with turmoil overseas, Korea and Isis. Both known for th… --- ## [Illinois/Indiana](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illinois-indiana/702453)
**Author:** [@my2cts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/my2cts)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2014, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illinois-indiana/702453 "2014-11-12T08:23:09Z")
I see where Bruce Rauner says how he admires how the Governor of Indiana runs his state. That’s not good. --- ## [McConnell should eliminate the filibuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-should-eliminate-the-filibuster/705442)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2014, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-should-eliminate-the-filibuster/705442 "2014-11-25T05:40:57Z")
Dylan Matthews of Vox argues this. He notes: 59 Senators representing 36 states and 62.7 percent of the US population\* voted to fast-track approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. They failed. Then, 58 Senators representin… --- ## [2014 US General Election Results](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-us-general-election-results/703684)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 479\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-us-general-election-results/703684 "2014-11-22T16:05:16Z")
Today is November 4, 2014, and the United States is having an election for 36 Senators, 435 Representatives, and also state elections for governors, legislators, judges, dogcatchers, etc., and also legislators, voter ini… --- ## [Do you see an "endgame" on the horizon in US politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-see-an-endgame-on-the-horizon-in-us-politics/704159)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-see-an-endgame-on-the-horizon-in-us-politics/704159 "2014-11-20T16:09:13Z")
By that I mean a sea change in the political landscape, on the order of the 1968 switch (well, the beginning of said switch in that year) of conservative Democrats to voting Republican, or the disintegration of the Whig… --- ## [The US midterm elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-midterm-elections/704793)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-midterm-elections/704793 "2014-11-18T17:58:14Z")
In the recent elections, 2 out of 3 eligible voters did not vote. Why do you think this is so? --- ## [This article \[on Obama's reaction to the midterm election\] just plain annoys me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-article-on-obamas-reaction-to-the-midterm-election-just-plain-annoys-me/704177)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-article-on-obamas-reaction-to-the-midterm-election-just-plain-annoys-me/704177 "2014-11-18T13:49:28Z")
The NYT article outlines Obama’s analysis of why the election didn’t go the Dems’ way: No shit? For six years, advisors and pundits have been complaining, cajoling and pleading with his administration to sell what he’s… --- ## [Most interesting national exit poll results](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-interesting-national-exit-poll-results/703756)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2014, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-interesting-national-exit-poll-results/703756 "2014-11-15T13:21:17Z")
http://www.cnn.com/election/2014/results/race/house#exit-polls I got young voters wrong. They supported the Democrats by ten points. In many individual races, the GOP did a lot better among 18-24 than 25-29, but natio… --- ## [GOP still trending to win Senate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-still-trending-to-win-senate/695426)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 1420\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2014, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-still-trending-to-win-senate/695426 "2014-11-15T00:50:28Z")
Says the Washington Post. Does anyone here think that the Majority Leader in 2015 will still be Harry Reid? --- ## [Democratic operative: "we need to learn how to talk to White voters"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-operative-we-need-to-learn-how-to-talk-to-white-voters/703842)
**Author:** [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-operative-we-need-to-learn-how-to-talk-to-white-voters/703842 "2014-11-14T20:32:52Z")
‪Some Democratic operative is on Fox News saying “Democrats have to learn how to talk to White voters.” I’ll tell you how. Understand that White voters, by and large, are now a tribe. That tribe calls itself America, an… --- ## [Will Democrats ever figure out why they lost?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-democrats-ever-figure-out-why-they-lost/703925)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2014, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-democrats-ever-figure-out-why-they-lost/703925 "2014-11-14T11:56:25Z")
Actually, I’m not just being dickish here. The reason Democrats lost seems to me to involve factors that are much, much easier to fix than the problems that have made Republicans lose. Or at least where they are hard to… --- ## [Is there any reason to believe 2016 won't be a landslide victory for the Democrats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-to-believe-2016-wont-be-a-landslide-victory-for-the-democrats/699737)
**Author:** [@EndlessEntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EndlessEntropy)\ **Replies:** 384\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2014, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-to-believe-2016-wont-be-a-landslide-victory-for-the-democrats/699737 "2014-11-13T22:57:51Z")
Just looking at the GOP crop, none of them seem electable and poised to seriously challenge Hillary, Warren or whoever the Dems nominate. --- ## [The 2014 race for Governor of Ohio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2014-race-for-governor-of-ohio/690054)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2014, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2014-race-for-governor-of-ohio/690054 "2014-11-12T20:25:40Z")
http://www.kasichforohio.com/ http://www.edfitzgeraldforohio.com/ Incumbent Republican John Kasich, a former Congressman, FOX host and Wall Street guy, is running for reelection. He only narrowly beat his Democratic … --- ## [Time for the GOP to show their cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-gop-to-show-their-cards/703927)
**Author:** [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-gop-to-show-their-cards/703927 "2014-11-12T19:11:13Z")
With an R house and D senate very little got done. Each side blamed the other for the gridlock. So in that way, it’s a good thing we now have an R senate. Now the republicans will have to pass actual legislation and we … --- ## [2014 elections: where to find Cumulative results?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-elections-where-to-find-cumulative-results/704366)
**Author:** [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2014, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-elections-where-to-find-cumulative-results/704366 "2014-11-11T23:30:35Z")
Where can I find statistics on the total votes cast for congress in this last election? Percentage of population voting, total votes cast, breakdown amongst the parties, etc? Thanks --- ## [David Gergen on the "Blue Wall" (Dems' Electoral College advantage)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-gergen-on-the-blue-wall-dems-electoral-college-advantage/703956)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2014, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-gergen-on-the-blue-wall-dems-electoral-college-advantage/703956 "2014-11-11T16:15:10Z")
A encouraging essay, both as to the White House and the Senate in 2016, after this week’s disastrous midterms: http://us.cnn.com/2014/11/03/opinion/gergen-blue-wall-republicans-2016/?cid=ob\_articlesidebarall&iref=obnetwo… --- ## [When will the Republicans cut funds to their constituents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-republicans-cut-funds-to-their-constituents/703799)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-republicans-cut-funds-to-their-constituents/703799 "2014-11-11T15:59:14Z")
Given that Red states receive more Federal dollars than Blue states, and ‘“tax and spend” liberals actually subsidize the individualistic, pure, and hard-working lifestyle of our conservative countrymen,’ how long until … --- ## [If SSM were decided and fully legalized next year (2015)...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ssm-were-decided-and-fully-legalized-next-year-2015/691802)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ssm-were-decided-and-fully-legalized-next-year-2015/691802 "2014-11-08T20:22:11Z")
… what would the political result be? An article I read today says This question isn’t really about the likelihood of that happening, just what the political result would be, based on the decisions that have already c… --- ## [What specifically does a transition team do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-specifically-does-a-transition-team-do/703953)
**Author:** [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2014, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-specifically-does-a-transition-team-do/703953 "2014-11-08T06:16:29Z")
The incumbent loses, the challenger wins and puts together a transition team. What specifically does the transition team do? --- ## [Executive Amnesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executive-amnesty/703753)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executive-amnesty/703753 "2014-11-08T00:34:24Z")
What will/should Obama do before the year is out? How will/should Republicans try to stop him? --- ## [Is this Wisconsin militia plan for poll watching legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-wisconsin-militia-plan-for-poll-watching-legal/699358)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-wisconsin-militia-plan-for-poll-watching-legal/699358 "2014-11-07T18:42:49Z")
Kobal2 posted about this in the Pit thread about awesome Republican ideas, and so I followed his links. \[The main story can be found here. \]('Wisconsin Poll Watcher Militia' plans to confront Scott Walker recall peti… --- ## [Open primaries: yea or nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-primaries-yea-or-nay/700705)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-primaries-yea-or-nay/700705 "2014-11-07T16:05:39Z")
Open primaries are on the ballot this year in OR. What are the positives and negatives of having this type of primary? --- ## [Which scenario helps which party more in 2016?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-scenario-helps-which-party-more-in-2016/703904)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2014, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-scenario-helps-which-party-more-in-2016/703904 "2014-11-07T06:01:38Z")
First hypothetical scenario: Surprisingly-cooperative bipartisanship. Gridlock between the President and Congress magically ceases. Bills pass without a hitch. No obstructionism. Both sides compromise early and often, al… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=258) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=260)