# Politics & Elections **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=265 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 266 --- ## [What role will the Tea Party play in the 2014 midterms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-will-the-tea-party-play-in-the-2014-midterms/679632)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-will-the-tea-party-play-in-the-2014-midterms/679632 "2014-04-07T17:03:29Z")
I would have thought the TP would have peaked by now, but, at least according to this (openly hostile) analysis, they have plans, energy and funding going into the 2014 primary season. Meanwhile, the “plutocrats” are al… --- ## [Why isn't Nebraska gerrymandered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-nebraska-gerrymandered/685013)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2014, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-nebraska-gerrymandered/685013 "2014-04-07T14:58:31Z")
It’s commonly accepted that the Republicans have been busily gerrymandering every state where they can get away with it. But this seems to be belied by Nebraska: The state as a whole is very deeply red, and so the Repu… --- ## [Is there a "new populist majority" in the Democratic Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-new-populist-majority-in-the-democratic-party/684558)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-new-populist-majority-in-the-democratic-party/684558 "2014-04-05T04:26:13Z")
That’s the claim Markos Moulitsas makes in this article where he’s locking horns with Matt Bennett and Jim Kessler. Bennett & Kessler: Moulitsas: I do think I sense a prevailing wind leftward among the Dems, or at l… --- ## [Introducing Mike Rogers!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introducing-mike-rogers/685116)
**Author:** [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2014, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introducing-mike-rogers/685116 "2014-04-05T01:45:59Z")
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) announced this week that he would not be seeking reelection in order to pursue a career as a radio host. Link IMHO, and the opinion of others, he is positioni… --- ## [Republicans Move to Gerrymander Presidential Elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-move-to-gerrymander-presidential-elections/647360)
**Author:** [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2014, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-move-to-gerrymander-presidential-elections/647360 "2014-04-01T20:23:15Z")
During the recent “fiscal cliff” negotiations with Obama, John Boehner never missed a chance to remind people that although Obama won the election for President, Americans also voted for a Republican majority in the Cong… --- ## [How could gerrymandered districts be un-gerrymandered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-gerrymandered-districts-be-un-gerrymandered/640391)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 256\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2014, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-gerrymandered-districts-be-un-gerrymandered/640391 "2014-03-31T15:16:56Z")
What’s the simplest and most achievable way to get rid of those snakelike monstrosity districts for good? --- ## [Hope for the Republican Party of the future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hope-for-the-republican-party-of-the-future/683423)
**Author:** [@tonyfop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonyfop)\ **Replies:** 415\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2014, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hope-for-the-republican-party-of-the-future/683423 "2014-03-31T13:37:09Z")
NYT piece on the recent CPAC conference: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/11/us/politics/social-issues-splitting-young-republicans-from-their-elders.html?smid=re-share&\_r=0 As a social libertarian/economic conservative, t… --- ## [Nate Silver Predicts GOP Will Take The Senate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nate-silver-predicts-gop-will-take-the-senate/684624)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2014, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nate-silver-predicts-gop-will-take-the-senate/684624 "2014-03-30T22:01:14Z")
Nate Silver did startlingly well in predicting the 2012 elections, now he predicts that the GOP stands a 60 percent chance of taking control of the Senate, gaining exactly six seats, the minimum number needed to do so. H… --- ## [Republicans predict GOP "tsunami" in coming House & Senate elections - Why? I really don't see it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-predict-gop-tsunami-in-coming-house-senate-elections-why-i-really-dont-see-it/684121)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-predict-gop-tsunami-in-coming-house-senate-elections-why-i-really-dont-see-it/684121 "2014-03-29T17:10:23Z")
It’s all over the news ie “Priebus predicts ‘tsunami’ election” that Republicans are rejoicing because they expect to win big, real big, in the next house and Senate election cycles because everybody hates Obama. I kn… --- ## [What are the chances of President Obama becoming a lame duck president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-president-obama-becoming-a-lame-duck-president/684455)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-chances-of-president-obama-becoming-a-lame-duck-president/684455 "2014-03-27T03:39:32Z")
How would you define a lame duck president? A leader without power in the Senate? A leader without public support? Two years and eight (8) months left till November 2016 elections, but the Senate races will be over by … --- ## [SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Elections 1820](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1820/684569)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2014, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1820/684569 "2014-03-26T22:08:04Z")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_presidential\_election,\_1820 Would have voted for Monroe considering he was practically unopposed. --- ## [SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Elections 1932](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1932/684572)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2014, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1932/684572 "2014-03-26T21:15:34Z")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_presidential\_election,\_1932 I would have happily cast a vote for FDR, one of the greatest Presidents in American history. Although this is rather ironic… --- ## [SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Elections 1928](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1928/684064)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2014, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1928/684064 "2014-03-25T11:24:58Z")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_presidential\_election,\_1928 Without hindsight I’d definitely have voted for Al Smith, but with hindsight I’m inclined towards Hoover for tactical reasons as Smith would later g… --- ## [Jimmy Carter believes the NSA monitors his emails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-believes-the-nsa-monitors-his-emails/684417)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2014, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-believes-the-nsa-monitors-his-emails/684417 "2014-03-25T04:24:02Z")
What do you think? It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s right. People thought John Lennon was nuts when he claimed that the CIA was tapping his phone. Years later, they admitted they had been. On the other hand, this is not … --- ## [Democrats in Philly caught taking bribes won't be prosecuted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-in-philly-caught-taking-bribes-wont-be-prosecuted/684145)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2014, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-in-philly-caught-taking-bribes-wont-be-prosecuted/684145 "2014-03-25T01:52:45Z")
http://articles.philly.com/2014-03-17/news/48269239\_1\_investigation-kane-ali The investigation got dropped as soon as a Democrat became Attorney General. And it’s not as if the previous Attorney General, Republican Tom … --- ## [Scott Brown is probably running for Senate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-brown-is-probably-running-for-senate/683736)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-brown-is-probably-running-for-senate/683736 "2014-03-24T23:43:20Z")
And the GOP expands the map a little more. Seriously, they are having a pretty outstanding recruiting year, which is always a good sign. --- ## [I voted for Obama & I don't think Hillary Clinton has prayer of being the next POTUS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-voted-for-obama-i-dont-think-hillary-clinton-has-prayer-of-being-the-next-potus/681404)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 246\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-voted-for-obama-i-dont-think-hillary-clinton-has-prayer-of-being-the-next-potus/681404 "2014-03-24T13:52:54Z")
Re political leanings I like to think of myself as being MOR leaning progressive these days, but I honestly don’t think Hillary Clinton has a prayer being the next POTUS and it’s not on political grounds or the basis of … --- ## [SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Elections 1816](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1816/684063)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2014, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1816/684063 "2014-03-21T03:16:07Z")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_presidential\_election,\_1816 I’d have voted for Monroe. --- ## [SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Elections 1924](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1924/683517)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2014, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1924/683517 "2014-03-19T04:11:43Z")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_presidential\_election,\_1924 LaFollette’s the only decent choice here. --- ## [Uninsured rate drops to lowest number since Obama took office](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninsured-rate-drops-to-lowest-number-since-obama-took-office/683385)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2014, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninsured-rate-drops-to-lowest-number-since-obama-took-office/683385 "2014-03-18T15:29:12Z")
Good news about the ACA – the rate of Americans without health insurance is at the lowest level since the very beginning of 2009. How low will it go? If it continues to drop at the same rate, how effective will this be… --- ## [CPAC straw poll results](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpac-straw-poll-results/683284)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpac-straw-poll-results/683284 "2014-03-18T14:24:30Z")
I read this on another site, posted in a generally conservative forum. CPAC results: 31% Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky 11% Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas 9% Dr. Ben Carson 7% Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin 7%… --- ## [The double-barreled dog whistle: it's not the lies, it's the lying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-double-barreled-dog-whistle-its-not-the-lies-its-the-lying/683719)
**Author:** [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2014, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-double-barreled-dog-whistle-its-not-the-lies-its-the-lying/683719 "2014-03-16T22:40:57Z")
I am beginning to think the right wing’s appeal to low-information voters is actually a double-barreled dog whistle. They appeal to isms (race, sex, heterosex, class). And they tell lies - but NOT to be believed. No on… --- ## [SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Elections 1812](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1812/683515)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2014, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1812/683515 "2014-03-15T16:13:46Z")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United\_States\_presidential\_election,\_1812 Voting for David Cameron…DeWitt Clinton I mean…in opposition to the War of 1812. --- ## [If Christie is tarnished, does that impact the GOP's moderation efforts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-christie-is-tarnished-does-that-impact-the-gops-moderation-efforts/683052)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2014, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-christie-is-tarnished-does-that-impact-the-gops-moderation-efforts/683052 "2014-03-14T00:31:35Z")
Chris Christie, for all his flaws, is a more moderate (sane?) voice within the GOP ranks, and I know that he was expected to make a run for president in 2016. He made another speech today urging Republicans to try to br… --- ## [Handicapping the 3/11/14 special election for Fla. 13th HoR District](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-3-11-14-special-election-for-fla-13th-hor-district/682958)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2014, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-3-11-14-special-election-for-fla-13th-hor-district/682958 "2014-03-13T23:14:06Z")
Special election 3/11/14, to fill the seat of Bill Young (R), who died last October. The candidates are Alex Sink (D) (who ran for governor in 2010) and David Jolly (R) (an attorney who was Young’s general counsel). So … --- ## [Jolly has won. What does this mean for democrats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jolly-has-won-what-does-this-mean-for-democrats/683487)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2014, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jolly-has-won-what-does-this-mean-for-democrats/683487 "2014-03-12T19:42:50Z")
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/state/david-jolly-wins-congressional-race I’ve been given to understand this is a bad sign for democrats. How bad is it and why? --- ## [SDMB Retrospective US Presidential Elections 1924](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1924/683516)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2014, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-retrospective-us-presidential-elections-1924/683516 "2014-03-12T05:24:21Z")
Post in the other thread. Forgot the poll --- ## [Senate and CIA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-and-cia/683489)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2014, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-and-cia/683489 "2014-03-12T00:37:51Z")
Why hasn’t the Intelligence Committee subpoenaed the CIA report they are concerned about? I’m sure nobody would object if the Senate held them in contempt of Congress in the likely event the CIA refused to comply. --- ## [A very close or tied US Senate: Any potential party flippers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-very-close-or-tied-us-senate-any-potential-party-flippers/683224)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2014, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-very-close-or-tied-us-senate-any-potential-party-flippers/683224 "2014-03-11T11:19:57Z")
After the 2014 elections, if the Senate is tied 50-50( with the 2 Independents caucusing with Democrats), the Democrats will still maintain the majority since Biden will be the tie breaking vote. Would there be any poten… --- ## [Sanders 2016?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-2016/683086)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-2016/683086 "2014-03-10T20:52:54Z")
Bernie Sanders has indicated that he is considering running for President in an interview with the Nation: http://www.thenation.com/blog/178717/bernie-sanders-i-am-prepared-run-president-united-states I have mixed feeli… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=264) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/politics-elections/22.md?page=266)