# Can the Democrats win the Alabama senate special election in December? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 13, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504 "2017-08-13T00:49:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/341 "2017-11-10T01:13:31Z")
> [@ricksummon](#): > > Even if Moore wins the election, could the Senate immediately vote to expel him with a 2/3 majority? If so, do they have to do the whole special election again? Nnnnnnnnnnnnnope! And this may be the crux of the issue. To be clear, yes, they can vote to expel him. But if they are successful, then the Governor of Alabama can appoint someone (naturally a Republican) to replace him. Someone who might be soon out of a job. Someone who doesn’t like being Attorney General. Someone who pines for the days of being a mere Alabama Senator… Anyone spring to mind? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/342 "2017-11-10T01:22:18Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Attacking the women? That’s nonsense and more hypocrisy. And even if I were attacking the women it’s perfectly ok. Remember, all that matters is that someone alleges something. Facts obviously don’t. > > And what’s this nonsense about accusers of a crime being given the benefit of the doubt? The presumption is one of innocence until evidence is brought forth. Why are women given special treatment? > > Now, if Moore is guilty of this, that’s a pretty big strike against his character. But I think the time to have dealt with this is when there was evidence of the crime and the when the police could have done something about it. > > People make false allegations all the time. Look at that nonsense at the Air Force academy with the false hate speech. This is why evidence is necessary before action. Moore can be judged based on his positions now. Stuff that happened or may not have happened 40 years ago and is conveniently being discussed now doesn’t seem that relevant. > > TLDR version: the women may very well be telling the truth of events from 40 years ago. We don’t know if they are and it will be very difficult to confirm. Wanting proof or evidence is not an attack. And where were you iiandyiiii when James Carville was attacking the women accusing Bill Clinton? You’re disgusting. But typical of “conservatives”. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/343 "2017-11-10T01:24:29Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Manson or Hitler could win in Alabama if they had a R next to their name. God damn right he could. I’m so fucking sick of family values inbred shits from the Heartland and Dixie. Just a bunch of goddamn goat-fucking animals passing for people. But I think, I hope that Tuesday was an indication that people are getting tired of this shit. It’s time to stop trying to understand these cunts and just out-vote them and steamroll them. The Republican party is a religious cult that should be put on a terrorist watch list. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/344 "2017-11-10T01:26:10Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Nnnnnnnnnnnnnope! And this may be the crux of the issue. > > To be clear, yes, they can vote to expel him. But if they are successful, then the Governor of Alabama can appoint someone (naturally a Republican) to replace him. Someone who might be soon out of a job. Someone who doesn’t like being Attorney General. Someone who pines for the days of being a mere Alabama Senator… > > Anyone spring to mind? A part of me would love for Moore to win. Maybe the country needs to have that sexual predator roaming the Senate floor. Maybe we could get Chris Hansen to do his first post-election interview. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/345 "2017-11-10T01:33:35Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > A part of me would love for Moore to win. Maybe the country needs to have that sexual predator roaming the Senate floor. Maybe we could get Chris Hansen to do his first post-election interview. LOL, good one. 😃 I hope Moore stays in the race. It’s the best shot Dems have for taking the seat. It will split the Republican vote in Alabama – many will stick with Moore, but some will do the write-in thing, and that could assure a Democratic win. Honestly, I wouldn’t have imagined it was even possible a month ago. It would be the very best outcome, though. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/346 "2017-11-10T01:53:04Z")
Um, asahi, given the tone of the last few pages of this thread, it’s understandable that you could be confused, but we aren’t actually in the Pit. I heartily endorse this Pitting, however. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/347 "2017-11-10T02:16:22Z")
This may have been addressed up thread, but I didn’t see it: when will the winner of this election actually be sworn in? ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/348 "2017-11-10T02:19:45Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > This late in the game, they’re stuck with Roy Moore or losing. Sticking with Moore after the allegations SHOULD be akin to arguing that Weinstein was misunderstood or Weiner didn’t realize what he was doing. > > As our resident cephalopod has shown, however, nothing is too much for the magic (R). Isn’t there another choice? Sticking with Moore AND losing? ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/349 "2017-11-10T02:28:41Z")
I’m out and about so can’t look through the thread but from what I can see it’s not great. I’ll review later and reopen. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/350 "2017-11-10T03:23:41Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > You’re disgusting. But typical of “conservatives”. This is not The BBQ Pit. This is a Warning to refrain from personal attacks in this forum. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/351 "2017-11-10T03:26:51Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > You be you, little man. This is not The BBQ Pit. This is a Warning to refrain from personal attacks in this forum. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = EVERYONE, if this thread is re-opened, keep it civil. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/352 "2017-11-10T08:05:52Z")
I just got back from seeing the live Broadway Aladdin show here in SF and am catching up on the thread. Given this thread is about the upcoming election and it’s a valid topic, I’m going to re-open the thread. I see that tom addressed the most egregious examples, but there were others that were questionable. I reiterate tom’s comment about civility - if that is too difficult I suggest reporting or the Pit. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/353 "2017-11-10T10:06:57Z")
Hannity and others are defending Moore’s involvement with the other women on the grounds that “it was consensual”, despite the fact that a thirty-something man perving after high schoolers is really damn creepy whether the high-schoolers are okay with it or not. They’re having a bit of trouble with the victim alleging “sexual activity” with Moore when she was **14** , though (although I’m sure Ted Nugent will be along soon to tell us how awesome it is). (Also, I saw \*Aladdin \*in the West End earlier this year. It was strangely underwhelming, though still a rousing show.) ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/354 "2017-11-10T12:31:42Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > This is not The BBQ Pit. > > This is a Warning to refrain from personal attacks in this forum. > > [/Moderating] Deserved. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made that comment and I take it back. I was in a bad mood already and then saw the news reports and overreacted. Should have had the sense to step away from the pc. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/355 "2017-11-10T13:36:40Z")
What about Mary and Joseph, in the Bible? Mary was a young teen, Joseph was an adult Carpenter, and they raised Baby Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/356 "2017-11-10T13:45:27Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > What about Mary and Joseph, in the Bible? Mary was a young teen, Joseph was an adult Carpenter, and they raised Baby Jesus. Not to mention, Jesus’ real daddy according to the Bible was a million billion gazillion years old. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/357 "2017-11-10T13:49:38Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Not to mention, Jesus’ real daddy according to the Bible was a million billion gazillion years old. 😃 In case anyone hadn’t heard, some politico in AL actually offered the Mary and Joseph defense for Moore. I can’t take credit for thinking it up-- someone beat me to it! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/358 "2017-11-10T13:55:16Z")
Yeah, saw that in the news. And I can’t take credit for my response - I stole it from a fellow smart-ass over at Balloon Juice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/359 "2017-11-10T14:36:41Z")
> **[Ed Henry on Moore accusations: I’m not buying it](https://www.cullmantimes.com/news/ed-henry-on-moore-accusations-i-m-not-buying-it/article_ddb8650a-c5cd-11e7-be2c-1f9ffb09ccc5.html)** > > State Rep. Ed Henry lashed out at Roy Moore’s accusers and Republicans who said the U.S. Senate candidate should back out of the special election in an interview Thursday evening > [@](#): > > State Rep. Ed Henry lashed out at Roy Moore’s accusers and Republicans who said the U.S. Senate candidate should back out of the special election in an interview Thursday evening with The Times. > > … > > Henry said he believes legal action should be considered against Moore’s accusers, finding their story unbelievable. > > “If they believe this man is predatory, they are guilty of allowing him to exist for 40 years. I think someone should prosecute and go after them. You can’t be a victim 40 years later, in my opinion,” Henry said. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/360 "2017-11-10T14:38:50Z")
He needs to pocket his little pistol and head home. The game is over. Tell him that as much as the country needs him, it’s bad for the party. And party comes before country!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504.md?page=19)