# 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:** 60
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1181 "2017-12-13T03:17:31Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > And what do they do with that power? They nominate child molesters and fuck over the middle class. Win or lose, the margin in ALABAMA shifted almost 30 points toward the Democrats. I think you’re delusional if you think that’s a representative or useful metric at all, but carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1182 "2017-12-13T03:18:14Z")
Gah! I promised myself I’d go to bed early tonight! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1183 "2017-12-13T03:18:52Z")
17,000 write ins. 1.5% and that number’s held steady all night. Astonishing. ---
**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:** [December 13, 2017, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1184 "2017-12-13T03:19:42Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > This strange feeling…is it optimism? In 2017? There are actually a lot of signs for progressives/Dems to be optimistic (and we liberal-leaning independents, too). Virginia, Oklahoma, Montana outcomes in November. The growing schism between alt-right Republicans and so-called “establishment” Republicans. The jaw-dropping number of new blood Democratic entrants into local and state races. The amount of money pouring into Democratic coffers. The high interest in what’s really going on in government: I’ve never heard from so many people who’ve previously been politically apathetic but who are paying very close attention, now. This Alabama election just confirms hunches I’ve had for awhile. It’s a great feeling! There’s a wave coming. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1185 "2017-12-13T03:20:09Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > Yertle doesn’t have to do very much either way. I’d expect a call for a recount either way, doubly so if Jones wins, and tactics similar to those used in Minnesota after the 2008 election to delay seating Jones as long as possible. That’s my point: him not being seated doesn’t accomplish anything useful for the Republicans prospects, does it? They still need 50 votes to nominate judges or pass legislation through reconciliation, whether there are 100 or only 99 Senators, right? ---
**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:** [December 13, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1186 "2017-12-13T03:21:38Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > The (tax bill) vote is probably going to happen before the results of this election are even certified, but I don’t think it makes a difference anyways. Isn’t a non-vote just as good as a “no” vote for purposes of whether the GOP passes the bill or not? I think it would still pass regardless of this election. The only thing that can stop the tax bill is Trump’s political incompetence, seeing something he doesn’t like in the bill then making demands at the last minute not realizing that sending it back to congress would risk killing the process. Not likely but would not at all rule it out. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1187 "2017-12-13T03:21:56Z")
They need to exceed 50% of the seated senators, Ditka. So there’s a small marginal gain by delaying his seating. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1188 "2017-12-13T03:25:06Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > They need to exceed 50% of the seated senators, Ditka. So there’s a small marginal gain by delaying his seating. How? 50%+1 of 100 senators = 50 Senators + Mike Pence’s tie-breaking vote. 50%+1 of 99 Senators = 49.5 Senators. AFAIK, we don’t have half-a-Senator anywhere, so it still won’t pass with 49 Senators in favor, and will pass with 50. Perhaps it saves Mike Pence a trip to the Capitol? Is that the small marginal gain you’re seeing? Or am I misunderstanding something about the parliamentary procedures at play? ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1189 "2017-12-13T03:25:40Z")
AP called it for Jones. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1190 "2017-12-13T03:26:32Z")
Wow. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1191 "2017-12-13T03:27:20Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > How? > > 50%+1 of 100 senators = 50 Senators + Mike Pence’s tie-breaking vote. > 50%+1 of 99 Senators = 49.5 Senators. AFAIK, we don’t have half-a-Senator anywhere, so it still won’t pass with 49 Senators in favor, and will pass with 50. Perhaps it saves Mike Pence a trip to the Capitol? Is that the small marginal gain you’re seeing? Or am I misunderstanding something about the parliamentary procedures at play? That’s the small marginal gain, yes. It’s not anywhere near large, but it exists. ---
**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:** [December 13, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1192 "2017-12-13T03:27:22Z")
I am increasingly optimistic. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1193 "2017-12-13T03:27:35Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I think it would still pass regardless of this election. The only thing that can stop the tax bill is Trump’s political incompetence, seeing something he doesn’t like in the bill then making demands at the last minute not realizing that sending it back to congress would risk killing the process. Not likely but would not at all rule it out. I think Strange sits until the new senator is sworn in (correct me if I am wrong, but I think I read this on the votemaster. The NYT has p\>99% for Jones at this point. Hoo-hoo-horray. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1194 "2017-12-13T03:29:15Z")
Hmm, Should I watch the Trump Twitter storm tonight, or wait till tomorrow and savor the flavor for two days. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1195 "2017-12-13T03:30:09Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > AP called it for Jones. And CNN just called it. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1196 "2017-12-13T03:30:42Z")
WP and Fox called it for Jones! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1197 "2017-12-13T03:31:05Z")
Thank you, Jebus! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1198 "2017-12-13T03:31:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Moore is going to win. The Republicans have shown us in the last couple of years that no matter how much of an ass their candidate is, no matter how much they publically decry that ass of a candidate, when push comes to shove they _will_ get on their knees and kiss that ass. I was wrong. And I’m _damn_ happy to be wrong. 😃 edited to add: Note to Alabama-That light you are seeing? _That_ is what it is like all the time once you pull your head out of your ass. Enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1199 "2017-12-13T03:31:37Z")
The Democratic senator from Alabama. Never thought I’d hear those words. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1200 "2017-12-13T03:31:49Z")
CNN called it too. Stick a fork in Chester, he’s done. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504.md?page=59) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504.md?page=61)