# 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:** 65
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1281 "2017-12-13T04:22:17Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Did the gutless wonder duck out the back? I’m expecting him to concede graciously, thank the people of Alabama for giving him a chance and descend with a kind farewell. And tomorrow, I expect to actually hear from Santa. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1282 "2017-12-13T04:23:48Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Did the gutless wonder duck out the back? > [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > I’m expecting him to concede graciously, thank the people of Alabama for giving him a chance and descend with a kind farewell. > And tomorrow, I expect to actually hear from Santa. 😃 I expect he starting beating his wife in his disappointment, and they’re busy pulling him off. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1283 "2017-12-13T04:27:44Z")
Wow. I was hopeful, but really did not know which way it would go. I just hope the Dems don’t get overconfident and find a way to screw this up. I wonder what the conversation between Sessions and Trump over president waffles and fruit will be tomorrow. Alabama: blue. Wow. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1284 "2017-12-13T04:27:47Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > I doubt he actually wrote it. Which I’m actually not going to make fun of him for, as it’s really about the same as reading the text from a speechwriter. The question is will he stay off Twitter and let the reasonably classy response stand? Heck I doubt he cared enough to stay awake ---
**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, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1285 "2017-12-13T04:31:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Did the gutless wonder duck out the back? He’s probably preparing a lawsuit, he’s got a Jew lawyer ya know. ---
**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, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1286 "2017-12-13T04:32:16Z")
Not conceding. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1287 "2017-12-13T04:32:19Z")
Now, here’s an interesting thought: The result tonight means that … Wait for it… President Trump was actually RIGHT about what would happen if Moore was nominated. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1288 "2017-12-13T04:32:56Z")
Moore is speaking now… ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1289 "2017-12-13T04:33:20Z")
Not going to concede. Holding until the votes are certified. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1290 "2017-12-13T04:33:21Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Not conceding. Well, you know, when God is on your side, anything can happen. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1291 "2017-12-13T04:34:26Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Wow. I was hopeful, but really did not know which way it would go. I just hope the Dems don’t get overconfident and find a way to screw this up. > > I wonder what the conversation between Sessions and Trump over president waffles and fruit will be tomorrow. Alabama: blue. Wow. Oh we will. By lunch tomorrow, the Democratic establishment will have forgotten that the Republicans control the white house the senate, the house of representative, the majority of governors mansions, the majority of state legislatures and the fact that we have lost over 1000 elected offices over the last decade. They will be thinking about turning Wyoming blue or something ridiculous like that. Hopefully the Republicans will start to eat their own. ---
**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, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1292 "2017-12-13T04:35:03Z")
I’d really love to hear how **nate** is feeling tonight. He made a very poignant post somewhere in the forum recently, maybe even in this thread, about what it’s been like as a more progressive person living in Alabama. I hope tonight’s results lift his spirits some. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1293 "2017-12-13T04:35:32Z")
Looks like [somebody](http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/364600-gop-campaign-chairman-i-hope-doug-jones-will-vote-with-republicans) just had a big bowl of Meth-Frosted Crack Flakes soaked in Everclear: > [@](#): > > “I hope Senator-elect Doug Jones will do the right thing and truly represent AL by choosing to vote with the Senate Repub Majority,” [National Republican Senate Committee chair Cory] Gardner said in a statement… ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1294 "2017-12-13T04:36:14Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > So Trump has backed two losers for the same election. Who will he blame now? Well the big point is why Jeff Sessions is no longer Senator from Alabama. Who appointed him as Attorney General, resulting in him leaving his Senate seat, and requiring a new election to fill that seat? And that election resulting in a new Senator from the opposite party. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1295 "2017-12-13T04:37:49Z")
Holy crap! This actually happened. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1296 "2017-12-13T04:41:35Z")
I can’t stand listening to the man again, but I think his understanding of the recount process is flawed. From my Twitter feed: > [@](#): > > Lachlan Markay‏ > Verified account > > @lachlan > > Alabama secretary of state John Merrill on CNN just now: “Any candidate can request a recount, and if they pay for it, there’s a recount.” Doesn’t sound like he thinks there’s any question. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1297 "2017-12-13T04:43:55Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Well the big point is why Jeff Sessions is no longer Senator from Alabama. Who appointed him as Attorney General, resulting in him leaving his Senate seat, and requiring a new election to fill that seat? And that election resulting in a new Senator from the opposite party. As “own goals” go, this one was pretty massive. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1298 "2017-12-13T04:47:15Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > I can’t stand listening to the man again, but I think his understanding of the recount process is flawed. > From my Twitter feed: > > Doesn’t sound like he thinks there’s any question. The law in Alabama requires a recount if the margin of victory is within .5%. Even if the margin is outside of that, any candidate can request a recount, but then they have to pay for it (unless, I believe, it turns out to change the result). If the write in percentage doesn’t change (1.69%), he’d have to have 48.9% of the votes cast. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1299 "2017-12-13T04:48:05Z")
Granted that we ought not read _too_ much into this–a very narrow loss by a man who is morally repugnant in more ways than one–but I am reminded of a famous Winston Churchill quote: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” > [@Winston Churchill](#): > > We have victory–a remarkable and definite victory. The bright gleam has caught the helmets of our soldiers and warmed and cheered all our hearts. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504/1300 "2017-12-13T04:49:17Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > The law in Alabama requires a recount if the margin of victory is within .5%. Even if the margin is outside of that, any candidate can request a recount, but then they have to pay for it (unless, I believe, it turns out to change the result). That’s what I thought - it sounded like the campaign chairman was trying to conflate the write-in votes…somehow. Meanwhile, this from the Alabama Secretary of State (via CNN): > [@](#): > > Alabama secretary of state: “Highly unlikely” that Jones is not the winner > Roy Moore’s campaign chairman pointed the media to the John Merrill, Secretary of State of Alabama, for final result procedures. As of now, Moore is not conceding. > “The people of Alabama have spoken tonight. They’ve made their voice heard loud and clear. The most important thing to remember now is the process needs to be followed to ensure that the integrity, the safety and security of the election is preserved,” Merrill said. > The election will be certified no earlier than Dec. 26 and no later than the Jan. 3. > If the margin is within 1%, it triggers an automatic recount. So far, Jones is leading by more than that. > However, there are still votes to be counted, including absentee ballots. > CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Merrill: “Do you expect anything other than Mr. Jones being the next senator from the state of Alabama?” > “I would find that highly unlikely to occur, Jake,” Merrill said. > “One of the things that is obviously recognized by using the equipment that we use in the elections process is that there’s not a whole lot of mistakes that are made,” he added. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504.md?page=64) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-democrats-win-the-alabama-senate-special-election-in-december/793504.md?page=66)