# Debate Newsweek's 2010 Politics Predictions **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 29, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947 "2009-12-29T19:58:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/21 "2009-12-30T01:20:42Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > I’m still hoping a meteor hits Scalia and Thomas 😉 :mad: Shame on you for omitting Roberts and Alito from your prayers. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/22 "2009-12-30T01:25:14Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > :mad: Shame on you for omitting Roberts and Alito from your prayers. Why Roberts? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/23 "2009-12-30T01:26:28Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Not now, not ever. He started slapping homosexuals in the face right from the beginning. At best, he is indifferent to them, and quite possibly is just another homophobe. And it’s not like they can vote Republican without doing even worse. It’s kind of funny that people feel this way since Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was one of the first things he tackled when getting into office. LGBT stuff with Obama is the perfect example of the Progressive instant gratification culture. Obama hasn’t solved every problem in the first 11 months in office, therefore he doesn’t care about ‘insert offended constituency here.’ ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/24 "2009-12-30T01:36:44Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > It’s kind of funny that people feel this way since Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was one of the first things he tackled when getting into office. No it wasn’t; his not doing so was one of the complaints from the homosexual community. And the perception of him betraying the homosexuals who voted for him started earlier, when he had an intensely anti-gay preacher speak at his inauguration. Imagine the reaction if Bush had had a KKK Grand Imperial Wizard speak at his inauguration - but then, being an anti-gay bigot is more politcally acceptable than being an anti-black one. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/25 "2009-12-30T01:51:13Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > No it wasn’t; his not doing so was one of the complaints from the homosexual community. And the perception of him betraying the homosexuals who voted for him started earlier, when he had an intensely anti-gay preacher speak at his inauguration. Imagine the reaction if Bush had had a KKK Grand Imperial Wizard speak at his inauguration - but then, being an anti-gay bigot is more politcally acceptable than being an anti-black one. It was, he immediately ordered a stay on all DADT precedings. Ordered that nothing new be implemented. He just hasn’t repealed it yet. The complaints about who spoke at his inauguration are not even worthwhile to mention. The point was bipartisanship. Obama can’t win. If he’s not a progressive extremist then he hates gays. Any right wing preacher would have been non-kosher to them. Therefore their opinions should not be taken into account as valid. KKK Grand Wizard. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/26 "2009-12-30T01:57:39Z")
> **[HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News](https://www.huffpost.com/?err_code=404&err_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2009%2F10%2F10%2Fobama-says-he-will-end-do_n_316524.html)** > > Read the latest headlines, news stories, and opinion from Politics, Entertainment, Life, Perspectives, and more. Obama obviously HAS done things for his gay constituents. As I said, instant gratification culture. They don’t just want it, they want it NOWNOWNOWNOWNOW! It’s supposed to take precedence over anything else. Otherwise Obama hates the gay community. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/27 "2009-12-30T01:58:13Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > The complaints about who spoke at his inauguration are not even worthwhile to mention. The point was bipartisanship. No, the point was sucking up to bigots. > [@mswas](#): > > Obama can’t win. If he’s not a progressive extremist then he hates gays. Any right wing preacher would have been non-kosher to them. Therefore their opinions should not be taken into account as valid. Forgive them for not liking people who want them dead. :rolleyes: > [@mswas](#): > > KKK Grand Wizard. :rolleyes: And why is that an unfair comparison? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/28 "2009-12-30T02:01:25Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > No, the point was sucking up to bigots. You cannot use the word bigot and expect me to respond to you. You have overused it. > [@](#): > > Forgive them for not liking people who want them dead. :rolleyes: Who wants them dead? Show me evidence that he wants homosexuals to be killed. > [@](#): > > And why is that an unfair comparison? If you can show me evidence that he actively lynched and killed and supported legislation to outlaw homosexuality then the point is valid. If on the other hand he just stuck with Christian dogma and said it’s immoral then it’s not the same at all. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/29 "2009-12-30T02:10:02Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > You cannot use the word bigot and expect me to respond to you. You have overused it. In other words, I point out the obvious and you don’t like it. > [@mswas](#): > > Who wants them dead? Show me evidence that he wants homosexuals to be killed. Lots of Christians want homosexuals dead; the American Christians supporting Uganda’s anti-gay genocide plan for example. The fact that he refused to condemn Uganda’s plan until pushed into doing so shows where his sympathies are. > [@mswas](#): > > If you can show me evidence that he actively lynched and killed and supported legislation to outlaw homosexuality then the point is valid. If on the other hand he just stuck with Christian dogma and said it’s immoral then it’s not the same at all. And how many KKKers have done any of that these days? And bigotry that is Christian dogma is still bigotry. If you condemn homosexuality, then you are a bigot; your motive is irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/30 "2009-12-30T02:12:12Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > In other words, I point out the obvious and you don’t like it. > > Lots of Christians want homosexuals dead; the American Christians supporting Uganda’s anti-gay genocide plan for example. The fact that he refused to condemn Uganda’s plan until pushed into doing so shows where his sympathies are. > > And how many KKKers have done any of that these days? And bigotry that is Christian dogma is still bigotry. If you condemn homosexuality, then you are a bigot; your motive is irrelevant. Right, I knew you couldn’t back up what you had to say. As usual. You’ll just insist that you get to make up a bunch of bullshit and when I don’t believe it it’s because it makes me ‘uncomfortable’. Come back when have cites, until then. Blah. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/31 "2009-12-30T02:21:23Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Right, I knew you couldn’t back up what you had to say. As usual. You’ll just insist that you get to make up a bunch of bullshit and when I don’t believe it it’s because it makes me ‘uncomfortable’. > > Come back when have cites, until then. Blah. [Cite](http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/30/warren-uganda/) from the first google result; I’m sure you can find more yourself if you actually care about the truth. It’s not like any of this is obscure. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/32 "2009-12-30T02:31:29Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > [Cite](http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/30/warren-uganda/) from the first google result; I’m sure you can find more yourself if you actually care about the truth. It’s not like any of this is obscure. Honestly don’t expect me to google anything you write. I assume you’re wrong unless you prove me otherwise. But you went out of character and provided a cite. This cite doesn’t prove your point about anything. ---
**Author:** ![sleeping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/33 "2009-12-30T02:50:47Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > **9. Obama Does Nada on Gay Rights.** Because he doesn’t want to threaten the prospects of his own legislative agenda with socially divisive policies/rhetoric. > > Sounds very plausible indeed to me. In fact, sounds like the right call for him to make. (Sorry, gayguys.) Agreed. Look, I support gay marriage, but it’s hardly the most important issue right now, in general. Additionally, I think it’s detrimental to the overall LGBT movement that the MSM’s focus has been on this one issue (which is about the only barrier white male homosexuals have to fully integrating into mainstream society), rather than on other issues like homelessness and violence (which Obama addressed with the Matthew Shepard Act). > [@](#): > > **5. Palin Gets Her Talk Show.** Hey, she’ll finally find her place–getting paid to say ridiculous bullshit. > [@](#): > > **4. Troubled California Stays Blue.** Pubs Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman lose their bids for senator and governor, respectively. “Both women are hoping populist anger will color the Golden State a redder hue, but they’ve already misstepped by staking their campaigns on an impending backlash to environmental concerns—unwise in the state that lays claim to both San Francisco and Hollywood. Whitman will lose to Golden Boy Jerry Brown. And Fiorina? Electing her would mean replacing high-ranking Barbara Boxer with a junior senator in the minority party.” Please. Fiorina, even with all her millions, simply can’t win. Plus, Chuck DeVore may pull a Doug Hoffman and siphon off votes from the Republican candidate. In fact, the degree to which the tea party candidates will help Dems by splintering conservative voters should be considered in every race. > [@](#): > > **3. GOP Blocks Immigration Reform.** The Dems propose immigration reform similar to that floated in 2007, cracking down on employers of undocumented workers while opening a path to citizenship for illegals already here. The backlash is even worse than in 2007, because of high unemployment. “\* in the House, where members will be just months away from midterm elections, things will fall apart, as moderate Democrats join a united GOP opposition. Republicans will emerge victorious. Yet in getting there, they’ll employ such strident rhetoric that, in the minds of many, they’ll seal their image as anti-immigrant and anti-Latino. Come November, Hispanics will respond with energetic turnout, helping keep some House seats blue and further ensconcing themselves in the Democratic fold.” I wonder if Lou Dobbs will actually run for anything. If he does, you can bet that he’ll be a high-profile opponent of any immigration reform measures. > [@](#): > > **2. GOP Ousts Reid.** Simply because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s approval rating in Nevada is sinking. _Newsweek_ predicts his defeat even though no strong Pub candidate has yet emerged. Well, 538 is still projecting a Reid hold, but his capitulation on the public option is going to cost him liberal support. OTOH, I have no idea what the Pubs have in storage in Nevada. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/34 "2009-12-30T12:34:54Z")
> [@sleeping](#): > > OTOH, I have no idea what the Pubs have in storage in Nevada. THAT’S what we can use Nevada for! Storage of toxic Republicans! ---
**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:** [December 30, 2009, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/35 "2009-12-30T13:56:28Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > THAT’S what we can use Nevada for! Storage of toxic Republicans! Dear God, no. There are some things you just don’t want to risk leaching into the groundwater. Apparently Crist is taking in campaign donations hand over fist, so somebody out there likes him. Wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him win. And Reid will probably squeak out a victory; I’m guessing that there are enough people who like the thought of their guy being the one in the Big Chair to keep Reid in place. Obama and gay rights: the optimist in me says he’s keeping his powder dry while fighting the more contentious battles of healthcare reform and economic recovery, given that open support for LGBT issues is a rallying cry for right-wing opponents. The pessimist in me says Obama’s a crypto-fundamentalist deliberately dragging his feet. It is, however, still way too early in the game to tell which view is right. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/36 "2009-12-30T15:11:25Z")
It’s interesting that according to the OP and/or Newsweek, “ultraconservatives” will have an important say in which Republicans get elected/re-elected, but there are no “ultraliberals” mentioned as influencing any Democratic races. Guess there aren’t any. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/37 "2009-12-30T15:39:53Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > It’s interesting that according to the OP and/or Newsweek, “ultraconservatives” will have an important say in which Republicans get elected/re-elected, but there are no “ultraliberals” mentioned as influencing any Democratic races. > > Guess there aren’t any. :dubious: Well, it’s been pretty consistently stated on this board that the fringe right has far more political power than the equivalent fringe left. Whether or not that’s true, it appears to be the prevailing perception, and in all honesty I haven’t seen any evidence for ultraliberals being any kind of political force. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/38 "2009-12-30T15:43:50Z")
Immigration won’t even be raised in 2010. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/39 "2009-12-30T16:17:01Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Well, it’s been pretty consistently stated on this board that the fringe right has far more political power than the equivalent fringe left. Whether or not that’s true, it appears to be the prevailing perception, and in all honesty I haven’t seen any evidence for ultraliberals being any kind of political force. Of course. Liberals are reasoned and moderate. It’s only conservatives that even have ultras-. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947/40 "2009-12-30T16:22:38Z")
> [@sleeping](#): > > Agreed. Look, I support gay marriage, but it’s hardly the most important issue right now, in general. The problem with that sort of argument is that for the vast majority of problems, “X isn’t the most important problem right now” is always going to be true. Waiting until there aren’t more important problems means waiting forever. And since when on a civil rights issue has waiting until the bigots see reason worked? Civil rights are something you have to demand, regardless of who is offended or you’ll never get them at all. > [@Bricker](#): > > Of course. Liberals are reasoned and moderate. It’s only conservatives that even have ultras-. That’s a distortion. Neither **Bosstone** nor anyone else said that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-newsweeks-2010-politics-predictions/522947.md?page=3)