# Democrats trying to skew another election? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 23, 2004, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878 "2004-06-23T21:29:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Psycho\_Pirate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Psycho\_Pirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Psycho_Pirate)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/61 "2004-06-24T14:01:41Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > I don’t know what you mean when you use the term “personal liberty”, but I define it as the absence of coercion. And if you believe that that is the state of affairs, then you are so delusional that you will consider this post to be supportive of your position. **coercion** _(noun)_: The use of express or implied threats of violence or reprisal or other intimidating behavior that puts a person in immediate fear of the consequences in order to compel that person to act against his or her will. I feel no coercion due to the Patriot Act, other than “Don’t be a terrorist or commit crimes agains the US”. Gee, think I can manage that one. > [@Fear Itself](#): > > No, its because they spend more than Democrats. Great point! Because if the attack on our country on 9/11 had occurred during Bill Clinton’s campaign, he wouldn’t have spent any money! He would have came through with more surpluses! Seriously though, good or bad, more money had to be spent because of an increase in global terrorism. Not to mention (from your own cited article): > [@](#): > > Also expanding relentlessly have been huge programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, which grow automatically with inflation, higher medical costs and more beneficiaries. And don’t forget prescription drugs for seniors! Surely the Democrats would have found a way to make that free, with no deficit at all. > [@Fear Itself](#): > > Clinton had surpluses, not deficits, for the last four years of his administration, and left a $236 billion surplus when he left office. Bush squandered that, and plunged us into a deficit that may is projected to reach $500 billion by the end of the year. You say squandered, I say spent. If you don’t agree with what he spent it on (and my guess? You don’t), then you will believe he squandered it. I think he spent part of it wisely, and squandered some of it due to political pressure (prescription drugs, anyone)? > [@Fear Itself](#): > > Tell that to Brandon Mayfield. When innocent people are swept up in the terrorist dragnet, all free citizens have much to fear. I scanned the article. What does the Patriot Act have to do with an FBI computer error? So the FBI isn’t perfect. I for one am shocked. Not to mention the FBI apologized. Certainly, I’m not claiming that makes up for their mistake, but it is hardly the act of “Big Brother”. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/62 "2004-06-24T14:01:41Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > The Democratic party tried to ban Passion? Or maybe you’re talking about Bird on a Wire, or Mad Max. Fuck all if I know. Nope. Now you’re just being obtuse. Saying all Democrats tried to block Passion being released, is the same as saying all Republicans are trying to block F9/11. I, for one, look forward to the laughs. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/63 "2004-06-24T14:05:59Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Typical lefty twaddle. Probably paid for his membership with food stamps. Yeah, probably so, thanks to [Der Feurer](http://www.nilc.org/immspbs/fnutr/foodnutr014.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Ryle\_Dup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Ryle\_Dup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryle_Dup)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/64 "2004-06-24T14:08:41Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Nope. Now you’re just being obtuse. Saying all Democrats tried to block Passion being released, is the same as saying all Republicans are trying to block F9/11. > > I, for one, look forward to the laughs. You yourself generalized all democrats based on the actions of a few, that’s what this entire thread is about, your biased, partisan, ridiculous ramblings. Pot, kettle. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/65 "2004-06-24T14:14:41Z")
> [@Genghis Bob](#): > > In my book, any guy who wins the popular vote by 300,000 people, and still manages to \*\*not \*\* win the Presidency, has run himself a poor campaign. The 2000 election reminded us that it’s not just about the number of votes you get, but where you get 'em. Bush got his 300,000-fewer votes in the “right” states. As I recall, before Florida, Gore got 270 electoral votes, Bush got 255. (I may be off, but I think Gore was ahead by about 15). The crucial 25 votes from Florida would have put Gore about 10 over what was needed, but instead just barely put Bush at the bare minimum for a win. So what happened in Florida? A margin of less than 200, with a voting irregularity margin of error of over 3000. A full recount might have changed this, but it was stopped by a partisan SCOTUS. You really can’t blame Gore for running a poor campaign, not if you can afford to be bothered with facts. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/66 "2004-06-24T14:17:37Z")
> [@Psycho Pirate](#): > > What does the Patriot Act have to do with an FBI computer error? Patriot Act? Who said anything about the Patriot Act? I am talking about the detaining of innocent Americans on the flimsiest association with terrorism. Do you support that? ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/67 "2004-06-24T14:19:09Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Yeah, probably so, thanks to [Der Feurer](http://www.nilc.org/immspbs/fnutr/foodnutr014.htm). I disagree! Bushco is racist (copyright, trademark, all rights reserved)! There is no way a Republican would be willing to offer food to anyone making less than $60k/year! If they can’t pad the bottom line of Halliburton they don’t deserve to live! Screw them! I mean what els…huh?..what?!?..we’re helping people?!! Shit! Now I have to find a new political party! Fuck me if I’m going to share the vast wealth of this nation with lowly humans! I’m a Republican damnit! I decide who is happy and who isn’t! What? No way there can be 240 million people! How the hell are we gonna get everyone to agree? ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/68 "2004-06-24T14:21:10Z")
> [@Ryle Dup](#): > > You yourself generalized all democrats based on the actions of a few, that’s what this entire thread is about, your biased, partisan, ridiculous ramblings. > > Pot, kettle. Yeah, I admit I’m the first on these boards to generalize when it comes to politics. :wally _Mea_ fucking _culpa_ :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/69 "2004-06-24T14:31:28Z")
I was gonna say something about how most of the responses in this thread consist of little more than two-line drive-bys making fun of “pubbies” or “dummiecrats”, but then I realized that since there is no real content here, at least I’ve wasted a little less time reading through it than I maight have otherwise. So, er, carry on. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/70 "2004-06-24T14:32:15Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > Patriot Act? Who said anything about the Patriot Act? I am talking about the detaining of innocent Americans on the flimsiest association with terrorism. Do you support that? FWIW, I hate the idea of anyone, even enemies, being held without reason. But sometimes it happens. Myself, I’d be ready to kick ass if someone locked me up for no reason. Point is, even if I was picked up, there’s nothing I’ve done wrong, so it would be more an inconvenience than anything. Let whatever agency come and get me. Whatever you want to say about Bush, the Constitution is still in effect, and no one administration will cancel that out. Hey Al Gore, use your fucking Predator software to monitor all our posts here. (Forgot about that?) I don’t do anything illegal with my PC so I really couldn’t care less if John Ashcroft himself is monitoring my internet traffic. I have nothing to hide, and other than the SDMB, my online use is pretty damn boring. Oh, as far as my online use? When I call Incontinent Communications for the occasional tech support, the tech I talk to can read everything I type as I’m talking to him/her. Homeland Security is pretty much getting the ISP to tell them what they see. John Ashcroft, John Dilbert, either way, there are many that can see everything you type online. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/71 "2004-06-24T14:34:11Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I was gonna say something about how most of the responses in this thread consist of little more than two-line drive-bys making fun of “pubbies” or “dummiecrats”, but then I realized that since there is no real content here, at least I’ve wasted a little less time reading through it than I maight have otherwise. So, er, carry on. Be sure to leave your thoughts. 😉 This shouldv’e been opened in the pit, huh? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/72 "2004-06-24T14:48:50Z")
> [@](#): > > This shouldv’e been opened in the pit, huh? Actually, in the first draft of my previous pointless drive-by, I included a line about how at least for once this sort of thing was posted to the correct forum. 😉 Anyway, don’t mind me. Obviously, you seem to think this thread is accomplishing something useful and important, so have at it. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/73 "2004-06-24T15:05:09Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > I disagree! Bushco is racist (copyright, trademark, all rights reserved)! There is no way a Republican would be willing to offer food to anyone making less than $60k/year! If they can’t pad the bottom line of Halliburton they don’t deserve to live! Screw them! I mean what els…huh?..what?!?..we’re helping people?!! Shit! Now I have to find a new political party! FINALLY, we get him to see the light! And all it took was a simple bashing over the head. **duffer** , welcome to the sane. We hope you’ll stick around. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/74 "2004-06-24T15:06:19Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Based on your join date and the number of posts you have, I’d strongly advise against those kind of arguments. Allow myself and a select few others to take the heat on this tact. You’re setting yourself up for a “bad name”. Ignore the warning at your own peril. Just don’t make any excuses for Ashcroft around here. It is NOT welcome. And hi Psycho! 🙂 It’s interesting to see this open admission that “around here” defense of Mr. Ashcroft is not welcome. While I agree with that assessment, I’d also opine it’s hardy consistent with the Board’s stated mission of fighting ignorance. If there is meritorious defense for Mr. Ashcroft, then by all means, let’s have it. If there is criticism based on fact, as opposed to wild exaggeration, let’s have it too. I can’t count the number of fevered attacks on the Patriot Act I’ve read here, for example, and the number of times such attackers have sputtered meaninglessly when asked to define, specifically, where the Patriot Act says what they claim it says. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/75 "2004-06-24T15:07:48Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Dammit, that’s just fucking wrong, and as an SAB, you should know better, Uncle Beer. Every rat is a rodent, but not every rodent is a rat. There were SOME service votes amon the overseas votes, but the Democrats were asking that ALL overseas votes be held to the law. Sorry, Lib. My mistake. I did say that memory was a funny damned thing, though, didn’t I? In any case, Wikipedia agree with you, except they make the distinction that the military ballots made up the majority of the overseas votes. This, of course, is quite predictable. Just as is the military voting overwhelmingly Republican. If you think the Dems hadn’t considered both of these points when they made their protest, you’re being naive. > [@Wikipedia](#): > > There were a number of overseas ballots missing postmarks or filled out in such a way that they were invalid under Florida law. A poll worker filled out the missing information on some hundred of these ballots. The Democrats moved to have all overseas ballots thrown out because of this. These disputes added to the mass of litigation between parties to influence the counting of ballots. The largest group of disputed overseas ballots were military ballots, which the Republicans argued to have accepted. > **[2000 United States presidential election](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._presidential_election,_2000)** > > Bill Clinton > Democratic > George W. Bush > Republican > The 2000 United States presidential election was the 54th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 7, 2000. Republican candidate George W. Bush, the governor of Texas and eldest son of the 41st president, George H. W. Bush, won the election, defeating incumbent Vice President Al Gore. It was the fourth of five American presidential elections, and the first since 1888, in which the winning candidate lost the popular vote, a... ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/76 "2004-06-24T15:20:54Z")
Oh, I agree. Both sides fought tooth and nail during the whole fiasco. But the Republicans fought dirty. They cheated. They abused the power that they held over the process (as with the so-called “felons”). It all smacked of New Orleans and Chicago in the heydays of their scandals. Incidentally, you’re to be commended for admitting your mistake. Very classy. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/77 "2004-06-24T15:38:59Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > FINALLY, we get him to see the light! And all it took was a simple bashing over the head. **duffer** , welcome to the sane. We hope you’ll stick around. 🙂 Enjoy it while it lasts, I’m due for my medication soon. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/78 "2004-06-24T15:44:19Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Actualy, it’s the other way around. The president proposes a budget which Congress then hacks to pieces. If Reagan’s proposed budgets had been approved by Congress, his second term would have ended with a $130 billion surplus. > > [PresidentReagan.info | Welcome to President Reagan Official Website](http://www.presidentreagan.info/reagan_budgets.cfm) That page and chart are [bullshit](http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/56More.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/79 "2004-06-24T15:48:30Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > I disagree! Bushco is racist (copyright, trademark, all rights reserved)! There is no way a Republican would be willing to offer food to anyone making less than $60k/year! If they can’t pad the bottom line of Halliburton they don’t deserve to live! Screw them! I mean what els…huh?..what?!?..we’re helping people?!! Shit! Now I have to find a new political party! Fuck me if I’m going to share the vast wealth of this nation with lowly humans! I’m a Republican damnit! I decide who is happy and who isn’t! What? No way there can be 240 million people! How the hell are we gonna get everyone to agree? You know, if I mug your mother to feed my sister, that’s not charity. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878/80 "2004-06-24T15:51:57Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > You know, if I mug your mother to feed my sister, that’s not charity. Hope your sister is a zombie-cannibal since my mom died a few months ago, fuckstick. (Shit, I was starting to like you, but you had to go Cartman with the mom reference) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-trying-to-skew-another-election/251878.md?page=5)