# Dems lose the House in November. Who's to blame? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 25, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792 "2010-03-25T19:57:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/21 "2010-03-25T21:31:49Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Let’s try to get this thread on track. > The question was NOT why Dems would lose in Nov. The question was IF they lose, who would they blame because face it, in DC everything is always someone else’s fault. In my OP I tried to demonstrate that but apparently that derailed the conversation so ignoring those. > > IF the Dems lose the House, then who will the Democrats (take your pick, the Dem leadership or the average Dem voter) blame for the loss. > > Oh and Lobohan, not only did your post #8 not add anything answering that question, you may know what I do but you have no clue how I do it. OTOH, I have heard Skeletor’s responses to interview questions many times so > A) I believe I have much authority to call Speaker Pelosi an idiot as Democrats did when they did the same to Bush for 8 years. > b) You need to keep quiet about how I do my job unless you’ve actually seen me do it. In either case my answer still stands. Depending on the Republicans tactics, they will either blame A) the economy which will be laid at the feet of George Bush. B) Republican scare tactics and an electorate knee-jerk enough to follow them. I don’t see that Obama, Pelosi, or Reid have done anything that the Democrats will see as problematic. They managed to get a Health care bill that although it was not all that the Democrats hoped for was still probably the best possible in their opinion. So if they are voted out because of it, they will view at as due to misinformation by Republicans. ETA: As proof of the accuracy of my position: I am a Democrat, and these are who I was blaming. So QED, this is who Democrats will blame. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/22 "2010-03-25T21:32:06Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Pssst…I wasn’t talking about Obama. Okay, cool. Why are we whispering? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/23 "2010-03-25T21:33:30Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Skeletor - “If he had handled the Senate better and not had backroom deals that upset the American voter, we wouldn’t have lost because of course the SML made deals while the SOTH facilitated compromise.” You know, I detested seeing “Shrub” for Bush, “Cooch” now for Ken Cuccinelli, but hey, “Skeletor” for Nancy Pelosi? That’s excellent, man, truly inspired. Or maybe not. How about we just stick to criticizing people for what they do, and not call them silly names. I like to think of “my side” as generally above this kind of nonsense, and when you do this right in front of me, it destroys the illusion. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/24 "2010-03-25T21:34:01Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > No moreso than liberals who equate all anti abortion advocates with NAMBLA and the KKK. . Would this be most liberals? Or a plurality? Some? A few? Do you in fact have any examples of this at all? Or is this hyperbole for your own amusement? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/25 "2010-03-25T21:35:48Z")
I’m going to be like Dio in a Skald thread here: I reject your major. As an alternative, I suggest that in November, the Dems may hold onto a number of seats the media consider unnatural for them–unnatural as two men holding hands, & completely inappropriate for a center-right country! Whom would you like to blame then, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/26 "2010-03-25T21:36:37Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I like to think of “my side” as generally above this kind of nonsense, and when you do this right in front of me, it destroys the illusion. You know, **Bricker** , I don’t think that “your side” is really aligning with your philosophy and intellectual abilities anymore. “Your side” is not above this kind of nonsense. There has been a sea change, and you are now a centrist. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/27 "2010-03-25T21:36:53Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Let’s try to get this thread on track. > The question was NOT why Dems would lose in Nov. The question was IF they lose, who would they blame because face it, in DC everything is always someone else’s fault. In my OP I tried to demonstrate that but apparently that derailed the conversation so ignoring those. > > IF the Dems lose the House, then who will the Democrats (take your pick, the Dem leadership or the average Dem voter) blame for the loss. > > Oh and Lobohan, not only did your post #8 not add anything answering that question, you may know what I do but you have no clue how I do it. OTOH, I have heard Skeletor’s responses to interview questions many times so > A) I believe I have much authority to call Speaker Pelosi an idiot as Democrats did when they did the same to Bush for 8 years. > b) You need to keep quiet about how I do my job unless you’ve actually seen me do it. I said she’s _probably_ much better than you. I don’t know it for a fact. I was just noting that your shambling and disordered OP, coupled with your desire to call silly names, didn’t suggest that you’re one of the best ever at whatever it is you do. Pilosi is. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/28 "2010-03-25T21:48:22Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Would this be most liberals? Or a plurality? Some? A few? Do you in fact have any examples of this at all? Or is this hyperbole for your own amusement? Well, since you asked, here’s an example from this very board… [Example](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12254249&postcount=21) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/29 "2010-03-25T21:53:28Z")
Last I recall the “Skeletor” reference, it was attached to James Carville, where it fit like a glove. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/30 "2010-03-25T21:55:08Z")
Yeah, I would’ve never guessed Pelosi. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/31 "2010-03-25T21:58:46Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Maybe they’ll wise up and realize that liberals are naive, impractical dreamers that can’t really run a country. We’d have to see an actual liberal controlled government to know that. Wait, we do! In Europe. Whose governments do not appear any more doomed to collapse than America’s. And no; neither Obama nor the Democrats in general are remotely liberal. They are moderate right wingers. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/32 "2010-03-25T22:02:03Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yeah, I would’ve never guessed Pelosi. I’d have called her Blinkie, if I had to come up with an insult. But really, if my House leaders last name was “Boehner”, I’d pretty much try to steer clear of any clever name-calling. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/33 "2010-03-25T22:13:09Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Well, since you asked, here’s an example from this very board… > > [Example](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12254249&postcount=21) I knew who that would be before I clicked the link! What do I win? Is it your contention then that **Der Trihs** represents liberal thought on this (left leaning) messageboard? I don’t think even he would say that! Do I laugh out loud now, or just snicker into my sleeve? ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/34 "2010-03-25T22:16:23Z")
Give some credit to the American electorate. They are finally realizing: -most of Obama’s cabinet are not competent (AG Holder, Sec.of the Treasury Geithner, etc.) -the foreign policy of making nice to dictators (like Castro, Chavez, Putin) isn’t working -the enormous corruption engendered by the “stimulus” is coming back to haunt Obama Finally, the USA is coming up against its limits as a power-the Chinese are balking at more loans to us. Need I say more? A change of government is in order.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/35 "2010-03-25T22:19:21Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Need I say more? > A change of government is in order.:smack: Yes, actually you do… perhaps some actual evidence for your mind-bogglingly foolish contentions for a start. Maybe you could tell us again how Obama is a facist socialist mind-controlling lizard. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/36 "2010-03-25T22:20:52Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I knew who that would be before I clicked the link! What do I win? > > Is it your contention then that **Der Trihs** represents liberal thought on this (left leaning) messageboard? I don’t think even he would say that! > > Do I laugh out loud now, or just snicker into my sleeve? Did I get elected as Glorious Leader of the Leftist Hordes when I wasn’t looking? Maybe that explains those weird guys who keep following me around shouting “Hail! Hail!” all the time. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/37 "2010-03-25T22:22:32Z")
Hey, no fair! “Wizard”, not “lizard”. “Lizard” would be _stupid_! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/38 "2010-03-25T22:28:44Z")
I think that an extrapolation of current conditions shows the Democrats losing seats, but not enough to lose the majority in either house. If they do lose either house, then, it would have to be because of some significant change to current conditions between now and the election. Without yet knowing what those changes would be, it’s impossible to assign blame. In other words, I’ll let you know who I blame when and if it happens. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/39 "2010-03-25T22:29:58Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Did I get elected as Glorious Leader of the Leftist Hordes when I wasn’t looking? Maybe that explains those weird guys who keep following me around shouting “Hail! Hail!” all the time. It was a lovely ceremony while you were asleep. There was a chafing dish full of Socialist Meatballs (they’re vegan by the way), and the most communist of all soft drinks, Mr. Pib. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792/40 "2010-03-25T22:33:25Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > … and the most communist of all soft drinks, Mr. Pib. Trotskyist! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-lose-the-house-in-november-whos-to-blame/533792.md?page=3)