# Down Goes Eric Cantor **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 11, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516 "2014-06-11T00:05:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/121 "2014-06-11T14:05:05Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Economics trumps sociology. Win for Brat. Cantor is a sociologist? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/122 "2014-06-11T14:07:53Z")
Trammell is a sociology professer. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/123 "2014-06-11T14:08:02Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > In other news, last year Virginia initiated [The Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/08/31/1235411/-New-Approach-to-Voter-Suppression-in-Virginia), and dropped 350,000 voters from the rolls, with highly dubious accuracy. I wonder if this affected the race. Somehow, I doubt it would have much effect on a Republican primary. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/124 "2014-06-11T14:08:17Z")
> [@](#): > > “My commitment is not to increase spending; to have a spending bill where you don’t increase it. Cantor’s voted for 10 of the last 15 debt ceiling increases. I just don’t buy the idea that you are truly put in the position of backing the debt ceiling increase the last minute, that you had no choice.” I wouldn’t want to judge Mr. Brat on one fragment of one interview but it sounds like he got it exactly right. You avoid the debt ceiling increase by having a spending bill that doesn’t increase spending. He rejects the business of passing spending bills without “consequence” and then saying “we are forced into rasing the debt ceiling”. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/125 "2014-06-11T14:10:17Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Somehow, I doubt it would have much effect on a Republican primary. Not only that, but purging the roles of ineligible voters is a requirement of the Help America Vote Act. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/126 "2014-06-11T14:43:58Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > My understanding is that the Dems had no one to vote for. Their nominee was already selected by committee because the could not find anyone to run. Virginia is an open primary state. Cantor lost by what, 11 points? You’re a Dem, you have an opportunity to vote directly against Cantor… [Don’t bet on it.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/06/11/did-democratic-votes-doom-eric-cantor/?wprss=rss_the-fix&clsrd) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/127 "2014-06-11T14:45:47Z")
Great post. It does look like Cantor lost because of Republicans. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/128 "2014-06-11T14:53:29Z")
Ultimately, Cantor got gerrymandered out of his seat, because the new district included too many Teaglodytes and not enough classic Chamber of Commerce Republicans. Unless the party can tame the beast during the next few election cycles, they’re going to have a big problem with redistricting next time around – they’ll have to juggle three significant variables (Democratic voters, mainstream Republicans, and Teaboners), which is a lot more difficult than the usual two. Considering that they only have a House majority now because of gerrymandering, and that the demographic trends are moving against them, that’s going to put them in a very tough spot. I plan to watch, cultivating a laugh that combines the best of Vincent Price, the Master as played by Anthony Ainley, and the Joker as voiced by Mark Hamill. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/129 "2014-06-11T14:53:49Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > My understanding is that the Dems had no one to vote for. Their nominee was already selected by committee because the could not find anyone to run. Virginia is an open primary state. Cantor lost by what, 11 points? You’re a Dem, you have an opportunity to vote directly against Cantor… If your party isn’t running a competitive primary, people just stay home. It takes cattle prods to get people to vote in a primary where it “matters” for their party, trying to convince droves of them to hump on down to the voting booth for a joke is a fool’s errand. ---
**Author:** ![crucible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/130 "2014-06-11T15:41:11Z")
> [@Twoflower](#): > > I thought Eric Cantor was a tea partier. Did I miss something? Are they eating their own now? Sort of like the White Walkers chasing the Wildings away from their sanctuaries north of the Wall. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/131 "2014-06-11T16:02:14Z")
So I’m reading a blog post (admittedly liberal) where Brat’s beliefs (via the larger organizations and religious sect of which he is part) are characterized as “includ[ing] the elimination of public schools, the denial of full citizenship to non-Christians, and the death penalty for adultery, performing or having an abortion, blasphemy, homosexuality, heresy, and even persistent rebelliousness against one’s parents…” My hope is that if he’s totally bought in, that we hear a LOT about it in the next months… ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/132 "2014-06-11T16:11:04Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > I wouldn’t want to judge Mr. Brat on one fragment of one interview but it sounds like he got it exactly right. You avoid the debt ceiling increase by having a spending bill that doesn’t increase spending. He rejects the business of passing spending bills without “consequence” and then saying “we are forced into rasing the debt ceiling”. We will see if he holds to that when pork is dangling in front of his face for Virginia and his vote comes up ---
**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:** [June 11, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/133 "2014-06-11T16:16:33Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > I wouldn’t want to judge Mr. Brat on one fragment of one interview but it sounds like he got it exactly right. You avoid the debt ceiling increase by having a spending bill that doesn’t increase spending. He rejects the business of passing spending bills without “consequence” and then saying “we are forced into rasing the debt ceiling”. No, he’s full of shit. You cannot avoid debt ceiling increases unless you balance the budget. You can have a spending bill that doesn’t increase spending a nickel and still have a deficit and thus require debt ceiling increases, particularly given the Republicans’ tendencies to cut taxes for no particular reason. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/134 "2014-06-11T16:23:41Z")
WRT Brat, [don’t get your hopes up](http://www.salon.com/2014/06/11/eric_cantors_victorious_opponent_has_no_idea_how_to_answer_basic_policy_questions/). ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/135 "2014-06-11T16:35:07Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > WRT Brat, [don’t get your hopes up](http://www.salon.com/2014/06/11/eric_cantors_victorious_opponent_has_no_idea_how_to_answer_basic_policy_questions/). ☹ Don’t ever go on MSNBC. It’s good he learned that lesson early. He actually handled himself pretty well there, despite the pop quiz they tried to hit him with. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/136 "2014-06-11T16:36:42Z")
A Fox commentator says Cantor lost because he and his staff were arrogant, out of touch and seen as liars even by those who publicly backed him: [Why Cantor lost | Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/06/10/why-cantor-lost/) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/137 "2014-06-11T16:37:36Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > WRT Brat, [don’t get your hopes up](http://www.salon.com/2014/06/11/eric_cantors_victorious_opponent_has_no_idea_how_to_answer_basic_policy_questions/). ☹ Let’s see how prepared Trammell is. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2014, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/138 "2014-06-11T16:39:24Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Don’t ever go on MSNBC. It’s good he learned that lesson early. What’s the problem? They didn’t ask any “gotcha” questions about what he reads or anything. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/139 "2014-06-11T16:40:36Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > the pop quiz they tried to hit him with. Where they asked an economist if we should have a minimum wage? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516/140 "2014-06-11T16:45:13Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > So I’m reading a blog post (admittedly liberal) where Brat’s beliefs (via the larger organizations and religious sect of which he is part) are characterized as “includ[ing] the elimination of public schools, the denial of full citizenship to non-Christians, and the death penalty for adultery, performing or having an abortion, blasphemy, homosexuality, heresy, and even persistent rebelliousness against one’s parents…” > > My hope is that if he’s totally bought in, that we hear a LOT about it in the next months… Liberals are so gullible… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/down-goes-eric-cantor/690516.md?page=8)