# Have the recent scandals screwed the Dems for the mid terms? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 16, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517 "2013-05-16T16:04:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/21 "2013-05-16T19:32:59Z")
**DA** , do you have AWB tattooed on your person? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/22 "2013-05-16T19:53:43Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Gun nuts will punish the Democratic party. How, by joining it? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/23 "2013-05-16T19:55:11Z")
Are those like Truck Nutz? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/24 "2013-05-16T19:56:06Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Gun nuts will punish the Democratic party. Gun owners will punish the Dems, and rightfully so. They knew full well that guns are the third rail of politics, and they still tried to pass legislation. When they lose seats, hopefully in epic proportions, they should realize that they must never attempt such nonsense again. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/25 "2013-05-16T19:57:52Z")
Bills with 90% public support are hardly a “third rail”. Punishment for voting against the people is already being meted out severely, but not to the bill’s _supporters_. Dream on. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/26 "2013-05-16T19:59:59Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > How, by joining it? Sure, ‘Gun Nuts’ weren’t going to vote Democratic anyway. But there are some gun owners that are on the fence over the background check issue. But that was just in the Senate. When you’re talking about the IRS targeting people based on background checks and the Justice Department wiretapping the press, fewer of those people will be willing to jump over the fence. That’s what the conversation will sound like, the Republicans are better at controlling the conversation than the Democrats are. This scandal stuff won’t spearhead the GOP assault, it’s the non-stop shelling to soften up the enemy. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/27 "2013-05-16T20:15:12Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Bills with 90% public support are hardly a “third rail”. Punishment for voting against the people is already being meted out severely, but not to the bill’s _supporters_. > > Dream on. I see that number thrown about often. However, what I don’t see is an analysis by congressional district. I suspect that alleged public support comes from a few urban districts, with high population density. The political reality is that there are many rural districts, with low population density, where it is highly unlikely that a majority support the gun grabbers. If someone were to make a map, I think it might look a lot like the blue/red electoral maps…lots of blue in cities, lots of red in rural areas. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/28 "2013-05-16T20:19:33Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > When you’re talking about the IRS targeting people based on background checks and the Justice Department wiretapping the press, fewer of those people will be willing to jump over the fence. Which people and what fence? The Democrats could lose some seats in the Senate based on the cycle of seats coming up for a vote and some retirements, but it’s hard to see the composition of the House changing a whole lot and I doubt the Republicans are going to pick up six seats- nevermind attributing it to this. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/29 "2013-05-16T20:22:51Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Jealousy. They think we are going to take all their guns and then spend the rest of our lives fondling them. Fondling _them_ or fondling their guns? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/30 "2013-05-16T20:25:18Z")
**Oakie:** Its is true that our electoral maps are skewed in such a way that geographical entities have more political power than actual people. Which is ok with you, so long as you get your way? But it won’t do to remind people of that, they live with some comforting myths about equality of power among voters. And the proposed legislation was so utterly mild and watered down its almost impossible to oppose it for a sensible and reasonable person. Which is why it got such high approval ratings. But get it it did, and that’s a fact. The other fact is that the NRA has more political power than a majority of Americans. And that is a very ugly fact. Assuming that you and I share some respect for the American ideals of democracy, how do you justify that, outside of simply having your way and fuck everybody else? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/31 "2013-05-16T20:33:21Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Which people and what fence? The Democrats could lose some seats in the Senate based on the cycle of seats coming up for a vote and some retirements, but it’s hard to see the composition of the House changing a whole lot and I doubt the Republicans are going to pick up six seats- nevermind attributing it to this. My position is no change also. I’m saying the Republicans should be weak right now because of their lack of accomplishment and dumb moves like the Bengazi nonsense and the background check vote, but the Democrats won’t be able to take advantage of that because they don’t control the conversation well, and they won’t do enough negative campaigning to get the backdrop to a neutral color. They’ll be tied up dealing with damage control, and by election time they won’t be able to swing districts or states. The Republicans might be able to by coming up with a good last minute gimmick like the Contract on America. They can do that if they can think of something (doubtful I’m sure) because the Democrats don’t do the prep work for the final battle. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/32 "2013-05-16T20:41:28Z")
I like how this became an opportunity for Oak’s pony to come up and show us its trick. _Again_. The scandals are ultimately trivial. Benghazi is an utter joke and Issa is just making himself look worse over time. And the IRS thing was a local office. Most people don’t blame Jack if their burger doesn’t have pickles. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/33 "2013-05-16T20:50:47Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > When you’re talking about the IRS targeting people based on background checks and the Justice Department wiretapping the press, fewer of those people will be willing to jump over the fence. What kind of background checks and which people are you referring to? I’ve only heard about the scrutiny of groups with “patriot” and “tea party” in the name. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/34 "2013-05-16T20:57:03Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > What kind of background checks and which people are you referring to? I’ve only heard about the scrutiny of groups with “patriot” and “tea party” in the name. See next sentence. > [@TriPolar](#): > > That’s what the conversation will sound like, the Republicans are better at controlling the conversation than the Democrats are. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/35 "2013-05-16T21:02:55Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I’m saying the Republicans should be weak right now because of their lack of accomplishment and dumb moves like the Bengazi nonsense and the background check vote, but the Democrats won’t be able to take advantage of that because they don’t control the conversation well, and they won’t do enough negative campaigning to get the backdrop to a neutral color. The Republicans are in a bad position. Have you noticed what’s going on with immigration reform? Is there anything other than maybe a couple of Senate retirements that’s likely to change anything in 2014? ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/36 "2013-05-16T21:17:06Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I certainly hope so. I hope every supporter of the recent gun grabbing legislation does down in defeat, and the various scandals can only help that happen. I certainly doubt it, since there was no legislation to grab guns. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/37 "2013-05-16T21:28:37Z")
The IRS one may have. That something actually happened and that it involved the IRS and conservative groups basically hits every single button for a lot of people. We saw in 2010 that mid terms are all about enthusiasm, and even if there is absolutely nothing to that scandal it hits the right key words to send them into apoplexy. The attempt at gun control and a possible ruling on gay rights will play a bigger part though. Republican voters are just more reliable and more easily riled up, it plays well for mid term elections. I expect heavy losses for Democrats near to 2010. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/38 "2013-05-16T21:49:31Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > The IRS one may have. That something actually happened and that it involved the IRS and conservative groups basically hits every single button for a lot of people. And that in part is probably why two top IRS people are already out the door even though the person who was running the IRS when this stuff happened left in November. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/39 "2013-05-16T22:01:01Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > And that in part is probably why two top IRS people are already out the door even though the person who was running the IRS when this stuff happened left in November. It doesn’t matter one tiny bit. Look at Oakminster’s post if you need a reminder of the level of irrationality you are dealing with. What actually happened is completely inconsequential, the only thing that matters is that the IRS came after some conservative groups and that is something millions of people with zero understanding of any actual facts can use to justify every single one of their fears. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517/40 "2013-05-16T22:43:04Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Gun nuts will punish the Democratic party. What, by turning out? It’s not like they were gonna vote Dem anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-recent-scandals-screwed-the-dems-for-the-mid-terms/658517.md?page=3)