# Inauguration Day follow-along thread -- Woo-hoo! Cue the brass bands & fireworks! **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 20, 2021, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958 "2021-01-20T13:10:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/381 "2021-01-21T16:54:19Z")
Republicans are in disarray but their voters will be hugely energized to vote anything that is not a democrat. Obama did slow and steady with no big actions and it got him nowhere. Clinton lost to Trump after Obama. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/382 "2021-01-21T16:56:16Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > I think the GOP is in disarray right now. That gives the Dems a bit of a leg up over usual mid-terms. It’s also unusual for a side to lose a presidential race while gaining seats in the House - it’s possible that some of those swing seats that would go R in 2022 have already gone R this year. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/383 "2021-01-21T17:03:54Z")
Obamacare–a big action–was signed in March 2010 and the GOP gained in both the Senate and House in the 2010 mid-terms, taking control of the House. For sure Obamacare hurt the Democrats in the election. I think a lot of people who voted for Trump are disillusioned with the GOP and won’t be motivated to vote for a non-Trumpist. That needs to be balanced with the Republicans who voted against Trump but voted GOP down-ticket. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/384 "2021-01-21T17:07:03Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Obama did slow and steady with no big actions and it got him nowhere. If that’s your shorthand summary of Obama’s eight years, you’re leaving out some important stuff. For one thing, Obama did not have 40+ years of personal history in the Senate like Biden does. Also Obama was perceived by many (who I doubt would admit it) as an uppity intellectual who lacked the common touch. He was doomed by his background and very identity to always be an outsider. Add that to Trump and McConnell’s personal attacks and blockages… there was no way he could accomplish anything. And yet, look what he DID manage to accomplish, including a second term. Biden is a horse of a completely different color-- in more ways than one. You really can’t compare them. (But I’m sure you will continue to, so have at it.) 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/385 "2021-01-21T17:13:07Z")
Who walks into the presidency wringing their hands that they are a newbie so please be nice? No one. Also, Biden was the VP. Obama had all of Biden’s experience and “40+ years of personal history in the Senate” to draw on. What did that get him? And what makes you think McConnell would respect Biden’s time in the senate? There is absolutely nothing McConnell has done in the past 12 years to make us think he will be nice to Biden because Biden has a lot of time in the senate. Indeed, absolutely nothing the republicans have done in the past 12 years suggests you should be optimistic that Biden will be able to reach across the aisle in a way no one has for a long time. But I am sure you will continue to sing the kumbaya Biden song, so have at it. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/386 "2021-01-21T17:19:40Z")
“Kumbaya”? Is that the best ya got? 🤣 You have sarcasm, bitterness, and negativity mastered, I’ll give you that. If that floats (or sinks) your boat, I’ll hand the talking stick to you and sit. Do go on. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/387 "2021-01-21T17:20:01Z")
You seem to be getting more and more negative as this thread goes by. Maybe you could just let the rest of us enjoy a moment of having someone in the White House that does not make us ashamed to be American? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/388 "2021-01-21T17:22:10Z")
The best you have is personal attacks so yeah…I’m good. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/389 "2021-01-21T17:25:04Z")
I’m THRILLED the orange menace is gone. I despised Trump as much as anyone here. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/390 "2021-01-21T17:28:33Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > The best you have is personal attacks so yeah…I’m good. Personal attack?? Oh my goodness, I’m so very sorry. My most humble apologies. I thought you’d be flattered that I “got you.” Big miscalculation on my part. I can sometimes be painfully clueless. I’ll leave you alone in the future. Again, so sorry. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/391 "2021-01-21T17:30:17Z")
I think we’ve been collectively damaged enough that even carefully guarded optimism sounds wildly hopeful. And that’s part of what gaslighting has done to us. I’m personally trying to switch my mentality from “sure, but how will it all go horribly wrong” to “hard work is no guarantee, but we can make progress.” It will take some time, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/392 "2021-01-21T17:30:27Z")
There ya go again. I rest my case. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/393 "2021-01-21T17:46:49Z")
I think if at midterm time the virus is really whipped and economic numbers are looking good for the middle class not just the wealthy, Dems might see gains in Congress. I also believe that the GOP will still be quite fragmented in two years. The Reckoning has only begun to be played out. The FBI appears to be serious about running down the seditionists in Washington, and they will certainly be empowered to do so. That will keep some awareness of the gravity of the trumpists’ crimes in the public eye, hopefully. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/394 "2021-01-21T17:47:49Z")
> [@SingleMalt](#): > > The joke I heard went, > “A Black, a Latino, and a Jewish guy walk into a bar. The bartender says, ‘Good afternoon, Senators.’” “But should you three be in the same bar at the same time?” ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/395 "2021-01-21T18:35:24Z")
One of the fun things that came out of yesterday are the memes being generated around a picture of Bernie Sanders sitting in his chair with mittens on. First pic is the original. [![](https://www.pennlive.com/resizer/jI5LvL5wR4ATgB2cQNjdeSpjv7E=/450x0/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/YX7EYWT6LJHQ3HQWGSVCUO7PSE.jpg) ](https://www.pennlive.com/resizer/jI5LvL5wR4ATgB2cQNjdeSpjv7E=/450x0/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/YX7EYWT6LJHQ3HQWGSVCUO7PSE.jpg) [![](https://i.redd.it/d3a2ype2spc61.jpg) ](https://i.redd.it/d3a2ype2spc61.jpg) [![](https://i.redd.it/gn62e4mb6pc61.png) ](https://i.redd.it/gn62e4mb6pc61.png) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/396 "2021-01-21T18:59:56Z")
[![](https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-01/q4honkqg_bernie-sanders-_625x300_21_January_21.jpg) ](https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-01/q4honkqg_bernie-sanders-_625x300_21_January_21.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/397 "2021-01-21T19:07:38Z")
_So happy just to be alive_ _underneath this sky of blue_ _on this new morning…_ Happy new year! Happy 2021!! (Told ya I wouldn’t consider this year to have truly begun until Biden was inaugurated!) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/398 "2021-01-21T19:18:43Z")
Re 2022, midterms are all about turnout, and turnout is all about the low-propensity voters on each side. Dems got terrific turnout in 2018 and 2020 because Dems’ low-propensity voters were pissed at Trump, and (in 2020) scared of another four years of him. That won’t be the case in 2022. The Dems will need to give their low-propensity voters good reasons to show up. That means not just killing off the pandemic, but making their lives tangibly better. The minimum wage increase to $15 is essential. Obviously we won’t get from $7.25 to $15 in one fell swoop; it’ll be phased in by steps. But the initial increase needs to be good-sized, and another big step should hit around September 2022, so it’ll really make a difference, right before the midterm, in the lives of people who are on the lower end of the economic scale and usually don’t feel like the government’s doing much for them. Make it happen for them, and organize the shit out of the midterms, and I think we’ve got a chance to hold on. Also don’t wait until September 2022 to start the messaging. The GOP does theirs all the time. By the fall of 2022, you want to close the sale you’ve been working on all along. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/399 "2021-01-21T19:23:41Z")
[![](https://i.redd.it/5i6uift68pc61.jpg) ](https://i.redd.it/5i6uift68pc61.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958/400 "2021-01-21T19:26:54Z")
Yesterday I felt it was finally safe to take the Biden-Harris sign out of my front yard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inauguration-day-follow-along-thread-woo-hoo-cue-the-brass-bands-fireworks/930958.md?page=21)