# The Democratic National Convention **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 17, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158 "2016-07-17T21:58:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 28
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/541 "2016-07-28T12:36:27Z")
Which Democratic Party is going to invest in education? The one that just wants to increase spending, or the reformers who are willing to buck the NEA? That was never made clear, although I guess they can’t be explicit about something like that at a Democratic convention where many of the delegates would actually be from the NEA. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/542 "2016-07-28T13:33:38Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Which Democratic Party is going to invest in education? The one that just wants to increase spending, or the reformers who are willing to buck the NEA? That was never made clear, although I guess they can’t be explicit about something like that at a Democratic convention where many of the delegates would actually be from the NEA. Ooh, _ **UNIONS** _! Am I supposed to be terrified? Please–detail the NEA policies you find objectionable. Include links. Back to the topic of the [Other Names on the Ballot](http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20150702-editorial-needlessly-provacative.ece)–my local rep for the State Board of Education, Donna Bahorich! > [@](#): > > It helps mightily to have walked in the shoes of a public school educator or parent if you’re going to shape public education standards. Donna Bahorich has done neither, and that’s why she is the wrong choice to lead the State Board of Education. > > The appointment is a needlessly provocative move by Gov. Greg Abbott, a nod to the Republican Party’s most conservative wing at a time when the long-contentious education board has found relative calm… > > Bahorich, a member of the education board since January 2013, has never sent a child to public school. She home-schooled her three sons, then enrolled them in private high schools. > > The Houston resident’s background is more steeped in politics than in education. She was campaign manager for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during his first run for a state Senate seat and went on to serve in other key roles in the Patrick operation. > > She’s a staunch supporter of school vouchers and has been active in the home-schooling movement since the 1990s. Those are not unimportant education issues, but they hardly provide the background needed to chair the entire education board. [The article doesn’t mention](https://www.texastribune.org/bidness/explore/donna-bahorich/)her graduate degree in Counseling, from Liberty University–founded by Jerry Falwell. And her company, [Home-Ed Plus](http://homeedplus.com/), which offers teachers for homeschooling parents–so they can be sure their kids learn Biology without Evolution… Thanks for the opportunity, **adaher**! Hoping more Democrats in my (obviously gerrymandered) SBOE district get out & not forget this obscure office at the end of the ballot. Let’s Get Texas Back on Track! ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/543 "2016-07-28T14:01:17Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > … I guess they can’t be explicit about something like that at a Democratic convention … That much is true. A convention speech is not the place to get into the weeds on policy details. They are big idea platforms and the risk is already that there are too many of _them_. Two three big ideas max repeated in straightforward terms again and again, without too much detail, is what we need to hear. Sanders did as well as he did partly because he stuck to that. But the plans for both how to invest in K-12 and for making college more affordable and accessible are easy to find. No it does not pillory the NEA or embrace every idea that gets called “reform.” ---
**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:** [July 28, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/544 "2016-07-28T14:13:57Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Which Democratic Party is going to invest in education? The one that just wants to increase spending, or the reformers who are willing to buck the NEA? That was never made clear, although I guess they can’t be explicit about something like that at a Democratic convention where many of the delegates would actually be from the NEA. If your idea of “bucking the NEA” is simply code for union-bashing, then no you won’t find that in the Democratic Party. (by the way, thanks for avoiding the use of the childish pejorative “Democrat Party”). The convention has been to date a rousing success, save for the antics of the Bernidiots. Kaine wins the “who would you rather have a beer with?” contest with Pence. Trump managed to shoot himself right in the balls with his treasonous invitation to foreign espionage against Hillary. Obama reminded us all of what a president should sound like, in sharp contrast to the pre-adolescent ranting of Trump. Bill Clinton did a superb job in telling the narrative of Hillary’s life work. Now it’s up to her to close the deal. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/545 "2016-07-28T14:32:12Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Obama reminded us all of what a president should sound like, in sharp contrast to the pre-adolescent ranting of Trump. Bill Clinton did a superb job in telling the narrative of Hillary’s life work. Now it’s up to her to close the deal. Y’know that does worry me a bit. Having to follow Michelle, Biden, Bill and the Prez, she’s got some serious expectations to meet, and you know the Disruptivists will be trying to make some sort of final point too. ---
**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:** [July 28, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/546 "2016-07-28T14:36:02Z")
I haven’t seen results from last night but the DNC ratings have been [21% higher](http://adage.com/article/campaign-trail/election-anyone-guess-dnc-winning-ratings/305212/) than the RNC’s for the first two nights. That’s interesting since I would have assumed the RNC would draw more viewers, either from the faithful or rubberneckers hoping to see it crash and burn. And Trump, of course, promised an amazing convention loaded with talent. It’s also nice to hear that the DNC’s message – which has been excellently put together – is getting to more people. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/547 "2016-07-28T14:42:07Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Y’know that does worry me a bit. Having to follow Michelle, Biden, Bill and the Prez, she’s got some serious expectations to meet, and you know the Disruptivists will be trying to make some sort of final point too. Is that ever the truth. Last night, the DNC put the heavy hitters on, and they hit, one after the other, home runs. Biden was awesome. Obama was beyond awesome. Adm. Hutson put Trump in the dunce corner. Tonight, Chelsea and Hillary have tough acts to follow. I’m betting they both come through with flying colors. Can the Democrats keep this energy flowing between now and November? Keeping my fingers crossed. ---
**Author:** ![ebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@ebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ebb)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/548 "2016-07-28T14:43:26Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Yes. It’s traditional for the presidential candidate to _stay away_ until the final day. (Or _just before_ the final day.) The purpose of the convention was to prepare to present The Candidate (already selected through primaries in modern times) & also to present The Party. Current office holders, elder statesmen & a promising new face would talk up the candidate–and the party in general. Because the upcoming election would involve more than that one candidate. > > Trump went against tradition, clomping around the arena from Day 1, watching his family & z-list celebrities speak (since so many party luminaries found something else to do). Interesting - thanks. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/549 "2016-07-28T14:44:18Z")
For those of you wondering, “When was Tim Kaine actually nominated for VP?”, it happened early on Wednesday, just after the National Anthem. They did it the same way the Republicans did: “Only one candidate’s name has been placed into nomination; Tim Kaine was nominated by (I think it was the same Virginia Representative that introduced him before his speech), and seconded by (a couple of other delegates - I think one was the head of the AFL-CIO in Virginia). Is there a motion to suspend the rules and nominate Tim Kaine by acclamation? (pause while any number of delegates shout one out - nobody goes up to a microphone to do it) Do I have a second? (More shouts) All in favor, say Aye! All opposed? Two-thirds of the delegates having voted Aye, the motion is carried.” Here’s the strange part; right after it happened, it sounded like quite a few delegates were chanting, “Roll Call!” Is there a plausible reason other than the one I can think of - quite a few Sanders supporters wanted to vote for either Sanders or Elizabeth Warren? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/550 "2016-07-28T15:36:11Z")
I voted for Hillary Clinton in 2008 and would still prefer her in the White House, but damn, I’m going to miss Barack Obama. What a speaker! And what a great job he did as President, all the while appealing to our hope and our better natures. Wonderful, wonderful speech. The DNC has more than a few great speeches, hasn’t it? Cory Booker, Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, Barack Obama. Just an oratory clinic going on. And at the end of Obama’s speech, you could tell that there is a lot of fondness between Barack and Hillary. It was just obvious that they really respect and appreciate each other. Who would have bet that would happen back in 2008? ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/551 "2016-07-28T15:41:49Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Which Democratic Party is going to invest in education? The one that just wants to increase spending, or the reformers who are willing to buck the NEA? That was never made clear, although I guess they can’t be explicit about something like that at a Democratic convention where many of the delegates would actually be from the NEA. I am along-time member of the NEA (though in a weak-union state). The NEA wants strong schools for every child and strong teachers in every classroom. Reasonable people can disagree about how to accomplish that, but do you have an objection to those goals? I am often amused by the people who, when speaking about education, say some variation of, “You can’t fix education by throwing money at it.” Well, maybe. But, we could try it. Suppose public school teachers started at $100,000 per year. Do you think that would make a difference in who goes into teaching and how they might be viewed by the rest of society? ---
**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:** [July 28, 2016, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/552 "2016-07-28T15:42:13Z")
Getting slapped around in the ratings department, [Trump is begging people](http://money.cnn.com/2016/07/28/media/democratic-convention-ratings-day-three/index.html) not to watch DNC tonight > [@](#): > > President Obama’s prime time speech lifted the Democratic convention to its third straight night of ratings wins over the Republican convention last week – and now the Trump campaign is exhorting supporters not to watch the Democrats’ final night. > > Overnight Nielsen ratings indicate that Wednesday night’s DNC viewership was about 15% higher than last Wednesday night’s coverage of the RNC. > […] > Last week he touted the viewership for his Republican convention and predicted that no one would watch the Democrats. > > On Thursday morning, Trump’s campaign sent a fund-raising email urging supporters not to tune into Clinton’s acceptance speech on Thursday night. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/553 "2016-07-28T15:48:33Z")
> [@Drum\_God](#): > > I am often amused by the people who, when speaking about education, say some variation of, “You can’t fix education by throwing money at it.” Well, maybe. But, we could try it. Suppose public school teachers started at $100,000 per year. Do you think that would make a difference in who goes into teaching and how they might be viewed by the rest of society? No, no, see, that’s wasteful government spending. We should only hire teachers who are so dedicated that they’re willing to work for practically nothing. I mean, it’s not like CEOs and financial managers in private industry. Naturally, you have to make sure those guys get paid huge money, or else you’ll never attract top talent to those kinds of jobs. But teachers? If you don’t want to stand in front of a room full of teenagers and try to teach them algebra out of pure dedication, then we don’t want you. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/554 "2016-07-28T15:54:24Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > No, no, see, that’s wasteful government spending. We should only hire teachers who are so dedicated that they’re willing to work for practically nothing. I mean, it’s not like CEOs and financial managers in private industry. Naturally, you have to make sure those guys get paid huge money, or else you’ll never attract top talent to those kinds of jobs. But teachers? If you don’t want to stand in front of a room full of teenagers and try to teach them algebra out of pure dedication, then we don’t want you. And really, they don’t work that much. Between their 6-hour days with an hour for lunch, summer vacation, spring break, holidays off, vacation and personal days, it’s really just a part-time gig. They’re lucky we even give them benefits. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/555 "2016-07-28T15:58:51Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > You act as if Democrats have never had control to do those things. Instead, they pass massive road bills that do nothing to advance things like high speed rail. Then there’s the fact that Democrats are happy to fund massive projects and then let environmental groups sue to stop them from actually going forward. First off, I am a fan of high speed rail. But as [this article](http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/03/opinions/smart-high-speed-trains-america/) points out, high speed rail involves costs that neither party is avid to take on. Well, sorta: > [@](#): > > Without leadership from the federal government, the states are largely in control. Yet many of the most promising corridors for high-speed rail cross state lines, making it difficult to plan for better rail service. In 2009, the Obama administration awarded nearly a billion dollars of stimulus money to plan and upgrade a high-speed rail line connecting Chicago to Milwaukee and Madison. A year later, Scott Walker, the newly elected governor of Wisconsin, rejected his state’s portion of the money and the project was, for the time being, at least, derailed. (The money quickly found its way to a grateful California for its high-speed rail line.) I take Amtrak with some regularity from Chicago to Milwaukee. Believe me, I would love it if high speed rail was an option. But even if we manage to get some high speed rail lines going, roads are still going to be crucial. Passing bills to improve our roads is important. In fact, a lot of our infrastructure needs major improvement. The American Society of Civil Engineers does a [report card](http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/) every 4 years. The most recent (2013) gives the following grades: > [@](#): > > America’s G . P . A . D+ > > Estimated Investment > Needed by 2020: $3.6Trillion > Energy D+ > Schools D > Public Parks & Recreation C- > Transit D > Roads D > Rail C+ > Ports C > Inland Waterways D- > Bridges C+ > Aviation D > Wastewater D > Solid Waste B- > Levees D- > Hazardous Waste D > Drinking Water D > Dams D If we are going to improve our infrastructure (and I believe that it’s pretty fucking important we do so), it’s pretty much gotta be through public projects – most that needs doing is not really conducive for private enterprise work. In some instances, states will take on projects within their borders. But many states are unable or unwilling to take on the costs. So like it or not, the federal government will have to take it on. So, yeah, tax and spend. We tax more to get infrastructure improvements that we vitally need – that American businesses vitally need – and in the process put more people to work. What’s so bad about that? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/556 "2016-07-28T16:04:45Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Getting slapped around in the ratings department, [Trump is begging people](http://money.cnn.com/2016/07/28/media/democratic-convention-ratings-day-three/index.html) not to watch DNC tonight This is another one of Trump’s weakness – for his shtick to work, he has to be winning on his terms, which includes things like ratings (and wealth) as the very highest measures of success. Notice how he never directly attacks people richer than he is, even when the criticize him (Bloomberg and Cuban, for example)? If Hillary’s speech gets better ratings, this needs to be mentioned by every surrogate at every possible opportunity, and tweeted relentlessly at Donald. Nothing gets under his skin more than to have failed in spectacle. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/557 "2016-07-28T16:57:14Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Which Democratic Party is going to invest in education? The one that just wants to increase spending, or the reformers who are willing to buck the NEA? That was never made clear, although I guess they can’t be explicit about something like that at a Democratic convention where many of the delegates would actually be from the NEA. Interesting how the bugbear is always those nasty, evil Democrats. The Republicans had nothing to do with it. They were just helpless spectators of everything going on in Congress (while controlling both houses themselves). Hypocrisy abounds. So…how’s that obstructionism working out for you? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/558 "2016-07-28T17:03:37Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Tax and spend. The unemployed get government jobs. Well, at least they are consistent. I prefer to think of it as, tax those who have not been paying a fair share for a very long time, and yes, spend – as an investment in our future. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/559 "2016-07-28T17:24:10Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > In fact, a lot of our infrastructure needs major improvement. The American Society of Civil Engineers does a [report card](http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/) every 4 years. The most recent (2013) gives the following grades This is an entirely non-partisan point: You should be very careful taking the literal word of an organization issuing a report that says that they should be paid more money. The American Society of Civil Engineers isn’t going to issue a report saying “Gosh, the place looks great. No reason to up the civil engineering budget!” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158/560 "2016-07-28T17:24:17Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > \ > > So, yeah, tax and spend. We tax more to get infrastructure improvements that we vitally need – that American businesses vitally need – and in the process put more people to work. What’s so bad about that? Nothing at all. Both parties spend gobs of money, but the Republican tactic is to borrow and spend, with no intention of paying it back. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158.md?page=27) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-national-convention/760158.md?page=29)