# Thoughts about the election that don't seem to belong anywhere else **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 14, 2016, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002 "2016-11-14T20:57:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2016, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/121 "2016-11-20T01:23:36Z")
> [@computergeek](#): > > Another random thought: Either Trump simply need his kids around to feel safe… I think it’s obvious Trump’s children are the only people he really trusts. Everyone else (including his wives) are ultimately expendable. > [@Velocity](#): > > Read an article saying that some electors are getting flooded with messages and threats imploring them to vote for someone other than Trump. Said that this happened after Election Day 2000, too. Why aren’t their identities being kept secret? :dubious: They’re public officials; why on Earth should their identities be kept secret? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/122 "2016-11-23T15:28:28Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > TL: DR, so sorry if this has been said, but: It just occurred to me that stalling on Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland paid off for Republicans. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Sadly, it did. I DETEST the smug look on that bastard Mitch McConnell’s face. New twist: If Congress recesses early, will Obama appoint Garland as a two-year interim justice? ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/123 "2016-11-23T15:40:20Z")
> [@Vicsage](#): > > Lets add the Bahamas, Belize, and Jamaica. No one threatens to go there. They’re English speaking. Throw in the Philippines. Its not the language. What could it be? If I was to repatriate, it would likely be to Canada. The climate and culture are similar to what I experience already, so it wouldn’t be a huge adjustment. So, simplicity is the answer. No need for veiled accusations of racism at all. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/124 "2016-11-23T16:56:25Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > New twist: If Congress recesses early, will Obama appoint Garland as a two-year interim justice? Why would the Senate give him the chance? [They’ll just keep holding pro forma sessions like they’ve done all year, and like Harry Reid did in '07 and '08](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/29/obama-supreme-court-recess-appointment-thwarted-by/). And Obama blew his chance on bypassing this with the NLRB recess-appointments-that-weren’t in '12. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/125 "2016-11-23T18:16:49Z")
Don’t really think he would. Bless his centrist heart, he’d think it was wrong. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/126 "2016-11-23T18:23:05Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Don’t really think he would. Bless his centrist heart, he’d think it was wrong. Did I misunderstand you? Are you saying that you think the guy that ignored the fact that the Senate was in session to make illegal recess appointments to the NLRB wouldn’t seize an opening to make a recess appointment to the Supreme Court because he’s constrained by a sense of morality on the issue? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/127 "2016-11-23T18:36:16Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > (Also, I think everyone on earth should begin to call Melania, “Natasha”, from now on!) Can we call Trump, “Boris”? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/128 "2016-11-23T18:42:03Z")
Bad news is that the Pubbies have control, and we can only hope they fuck up so badly, no one will touch them for another generation. Good news, such as it is, is that they are working on that, full time, full steam, and full speed ahead. Anybody got an approval rating on Trump? Mark it, its his high-water point. ---
**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:** [November 23, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/129 "2016-11-23T19:11:55Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I read somewhere that Donald flew home every night because he has that “shy bladder” thing where he can only use his own toidy. Can’t find a reference. I have a BIL who has some issues with dementia. Apparently he has no real problems when he’s home and in his normal routine, but waking up in an unfamiliar place is really hard for him. ---
**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:** [November 23, 2016, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/130 "2016-11-23T23:12:04Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Don’t really think he would. Bless his centrist heart, he’d think it was wrong. > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Did I misunderstand you? Are you saying that you think the guy that ignored the fact that the Senate was in session to make illegal recess appointments to the NLRB wouldn’t seize an opening to make a recess appointment to the Supreme Court because he’s constrained by a sense of morality on the issue? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/131 "2016-11-25T13:44:09Z")
So much effort will be spent keeping Ginsburg upright that our grandkids might think “Weekend at Bernie’s” was a documentary. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/132 "2016-11-25T15:00:20Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > So much effort will be spent keeping Ginsburg upright that our grandkids might think “Weekend at Bernie’s” was a documentary. 😃 ---
**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:** [November 25, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/133 "2016-11-25T18:21:38Z")
Since I was busy cooking on Wednesday for yesterday’s Thanksgiving feast, we just got takeout Mexican food for dinner. Driving home with the food it suddenly occurred to me – another downside of this election is we’re not gonna get those taco trucks on every corner. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2016, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/134 "2016-11-25T22:31:01Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Republicans hated Communists and loved right-wing dictators. Why would Ronnie object to Putin? 😛 I know, the pretense has been so bizarre; the USA has supported right wing nut jobs around the world for decades - Russia and Putin fall slap bang in that group. It’s a totally natural alliance for the USA, except it makes NATO and a huge chunk of the military-industrial complex a little redundant. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2016, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/135 "2016-11-26T10:01:35Z")
IIRC, for the past three Republican presidential-election victories (1988, 2000, 2004), there was always one faithless elector in the Electoral College. With the Hamilton Electors and Trump’s unpopularity, it looks very possible that that streak will extend to 4. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2016, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/136 "2016-11-26T14:04:42Z")
The whole ‘high road’ thing bothers me, because the opposition is guaranteed to bend you over and screw you without the slightest compunction. It folds into my belief about ivory tower idealism vs. reality. In this world, if you want to get something done, you have to get down into the mud and fight for it, not just talk about how good things could have been if the other side weren’t in the main a bunch of self-serving egotists. (All the while paying lip-service to how devoutly religious they are.) Looks like they picked the _perfect_ person to lead them to me. It’s just too bad that the rest of us will end up paying the costs. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/137 "2016-11-28T15:06:16Z")
Wasn’t sure where else to put this, but does anyone want to hazard a guess as to what the hell is going on regarding the very public feud over the secretary of state position? Conway seems to be on a very public crusade against Romney, and I’m not sure how unusual that is. ---
**Author:** ![computergeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@computergeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/computergeek)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/138 "2016-11-28T22:40:11Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Wasn’t sure where else to put this, but does anyone want to hazard a guess as to what the hell is going on regarding the very public feud over the secretary of state position? Conway seems to be on a very public crusade against Romney, and I’m not sure how unusual that is. I’ve seen some suggestions that Trump loyalists are pissed that he would consider choosing someone so disloyal. I’ll bet it’s mostly coming from Guiliani’s camp Conway’s public warnings are pretty weird. She’s either trying to show some weird loyalty to Trump or trying to back him into a corner about picking someone so disloyal and doing it publicly because he won’t listen to her privately ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2016, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/139 "2016-11-28T23:11:25Z")
I wonder if Trump’s “craziness” may end up creating a very tame Congressional opposition - in the sense that school teachers, when dealing with an unpredictable, frightening kid, may try their best to mollify him and steer him in the right direction by being very encouraging of any “good” behavior and trying to make things as calm, sedate and predictable as possible. ---
**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:** [November 28, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002/140 "2016-11-28T23:16:59Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I wonder if Trump’s “craziness” may end up creating a very tame Congressional opposition - in the sense that school teachers, when dealing with an unpredictable, frightening kid, may try their best to mollify him and steer him in the right direction by being very encouraging of any “good” behavior and trying to make things as calm, sedate and predictable as possible. As I recall from psychology, this is how you “shape” pigeon behavior. Hmm. Might work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-about-the-election-that-dont-seem-to-belong-anywhere-else/772002.md?page=8)