# U.S. Senate races 2020 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 30, 2020, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876 "2020-04-30T05:17:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/503 "2020-10-13T20:27:28Z")
The Morning Consult South Carolina poll is annoying. That’s a good lead for Graham. ---
**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:** [October 14, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/504 "2020-10-14T13:53:06Z")
> **[How you know Lindsey Graham is starting to panic | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/13/politics/lindsey-graham-2020-amy-coney-barrett/index.html)** > > As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham had a unique opportunity: He got to kick off the questioning Tuesday of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/505 "2020-10-15T15:32:09Z")
It’s amazing to me that Cunningham really may shrug off the affair. In the Monmoth poll, his favorability flipped from 34% favorable/22% unfavorable in September to 25% favorable/33% unfavorable. Yet his polling lead over Tillis increased. Partisanship is just so locked in at this point that I’m not sure what sort of personal revelation would significantly change a candidate’s trajectory. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/506 "2020-10-15T15:48:15Z")
What’s Charlotte’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue? Actually, a quick glance at Google Maps suggests it could be “Fifth St”! ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/507 "2020-10-15T15:54:35Z")
I think it’s mainly Trump dragging down Tillis. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/508 "2020-10-15T15:54:52Z")
Even those who may disapprove of Cunningham’s affair may be reluctant to swap over to the Republicans where the candidate is (allegedly) an abusive spouse and the party leader is a serial adulterer. It’s not like there’s an ideal choice on that particular metric. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/509 "2020-10-15T16:48:57Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > Partisanship is just so locked in at this point that I’m not sure what sort of personal revelation would significantly change a candidate’s trajectory. How about a scandal where the behavior was nonconsensual, like in the case of my district’s Congressional candidate [Madison Cawthorne](https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/madison/2020/08/20/madison-cawthorn-nc-katrina-krulikas-sexual-assault/3394391001/)? That would definitely change my perspective. How about a scandal where the behavior involved official wrongdoing, like where [Tillis dumped stock after a COVID briefing](https://www.propublica.org/article/senator-richard-burr-ethics-investigation-stock-trading-coronavirus)? That would change my perspective. But a scandal where a candidate is unfaithful to his wife and owns up to it immediately on being caught? It might me respect him less as a person, and it might make me angry at him as a candidate, but it’s not going to change my willingness to vote for him. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/510 "2020-10-15T16:55:28Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > I think it’s mainly Trump dragging down Tillis. Tillis has been polling worse than Trump in NC pretty much the entire race. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/511 "2020-10-15T17:42:17Z")
Just saw Gardner’s (R - CO) latest commercial which was basically “C’mon guys. You already have one Democratic senator.” Sounded very desperate. ---
**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:** [October 15, 2020, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/512 "2020-10-15T19:55:33Z")
> **[7 of the 10 most expensive Senate races EVER are happening right now | CNN...](https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/15/politics/senate-races-fundraising-2020-election/index.html)** > > Senate races are absolutely awash in campaign dollars, as donors large and small pour cash into a dozen or so competitive contests that will decide which party controls the majority in 2021. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/513 "2020-10-15T20:00:37Z")
The quantity of small individual contributions to these Senate races is heartening. I think it’s a solid reason to believe that there will also be a big turnout to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/514 "2020-10-15T23:48:05Z")
Trump wins SC easily but the close race for Senate may help Graham turn out more of his voters. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/515 "2020-10-16T06:39:44Z")
Interesting news out of Nebraska, where audio leaked of Sen Ben Sasse in a constituent call saying that Trump cozies up to dictators , mocks evangelicals behind their backs and flirts with white supremacy among other charges. All true, of course, and Sasse has been one of the few Senators willing to make some limited criticism of Trump. But this was strong stuff and could cause some trouble with the base, particularly if Trump pitches a Twitter fit over it. He’s up for re-election this year. While I’m sure it’s a forgone conclusion, just for giggles has anyone polled this race? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/516 "2020-10-16T07:12:55Z")
Sasse is comfortably ahead - NE2 may go for Biden but the state overall is deep, deep red. Some may grumble but what are they going to do - vote for the Democrat? ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/517 "2020-10-16T12:03:01Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Some may grumble but what are they going to do - vote for the Democrat? Yeah, it’s not like a Democrat is going to be more supportive of CFSG. Sasse may get a primary challenge in 6 years, but that is forever in political terms, especially if, Odin willing, Trump loses. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/518 "2020-10-16T13:01:51Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Some may grumble but what are they going to do - vote for the Democrat? Of course the answer is “not vote in the Senate race,” but I’m sure you’re right that NE is so red that even if Sasse’s comments did depress his vote total a bit he’d still coast. Hard to believe that Nebraska had a Democratic Senator as recently as eight years ago. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2020, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/519 "2020-10-16T13:44:27Z")
During last night’s senate debate, Sen. Joni Ernst [had no clue](https://twitter.com/patrynard/status/1316907330223689728?s=11) what the break-even cost for soybeans was while challenger Theresa Greenfield nailed the cost for corn down to the penny. She lamely tried to blame it on audio issues or hearing the wrong question but her answer wasn’t remotely correct for the question she claims she heard either. Obviously not a singular game changing moment but Ernst is fighting to keep her seat in Iowa and has ridden the “I grew up on a farm!” credentials hard. And it gave us the #JoniDoesntKnowBeans hashtag. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/520 "2020-10-16T13:49:43Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > During last night’s senate debate, Sen. Joni Ernst [had no clue](https://twitter.com/patrynard/status/1316907330223689728?s=11) what the break-even cost for soybeans was while challenger Theresa Greenfield nailed the cost for corn down to the penny. Those clips are priceless. I’m even more impressed by Greenfield’s answer as it’s obviously a bit of a “gotcha” question and not only does she give the spot price immediately but she explains why that may be break-even for some farmers and not for others. Not sure how strongly that will play in Iowa, but it can’t hurt her with the farming communities. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2020, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/521 "2020-10-16T13:57:04Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > Interesting news out of Nebraska, where audio leaked of Sen Ben Sasse in a constituent call saying that Trump cozies up to dictators , mocks evangelicals behind their backs and flirts with white supremacy among other charges. All true, of course, and Sasse has been one of the few Senators willing to make some limited criticism of Trump. But this was strong stuff and could cause some trouble with the base, particularly if Trump pitches a Twitter fit over it… Hope the Lincoln Project or the DNC can make good use of it; doesn’t even have to be done in Nebraska. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876/522 "2020-10-16T14:00:12Z")
Dems need an Iowa senator to get to 51-49 because I think the hopes for wins in Kansas, Montana and South Carolina are diminishing. Maybe snag one of those Georgia seats. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-races-2020/852876.md?page=27)