# US Midterm Election watch along thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 9, 2022, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619 "2022-11-09T00:29:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 45
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/881 "2022-11-13T03:18:41Z")
I hope Tiffany was out of ketchup range, she had a really gorgeous dress; and looked beautiful. In other news Nevada has a democrat as Secretary of State, his race has now been called. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/882 "2022-11-13T03:20:00Z")
AZ-1 tightened up after last drop, now 2.5k for Hodge. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/883 "2022-11-13T03:20:47Z")
True–I forgot Alaska does ranked voting. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/884 "2022-11-13T03:22:15Z")
I’ll put it in print too. Good news! Don’t mind getting beaten to the punch. > **[Midterms News: Democrats Keep Control of Senate With Victory in Nevada](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/11/12/us/election-results-updates)** > > Senator Catherine Cortez Masto narrowly defeated her Republican challenger, Adam Laxalt, giving the Democrats 50 seats even before the Georgia runoff on Dec. 6. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/885 "2022-11-13T03:23:31Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Those Republicans who were going to hold their nose and vote for Walker just make sure the Republicans keep the Senate Good point. There may also be a few independents with a policy of “vote for deadlock” that decide to stay home. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/886 "2022-11-13T03:24:09Z")
Not much chance as President, but he has been counted out too many times to count. So you never know. He would also make a fine Ambassador, perhaps even for the United States. And then, if that, he might still retain some immunity. If not, he may still have some residual immunity to Covid. It’s all good. The Republicans might win the House, but even then won’t accomplish much if they can’t decide between gridlock and crazy. Biden may not get much done either, but democracy is marginally safer. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/887 "2022-11-13T03:27:04Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Will he even bother to run as a Republican? He has zero chance. Zero. He’ll announce that he’s running for the nomination of the Trump Party. It’s going to be the most tremendous party anyone’s ever seen. The convention will be held in two weeks, at Ritz-Carlton Heavy Equipment Rentals off Route 9 in between the bowling alley and the gentlemen’s club, and will feature keynote speeches by Kid Rock, Kevin Sorbo, and Victoria Jackson. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/888 "2022-11-13T03:29:56Z")
I understand why you say this but until his MAGA base turns on him he is the head of the GOP. While there have been comments about how dissatisfied many in party leadership are with him, they will all crumble when the base makes it hot for them. There are STILL plenty of MAGA congress traitors out there, 160+ in the House alone. He isn’t done. And if he declares for the WH this next Tuesday as predicted, everyone will fall in line just like they did after all the 1/6 outrage. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/889 "2022-11-13T03:31:57Z")
(Trump post suppressed as not very relevant to this thread. Never mind. Sorry.) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/890 "2022-11-13T03:32:10Z")
# **Modding** : This is the Midterm Election thread, not yet another Trump thread. Please drop the Trump side talk. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2022, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/891 "2022-11-13T03:34:02Z")
While I am thrilled Dems keep control of the Senate I am surprised. ISTM Dems have a better chance in the House than the Senate yet, it seems opposite. What am I missing? ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/892 "2022-11-13T03:34:54Z")
Congress is gerrymandered, the Senate is not. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2022, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/893 "2022-11-13T03:35:54Z")
That makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/894 "2022-11-13T03:36:01Z")
The states can’t gerrymander a statewide race. ETA ninjaed If NY had gotten their gerrymandered map through their courts, the Dems would have the House. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/895 "2022-11-13T03:38:09Z")
I think since the Senate races are statewide that is easier for a strong national party to influence. When the House races are based on legislative districts that can be easily gerrymandered by state govts. controlled by one party then it can end up very differently. (A strong ground game by the Ds working to change the make up of _State Houses_ would be the smart move by the national party IMHO.) ETA multiple ninjas ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/896 "2022-11-13T03:38:58Z")
This summary seems pretty good, but I am not American and you may disagree. > **[How the 2022 Midterms Became a Squeaker](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/12/us/politics/midterm-elections-officials.html)** > > Interviews with more than 70 current and former officials show the outside forces — and miscalculations and infighting — that led to an improbable, still-undecided election. “… Mr. Biden [set up] the stakes as a choice — “between election deniers and protecting democracy… and “between a party that threatened a national ban on reproductive health and a party that promised to codify Roe v. Wade into law…. …Voters have repeatedly punished the president’s party for their unhappiness with the state of the nation. Tuesday’s results represented a stark break from that pattern… **Democrats actually won voters who “somewhat disapproved” of Mr. Biden, according to initial exit polling, by a margin of 49 percent to 45 percent.** …. That is a far cry from the 2010 and 2018 midterms, when voters who somewhat disapproved of Barack Obama and Mr. Trump overwhelmingly backed the opposing party — by margins of 40 points and nearly 30 points. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/897 "2022-11-13T03:39:33Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > A strong ground game by the Ds working to change the make up of _State Houses_ would be the smart move by the national party IMHO. No joke. The Republicans have clearly demonstrated how effective it is when you focus on that for decades at a time. Let’s get on it, Democrats, chop chop! ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/898 "2022-11-13T03:44:14Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Congress is gerrymandered, the Senate is not. Well, the whole setup of the senate is a kind of gerrymander. The Dakota Territory gets four senators while California gets two. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2022, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/899 "2022-11-13T03:44:49Z")
I have been appalled at how bad Dems have been at this. Republicans gained a step on the Democrats but you’d think the Democrats would learn and get their ground game in gear. But they don’t. Where is the Dem version of the Chamber of Commerce? Where are the Dem think tanks (I know there are some but they seem far less capable of affecting the national dialog)? Where are the liberal lobbyists? Which is to say, why does it seem conservative lobbyists continually own the government? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2022, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619/900 "2022-11-13T03:45:02Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Congress is gerrymandered, the Senate is not. More accurate to say that it’s permanently pre-gerrymandered. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619.md?page=44) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-midterm-election-watch-along-thread/974619.md?page=46)