# What can we expect in the two years following the midterms? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 25, 2014, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457 "2014-08-25T14:46:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/1 "2014-08-25T14:46:22Z")
It looks like the Republicans will take the Senate and not lose the House. What will they do with that power? Of course a great deal of their base will demand they impeach Obama, but any sane Congresscritter knows that would be worse than pointless – they still won’t have the 2/3 majority needed to convict in the Senate, and no Dem will vote to convict, and they must remember that the Clinton impeachment only provoked an anti-Pub backlash. Mitch McConnell is [threatening to attach riders to spending bills that will be unacceptable to Obama and perhaps force another government shutdown](http://www.salon.com/2014/08/20/more_government_shutdowns_mcconnell_admits_what_gop_senate_will_wreak/) – will he follow through? Whatever the base wants, the Congressional Pubs will have their eye on 2016 and don’t want to be remembered, again, as shutdowners. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/2 "2014-08-25T14:49:10Z")
One thing for sure: Obama will be the lamest of lame ducks. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/3 "2014-08-25T16:09:57Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > One thing for sure: Obama will be the lamest of lame ducks. Lamer, you mean, than W in his last two years? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/4 "2014-08-25T16:11:25Z")
Maybe I’m crazy, but i’m hoping the Congressional Republicans try to work with the President to find common ground and compromise for the good of the nation. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/5 "2014-08-25T16:12:27Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Maybe I’m crazy, but i’m hoping the Congressional Republicans try to work with the President to find common ground and compromise for the good of the nation. They have spent the last six years avoiding that – why would they change when they suddenly have more power? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/6 "2014-08-25T16:14:05Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Maybe I’m crazy, but i’m hoping the Congressional Republicans try to work with the President to find common ground and compromise for the good of the nation. Maybe they will tell Obama "["We won.](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17862.html) [Deal with it."](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/10/17/president-obama-to-republicans-i-won-deal-with-it/) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/7 "2014-08-25T16:19:51Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Lamer, you mean, than W in his last two years? Yes. Because the Dems were at least working with Dubya (and the filibuster-prone GOP Senate minority) on a fair number of issues, and continued to approve the vast majority of his executive and judicial appointments. That fact (ETA: judicial appointments), all by itself, made Dubya less of a lame duck than Obama will be of the GOP takes the Senate this fall. Does anyone see a GOP-controlled Senate approving a single one of Obama’s appointments to the Federal courts? I sure don’t. ---
**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:** [August 25, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/8 "2014-08-25T16:21:21Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Maybe they will tell Obama "["We won.](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17862.html) [Deal with it."](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/10/17/president-obama-to-republicans-i-won-deal-with-it/) So even in victory, they won’t have a single original thought. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/9 "2014-08-25T16:26:36Z")
“Repeal. Not Replace, just Repeal” And then “Reinstate”. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/10 "2014-08-25T16:30:45Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Maybe they will tell Obama "["We won.](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17862.html) [Deal with it."](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/10/17/president-obama-to-republicans-i-won-deal-with-it/) So, you’re happy with the thought that there is not a chance in hell that they will act like adults and try to do what is best for the country in the long run and not what is best for their political careers in the short run? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/11 "2014-08-25T16:32:12Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > “Repeal. Not Replace, just Repeal” > > And then “Reinstate”. :rolleyes: Oh, yes, that’s another thing – the base will demand ACA repeal, which would be electoral poison in 2016. How are the Congressional Pubs gonna deal with that? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/12 "2014-08-25T16:44:58Z")
What kind of person openly expresses joy in the fact that his or her own country is ailing under the leadership of a president he or she didn’t happen to vote for, and is even more joyful that his or her political party may have had a deliberate hand in causing that ailment to come about? It is the equivalent of pissing in the stewpot just because you didn’t get to be the cook that night. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/13 "2014-08-25T16:53:33Z")
I would generally prefer the federal government do nothing, so that’s just fine. A congress that passes no new laws is successful as far as I’m concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/14 "2014-08-25T16:55:16Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > It looks like the Republicans will take the Senate and not lose the House. The first of these seems rather premature. I believe pundits generally have the Republicans as [very slight favorites](http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/six-consistently-close-races-will-probably-decide-control-of-the-senate/) or too close to call. And a lot could change IMO, e.g. if the US ups its military involvement vs ISIS, or possibly due to some Obama executive orders. Also, the ACA exchange renewals. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/15 "2014-08-25T16:59:09Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > I would generally prefer the federal government do nothing, so that’s just fine. A congress that passes no new laws is successful as far as I’m concerned. There are things that increase in cost if not taken care of. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/16 "2014-08-25T17:08:01Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > So, you’re happy with the thought that there is not a chance in hell that they will act like adults and try to do what is best for the country in the long run and not what is best for their political careers in the short run? I am happy that the less legislation passed, the better. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/17 "2014-08-25T17:08:58Z")
Good, then you’re opposed to legislation that would repeal Obamacare. Glad to know it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/18 "2014-08-25T17:11:40Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > I am happy that the less legislation passed, the better. You are against roads and bridges on the interstates being repaired? ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/19 "2014-08-25T17:14:45Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > I would generally prefer the federal government do nothing, so that’s just fine. A congress that passes no new laws is successful as far as I’m concerned. This. In fact, as a conservative, I might be less happy with the coming two years than I was with the last two. I’d list my preferences as follows: 1. Reduction in size of government. Reduce existing laws and regulations. Simplify tax code. 2. Pass no laws of any kind. 3. Conservatives in power and pass laws along their ideology. This might include some of #1, but would also include lots of pork and other crap. 4. Liberals in power and pass laws laws along with their ideology. This is the worst scenario, because in this one our already bloated government will continue to grow at an unsustainable rate. We’ve basically been in situation #2 for the past few years. I’d love to think we’ll be in situation #1 when the conservatives come to power, but it will probably be more like #3. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457/20 "2014-08-25T17:15:33Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > There are things that increase in cost if not taken care of. Examples? > [@Czarcasm](#): > > You are against roads and bridges on the interstates being repaired? These activities require new legislation from the congress? I would go so far as to say that any politician that campaigns their federal election effort based on promises to do nothing and stymie any effort whatsoever would get my vote. Like that’s going to happen ever. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457.md?page=2)