# Why is it considered a "win" when Republicans pass legislation? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 16, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678 "2017-12-16T21:15:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/21 "2017-12-18T12:59:24Z")
They call continuing resolutions that prevent shutdowns as “wins” now, too. It wasn’t that long ago that those things were symbols of failure. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/22 "2017-12-18T16:07:54Z")
> [@nate](#): > > I don’t think “succeeded” is a synonym of “win”. I succeeded in a lot of mundane acts that I wouldn’t label as a win. I successfully baked some cookies without burning them, so I won… against who? or what? Myself? To me a “win” always means someone or something else “lost” in some sort of challenge or competition. There are probably some that share your narrow definition of win, but obviously the people who write newspapers, talk about politics and write dictionaries are not among them. Merriam-Webster defines “win n.” as synonymous to victory: _: victory; especially : first place at the finish (as of a horse race)_ And “victory” as: > [@](#): > > 1 : the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist > 2 : achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties > **[Definition of VICTORY](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victory)** > > the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist; achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties… See the full definition The struggle against odds and difficulties doesn’t even have to be seen as the infighting in the current GOP caucus, getting something passed is a win in the GOP’s endavor to get control over congress in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/23 "2017-12-18T16:52:28Z")
It was a “win” for them to steal a supreme court seat. And the media has played along with that alternative value system very cooperatively. This is all you need to know about what “winning” means to them. They are “losers” down to the very toenails, just for doing this one thing, and then needing to cite it for the next year as their “achievement.” ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/24 "2017-12-19T01:36:33Z")
Excellent question. In terms of what’s good for the country, good for humanity, and good for the world, it is objectively a loss. ---
**Author:** ![igor\_frankensteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/839c29/32.png) [@igor\_frankensteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/igor_frankensteen)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/25 "2017-12-19T02:26:36Z")
Hmm. I think absolutely everyone, including the very thorough and clearly thoughtful and accurate people who went into detail explaining how Congress really works, completely missed the point. We aren’t talking about a Websters Dictionary definition of “win.” We aren’t talking about a “street” or even a sports competition definition. What we are referring to, is a JOURNALIST-POLITICO-DEFINITION of the term “win.” There should probably be a separate glossary written up, just with the special alternate definitions of terms which SOUND like they mean things we are all familiar with, but which are sometimes subtly, sometimes grossly different from what we think they mean…simply because they are said by journalists and or politicians. In this case, this is a “win,” in a pure political publicity sense. Nothing else. Perhaps what defines a political-publicity win, is that it is something that someone can celebrate and congratulate themselves or each other about, which is at least identifiable. It is a “win” of this kind, when the minority party defeats a bill by the majority. It is a “win” when the President’s veto is not overturned. In the case of the new, as yet unfinished and unsigned tax bill, it is a “win” because it’s big and identifiable, and they managed to pass it, unlike any of the other “big things” they’ve tried to do. It would be a “win” in this definition, even if they had had a super majority of entirely unified members, who all rubber stamped the legislation as soon as it was mentioned. The amount of struggle has nothing to do with it. It is a “win” because it is identifiable, and because they are happy about it for POLITICAL reasons. That’s it. It doesn’t even matter how popular it is with the majority of Americans. ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/26 "2017-12-19T17:55:54Z")
Can someone help me out with the use of the word “win” with this same definition, in a different context? I managed, through [achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties] to learn to play a song on my guitar. Is this a win? By definition, obviously, but who uses the word like that? When republicans take control of the senate, that’s a win. When the republican candidate gets more votes than the challenger, that’s a win. But passing legislature? I’m still not convinced. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/27 "2017-12-19T19:53:05Z")
If someone were to convince you, would that be a win? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/28 "2017-12-19T20:17:49Z")
> [@nate](#): > > Can someone help me out with the use of the word “win” with this same definition, in a different context? > > I managed, through [achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties] to learn to play a song on my guitar. Is this a win? By definition, obviously, but who uses the word like that? > > When republicans take control of the senate, that’s a win. When the republican candidate gets more votes than the challenger, that’s a win. But passing legislature? I’m still not convinced. Literally, they have to take the wins where they can get them. That’s all it is. You are correct, in a normal, healthy legislature, just doing your job shouldn’t be considered some epic quest. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/29 "2017-12-19T20:44:13Z")
> [@nate](#): > > Can someone help me out with the use of the word “win” with this same definition, in a different context? > > I managed, through [achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties] to learn to play a song on my guitar. Is this a win? By definition, obviously, but who uses the word like that? Many. Try googling “a win for me” and see how often it’s used in ways you wouldn’t approve of. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/30 "2017-12-19T20:48:46Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Passing legislation is not a win in itself and it’s annoying when the media and party leaders portray it as such. A “win” is passing legislation that is popular. > > I think part of what’s going on is Congressmen trying to convince themselves that passing bad legislation is better than passing no legislation because if they pass anything at all it’s a “win”. This has been proven wrong time and again. Passing bad legislation gets you fired. Based on the analyses I’ve read, I think that this is accurate. Congressional leaders keep saying things along the lines of, “the voters sent us here to do things, they expect us to do things, and we had better do _something_!” And, thus, they seem to see passing _any_ legislation (no matter how flawed and half-baked) as being preferable as being seen to be unable to accomplish anything. The fact that they tried, and failed, to get half-baked, terribly-written repeals of the ACA through the Senate has just magnified the “do _something_” urgency behind the tax bill. ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/31 "2017-12-19T23:55:40Z")
> [@naita](#): > > Many. Try googling “a win for me” and see how often it’s used in ways you wouldn’t approve of. Maybe you can quote one, because I’m not coming up with anything. Some Rocky IV quote and actual “wins” with overcoming odds. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2017, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/32 "2017-12-20T00:45:58Z")
Its a win because it means rich people will continue to donate to the GOP, and all these GOP politicians will have nice and cush 6, 7 and 8 figure jobs lined up for them when they get out of congress. However if anything there will be a voter blowback against this since most people’s taxes will go up under this bill. And if the dems win in 2020, then in 2021 we could get tax rates even higher (on the rich and corporations) than what we have now ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/33 "2017-12-20T02:29:15Z")
> [@nate](#): > > I mean, they completely control the congress and White House. What’s the challenge? That’s like me bragging that I managed to masturbate last night. It’s not a win when no one else is playing the game. Well, this is a pretty incompetent congress. Leadership is pretty sloppy, the Republican caucus has no discipline (possibly due to leadership), there is zero coalition building happening, their legislative writing has been really sloppy, and their messaging is abysmal. So for this Congress to get major legislation passed is a minor miracle. You have to kind of grade on a curve at times. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2017, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/34 "2017-12-20T05:16:18Z")
Politics is a battle for the allocation of resources. A win is a win, whether it’s by an inch or a mile. ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/35 "2017-12-20T13:56:10Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Politics is a battle for the allocation of resources. A win is a win, whether it’s by an inch or a mile. Yes, but the republican’s win came when they gained control of the resources. When they convince themselves to pass out bread from these resources, that’s not the “win”. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/36 "2017-12-20T14:11:02Z")
It’s a “win” in political perception if they can claim that they were able to get some promised Big Thing done in the face of having had to settle for pedestrian day-to-day legislation. Even if what they did pass is a half-baked hot mess barely able to squeak through by one vote and still falls short of promises , they’ll call it the Big Thing anyway so they can say so. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/37 "2017-12-20T15:23:51Z")
> [@nate](#): > > Maybe you can quote one, because I’m not coming up with anything. Some Rocky IV quote and actual “wins” with overcoming odds. You need to search with the quotes to prioritize the whole phrase: > [@](#): > > Is this a win for me? :: Help and Tips - Steam Community > So my friend is trading PC’s with me but i’m paying him 400 for 2 GTX 980s and an SLI Bridge I’m trading him. Ryzen 5 1500X Gigabyte AB-350Gaming 16GB DDR4 500W PSU I’m recieving i7-4790k. 24GB DDR3 (SLI + OC Capable 1151 mobo) 750W PSU Am i winning or losing here? > > * * * > > Here’s 5 reaons why NaNoWriMo 2017 was a win for me > > I learnt to write almost every day > … > > * * * > > "I want to go out on the competition floor and I want to have fun — that would be a win for me. " > > * * * > > The win for me in the long term comes from being able to change my code long after I’ve written it without accidentally breaking anything. > > * * * > > @avid\_larry: > @TheFix hey ! On a bright note I love your glasses !! > > @CillizzaCNN: > That’s a win for me – and @WarbyParker! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2017, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678/38 "2017-12-20T16:30:01Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > It’s a “win” in political perception if they can claim that they were able to get some promised Big Thing done in the face of having had to settle for pedestrian day-to-day legislation. Even if what they did pass is a half-baked hot mess barely able to squeak through by one vote and still falls short of promises , they’ll call it the Big Thing anyway so they can say so. To put it another way: even if we grant that the last step is trivially easy – such that getting in position to take that easy last step was, in effect, the real win – we’d in fact snicker and call it a loss if they _didn’t_ then take that trivial last step. So, technically, it’s not a win until that actually happens. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-considered-a-win-when-republicans-pass-legislation/804678.md?page=1)