# Will there be riots if Obama loses? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 22, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750 "2008-09-22T22:35:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/21 "2008-09-23T00:44:46Z")
> [@Charger](#): > > I don’t know, but maybe we should all vote for Obama just to be safe from his potentially riotous supporters. They won’t riot; they’d be unable to get their bottled water. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/22 "2008-09-23T00:45:34Z")
Let’s see. There were protests at the inauguration of George W. Bush. So, assuming there is another election disaster, I’m guessing there’s a high probability that there will be riots during and after election day. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/23 "2008-09-23T00:48:33Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > They are getting ready. the 3rd infantry division has been removed from Iraq and is assigned to domestic operations. You do realize there’s ALWAYS a division coming back from Iraq, right? The 3rd Infantry’s been there and back three times. ---
**Author:** ![poker\_in\_the\_rear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dc4da7/32.png) [@poker\_in\_the\_rear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poker_in_the_rear)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/24 "2008-09-23T01:51:04Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Problem is lots of people have low standards of proof for propositions that support their prejudices (witness: lots of threads on this very message board). I’m mildly concerned about someone agitating for riots among blacks and the poor but I’m not planing on taking drastic measures against such an eventuality (just keeping the shotguns a little closer that night). This is kind of what I’m getting at. I think we can all agree that Obama’s supporters are generally pretty passionate about their man. A lot more so than McCains supporters even with Palin on the ticket. Added to that the idea that they were robbed in 2000 and I think there is a distinct possibility of wild shit hapenning. I expect the passion to increase steadily until Nov. When people get that riled up they are prone to do things they wouldn’t normally do. ---
**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:** [September 23, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/25 "2008-09-23T03:52:13Z")
Heck, we might as well be concerned about riots if he WINS, in the style of some cities after their team wins a major sports championship, where celebration gets more than a little overexhuberant. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/26 "2008-09-23T04:17:11Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > [Quote=gonzomax] > They are getting ready. the 3rd infantry division has been removed from Iraq and is assigned to domestic operations. You do realize there’s ALWAYS a division coming back from Iraq, right? The 3rd Infantry’s been there and back three times. [/QUOTE] Actually, for once **gonzomax** has posted a complex sentence that appars to be factually correct. [3rd Infantry’s 1st BCT trains for a new dwell-time mission. Helping ‘people at home’ may become a permanent part of the active Army.](http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/army_homeland_090708w/) (Note that the source is [www.armytimes.com](http://www.armytimes.com)) Now, I suspect that a close reading of the story just might allow a reader to come away with a different interpretation than the one that **gonzomax** espouses, but his statement, on this occasion, is accurate. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/27 "2008-09-23T06:28:28Z")
There may be riots if Obama loses. There may be riots if he wins–there will definitely be (& have already been) assassination plots. This is no reason to vote one way or another. There will be violence _somewhere_ either way. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/28 "2008-09-23T09:52:10Z")
If Obama straight up loses I don’t forsee any rioting. If there’s voting irregularities or suspected disenfranchisement, maybe. And perhaps, if he wins the popular vote but not the electoral vote or it’s so close that it goes to the Supreme Court again. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/29 "2008-09-23T11:51:20Z")
I think it’s extremely unlikely. > [@poker in the rear](#): > > I live in the SF Bay Area and any time there is some sort of protest/semi-riots it is always, let us say, left-leaning, anarchy, fuck the government people. I don’t think I have ever seen any of the downtown business people knocking out windows, looting, and starting fires. You think anarchists are going to turn out en masse to vote for Obama? I think if you consider this for a moment you’ll realize it doesn’t make any sense. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/30 "2008-09-23T11:58:48Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I think it’s extremely unlikely. > You think anarchists are going to turn out en masse to vote for Obama? I think if you consider this for a moment you’ll realize it doesn’t make any sense. No but the anarchists do tend to get in the middle of any bigger demonstration. For themselves, and to further it’s own goal of breaking shit. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/31 "2008-09-23T11:59:38Z")
> [@RyJae](#): > > No but the anarchists do tend to get in the middle of any bigger demonstration. For themselves, and to further it’s own goal of breaking shit. They might do that, but they’re not going to take to the streets just because Obama lost - it’s not like they’re voting for him. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/32 "2008-09-23T12:01:53Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > They might do that, but they’re not going to take to the streets just because Obama lost - it’s not like they’re voting for him. Well no, then they would be the laughing stock of the anarchy class. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/33 "2008-09-23T12:42:35Z")
If those anarchists ever got themselves organized they would be a force to reckon with… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/34 "2008-09-23T13:13:43Z")
I’ll be rioting no matter **who** wins! Come with me! It’s fun! ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/35 "2008-09-23T19:17:27Z")
> [@poker\_in\_the\_rear](#): > > I live in the SF Bay Area and any time there is some sort of protest/semi-riots it is always, let us say, left-leaning, anarchy, fuck the government people. I don’t think I have ever seen any of the downtown business people knocking out windows, looting, and starting fires. Yeah, I could see some disruption here. I don’t expect to see police cars on fire or tear gas in use, but people might try to [block access to the Bay Bridge again](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/gate/archive/2003/03/20/protesters.DTL) or something like that. Assholes. Additionally, the assumption that “people will riot” = “blacks will riot” is, to put it charitably, suspicious. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/36 "2008-09-23T19:46:40Z")
I know in reality riots are horrible and people die and get hurt and property gets stolen and destroyed, but for whatever weird reason, I find the idea of riots after Obama loses funny. Like there is a little touch of anarchist left in me from when I was younger that is hoping it happens. Just to note, I hope Obama doesn’t lose, and I hope people take it in stride if he does. > [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > Additionally, the assumption that “people will riot” = “blacks will riot” is, to put it charitably, suspicious. When was the last time whites rioted in the US? I’m genuinely curious. And The Clash song doesn’t count :). ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/37 "2008-09-23T19:56:59Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > When was the last time whites rioted in the US? I’m genuinely curious. And The Clash song doesn’t count :). 1999, Seattle. Day after Thanksgiving, Wal Mart. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/38 "2008-09-23T20:09:04Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > You do realize there’s ALWAYS a division coming back from Iraq, right? The 3rd Infantry’s been there and back three times. Do you realize that they are not all being trained in domestic control? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/39 "2008-09-23T20:12:28Z")
[QUOTE=Cisco;10232501When was the last time whites rioted in the US? I’m genuinely curious. And The Clash song doesn’t count :).[/QUOTE] 1999 Seattle anti-WTO demonstrations? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750/40 "2008-09-23T20:43:17Z")
> **[Infowars: There's a War on for Your Mind!](https://www.infowars.com/?p=1650)** > > The #1 Independent news service in the world, battling globalism and promoting a pro-human future worldwide. Infowars is Tomorrow's News Today. Protesters and rioters are afraid of the police nowadays. The old “someone threw a bottle trick”, therefore we were justified in bashing and gassing civilians. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750.md?page=1)