# Will there be riots? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 1, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652 "2008-11-01T23:55:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/21 "2008-11-02T02:16:19Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > At this point, barring some kind of eleventh-hour surprise (“Bin Laden Found in Obama Guest House; Video Evidence of Long-Term Menage A Trois with Obamas” . . . “Palin Voluntarily Withdraws her Nomination; McCain Selects Schwarzenegger as Replacement” [li](http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3190/duhsk3.jpg)), I think that if Obama loses on Tuesday there will only be one reason: the “Bradley Effect.”[/li][/quote] > > I dispute this. There could be other reasons. I am not all that impressed with the historical accuracy of preelection polling data for one. > > > [@](#): > > > > It strikes me that this will be nearly as outrageous an injustice and [understatement]disappointment[/understatement] as the assassination of Martin Luther King, certainly it would overshadow the perceived injustice of the Rodney King verdict. Both of course led to riots. > > Why? You’re assuming a racial motive. The Bradley effect need not be racially motivated. Perhaps Republicans feel that the Democrats are very aggressive and hostile and make them feel uncomfortable when they espouse conservative/Republican values in public. I feel this. Of course, it doesn’t shut me up, but it might others. > > What do we think the likelihood of riots will be if the election gets Bradleyed? Low. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/22 "2008-11-02T02:21:21Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > In my mind, that would leave me with concluding either > > 1. You must be scared shitless looking forward to Nov 5 > > 2. You know nobody believes Obama eats Jew babies They don’t taste good. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/23 "2008-11-02T02:23:08Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > In my mind, that would leave me with concluding either > > 1. You must be scared shitless looking forward to Nov 5 > > 2. You know nobody believes Obama eats Jew babies I can’t decide if you’re being serious or not. But as far number 1 goes, I’m not scared shitless. Just wary. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/24 "2008-11-02T02:25:47Z")
There’s been so much emotion lately that I would say it’s risen higher than one sees during the World Series. Remember Boston 2004. A long awaited victory Its entirely possible that an Obama victory will result in celebrations in the street. Celebrations that could get out of control. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/25 "2008-11-02T02:28:27Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > You’re assuming a racial motive. They are Republicans; racial bigotry has been a core value of theirs for decades. > [@Scylla](#): > > The Bradley effect need not be racially motivated. Perhaps Republicans feel that the Democrats are very aggressive and hostile and make them feel uncomfortable when they espouse conservative/Republican values in public. Then they probably think that chihuahuas are ferocious war dogs, just waiting for the chance to drag them out of their cars and devour them alive. REPUBLICANS accuse other people of being “aggressive and hostile” ? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/26 "2008-11-02T02:29:22Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I can’t decide if you’re being serious or not. But as far number 1 goes, I’m not scared shitless. Just wary. I had the same problem with your statement as well. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/27 "2008-11-02T02:38:50Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > I dispute this. There could be other reasons. I am not all that impressed with the historical accuracy of preelection polling data for one. > > Absolutely correct. But this is the game some of the Dems have been playing. Obama is soooooo wonderful a human being and candidate the only people who can vote against him are either insane, stupid or, of course, racist. Never mind that one can be none of those things and simply feel that the policies he espouses will move the country in an unhelpful direction. As with those who believe that more socialist equals less helpful. (To help prevent kneejerks and save teeth, please note the qualifier “more”.) ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/28 "2008-11-02T02:38:58Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Why aren’t people wondering about all those disappointed McCain/Palin people? You know, the ones who actually think we’d be electing a terroristic, socialistic, Islamic Anti-Christ who’s going to eat Jewish babies? The ones who scream KILL HIM! at rallies and worry about the end of civilization? I dunno about those “urban” Obama people, but I know _these_ people have guns and aren’t afraid to use them. Why aren’t we afraid of them? > > I’m sincerely asking. Because rural and suburban whites aren’t prone to rioting at the drop of a hat as urban blacks have proven time and time again that they are. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/29 "2008-11-02T02:42:16Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > Because rural and suburban whites aren’t prone to rioting at the drop of a hat as urban blacks have proven time and time again that they are. For rural folk, pitchforks are still available, but there is a lack of torch stores nowadays. ---
**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:** [November 2, 2008, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/30 "2008-11-02T03:37:01Z")
The thing about the Bradley effect, we should remember, is these aren’t people who really wanted to vote for Black man, but then changed there mind at the last minute. These are people who always intended to vote for the other guy (for whatever reason) but didn’t want to sound racist to pollsters and so expressed a different opinion than what they really thought. Still, one has to wonder why no one is asking if White folks are going to riot if it turns out that 95% (or whatever) of the Black vote goes for Obama. I mean, let’s face it-- no matter what happens, way more Blacks (percentage wise) will be voting for the Black guy than Whites will be voting of for the White guy. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/31 "2008-11-02T03:46:40Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > Because rural and suburban whites aren’t prone to rioting at the drop of a hat as urban blacks have proven time and time again that they are. Out of mild curiousity, does the phrase “lynch mob” ring any bells with you? ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/32 "2008-11-02T04:00:33Z")
Win or lose, someone, somewhere, is going to a least turn over a car, and some other poor fool is going to get fatally shot by a police officer. I’m hoping for a nice close election that isn’t called one way or the other until everyone is very sleepy. Me, I’m more worried about martial law and the election being ‘postponed’. There’s still time. > [@Frank](#): > > Out of mild curiousity, does the phrase “lynch mob” ring any bells with you? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/33 "2008-11-02T04:03:24Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Out of mild curiousity, does the phrase “lynch mob” ring any bells with you? With Martin Hyde? Are you a betting man? ---
**Author:** ![frankzafka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@frankzafka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frankzafka)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/34 "2008-11-02T05:11:43Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Why aren’t people wondering about all those disappointed McCain/Palin people? You know, the ones who actually think we’d be electing a terroristic, socialistic, Islamic Anti-Christ who’s going to eat Jewish babies? The ones who scream KILL HIM! at rallies and worry about the end of civilization? I dunno about those “urban” Obama people, but I know _these_ people have guns and aren’t afraid to use them. Why aren’t we afraid of them? > > I’m sincerely asking. You’re not sincerely anything. Let alone asking. What is wrong with the left and poor impulse control? Don’t like a result?-Riot. That’ll show 'em. Burn down what is left of their dysfunctional world. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/35 "2008-11-02T07:06:16Z")
> [@frankzafka](#): > > You’re not sincerely anything. Let alone asking. > > What is wrong with the left and poor impulse control? Don’t like a result?-Riot. That’ll show 'em. Burn down what is left of their dysfunctional world. Well, the poor don’t have the power to just have the Supreme Court declare their guy the winner. And the right is hardly short of thugs. Gay bashers, doctor killers, child and wife abusers, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/36 "2008-11-02T07:15:46Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > They are Republicans; racial bigotry has been a core value of theirs for decades. Not the Republicans who were in MY family, nor my Republican friends, of whom I can count quite a few. ---
**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:** [November 2, 2008, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/37 "2008-11-02T07:23:56Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > We’ve got some kind of all day project management training on Wednesday. I’ll let you know. > > (My manager’s manager originally scheduled it for Tuesday. Believe it or not.) Your company’s run by Mormon Republicans, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/38 "2008-11-02T07:35:12Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Not the Republicans who were in MY family, nor my Republican friends, of whom I can count quite a few. Irrelevant, even if true. The Southern Strategy of appealing to the racists, wooing and recruiting them isn’t some secret. Nor would they appeal to their own base with racist tactics, like Rove’s push-poll implying that McCain had a black baby, unless they knew that the base was racist. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/39 "2008-11-02T07:47:08Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Irrelevant, even if true. The Southern Strategy of appealing to the racists, wooing and recruiting them isn’t some secret. Nor would they appeal to their own base with racist tactics, like Rove’s push-poll implying that McCain had a black baby, unless they knew that the base was racist. Still, I disregard such blanket statements as appeared above. I’ve known more racist Democrats in my time than racist Republicans, but I don’t believe it’s an institutional feature of either party. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2008, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652/40 "2008-11-02T07:58:08Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Still, I disregard such blanket statements as appeared above. I’ve known more racist Democrats in my time than racist Republicans, but I don’t believe it’s an institutional feature of either party. The Republicans actively rely on racism to get elected; they plan on it, rely on it. If that’s not “institutional” what is ? And any statement about a political party is going to be a “blanket” one by the standards you appear to be using. And no, just because not every single Republican down to your Uncle Bob is racist doesn’t keep the part as a whole from being racist. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots/470652.md?page=3)