# WTF happened to improve Trump’s odds of re-election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 9, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869 "2020-07-09T21:14:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![deRanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@deRanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deRanger)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2020, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/281 "2020-08-21T19:00:25Z")
One less zero would be accurate, latest # is 174,000. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/282 "2020-08-21T22:10:25Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Still waiting for CNN, CBS, Fox, NBC, etc talk about these betting sites. Wait no more! It’s like the easiest thing to Google. CNN: [Do gambling odds forecast elections better than polls?](https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/10/05/do-gambling-odds-forecase-elections-better-than-polls.cnn) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2020, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/283 "2020-08-22T04:22:06Z")
> **[Recap: 2020 Democratic National Convention, Day 4](https://apps.npr.org/liveblogs/20200820-dnc/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&fbclid=IwAR2L55vg_mqsa6Qwrm4r847vrYtaNRaUvJrUzVk1O6bgXVRX8fmjiFYzm98&fbclid=IwAR0NZSw7h3l8jq8q-HLfUXuke19sHt_1REcq0B7104jcEJxNjzminzPZiGM&fbclid=IwAR24ShiZnP83QIj7OcXT9-FeZqqsaflfIL1kP4WsTjAm_RpXUrIe_uxcXS0#former-republican-national-security-officials-14)** > > The DNC ended with Joe Biden formally accepting his party’s nomination for president. Here are the highlights of the night. _A group of over 70 former Republican national security officials, spanning the administrations of Ronald Reagan through Donald Trump, have released a scathing letter criticizing President Trump’s leadership and endorsing Joe Biden._ _“We are profoundly concerned about the course of our nation under the leadership of Donald Trump,” [the letter reads](https://www.defendingdemocracytogether.org/national-security/). “Through his actions and his rhetoric, Trump has demonstrated that he lacks the character and competence to lead this nation and has engaged in corrupt behavior that renders him unfit to serve as President.”_ _The officials, some of whom are former Republican lawmakers in Congress, said they would support Biden because he “has the character, experience, and temperament to lead this nation.” Among those who signed are Gen. Michael Hayden (in photo above), the former director of both the CIA and National Security Agency; and former Virginia Sen. John Warner._ This wont be 2016 all over again, that’s for sure. Hillary didnt get that kind of support from Repbulicans. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/284 "2020-08-25T02:11:28Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > So where are the arrests and convictions for the arson, looting, rioting, assault, and violent suppression of civil liberties in these Democratic strongholds? You will find them in public records. Do you believe no one has been arrested? ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/285 "2020-08-25T03:18:24Z")
There is a conjunction in that sentence. Sure, there have been a few arrests. But with the amount of lawlessness there seems to be very few convictions for the looting, arson, assault with deadly weapons, etc. if this were being done in non democrat controlled territory by violent groups do you honestly think the rioting and destruction would be encouraged and tolerated? ---
**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:** [August 25, 2020, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/286 "2020-08-25T03:35:01Z")
Who is encouraging rioting and destruction? And who has tolerated it? BE SPECIFIC. You go from saying there are NO arrests for arson, looting, etc. to acknowledging it is in fact happening but now move the goalposts to say there will be few convictions. You have no way to know that. Trials take time. I expect you will continue posting misrepresentations of reality though. It is to laugh. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/287 "2020-08-25T07:33:56Z")
Nuts occupying parts of downtown Seattle is complete fiction. Buildings are currently burning themselves down in Wisconsin. Stores are mysteriously being looted and smashed in Chicago by phantasms. It’s all make believe. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/288 "2020-08-25T07:40:05Z")
I am mainly curious to see whether Biden will beat Clinton’s 1992 numbers. If I were a Vegas oddsmaker (and such gambling were legal,) that’s about where I’d set the line at. Biden at 370 EVs. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/289 "2020-08-25T10:48:46Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I expect you will continue posting misrepresentations of reality though. It is to laugh. > [@octopus](#): > > Nuts occupying parts of downtown Seattle is complete fiction. Buildings are currently burning themselves down in Wisconsin. Stores are mysteriously being looted and smashed in Chicago by phantasms. It’s all make believe. Nailed it, **Kolak**. **octopus** , the fact that you have to manufacture strawmen and move goalposts in order to hold a defensible position is a strong indication that even you don’t believe in the strength of your real position. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/290 "2020-08-25T14:59:30Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > This wont be 2016 all over again, that’s for sure. Hillary didnt get that kind of support from Repbulicans. Yes she did: [The Republicans Opposing Donald Trump — And Voting for Hillary Clinton](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/meet-republicans-speaking-out-against-trump-n530696) This “scathing letter,” while I agree with it 100%, doesn’t encourage me in the least. People stupid enough to vote for Trump either can’t read at that level or will never see it to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/291 "2020-08-25T16:19:35Z")
The people hurt and killed, the businesses torched and looted by deranged and unemployable leftist mobs obviously don’t feel they were set upon by a strawman. One thing I’ve learned in GD, P&E and ATMB, is that regardless of clear and indisputable evidence of words or actions those who don’t want to see evidence won’t. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/292 "2020-08-25T16:23:39Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > One thing I’ve learned in GD, P&E and ATMB, is that regardless of clear and indisputable evidence of words or actions those who don’t want to see evidence won’t. Yes, I’ve learned much the same thing, particularly when those people see the world solely in extreme Manichean terms supported by hyperpartisan information sources. It makes it difficult to have a reality-based conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/293 "2020-08-25T16:23:41Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > regardless of clear and indisputable evidence of words or actions those who don’t want to see evidence won’t. Like how you and **agzem** ignore clear and indisputable evidence of right-wing violence? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/294 "2020-08-25T16:42:19Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > There is a conjunction in that sentence. Sure, there have been a few arrests. But with the amount of lawlessness there seems to be very few convictions for the looting, arson, assault with deadly weapons, etc. Exactly how fast do you think the criminal justice system works? Hint: not that fast. > [@octopus](#): > > if this were being done in non democrat controlled territory by violent groups do you honestly think the rioting and destruction would be encouraged and tolerated? You have provided no evidence it’s being “encouraged and tolerated” anywhere. Riot police have, in fact, been known for heavy handed methods in dealing with it. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/295 "2020-08-25T16:44:59Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Like how you and **agzem** ignore clear and indisputable evidence of right-wing violence? Now, I’m sure he would condemn such things on his side too - for example, if we saw armed right-wing protesters breaking windows, damaging and occupying government buildings, and disrupting public proceedings, particularly if Republican politicians just “encouraged and tolerated” it. [But how likely is that to happen?](https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/aug/24/spectators-shatter-glass-door-to-get-into-idaho-le/) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/296 "2020-08-25T16:49:04Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > You have provided no evidence it’s being “encouraged and tolerated” anywhere. Allow me: > [@Feds 'black-bagging people' in Portland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feds-black-bagging-people-in-portland/915638/224): > > No source or cite satisfy the folks here who ask for them. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/297 "2020-08-25T16:49:30Z")
Right wing political violence is and should be prosecuted. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/298 "2020-08-25T16:51:34Z")
> [@Feds 'black-bagging people' in Portland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feds-black-bagging-people-in-portland/915638/1144): > > “[kids wearing hats](https://www.wweek.com/news/2020/08/22/although-infamous-street-brawler-tusitala-tiny-toese-is-a-wanted-man-he-was-front-and-center-today/)” Funny how you haven’t returned to that thread since. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/299 "2020-08-25T16:54:33Z")
That’s a pretty true statement you linked. When folks have made up their mind here there’s very little chance of changing it. Regardless of evidence. Don’t you find it odd that regardless of the videos and photographs people are still in Ministry of Truth mode? If this board and current media were around during WWII we’d have headlines such as “Mostly Peaceful Flight over Pearl Harbor” followed 4 years later by “Mostly Peaceful Flight over Hiroshima.” ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-improve-trump-s-odds-of-re-election/914869/300 "2020-08-25T16:54:59Z")
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