2020 Congressional Election

JoeMorgue · 6th September 2020, 11:56 AM

General purpose thread for news, discussion, debate, predictions, questions etc.
____________________________________

Background info:

The United States Congress is the head of the Legislative Branch. It consists of two houses:

- The Senate. 100 seats. Each state, regardless of population, gets to elect two Senators each.

- The House of Representatives. 435 seats. States get a number of Representatives ranging from 1 to 53 depending on population.

//These number do not account for non-voting members elected by American territories such as Puerto Rico//

All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives and 35 out of 100 seats in the United States Senate are up for grabs in November.

Currently the Democrats hold a majority in the House (232 to the Republicans 198, with one Libertarian and 4 vacant) while the Republicans hold a majority in the Senate (53 to the Democrats 45, with 2 Independents who generally caucus and vote with the Democrats giving them a de-facto 47)

Current political polling suggests a tight race for the Senate, with a 50-50 split not being one of the less likely outcomes, with the Democrats retaining a majority in the house.

Either party achieving a super-majority in either of the Houses looks extremely unlikely.

The Don · 6th September 2020, 12:05 PM

Due to a combination of industrial scale voter suppression, gerrymandering and wholesale discounting of postal votes, President Trump will be re-elected, the GOP will increase their majority in the senate and will regain control of the house with a comfortable majority.

Craig4 · 6th September 2020, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by The Don

Due to a combination of industrial scale voter suppression, gerrymandering and wholesale discounting of postal votes, President Trump will be re-elected, the GOP will increase their majority in the senate and will regain control of the house with a comfortable majority.

The lesson with gerrymandering is that it doesn't work for very long. The Democrats took the House by winning those gerrymandered districts. Not all states have voter suppression issues. Dems control the voting mechanisms in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. Gerrymandering doesn't matter at all in the Senate or presidential races. And really, no one is talking about the Republicans taking back the House. Trump would need to be both leading and by a wide margin for that to happen.

Safe-Keeper · 6th September 2020, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by The Don

Due to a combination of industrial scale voter suppression, gerrymandering and wholesale discounting of postal votes, President Trump will be re-elected, the GOP will increase their majority in the senate and will regain control of the house with a comfortable majority.

Trump only barely won in 2016, by a total of only, what was it, 14 000 or 40 000 votes across several states he needed to win? Of course more of the votes this year will be by mail, and Trump has had four years in which to sabotage things, but this election-rigging can only get him so far.

Lurch · 6th September 2020, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by The Don

Due to a combination of industrial scale voter suppression, gerrymandering and wholesale discounting of postal votes, President Trump will be re-elected, the GOP will increase their majority in the senate and will regain control of the house with a comfortable majority.

With this grim forecast as a fiducial, I'm pretty sure there'll be *something* for liberals to cheer. Jeez, if it turned out that bad, there'd be insufficient crisis councillors in the nation.

SuburbanTurkey · 9th September 2020, 06:18 AM

This was posted elsewhere, but it should be noted that Nancy Pelosi and other DP heavyweights endorsed Joe Kennedy III in a primary challenge for progressive Ed Markey's incumbent Senate seat. For all the talk of party unity and the need to defeat Trump, money and political attention was squandered in order to try to challenge a relatively progressive Democratic Senator with a centrist candidate.

Kennedy lost. I guess that last name doesn't have the same cache it used to. Back to Hyannis Joe.

Sherkeu · 9th September 2020, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by SuburbanTurkey

This was posted elsewhere, but it should be noted that Nancy Pelosi and other DP heavyweights endorsed Joe Kennedy III in a primary challenge for progressive Ed Markey's incumbent Senate seat. For all the talk of party unity and the need to defeat Trump, money and political attention was squandered in order to try to challenge a relatively progressive Democratic Senator with a centrist candidate.

Kennedy lost. I guess that last name doesn't have the same cache it used to. Back to Hyannis Joe.

Isn't this the same thing they did with Biden vs Bernie/Warren/et al?
Except Biden won out for that one.
But I suppose that is national and perhaps things that are national are more moderate than individual local races.

Firestone · 12th September 2020, 01:58 PM

Lindsey Graham tweets:

"It’s been 72 hours since I released 11 years of state and federal tax returns and challenged @HarrisonJaime to do the same. Crickets. What is he hiding?"

https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/...637922818?s=19

varwoche · 12th September 2020, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by The Don

Due to a combination of industrial scale voter suppression, gerrymandering and wholesale discounting of postal votes, President Trump will be re-elected, the GOP will increase their majority in the senate and will regain control of the house with a comfortable majority.

I would bet everything I own against this, even knowing your track record.

This is so silly that I'm demoting you from prescient to broken clock.

Craig4 · 13th September 2020, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by Firestone

Lindsey Graham tweets:

"It’s been 72 hours since I released 11 years of state and federal tax returns and challenged @HarrisonJaime to do the same. Crickets. What is he hiding?"

https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/...637922818?s=19

This seems like a perilous road to go down for a piece of Trumptrash like Graham.

theprestige · 13th September 2020, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Firestone

Lindsey Graham tweets:

"It’s been 72 hours since I released 11 years of state and federal tax returns and challenged @HarrisonJaime to do the same. Crickets. What is he hiding?"

https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/...637922818?s=19

Ah yes: The eleven years of Lindsey Graham's tax returns that we've all been so urgently awaiting, ever since he launched his political career. 28 years ago. Hopefully Harrison Jaime DGAF about Graham's twitter call-outs.

Craig4 · 13th September 2020, 06:01 PM

Not that I care about the Trumptrash at the rally in Nevada tonight. However, we know the virus passes from animals to people and the attendees could pass the virus to real people who have value.

alfaniner · 13th September 2020, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Craig4

Not that I care about the Trumptrash at the rally in Nevada tonight. However, we know the virus passes from animals to people and the attendees could pass the virus to real people who have value.

Not to mention, to real animals that have value!

Ladewig · 13th September 2020, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by Firestone

Lindsey Graham tweets:

"It’s been 72 hours since I released 11 years of state and federal tax returns and challenged @HarrisonJaime to do the same. Crickets. What is he hiding?"

https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/...637922818?s=19

Please, please let Trump repost this without reading the whole thing.

The Don · 14th September 2020, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by varwoche

I would bet everything I own against this, even knowing your track record.

This is so silly that I'm demoting you from prescient to broken clock.

....I really, really hope you are right.

I really, really fear you are not.

Segnosaur · 16th September 2020, 01:07 PM

Some recent polling numbers for the U.S. senate races:

(Via: Politico)

- Susan "He's learned his Lesson" Collins is WAY down in the Maine senate race. (She is behind Sarah Gideon by 54-42.) I thought the Democrats had a good shot at taking this seat, but a margin like that is more than I was expecting. Hopefully Collins has learned her lesson.

- Lady Lindsey is currently tied with his opponent (Harrison) in South Carolina. (Strangely enough, Harrison actually rates better who is seen as more favorable. Sadly with voter suppression, I don't have much hope of the Democrats winning S.C.

- Sadly, Moscow Mitch is leading in Kentucky. But being the backwards state that it is, its not surprising that Kentucky is sticking with the turtle. (I have sometimes wondered if it would be more fitting to see Moscow Mitch lose, or see him win but have the GOP lose the senate so he loses his power.)

Monza · 17th September 2020, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by Firestone

Lindsey Graham tweets:

"It’s been 72 hours since I released 11 years of state and federal tax returns and challenged @HarrisonJaime to do the same. Crickets. What is he hiding?"

https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/...637922818?s=19

Harrison released his returns this week and tweeted in reply, "Done. Now do President Trump."

Firestone · 17th September 2020, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by Monza

Harrison released his returns this week and tweeted in reply, "Done. Now do President Trump."

Of course.

Own goal by Graham, as apparently South Carolina asked the candidates to release their tax returns.

Quote:

The State asked both campaigns to release their candidate’s tax returns.

https://www.thestate.com/news/politi...245737230.html

JoeMorgue · 17th September 2020, 06:03 AM

Is this just becoming some weird affect now?

Raise your hand if anyone's tax return ever caused you to vote or not vote for them.

Firestone · 18th September 2020, 05:00 AM

538's Senate forecast is live.

The gist: Democrats *probably* need 4 or 5 pickups, depending on the presidency, since Doug Jones is an underdog in AL-Sen. A lot of these races are against incumbents in red states. Still, Democrats have so many opportunities (~12!) that they're slight favorites to do it.
(Nate Silver on Twitter)

JoeMorgue · 26th September 2020, 08:36 PM

The Minnesota 2nd District Congressional Race is being delayed until next year after a 3rd party candidate has died.

Adam Weeks, 38, was a farmer running under the Legal Marijuana Now Party against freshman Democratic Rep. Angie Craig. Minnesota has a state law requiring a delay of election of a candidate dies with 79 days of the election.

Minnesota's 2nd District is considered a tight race between Craig and Republican challenger Tyler Kistner.

Segnosaur · 28th September 2020, 02:27 PM

Lady Linsey Graham seems to be having some funding problems...

From: Politico
Twice on Thursday, Graham...went on Fox News Channel and implored viewers to donate to his campaign...“I’m getting overwhelmed,” Graham told conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity Thursday night. “...Help me. They’re killing me, money-wise. Help me. You helped me last week — help me again."

Maybe we can hold a telethon for him.

Now, I admit, despite a close race, the republicans will still probably hold on to the seat. But it is nice to see them sweating over it.

And the folks at the Lincoln project have picked up on things.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1309620608561414144

pgwenthold · 28th September 2020, 03:47 PM

One issue is that the GOP is having to funnel money into places that used to not need it. Lee Zeldin is spending like $6 mil in Long Island. He won his seat by 8% in 2018 but is facing a bigger challenge this time around (the the democrats are putting some weight into it as a flippable district).

Segnosaur · 28th September 2020, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by pgwenthold

One issue is that the GOP is having to funnel money into places that used to not need it. Lee Zeldin is spending like $6 mil in Long Island. He won his seat by 8% in 2018 but is facing a bigger challenge this time around (the the democrats are putting some weight into it as a flippable district).

I am actually surprised... I thought the republicans party had decided not to fund congressional house races this time (saving their money for the Presidential race.)

Sent from my LM-X320 using Tapatalk

pgwenthold · 28th September 2020, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Segnosaur

I am actually surprised... I thought the republicans party had decided not to fund congressional house races this time (saving their money for the Presidential race.)

Sent from my LM-X320 using Tapatalk

Well maybe Lee Zeldin has a stockpile, but he's not going to be sending it on to the President

Polaris · 28th September 2020, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by Segnosaur

Lady Linsey Graham seems to be having some funding problems...

From: Politico
Twice on Thursday, Graham...went on Fox News Channel and implored viewers to donate to his campaign...“I’m getting overwhelmed,” Graham told conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity Thursday night. “...Help me. They’re killing me, money-wise. Help me. You helped me last week — help me again."

Maybe we can hold a telethon for him.

Now, I admit, despite a close race, the republicans will still probably hold on to the seat. But it is nice to see them sweating over it.

And the folks at the Lincoln project have picked up on things.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1309620608561414144

This might have something to do with it:

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/...-defend-mccain

One of Graham's long-time donors shifted his money to his opponent for the following reasons:

Quote:

“I asked myself, ‘What is the character of a man who will not defend his best friend? If he won’t defend John McCain, why would I expect him to defend any of us in South Carolina?’” Richard Wilkerson, the retired chairman and president of Michelin North America, wrote in an op-ed for the Greenville News.

“My conclusion was that he was more interested in currying favor than in honoring the memory of a true American hero whom he had described as his best friend," he added. "I was extremely disappointed.”

Stacyhs · 28th September 2020, 11:16 PM

Lindsey Graham wouldn't recognize 'character' if was spelled out for him in a dictionary.

I think both Cindy and Meghan McCain have been hugely disappointed in him and disgusted by his betrayal of John McCain.

SuburbanTurkey · 29th September 2020, 04:11 AM

Originally Posted by Segnosaur

Lady Linsey Graham seems to be having some funding problems...

From: Politico
Twice on Thursday, Graham...went on Fox News Channel and implored viewers to donate to his campaign...“I’m getting overwhelmed,” Graham told conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity Thursday night. “...Help me. They’re killing me, money-wise. Help me. You helped me last week — help me again."

Maybe we can hold a telethon for him.

Now, I admit, despite a close race, the republicans will still probably hold on to the seat. But it is nice to see them sweating over it.

And the folks at the Lincoln project have picked up on things.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1309620608561414144

Not saying it isn't true, but desperate pleas for money is a common tactic in political fundraising. Telling your audience that you're getting clobbered may just be a ploy.

Graham seems to be facing a more serious challenge than normal, but hoping for a Democrat in S. Carolina is long shot odds.

Trebuchet · 29th September 2020, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by SuburbanTurkey

Not saying it isn't true, but desperate pleas for money is a common tactic in political fundraising. Telling your audience that you're getting clobbered may just be a ploy.

Graham seems to be facing a more serious challenge than normal, but hoping for a Democrat in S. Carolina is long shot odds.

Won't you please help stop the suffering?

ETA: "autographed picture of Lindsay Graham enjoying a hot dog" is a nice, though homophobic, touch.

Dread Pirate Roberts · 3rd October 2020, 01:51 PM

Cal Cunningham, who is trying to defeat GOP incumbent Thom Tillis in a very competitive race in NC, apologizes for sending sexy texts to a woman not his wife.

Trebuchet · 3rd October 2020, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dread Pirate Roberts

Cal Cunningham, who is trying to defeat GOP incumbent Thom Tillis in a very competitive race in NC, apologizes for sending sexy texts to a woman not his wife.

I saw some of those on Twitter. Tamest sexts ever

Checkmite · 3rd October 2020, 06:30 PM

There was a debate tonight between Lindsey Graham and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison. Harrison began the debate by setting up a giant plexiglass shield next to his podium facing Graham's.

By all accounts, the debate was a one-sided savaging and Graham was visibly helpless for most of it.

Skeptic Ginger · 3rd October 2020, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by Checkmite

There was a debate tonight between Lindsey Graham and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison. Harrison began the debate by setting up a giant plexiglass shield next to his podium facing Graham's.

By all accounts, the debate was a one-sided savaging and Graham was visibly helpless for most of it.

Segnosaur · 3rd October 2020, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by Checkmite

There was a debate tonight between Lindsey Graham and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison. Harrison began the debate by setting up a giant plexiglass shield next to his podium facing Graham's.

I like it. But I am surprised the moderators allowed it. (I thought that they would have some sort of "No physical props" in the debate rules.

Checkmite · 3rd October 2020, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by Segnosaur

I like it. But I am surprised the moderators allowed it. (I thought that they would have some sort of "No physical props" in the debate rules.

Situationally, I would argue - and I'd bet Harrison would too - that it is legitimate safety equipment, not a prop. Graham has had direct contact with someone who tested positive yesterday.

Skeptic Ginger · 3rd October 2020, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by Segnosaur

I like it. But I am surprised the moderators allowed it. (I thought that they would have some sort of "No physical props" in the debate rules.

Not after the Trump debate.

Mader Levap · 4th October 2020, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by Segnosaur

I like it. But I am surprised the moderators allowed it. (I thought that they would have some sort of "No physical props" in the debate rules.

I don't think "barrier to prevent possible COVID-19 infection" counts as "physical prop".

Maybe Graham didn't catch the plague. Maybe intention was actually there, to use this screen as physical prop to remind people about coronavirus.

But unfortunately (for republicans), this kind of thing has very, very good excuse now.

Firestone · 5th October 2020, 07:57 AM

Schadenfreude is not ok, but hey:

"Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), who switched parties with the hope of keeping his seat, now trails his Democratic opponent Amy Kennedy by a margin of 49% to 44% in a new Monmouth poll."

https://twitter.com/sahilkapur/statu...31948332716033
https://twitter.com/MonmouthPoll/sta...32417360818176

CORed · 5th October 2020, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Trebuchet

I saw some of those on Twitter. Tamest sexts ever

True, the ones I saw were at worst PG rated, but they did make it pretty obvious that he's having an extramarital affair. I'm sure there are some people who will see that as a deal breaker, unfortunately possibly enough to swing the race.

Dread Pirate Roberts · 6th October 2020, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by CORed

True, the ones I saw were at worst PG rated, but they did make it pretty obvious that he's having an extramarital affair. I'm sure there are some people who will see that as a deal breaker, unfortunately possibly enough to swing the race.

There's another allegation and he skipped a town hall yesterday.

6th September 2020, 11:56 AM	#1
JoeMorgue Self Employed Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 31,559	2020 Congressional Election General purpose thread for news, discussion, debate, predictions, questions etc. ____________________________________ Background info: The United States Congress is the head of the Legislative Branch. It consists of two houses: - The Senate. 100 seats. Each state, regardless of population, gets to elect two Senators each. - The House of Representatives. 435 seats. States get a number of Representatives ranging from 1 to 53 depending on population. //These number do not account for non-voting members elected by American territories such as Puerto Rico// All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives and 35 out of 100 seats in the United States Senate are up for grabs in November. Currently the Democrats hold a majority in the House (232 to the Republicans 198, with one Libertarian and 4 vacant) while the Republicans hold a majority in the Senate (53 to the Democrats 45, with 2 Independents who generally caucus and vote with the Democrats giving them a de-facto 47) Current political polling suggests a tight race for the Senate, with a 50-50 split not being one of the less likely outcomes, with the Democrats retaining a majority in the house. Either party achieving a super-majority in either of the Houses looks extremely unlikely.
	__________________ Yahtzee: "You're doing that thing again where when asked a question you just discuss the philosophy of the question instead of answering the bloody question." Gabriel: "Well yeah, you see..." Yahtzee: "No. When you are asked a Yes or No question the first word out of your mouth needs to be Yes or No. Only after that have you earned the right to elaborate." Last edited by JoeMorgue; 6th September 2020 at 12:06 PM.

6th September 2020, 01:27 PM	#4
Safe-Keeper Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Norway Posts: 10,396	Originally Posted by The Don Due to a combination of industrial scale voter suppression, gerrymandering and wholesale discounting of postal votes, President Trump will be re-elected, the GOP will increase their majority in the senate and will regain control of the house with a comfortable majority. Trump only barely won in 2016, by a total of only, what was it, 14 000 or 40 000 votes across several states he needed to win? Of course more of the votes this year will be by mail, and Trump has had four years in which to sabotage things, but this election-rigging can only get him so far.
	__________________ "He's like a drunk being given a sobriety test by the police after being pulled over. Just as a drunk can't walk a straight line, Trump can't think in a straight line. He's all over the place."--Stacyhs "If you are still hung up on that whole words-have-meaning thing, then 2020 is going to be a long year for you." --Ladewig

9th September 2020, 06:18 AM	#6
SuburbanTurkey Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 8,537	This was posted elsewhere, but it should be noted that Nancy Pelosi and other DP heavyweights endorsed Joe Kennedy III in a primary challenge for progressive Ed Markey's incumbent Senate seat. For all the talk of party unity and the need to defeat Trump, money and political attention was squandered in order to try to challenge a relatively progressive Democratic Senator with a centrist candidate. Kennedy lost. I guess that last name doesn't have the same cache it used to. Back to Hyannis Joe.
	__________________ Gobble gobble

12th September 2020, 01:58 PM	#8
Firestone Proud Award Award recipient Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,998	Lindsey Graham tweets: "It’s been 72 hours since I released 11 years of state and federal tax returns and challenged @HarrisonJaime to do the same. Crickets. What is he hiding?" https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/...637922818?s=19
	__________________ The method of science is tried and true. It is not perfect, it's just the best we have. And to abandon it, with its skeptical protocols is the pathway to a dark age. -- Carl Sagan

12th September 2020, 02:42 PM	#9
varwoche Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 15,466	Originally Posted by The Don Due to a combination of industrial scale voter suppression, gerrymandering and wholesale discounting of postal votes, President Trump will be re-elected, the GOP will increase their majority in the senate and will regain control of the house with a comfortable majority. I would bet everything I own against this, even knowing your track record. This is so silly that I'm demoting you from prescient to broken clock.
	__________________ To survive election season on a skeptics forum, one must understand Hymie-the-Robot.

6th September 2020, 12:05 PM	#2
The Don Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sir Fynwy Posts: 31,617	Due to a combination of industrial scale voter suppression, gerrymandering and wholesale discounting of postal votes, President Trump will be re-elected, the GOP will increase their majority in the senate and will regain control of the house with a comfortable majority.

6th September 2020, 01:16 PM	#3
Craig4 Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: I live in a swamp Posts: 22,873	Originally Posted by The Don Due to a combination of industrial scale voter suppression, gerrymandering and wholesale discounting of postal votes, President Trump will be re-elected, the GOP will increase their majority in the senate and will regain control of the house with a comfortable majority. The lesson with gerrymandering is that it doesn't work for very long. The Democrats took the House by winning those gerrymandered districts. Not all states have voter suppression issues. Dems control the voting mechanisms in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. Gerrymandering doesn't matter at all in the Senate or presidential races. And really, no one is talking about the Republicans taking back the House. Trump would need to be both leading and by a wide margin for that to happen.

6th September 2020, 04:30 PM	#5
Lurch Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,666	Originally Posted by The Don Due to a combination of industrial scale voter suppression, gerrymandering and wholesale discounting of postal votes, President Trump will be re-elected, the GOP will increase their majority in the senate and will regain control of the house with a comfortable majority. With this grim forecast as a fiducial, I'm pretty sure there'll be something for liberals to cheer. Jeez, if it turned out that bad, there'd be insufficient crisis councillors in the nation.

9th September 2020, 03:42 PM	#7
Sherkeu Master Poster Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Disneyland Posts: 2,486	Originally Posted by SuburbanTurkey This was posted elsewhere, but it should be noted that Nancy Pelosi and other DP heavyweights endorsed Joe Kennedy III in a primary challenge for progressive Ed Markey's incumbent Senate seat. For all the talk of party unity and the need to defeat Trump, money and political attention was squandered in order to try to challenge a relatively progressive Democratic Senator with a centrist candidate. Kennedy lost. I guess that last name doesn't have the same cache it used to. Back to Hyannis Joe. Isn't this the same thing they did with Biden vs Bernie/Warren/et al? Except Biden won out for that one. But I suppose that is national and perhaps things that are national are more moderate than individual local races.

13th September 2020, 05:31 AM	#10
Craig4 Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: I live in a swamp Posts: 22,873	Originally Posted by Firestone Lindsey Graham tweets: "It’s been 72 hours since I released 11 years of state and federal tax returns and challenged @HarrisonJaime to do the same. Crickets. What is he hiding?" https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/...637922818?s=19 This seems like a perilous road to go down for a piece of Trumptrash like Graham.

13th September 2020, 07:27 AM	#11
theprestige Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 50,627	Originally Posted by Firestone Lindsey Graham tweets: "It’s been 72 hours since I released 11 years of state and federal tax returns and challenged @HarrisonJaime to do the same. Crickets. What is he hiding?" https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/...637922818?s=19 Ah yes: The eleven years of Lindsey Graham's tax returns that we've all been so urgently awaiting, ever since he launched his political career. 28 years ago. Hopefully Harrison Jaime DGAF about Graham's twitter call-outs.

13th September 2020, 06:01 PM	#12
Craig4 Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: I live in a swamp Posts: 22,873	Not that I care about the Trumptrash at the rally in Nevada tonight. However, we know the virus passes from animals to people and the attendees could pass the virus to real people who have value.

13th September 2020, 06:37 PM	#13
alfaniner Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sorth Dakonsin Posts: 25,061	Originally Posted by Craig4 Not that I care about the Trumptrash at the rally in Nevada tonight. However, we know the virus passes from animals to people and the attendees could pass the virus to real people who have value. Not to mention, to real animals that have value!
	__________________ Science is self-correcting. Woo is self-contradicting.

13th September 2020, 07:23 PM	#14
Ladewig I lost an avatar bet. Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 28,095	Originally Posted by Firestone Lindsey Graham tweets: "It’s been 72 hours since I released 11 years of state and federal tax returns and challenged @HarrisonJaime to do the same. Crickets. What is he hiding?" https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/...637922818?s=19 Please, please let Trump repost this without reading the whole thing.
	__________________ I lost an avatar bet to Doghouse Reilly.

14th September 2020, 02:07 AM	#15
The Don Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sir Fynwy Posts: 31,617	Originally Posted by varwoche I would bet everything I own against this, even knowing your track record. This is so silly that I'm demoting you from prescient to broken clock. ....I really, really hope you are right. I really, really fear you are not.

16th September 2020, 01:07 PM	#16
Segnosaur Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada, eh? Posts: 17,348	Some recent polling numbers for the U.S. senate races: (Via: Politico) - Susan "He's learned his Lesson" Collins is WAY down in the Maine senate race. (She is behind Sarah Gideon by 54-42.) I thought the Democrats had a good shot at taking this seat, but a margin like that is more than I was expecting. Hopefully Collins has learned her lesson. - Lady Lindsey is currently tied with his opponent (Harrison) in South Carolina. (Strangely enough, Harrison actually rates better who is seen as more favorable. Sadly with voter suppression, I don't have much hope of the Democrats winning S.C. - Sadly, Moscow Mitch is leading in Kentucky. But being the backwards state that it is, its not surprising that Kentucky is sticking with the turtle. (I have sometimes wondered if it would be more fitting to see Moscow Mitch lose, or see him win but have the GOP lose the senate so he loses his power.)
	__________________ Trust me, I know what I'm doing. - Sledgehammer I'm Mary Poppin's Y'all! - Yondu We are Groot - Groot

17th September 2020, 05:46 AM	#17
Monza Alta Viro Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,221	Originally Posted by Firestone Lindsey Graham tweets: "It’s been 72 hours since I released 11 years of state and federal tax returns and challenged @HarrisonJaime to do the same. Crickets. What is he hiding?" https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/...637922818?s=19 Harrison released his returns this week and tweeted in reply, "Done. Now do President Trump."
Monza Alta Viro Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,221

17th September 2020, 06:01 AM	#18
Firestone Proud Award Award recipient Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,998	Originally Posted by Monza Harrison released his returns this week and tweeted in reply, "Done. Now do President Trump." Of course. Own goal by Graham, as apparently South Carolina asked the candidates to release their tax returns. Quote: The State asked both campaigns to release their candidate’s tax returns. https://www.thestate.com/news/politi...245737230.html
	__________________ The method of science is tried and true. It is not perfect, it's just the best we have. And to abandon it, with its skeptical protocols is the pathway to a dark age. -- Carl Sagan

17th September 2020, 06:03 AM	#19
JoeMorgue Self Employed Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 31,559	Is this just becoming some weird affect now? Raise your hand if anyone's tax return ever caused you to vote or not vote for them.
	__________________ Yahtzee: "You're doing that thing again where when asked a question you just discuss the philosophy of the question instead of answering the bloody question." Gabriel: "Well yeah, you see..." Yahtzee: "No. When you are asked a Yes or No question the first word out of your mouth needs to be Yes or No. Only after that have you earned the right to elaborate."

18th September 2020, 05:00 AM	#20
Firestone Proud Award Award recipient Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,998	538's Senate forecast is live. The gist: Democrats probably need 4 or 5 pickups, depending on the presidency, since Doug Jones is an underdog in AL-Sen. A lot of these races are against incumbents in red states. Still, Democrats have so many opportunities (~12!) that they're slight favorites to do it. (Nate Silver on Twitter)
	__________________ The method of science is tried and true. It is not perfect, it's just the best we have. And to abandon it, with its skeptical protocols is the pathway to a dark age. -- Carl Sagan

26th September 2020, 08:36 PM	#21
JoeMorgue Self Employed Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 31,559	The Minnesota 2nd District Congressional Race is being delayed until next year after a 3rd party candidate has died. Adam Weeks, 38, was a farmer running under the Legal Marijuana Now Party against freshman Democratic Rep. Angie Craig. Minnesota has a state law requiring a delay of election of a candidate dies with 79 days of the election. Minnesota's 2nd District is considered a tight race between Craig and Republican challenger Tyler Kistner.
	__________________ Yahtzee: "You're doing that thing again where when asked a question you just discuss the philosophy of the question instead of answering the bloody question." Gabriel: "Well yeah, you see..." Yahtzee: "No. When you are asked a Yes or No question the first word out of your mouth needs to be Yes or No. Only after that have you earned the right to elaborate."

28th September 2020, 02:27 PM	#22
Segnosaur Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada, eh? Posts: 17,348	Lady Linsey Graham seems to be having some funding problems... From: Politico Twice on Thursday, Graham...went on Fox News Channel and implored viewers to donate to his campaign...“I’m getting overwhelmed,” Graham told conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity Thursday night. “...Help me. They’re killing me, money-wise. Help me. You helped me last week — help me again." Maybe we can hold a telethon for him. Now, I admit, despite a close race, the republicans will still probably hold on to the seat. But it is nice to see them sweating over it. And the folks at the Lincoln project have picked up on things. https://twitter.com/i/status/1309620608561414144
	__________________ Trust me, I know what I'm doing. - Sledgehammer I'm Mary Poppin's Y'all! - Yondu We are Groot - Groot

28th September 2020, 03:47 PM	#23
pgwenthold Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 20,224	One issue is that the GOP is having to funnel money into places that used to not need it. Lee Zeldin is spending like $6 mil in Long Island. He won his seat by 8% in 2018 but is facing a bigger challenge this time around (the the democrats are putting some weight into it as a flippable district).
	__________________ "As your friend, I have to be honest with you: I don't care about you or your problems" - Chloe, Secret Life of Pets

28th September 2020, 04:34 PM	#24
Segnosaur Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada, eh? Posts: 17,348	Originally Posted by pgwenthold One issue is that the GOP is having to funnel money into places that used to not need it. Lee Zeldin is spending like $6 mil in Long Island. He won his seat by 8% in 2018 but is facing a bigger challenge this time around (the the democrats are putting some weight into it as a flippable district). I am actually surprised... I thought the republicans party had decided not to fund congressional house races this time (saving their money for the Presidential race.) Sent from my LM-X320 using Tapatalk
	__________________ Trust me, I know what I'm doing. - Sledgehammer I'm Mary Poppin's Y'all! - Yondu We are Groot - Groot

28th September 2020, 04:45 PM	#25
pgwenthold Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 20,224	Originally Posted by Segnosaur I am actually surprised... I thought the republicans party had decided not to fund congressional house races this time (saving their money for the Presidential race.) Sent from my LM-X320 using Tapatalk Well maybe Lee Zeldin has a stockpile, but he's not going to be sending it on to the President
	__________________ "As your friend, I have to be honest with you: I don't care about you or your problems" - Chloe, Secret Life of Pets

28th September 2020, 09:08 PM	#26
Polaris Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 11,396	Originally Posted by Segnosaur Lady Linsey Graham seems to be having some funding problems... From: Politico Twice on Thursday, Graham...went on Fox News Channel and implored viewers to donate to his campaign...“I’m getting overwhelmed,” Graham told conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity Thursday night. “...Help me. They’re killing me, money-wise. Help me. You helped me last week — help me again." Maybe we can hold a telethon for him. Now, I admit, despite a close race, the republicans will still probably hold on to the seat. But it is nice to see them sweating over it. And the folks at the Lincoln project have picked up on things. https://twitter.com/i/status/1309620608561414144 This might have something to do with it: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/...-defend-mccain One of Graham's long-time donors shifted his money to his opponent for the following reasons: Quote: “I asked myself, ‘What is the character of a man who will not defend his best friend? If he won’t defend John McCain, why would I expect him to defend any of us in South Carolina?’” Richard Wilkerson, the retired chairman and president of Michelin North America, wrote in an op-ed for the Greenville News. “My conclusion was that he was more interested in currying favor than in honoring the memory of a true American hero whom he had described as his best friend," he added. "I was extremely disappointed.”
	__________________ "There's vastly more truth to be found in rocks than in holy books. Rocks are far superior, in fact, because you can DEMONSTRATE the truth found in rocks. Plus, they're pretty. Holy books are just heavy." - Dinwar "Let your ears hear this beautiful song that's hiding underneath the sound," Ed Kowalczyk.

28th September 2020, 11:16 PM	#27
Stacyhs Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States Posts: 18,229	Lindsey Graham wouldn't recognize 'character' if was spelled out for him in a dictionary. I think both Cindy and Meghan McCain have been hugely disappointed in him and disgusted by his betrayal of John McCain.

29th September 2020, 04:11 AM	#28
SuburbanTurkey Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 8,537	Originally Posted by Segnosaur Lady Linsey Graham seems to be having some funding problems... From: Politico Twice on Thursday, Graham...went on Fox News Channel and implored viewers to donate to his campaign...“I’m getting overwhelmed,” Graham told conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity Thursday night. “...Help me. They’re killing me, money-wise. Help me. You helped me last week — help me again." Maybe we can hold a telethon for him. Now, I admit, despite a close race, the republicans will still probably hold on to the seat. But it is nice to see them sweating over it. And the folks at the Lincoln project have picked up on things. https://twitter.com/i/status/1309620608561414144 Not saying it isn't true, but desperate pleas for money is a common tactic in political fundraising. Telling your audience that you're getting clobbered may just be a ploy. Graham seems to be facing a more serious challenge than normal, but hoping for a Democrat in S. Carolina is long shot odds.
	__________________ Gobble gobble

29th September 2020, 05:19 PM	#29
Trebuchet Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Townsend, Washington Posts: 31,300	Originally Posted by SuburbanTurkey Not saying it isn't true, but desperate pleas for money is a common tactic in political fundraising. Telling your audience that you're getting clobbered may just be a ploy. Graham seems to be facing a more serious challenge than normal, but hoping for a Democrat in S. Carolina is long shot odds. Won't you please help stop the suffering? ETA: "autographed picture of Lindsay Graham enjoying a hot dog" is a nice, though homophobic, touch.
	__________________ Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant. Last edited by Trebuchet; 29th September 2020 at 05:22 PM.

3rd October 2020, 01:51 PM	#30
Dread Pirate Roberts Thinker Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 205	Cal Cunningham, who is trying to defeat GOP incumbent Thom Tillis in a very competitive race in NC, apologizes for sending sexy texts to a woman not his wife.

3rd October 2020, 06:16 PM	#31
Trebuchet Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Townsend, Washington Posts: 31,300	Originally Posted by Dread Pirate Roberts Cal Cunningham, who is trying to defeat GOP incumbent Thom Tillis in a very competitive race in NC, apologizes for sending sexy texts to a woman not his wife. I saw some of those on Twitter. Tamest sexts ever
	__________________ Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.

3rd October 2020, 06:30 PM	#32
Checkmite Skepticifimisticalationist Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Gulf Coast Posts: 26,546	There was a debate tonight between Lindsey Graham and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison. Harrison began the debate by setting up a giant plexiglass shield next to his podium facing Graham's. By all accounts, the debate was a one-sided savaging and Graham was visibly helpless for most of it.
	__________________ "¿WHAT KIND OF BIRD? ¿A PARANORMAL BIRD?" --- Carlos S., 2002 Last edited by Checkmite; 3rd October 2020 at 06:44 PM.

3rd October 2020, 08:07 PM	#33
Skeptic Ginger Nasty Woman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 87,872	Originally Posted by Checkmite There was a debate tonight between Lindsey Graham and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison. Harrison began the debate by setting up a giant plexiglass shield next to his podium facing Graham's. By all accounts, the debate was a one-sided savaging and Graham was visibly helpless for most of it.
	Last edited by Skeptic Ginger; 3rd October 2020 at 08:18 PM.

3rd October 2020, 10:54 PM	#34
Segnosaur Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada, eh? Posts: 17,348	Originally Posted by Checkmite There was a debate tonight between Lindsey Graham and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison. Harrison began the debate by setting up a giant plexiglass shield next to his podium facing Graham's. I like it. But I am surprised the moderators allowed it. (I thought that they would have some sort of "No physical props" in the debate rules.
	__________________ Trust me, I know what I'm doing. - Sledgehammer I'm Mary Poppin's Y'all! - Yondu We are Groot - Groot

3rd October 2020, 11:05 PM	#35
Checkmite Skepticifimisticalationist Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Gulf Coast Posts: 26,546	Originally Posted by Segnosaur I like it. But I am surprised the moderators allowed it. (I thought that they would have some sort of "No physical props" in the debate rules. Situationally, I would argue - and I'd bet Harrison would too - that it is legitimate safety equipment, not a prop. Graham has had direct contact with someone who tested positive yesterday.
	__________________ "¿WHAT KIND OF BIRD? ¿A PARANORMAL BIRD?" --- Carlos S., 2002