If Doug Jones narrowly loses, will it encourage Democrats elsewhere?

[I’m not Stu]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

[Green Line]

There are some.. unique.. circumstances.

[Illiniwek]

But things in Alabama are so messed up that if Doug Jones can't win there, why should they have any faith they can win in deep red America. Just sayin...

[I’m not Stu]

But things in Alabama are so messed up that if Doug Jones can't win there, why should they have any faith they can win in deep red America. Just sayin...

Alabama is redder than all the other states I mentioned. It's because the states I mentioned (MT, AZ, IN, IA, AK, MO, KS, NC, LA, and SC) are far more likely to vote for a Democrat than Alabama.

[Former Kentuckian]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

I think it would/will be incredibly discouraging. Roy Moore is being outraised and outspent, is politically isolated, and is literally accused of being a pedophile and a Democrat may still lose to him? It's hard to spin that into a positive.

[Beet]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

I think it would/will be incredibly discouraging. Roy Moore is being outraised and outspent, is politically isolated, and is literally accused of being a pedophile and a Democrat may still lose to him? It's hard to spin that into a positive.

Exactly. The Democrats can’t rely on scandal. Not every Republican is a pedophile. And if one can be one and still get elected, what hope do other Democrats have? On the one hand they might not be running in Alabama. On the other hand, they may not be running against pedophiles either. And many of them are running in areas almost as Republican as Alabama, like Tester, Donnelly, Manchin, and McCaskill.

[I’m not Stu]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

I think it would/will be incredibly discouraging. Roy Moore is being outraised and outspent, is politically isolated, and is literally accused of being a pedophile and a Democrat may still lose to him? It's hard to spin that into a positive.

Exactly. The Democrats can’t rely on scandal. Not every Republican is a pedophile. And if one can be one and still get elected, what hope do other Democrats have? On the one hand they might not be running in Alabama. On the other hand, they may not be running against pedophiles either. And many of them are running in areas almost as Republican as Alabama, like Tester, Donnelly, Manchin, and McCaskill.

Montana, Indiana, and Missouri are very Republican, but nowhere near as Republican as Alabama.

[IceSpear]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

I think it would/will be incredibly discouraging. Roy Moore is being outraised and outspent, is politically isolated, and is literally accused of being a pedophile and a Democrat may still lose to him? It's hard to spin that into a positive.

Exactly. The Democrats can’t rely on scandal. Not every Republican is a pedophile. And if one can be one and still get elected, what hope do other Democrats have? On the one hand they might not be running in Alabama. On the other hand, they may not be running against pedophiles either. And many of them are running in areas almost as Republican as Alabama, like Tester, Donnelly, Manchin, and McCaskill.

Montana, Indiana, and Missouri are very Republican, but nowhere near as Republican as Alabama.

And yeah, Manchin is finished.

[I’m not Stu]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

I think it would/will be incredibly discouraging. Roy Moore is being outraised and outspent, is politically isolated, and is literally accused of being a pedophile and a Democrat may still lose to him? It's hard to spin that into a positive.

Exactly. The Democrats can’t rely on scandal. Not every Republican is a pedophile. And if one can be one and still get elected, what hope do other Democrats have? On the one hand they might not be running in Alabama. On the other hand, they may not be running against pedophiles either. And many of them are running in areas almost as Republican as Alabama, like Tester, Donnelly, Manchin, and McCaskill.

Montana, Indiana, and Missouri are very Republican, but nowhere near as Republican as Alabama.

And yeah, Manchin is finished.

Manchin is still leading in the polls against both Morrisey and Jenkins.

[IceSpear]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

I think it would/will be incredibly discouraging. Roy Moore is being outraised and outspent, is politically isolated, and is literally accused of being a pedophile and a Democrat may still lose to him? It's hard to spin that into a positive.

Exactly. The Democrats can’t rely on scandal. Not every Republican is a pedophile. And if one can be one and still get elected, what hope do other Democrats have? On the one hand they might not be running in Alabama. On the other hand, they may not be running against pedophiles either. And many of them are running in areas almost as Republican as Alabama, like Tester, Donnelly, Manchin, and McCaskill.

Montana, Indiana, and Missouri are very Republican, but nowhere near as Republican as Alabama.

And yeah, Manchin is finished.

Manchin is still leading in the polls against both Morrisey and Jenkins.

Doesn't matter. Pryor and Landrieu had bigger leads in 2013. He's done.

[jamestroll]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

I think it would/will be incredibly discouraging. Roy Moore is being outraised and outspent, is politically isolated, and is literally accused of being a pedophile and a Democrat may still lose to him? It's hard to spin that into a positive.

Exactly. The Democrats can’t rely on scandal. Not every Republican is a pedophile. And if one can be one and still get elected, what hope do other Democrats have? On the one hand they might not be running in Alabama. On the other hand, they may not be running against pedophiles either. And many of them are running in areas almost as Republican as Alabama, like Tester, Donnelly, Manchin, and McCaskill.

Montana, Indiana, and Missouri are very Republican, but nowhere near as Republican as Alabama.

And yeah, Manchin is finished.

Manchin is still leading in the polls against both Morrisey and Jenkins.

Doesn't matter. Pryor and Landrieu had bigger leads in 2013. He's done.

Different circumstances this time around though..

[IceSpear]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

I think it would/will be incredibly discouraging. Roy Moore is being outraised and outspent, is politically isolated, and is literally accused of being a pedophile and a Democrat may still lose to him? It's hard to spin that into a positive.

Exactly. The Democrats can’t rely on scandal. Not every Republican is a pedophile. And if one can be one and still get elected, what hope do other Democrats have? On the one hand they might not be running in Alabama. On the other hand, they may not be running against pedophiles either. And many of them are running in areas almost as Republican as Alabama, like Tester, Donnelly, Manchin, and McCaskill.

Montana, Indiana, and Missouri are very Republican, but nowhere near as Republican as Alabama.

And yeah, Manchin is finished.

Manchin is still leading in the polls against both Morrisey and Jenkins.

Doesn't matter. Pryor and Landrieu had bigger leads in 2013. He's done.

Different circumstances this time around though..

Yeah, I know. I'm just saying that leading in the polls a year out means nothing.

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

I think Kander should be more of a motivation/inspiration. He did better in MO than Obama 2012 and came within 3 points despite Trump winning the state by almost 20.

[Stranger in a strange land]

And many of them are running in areas almost as Republican as Alabama, like Tester

Seriously though, I doubt the outcome of the election (regardless of who wins) will have any impact on other races in 2018 in the end.

MT is Republican for different reasons than Alabama is though, and it's way more elastic & open to ticket-splitting.

[I’m not Stu]

Alabama is the most inelastic red state I can think of. Steve Bullock could never win in Alabama. In Alabama, Bullock would lose by 20+%.

[IceSpear]

MT is Republican for different reasons than Alabama is though, and it's way more elastic & open to ticket-splitting.

I know, hence the picture. I doubt someone like Tester would be able to get reelected in any other "red" state save for MO or maybe WV.

Last time I checked Tester is a member of the anti white hate group, so he'd stand no chance in WV.

[I’m not Stu]

I'm almost positive it accelerates the Democratic trend in CA, AZ, GA, and VA.

[VPH]

There are some.. unique.. circumstances.

It also shows the merit in making sure there's a credible candidate in even the most uphill battles. Politics is a game of uncertainty!

[Rookie Yinzer]

I'm almost positive it accelerates the Democratic trend in CA, AZ, GA, and VA.

[mcmikk]

There are some.. unique.. circumstances.

It also shows the merit in making sure there's a credible candidate in even the most uphill battles. Politics is a game of uncertainty!

[junior chįmp]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

I think it would/will be incredibly discouraging. Roy Moore is being outraised and outspent, is politically isolated, and is literally accused of being a pedophile and a Democrat may still lose to him? It's hard to spin that into a positive.

Exactly. The Democrats can’t rely on scandal. Not every Republican is a pedophile. And if one can be one and still get elected, what hope do other Democrats have? On the one hand they might not be running in Alabama. On the other hand, they may not be running against pedophiles either. And many of them are running in areas almost as Republican as Alabama, like Tester, Donnelly, Manchin, and McCaskill.

Montana, Indiana, and Missouri are very Republican, but nowhere near as Republican as Alabama.

And yeah, Manchin is finished.

Manchin should eat a lump of coal on the debate stage to win over WV voters

[IceSpear]

Alabama is so red that even a narrow loss for Doug Jones would be an impressive performance. Would this be encouraging for Democrats in other states that are less red (TX, IA, KS, LA, AZ, MO, GA, NC, MT, IN, SC, and AK)?

I think it would/will be incredibly discouraging. Roy Moore is being outraised and outspent, is politically isolated, and is literally accused of being a pedophile and a Democrat may still lose to him? It's hard to spin that into a positive.

Exactly. The Democrats can’t rely on scandal. Not every Republican is a pedophile. And if one can be one and still get elected, what hope do other Democrats have? On the one hand they might not be running in Alabama. On the other hand, they may not be running against pedophiles either. And many of them are running in areas almost as Republican as Alabama, like Tester, Donnelly, Manchin, and McCaskill.

Montana, Indiana, and Missouri are very Republican, but nowhere near as Republican as Alabama.

And yeah, Manchin is finished.

Manchin should eat a lump of coal on the debate stage to win over WV voters

Nick Rahall metaphorically did that in 2014. Didn't matter. Still got crushed because he was a member of the anti white hate group.