The Trump administration crosses lines all the time. They think they’re playing hopscotch, the lines are wherever they draw them. But today’s line crossing, by Kayleigh McEnany, is more alarming than usual. When asked if Trump would accept the results of the election, she said that Trump will “see what happens and make a determination.” He doesn’t get to do that. In no way is he the arbiter of fair elections. Former ambassador Michael McFaul saw the comment for what it was and called it out immediately.
This is so scary. Trump doesn't get to decide if the election is free and fair. That's NOT his job. (& he would not be the first leader with autocratic proclivities to try to stay in power after losing an election. Remember Serbia 2000, Ukraine 2004, Malawi 2019, Belarus, 2000.) https://t.co/Bn2kbzMR0B
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 19, 2020
When some states threaten to secede will Trump accept a loss? Putin will advise accordingly. https://t.co/tZWG2iH2p4
— David Carroll ? (@profcarroll) August 19, 2020
This is not a snarky retort, although it appears that way. Richard Burr, who formerly chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee, was quoted in the Washington Post, after the release of the last volume of the Committee’s findings Tuesday:
“One of the Committee’s most important — and overlooked — findings is that much of Russia’s activities weren’t related to producing a specific electoral outcome, but attempted to undermine our faith in the democratic process itself,” he said in a statement. “Their aim is to sow chaos, discord, and distrust. Their efforts are not limited to elections. The threat is ongoing.”
“Their aim is to sow chaos, discord and distrust.” And Donald Trump’s aim is to do the very same thing with the election in 77 days. That’s what all the machinations are with the post office and mail-in voting. Trump is going out of his way to destroy our institutions, the post office and elections being two more of them.
And McEnany is sowing doubt along with him. She went on to say,
“You have states like Nevada doing mass mail out-voting, to their voting rolls, and when they tried this in the primary it was a massive failure, ballots were piled up in trash cans, ballots were pinned to apartment dart boards. And with that being the system the president wants to take a hard look at this and make sure that these are fair election results and not subject to fraud.”
NCRM could find no reports of ballots being “pinned to apartment dart boards.” Fox News had one story about Nevada’s Republican former Attorney General claiming ballots were found in trash cans.
Two weeks ago the Trump campaign sued Nevada over its decision to try to expand mail-in voting.
What no US President has ever said — until now. https://t.co/AuurVHAMiy
— Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) August 19, 2020
Trump wants to shape it that if he objects the results aren't valid. The press reinforce this to some extent. It gives him power he does not possess. But perception of power often equals power. This needs to be undercut & ridiculed while of course considered as a problem ahead.
— Tom Brueggemann (@TomBrueggemann) August 19, 2020
This is true. Just asking whether Trump will accept the results is tantamount to saying that it matters whether he accepts them or not. No other candidate in American history has been asked whether s/he will accept the results of an election.
Assuming Trump is defeated, his term of office ends January 20, 2021 at noon. If he can’t accept that, then he needs to be perp walked out of the White House, muttering, “person, woman, man, camera, TV” all the way — and frankly, that wouldn’t be surprising. Maybe that’s how this shitshow ends.
Even if re-elected, his term ends 1/20/21. That’s why presidents have to be sworn in again for their second term. If that doesn’t happen, Nancy Pelosi becomes the 46th POTUS, and even with that, she must be sworn in.
Presidential terms are not like Netflix subscriptions. They don’t auto-renew as long as the credit card is valid.
I’ve always said I don’t care how he leaves the WH. Handcuffs, straight-jacket, or pine box.
This is true. My point is that one way or another, Trump has to follow the rules, not make them up as he goes. So yes, on January 20, 2021 at noon, either he will be sworn in again, or he will be out of office and on his way back to Mar-a-Lago — or wherever. As long as he’s gone from our sight, it will be a wondrous thing.
It’s not his decision.
It’s ours.
I wonder how many of the so called MSM are really just plants, or are asking questions given to them by the R’s so they have access or some other treat.
There’s no question but that reporters curry favor with the White House in order to gain access. That said, I think that this story line needs to stop. It truly does not matter if Trump screams “fraud” or “wolf” or whatever. What matters is safeguarding our election.
They seriously need to stop being his megaphone and hers for that sake, too. Whenever they say something ridiculous or illegal, it should not be repeated.
Another day, another poke by Trump’s people at making us paranoid. Excuse me while my eyes do an imitation of a slot machine…they’re not even TRYING anymore.
So Trump thinks he is going to squat in the oval office, and Joe Biden is just going to stand outside politely, and wait for trump to “decide,” if he will accept the election results?
This is just more ridiculous bullshit from trump, laughable.
Trump’s half right. Joe is going to politely stand outside while the Secret Service drag the Badyear Blimp out of HIS new house.
In that old famous movie, “Silence of the Lambs”, an interesting mode of transport was revealed for the main character of evil, a two wheel cart with the straight jacket wearing guy and heavy leather face mask, strapped to it, I’d be entertained by having the red-green crew from Canada, duct taping him into an office chair with wheels … ramping him up into the paddy wagon out by the curb …
Hey, Hey Ho,Ho Kayleigh has gotta go