Long, but sobering read about how the election and its results may play out... (1 Viewer)

[nolaspe]

It outlines how potentially ugly things can get...

The Election That Could Break America

If the vote is close, Donald Trump could easily throw the election into chaos and subvert the result. Who will stop him?

www.theatlantic.com

 

[efil4]

It outlines how potentially ugly things can get...

The Election That Could Break America

If the vote is close, Donald Trump could easily throw the election into chaos and subvert the result. Who will stop him?

www.theatlantic.com

I had to stop reading halfway thru.

i just cannot process this AND figure how we move forward as a democracy.

Sobering read for sure.

 

[superchuck500]

Actually posted this in the other thread - but it's important to note that this piece is not about a hypothetical. It details how (1) Trump has already demonstrated a willingness to boldly discredit election results that he doesn't like even though there is no genuine basis for his claims; (2) Trump is already cultivating a support base ripe to disbelieve any unfavorable result by regular rhetoric that the election is already suspect despite reassurance from others including McConnell that there's no reason to believe that; and (3) Trump and the Trump campaign are already staffing up and strategizing for election day maneuvers, post-election litigation, and the use of state procedures to invalidate (never certify) election results.

This isn't a hypothetical. This playbook is already being executed. If Trump wins, he won't need to use it. But if Biden wins, no rational adult alive in the last four years believes that Trump would concede based on election results.

 

[TheRealTruth]

Actually posted this in the other thread - but it's important to note that this piece is not about a hypothetical. It details how (1) Trump has already demonstrated a willingness to boldly discredit election results that he doesn't like even though there is no genuine basis for his claims; (2) Trump is already cultivating a support base ripe to disbelieve any unfavorable result by regular rhetoric that the election is already suspect despite reassurance from others including McConnell that there's no reason to believe that; and (3) Trump and the Trump campaign are already staffing up and strategizing for election day maneuvers, post-election litigation, and the use of state procedures to invalidate (never certify) election results.

This isn't a hypothetical. This playbook is already being executed. If Trump wins, he won't need to use it. But if Biden wins, no rational adult alive in the last four years believes that Trump would concede based on election results.

Haven't people people in the Biden camp also said they would not accept the election results as well if Trump won?

 

[superchuck500]

Haven't people people in the Biden camp also said they would not accept the election results as well if Trump won?

Dunno, have they?

 

[Booker]

Haven't people people in the Biden camp also said they would not accept the election results as well if Trump won?

Hillary Clinton in an interview said he shouldn't concede, but that's all I'm aware of.

 

[superchuck500]

Hillary Clinton in an interview said he shouldn't concede, but that's all I'm aware of.

I just don't get what the value of saying before an election even happens that someone shouldn't concede.

 

[efil4]

I'd like to hear what our resident Republicans have to say if Trump refuses a loss with empty claims of voter fraud/rigged

Would they support him to remain without concrete proof prior to Jan 3?

 

[zztop]

I'd like to hear what our resident Republicans have to say if Trump refuses a loss with empty claims of voter fraud/rigged

Would they support him to remain without concrete proof prior to Jan 3?

I feel like that is a rhetorical question. Theres 35% of the population that has believed his 20,000+ lies since he has been in office. Unwavering support before he was even president. It's really like a cult of personality it seems

 

[MT15]

Haven't people people in the Biden camp also said they would not accept the election results as well if Trump won?

No. Not that I’ve seen.

IIRC, Clinton made a comment about conceding too soon, before all the mail in ballots were counted. Not advising Biden not to concede at all.

 

[MT15]

This person’s twitter makes me feel better. She maintains this is basically yet another tactic to make people feel that there’s no point in voting against Trump because he holds all the cards. He doesn’t in fact hold any cards, really. I mean it makes a good story and gets a lot of clicks.

 

[MT15]

More:

 

[MT15]

And one more. Because I think that while it’s important to anticipate what Trump could possibly do, and we shouldn’t trust him to do the right thing, it’s equally as important to realize that he cannot do what he says, at least in the vast majority of times.

 

[NoPartyMike]

Let's say this; someone will win the election. The losing party will want the results verified. Once verified, the winner will be sworn in and the loser will fade into history. All this talk of diabolical plans to remain in power or steal the election is histrionics.

 

[Ayo]

Let's say this; someone will win the election. The losing party will want the results verified. Once verified, the winner will be sworn in and the loser will fade into history. All this talk of diabolical plans to remain in power or steal the election is histrionics.

I am not particularly fearful. But you seem awfully dismissive of things Trump has actually said, whether it’s about four more years and a third term to “we’ll see what happens” if he loses the electoral vote as a response to a question about a peaceful transition of power.

the rhetoric around this isn’t exactly equal from the parties.

 

[MT15]

Let's say this; someone will win the election. The losing party will want the results verified. Once verified, the winner will be sworn in and the loser will fade into history. All this talk of diabolical plans to remain in power or steal the election is histrionics.

Agree with Ayo. Trump is talking like he is already a dictator. And an official in Pennsylvania confirmed that he had discussed selecting alternate electors with the Trump campaign. So that is a little more than Trump shooting off his mouth. For the first time in my life, we have a president disparaging our elections, even though he has no proof of any wrongdoing whatsoever. It’s incredibly reckless behavior and it’s only coming from one campaign.

 

[NoPartyMike]

I am not particularly fearful. But you seem awfully dismissive of things Trump has actually said, whether it’s about four more years and a third term to “we’ll see what happens” if he loses the electoral vote as a response to a question about a peaceful transition of power.

the rhetoric around this isn’t exactly equal from the parties.

I ran across some old Trump media last weekend down the Youtube rabbit hole. It was mostly pre 2016 documentary (loosely) clips from his days coming up in NY. The thing that stood out was how he's used the same verbiage and mannerisms his whole adult life. It's almost like a character/persona he became. The one of a roudy New Yorker. I sort of see it as his shtick.

He's either the dummest orange orangutang (to paraphrase) or a genious diabolical mastermind. Which is it? Can it be a mix of both?

The Democrats were not gracious in defeat in 2016 and throughout today. I think the balking of the results will be similar with both sides. While the system of checks and balances should be enforced and the appropriate agencies should absolutely keep tabs on rhetoric and developments, I find these articles incendiary and unhealthy for our nation.

Maybe it's my inner self just wanting us to find peace, get along, and, ultimately, get things done for the good of the People.

 

[NoPartyMike]

Agree with Ayo. Trump is talking like he is already a dictator. And an official in Pennsylvania confirmed that he had discussed selecting alternate electors with the Trump campaign. So that is a little more than Trump shooting off his mouth. For the first time in my life, we have a president disparaging our elections, even though he has no proof of any wrongdoing whatsoever. It’s incredibly reckless behavior and it’s only coming from one campaign.

I'll say, I hope I'm right and this is all political theatre. Otherwise, we'll certainly be experiencing unique and troubling times in the Country.