2020 US Presidential Election

[Mag_seven]

he is bound to do something ridiculous during the next two months.

That is what is worrying me.

 

[Domh245]

If he loves the USA as much as he says he does ( and I believe he does) he will make it smooth. I think you are going to start seeing a lot of common sense. Same from McConnell. No games refusing to or impeding Bidens cabinet appointments.

I can't say I agree with your assessment on that one. McConnell may play along (although he'll certainly continue to make life difficult for Dems in the Senate) but the only thing that Trump loves is himself. The US comes second to DJT in his view, and I can only see him kicking and screaming all the way to the bitter end

 

[jfollows]

An article in the Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opin...mp-is-too-incompetent-properly-organize-coup/) is entitled "Thank goodness Trump is too incompetent to properly organize a coup" and goes on to note that the Republican Party is not exactly rallying to Trump's call, and that Trump's effort may play well with Fox "news" but isn't really impressing the courts.

Thank goodness Trump is too incompetent to properly organize a coup

Opinion by
Max Boot
Columnist
November 6, 2020 at 7:25 p.m. GMT

I have never been more grateful for President Trump’s incompetence. He can’t even organize a coup d’état properly.

It is not for want of trying. Since April 8, he has been fulminating against mail-in voting — claiming, without a shred of evidence, that it is ripe for fraud. His transparently obvious scheme has been to demand that the largely Democratic mail-in ballots be thrown out so that he could win based on the Election Day totals.

Just hours after the polls closed, Trump falsely claimed that he had won battleground states such as Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan — and with them the election. On Thursday, already far behind in the electoral college, he doubled down: “If you count the legal votes, I easily win. If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us.”

Trump’s definition of an “illegal vote,” it is clear, is one that is cast against him. This is the kind of thing you expect to hear from Robert Mugabe, Alexander Lukashenko or Nicolás Maduro — not from the leader of a constitutional republic. No president in our history has mounted such a blatant assault on our democracy.

Trump has, predictably, been joined in his fulminations against the election by his usual MAGA minions. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich demands that federal agents arrest election workers, and former White House aide Sebastian Gorka fulminates that U.S. marshals “need to break down the doors of those polling stations and stop the crimes being committed.”

But, mercifully, that is not happening. More significant than what is being said is what is not being said — or done. So far Attorney General William P. Barr, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and acting Homeland Security secretary Chad Wolf — the men in control of what, in other countries, are known as the “power ministries” — have not publicly said one word to support Trump’s baseless accusations of fraud and have not made any public moves to save Trump from defeat. Trump might fire some or all of them (a purge is said to be in the works), but it’s doubtful their successors will come to his rescue either.Defa

Nor have the courts intervened despite all of the judges that Trump has appointed. Unable to mobilize a high-powered legal team as George W. Bush did in 2000, Trump is relying on the usual low-wattage loyalists: Rudolph W. Giuliani, Richard Grenell, Pam Bondi, Corey Lewandowski. Their arguments play well on Fox “News” — but, so far, not so well in court. Trump’s Supreme Court appointees are not exactly rushing to sacrifice their reputations on Trump’s altar.

Many of us have spent the past few years decrying the tendency of Trump supporters to live in a world of alternative facts. But ultimately reality bites. The fact that Trump and his cultists cannot point to a single actual case of fraud — much less enough fraud to overturn an election that he is on track to lose by a significant margin — makes it impossible for them to effectively challenge the results. Their theory — that Democrats perpetrated a massive fraud in the presidential race but neglected to fix the results of House or Senate races — is laughably absurd.

This helps to explain why the Republican Party is not enthusiastically rallying to Trump’s side. So far, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) is one of the few GOP leaders shameless enough to claim that Trump has already won. Donald Trump Jr. had to berate 2024 potential GOP hopefuls for not coming to Trump’s defense — which produced dutiful tweets from the likes of Nikki Haley and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) outrageously suggested that Trump deserves an election do-over. But not even Vice President Pence echoed Trump’s claims of a stolen election. His carefully worded tweet said: “I Stand With President @realDonaldTrump. We must count every LEGAL vote.”

Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who is close to Trump, actually denounced his baseless accusations — as did the few elected Republicans with any integrity. Others, such as Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell(Ky.), retreated to bromides about counting all of the legal votes. (Who can disagree?) In the cruelest cut of all, the New York Post, which only a few weeks ago had been hyping the pseudo-scandal of Hunter Biden’s laptop, dismissed Trump’s Thursday meltdown with a withering headline: “Downcast Trump makes baseless election fraud claims in White House address.”

The Fox “News” evening hosts may stick with Trump to the bitter end, but it’s pretty clear that Rupert Murdoch — who would not even force Fox’s news division to rescind its call of Arizona for Biden — is not going down with the SS Trumptanic. Neither are Republican leaders. They were happy to use Trump to get what they wanted — judges, tax cuts — and they were (and are) too afraid of his rabid base to challenge him. But having survived the election, they don’t have much use for him anymore. They are probably just as happy not to be asked in the future to respond to his witless tweets.

Harry Truman supposedly said, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” Trump doesn’t have a dog — or a prayer.

 

[Scotrail314209]

I am hoping that if Trump attempts something stupid, the right people are able to stop him.

Since he has the big red button in his possession, do the codes get changed once somebody else is elected President? Or is that still in his power.

Trump is clearly going down a dark and dangerous path, and it chills me to the bone to think that someone that deluded has nuclear weapons in his possession.

What's more likely? Trump eventually conceding and coming quietly, or him doing something to jeopardize the future of the world?

 

[yorksrob]

The same could be said of 2016 - didn't Clinton win the popular vote?

I do recall at the time, I think it was Ian Hislop who said they had a choice of the worst president ever, or one who was worse.

I've never understood the vitriol against Hillary. I've always imagined her as a middling but competent leader.

Preferred her Hubby though.

 

[nlogax]

Stop the count.

(That might be a typo).

Oh yes. Definitely a typo.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What's more likely? Trump eventually conceding and coming quietly, or him doing something to jeopardize the future of the world?

The film "Dr Strangelove" is one that I remember.

 

[nlogax]

An article in the Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opin...mp-is-too-incompetent-properly-organize-coup/) is entitled "Thank goodness Trump is too incompetent to properly organize a coup" and goes on to note that the Republican Party is not exactly rallying to Trump's call, and that Trump's effort may play well with Fox "news" but isn't really impressing the courts.

Murdoch is beginning to turn his back on Trump across his various media outlets, starting with Fox News who are becoming suspicious of his claims of election fraud without evidence. This may also be partly because Tucker Carlson is now being positioned as a GOP candidate for the 2024 run. That'll be 'fun'.

 

[C J Snarzell]

I am hoping that if Trump attempts something stupid, the right people are able to stop him.

Since he has the big red button in his possession, do the codes get changed once somebody else is elected President? Or is that still in his power.

Trump is clearly going down a dark and dangerous path, and it chills me to the bone to think that someone that deluded has nuclear weapons in his possession.

What's more likely? Trump eventually conceding and coming quietly, or him doing something to jeopardize the future of the world?

Like the UK cabinet, there will be an army of security personnel and political advisors around Trump 24/7 watching his every move.

My guess is that if he does contemplate anything outrageous he'll be pulled aside by the secret squad of gents in black suits, shades and passive faces and told ''No'' or ''That's not an option Mr (soon to be ex) President!''

I have a feeling Trump will do enough damage with his mouth and his ego. He's already said Biden belongs in a retirement home - I couldn't believe my ears when he said that!

Has anyone else noticed how unhappy and fed up Trump's wife looks? I always suspect that their marriage has been based on his bank balance not his good looks or charm.

I've surprised the bumbling blonde buffoon leading the UK hasn't been pulled to one side yet by the great elite and told ''enough is enough Mr J''.

CJ

 

[SuspectUsual]

I agree with all that.

What remains to be seen is what the Republican Party does. I sense, but don't know, that it still sees Trump as an "asset" and that it's thanks to Trump that the party has done well apart from the presidential election. In which case the party will still cast itself in Trump's divisive image, and he could run again in four years. Or do they ditch him, and reinvent the party? In which case, in whose image? I think that it'll be easier for them to keep him, but they may have cause to regret that it four years. Reinvention is painful, our Labour Party is going through it of course, and I think the Labour Party is going to come out of the process much stronger - but then despite how I loathe Trump and all he stands for, it seems clear that a large number of American voters don't.

Trump has chosen to make his presidency pretty much a family affair, which probably makes it easier for the Republican Party to dump them now.

 

[birchesgreen]

The ability of the President to just launch the nukes on a whim is not based on reality.

Hot rumour is that Melania will begin divorce proceedings as soon as she is no longer FLOTUS, plus some of Trump's big creditors are circling and waiting for him to leave the White House too. And covid is wrecking havoc with his leisure and hotel businesses. 2021 could be worse than 2020 for him. Which would be a big shame of course.

 

[Scotrail314209]

The ability of the President to just launch the nukes on a whim is not based on reality.

Hot rumour is that Melania will begin divorce proceedings as soon as she is no longer FLOTUS, plus some of Trump's big creditors are circling and waiting for him to leave the White House too. And covid is wrecking havoc with his leisure and hotel businesses. 2021 could be worse than 2020 for him. Which would be a big shame of course.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Melania leaves. You see Biden and his wife looking all cheerful and looking like they are actually married.

Melania and Donald look like they hate each other and they never ever seem to smile.

 

[jfollows]

CNN reports (10:00 UK time 7/11/2020):
Pennsylvania 89,000+ outstanding ballots (presumably 89,282) & 101,000 provisional ballots
Georgia 4,000+ outstanding ballots & 13,000 provisional ballots
Arizona 126,000 outstanding ballots & 47,000 provisional ballots
Nevada 124,500 outstanding ballots & 60,000 provisional ballots

Provisional ballots are where the voter's eligibility to vote can't immediately be established, so acceptance of the vote is contingent on the verification of eligibility to vote, which is a relatively time-consuming process, maybe 20 minutes per ballot I think was mentioned. Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provisional_ballot) reports that ~21% of provisional ballots were ultimately rejected in 2006 ( a mid-term election). More recently, in 2018, around 1.5 million provisional ballots were issued and around 385,000 were rejected, so that's ~25%. Most rejections are for non-registration, followed by registration in another jurisdiction and voting in the wrong precinct. Non-matching signatures and having already voted are, apparently, less frequent reasons for their rejection (https://electionlab.mit.edu/research/provisional-ballots).

 

[Gloster]

TWOTPOTUS - Trophy Wife of the President of the United States - is a bit of a mouthful.

 

[C J Snarzell]

The ability of the President to just launch the nukes on a whim is not based on reality.

Hot rumour is that Melania will begin divorce proceedings as soon as she is no longer FLOTUS, plus some of Trump's big creditors are circling and waiting for him to leave the White House too. And covid is wrecking havoc with his leisure and hotel businesses. 2021 could be worse than 2020 for him. Which would be a big shame of course.

I don't think we will have heard the last of Donald Trump after January.

Obama, Clinton & Dubya seem to have slipped away quietly after vacating the White House and occasionally they make appearances here & there to support political agendas or maybe guest speaking.

I think Trump will just embarrass himself further, post presidency. Melania Trump has been something of a 'wooden' first lady (if that is the right phrase to use).

Her predecessor Michelle Obama has done all sorts of work here, there and everywhere and she has been more media active than her husband in recent times, particularly with her autobiography.

I've never actually heard Melania Trump speak!

CJ

 

[dosxuk]

The ability of the President to just launch the nukes on a whim is not based on reality.

Hot rumour is that Melania will begin divorce proceedings as soon as she is no longer FLOTUS, plus some of Trump's big creditors are circling and waiting for him to leave the White House too. And covid is wrecking havoc with his leisure and hotel businesses. 2021 could be worse than 2020 for him. Which would be a big shame of course.

Don't forget the large number of lawsuits that have been shelved while he is president (granting him immunity other than by the impeachment process). If even a few of them come back into live cases, he could well be behind bars by the time of the next election. Also with remembering how the IRS are very interested in his tax affairs. 2021 could be very very bad for him.

 

[Bantamzen]

I hope Kamala Harris takes over after Sleepy Joe

@GRALISTAIR
You probably know more about this than the rest of us put together
Is it customary in the US to talk about politics with workmates, family neighbours, or best to avoid? Do you have a vote over there?
Whatabout non-voters, I mean those who choose not to vote?

So I'm guessing by the Trump-isms you are using, you think he's the right guy for the job? Even though he's a pathological liar, demonstrated by the fact that even senior Republicans are backing away from him?

The film "Dr Strangelove" is one that I remember.

"Hey, no fighting in the War Room!"

 

[edwin_m]

The pantomime version (probably just as true as any other):

Nearly everyone: "He's behind you"
Trump: "Oh yes he is"
Biden: "Oh yes he is"

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

@Bantamzen
No I do not support Trump!
A sleepy slow person does less harm, I am a bit sleepy myself, retired but younger than Joe
..
I did read there is talk of Trump running again in 2024. I would bet a few dollars against that, but who knows?

I should like to hear the flotus speak, bet she has a cute accent

 

[Ianno87]

@Bantamzen
No I do not support Trump!
A sleepy slow person does less harm, I am a bit sleepy myself, retired but younger than Joe
..
I did read there is talk of Trump running again in 2024. I would bet a few dollars against that, but who knows?

I should like to hear the flotus speak, bet she has a cute accent

Wow. We're at the stage of judging women by "cuteness" of accent.

Says quite alot about you.

 

[birchesgreen]

I doubt Trump will run again as a GOP candidate, as a third party one maybe but it all depends on whether he is in a position to do that in 4 years time or not which is doubtful.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I was astonished to read that Melania is 50.

 

[Darandio]

Wow. We're at the stage of judging women by "cuteness" of accent.

Says quite alot about you.

Seems very Trump-esque to me.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Apparently the flotus speaks five languages fluently, three more than I do, she gets a good score for that

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Apparently the flotus speaks five languages fluently, three more than I do, she gets a good score for that

Presumably ‘Trumpish’ counts as a sixth language, I’m pretty sure what comes out of Donald’s racist face-hole isn’t English.

 

[gnolife]

Apparently the flotus speaks five languages fluently, three more than I do, she gets a good score for that

It's a shame that her husband is fluent in only one - namely Bull****,

 

[Ianno87]

Apparently the flotus speaks five languages fluently, three more than I do, she gets a good score for that

She's clearly highly intelligent (and has the distinction of being the first non-native English speaker resident in the White House, I believe).

 

[C J Snarzell]

I was astonished to read that Melania is 50.

That's down to thousands of dollars in botox.

CJ

 

[AM9]

I doubt Trump will run again as a GOP candidate, as a third party one maybe but it all depends on whether he is in a position to do that in 4 years time or not which is doubtful.

I wouldn't be surprised if Trump isn't around at all in four years. In previous years, his failures have been shrouded in litigation and gagging provisions, only to come out years after when he's on the way to his next failure. This time it is so public and in real time. He'll slide away from the public eye and the sense of failure will soon puncture even his armour plated ego. Once that has been breached, his thin skin will put him on a terminal slope of depression.

 

[nlogax]

This time it is so public and in real time. He'll slide away from the public eye and the sense of failure will soon puncture even his armour plated ego. Once that has been breached, his thin skin will put him on a terminal slope of depression.

This, 100%. Watch him not bother with the established traditions in coming weeks and months. No concession call to Biden, no pre-transition meeting at the WH, no attending of the inauguration (though for obvious reasons that won't be huge event this time around), no waving to the new president + family as he leaves the WH in the helicopter. I think he'll leave via a side entrance and skulk off. That'll be it.

Trump is incapable of dealing with losing and acting like a human being in the face of professional adversity. His behaviour ensures history won't look kindly on him and the next few years will be ugly for him.