# Election Day \[Week\]\[Month\[s\]\] \[Year\] 2020 follow-along thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 3, 2020, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618 "2020-11-03T05:36:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 343
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6854 "2020-11-23T21:56:26Z")
FWIW Mohave County just certified today, the last county in AZ to do so. Next step is the SoS certifying the statewide results on 11/30 (a date set by statute). Mark Kelly should be sworn in as Senator shortly thereafter (can Mitch reuse to seat Kelly?) because he won in a special election. Not much time to ramp up, and needs to defend his seat in two years so really needs hit the ground running… ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6855 "2020-11-23T22:01:53Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > How is this not bribery? Do this thing that you’re supposed to do, or no campaign funds for you is clearly not bribery. So that’s how it’s not bribery. Clearly, is how. Do this thing that you’re not supposed to do and I’ll pay you: bribery. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6856 "2020-11-23T22:07:22Z")
Kind of like [the NFL refusing to hold Super Bowls in Arizona until they recognized MLK day as a holiday](https://ktar.com/story/1903240/history-martin-luther-king-jr-day-arizona/). ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6857 "2020-11-23T22:08:17Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Michigan just certified the election results. Trump’s chances of pulling off a coup just dropped to zero\*. Until just a moment ago, it wasn’t even a major headline over at CNN, just a minor update on a fully expected outcome. The real news is that Biden’s cabinet is coming together, with Janet Yellen expected to be named Treasury Secretary. I imagine there’s a toddler tantrum now happening somewhere inside the White House. I hope he doesn’t break anything valuable. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6858 "2020-11-23T22:14:48Z")
It does feel like the house of cards is finally collapsing. His legal challenges have all fallen flat, and now his attempts to cajole his political “allies” to thwart certification of Biden electors are falling apart as well. As he senses the walls closing in around him, I wonder if Trump can hear Fred’s mocking laughter in the distance. . . ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6859 "2020-11-23T22:15:20Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > They are offering money to get a government official to do something. Sure sounds like bribery to me. They’re not offering the money _to_ the government official; instead, they’re offering money to people completely unconnected to the government official, in the hope that they will help convince the government official to do her job. I don’t see the crime here. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6860 "2020-11-23T22:20:43Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Do this thing that you’re supposed to do, or no campaign funds for you is clearly not bribery. So that’s how it’s not bribery. Clearly, is how. > Do this thing that you’re not supposed to do and I’ll pay you: bribery. The world of campaign contributions is pretty dodgy to begin with, but I thought the line was that you can’t offer money contingent on some specific action. As reported, this seems pretty squarely on the wrong side of that line. It’s possible that the headline missed some subtlety that keeps them on the good side of the law. Or maybe the fact that the money is being promised to the GOP, and not to Murphy herself, makes a difference. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6861 "2020-11-23T22:22:30Z")
Anyone can refuse to donate $ to anyone else, at any time, for any damn reason they want. Or without a reason. Bribery this ain’t. ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6862 "2020-11-23T22:23:15Z")
Well, anything is okay because they’re rich and influential! But I mean seriously, the system is corrupt as hell and I don’t think there’s anyone in a position of authority watching, especially not in this administration. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6863 "2020-11-23T22:24:05Z")
I finally broke down and posted on Facebook about this whole ordeal. The basic gist was, “Do you think if there were evidence of widespread fraud, the attorneys would have, I don’t know, presented that evidence in court?” As far as I know not a single one of these lawsuits is alleging fraud. It’s all nitpicky shit that affects a handful of ballots. The PA one was “let’s overturn the election results of the entire state of PA because these two guys didn’t get to cure their ballots.” Nothing to do with fraud. The recent Michigan case, the judge point-blank asked the attorney, “Are you alleging fraud?” and he was like, “Oh, no, sir, that’s a serious allegation.” Do you think that Trumpers realize that none of these lawsuits allege fraud? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6864 "2020-11-23T22:25:15Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > It does feel like the house of cards is finally collapsing. His legal challenges have all fallen flat, and now his attempts to cajole his political “allies” to thwart certification of Biden electors are falling apart as well. And it looks like Gouliani is all set to be the next schmuck to be [thrown under the bus.](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/23/trump-fears-giuliani-and-other-biden-vote-challenge-lawyers-are-fools.html) So sad. > Trump is worried that his campaign’s legal team, [which is being led by his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/19/biden-team-belittles-trump-lawyer-rudy-giuliani-for-vote-fraud-claims.html), is composed of “fools that are making him look bad,” NBC News reported Monday. Trump has complained to White House aides and outside allies about how Giuliani and Powell conducted themselves at that event, NBC reported. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6865 "2020-11-23T22:29:45Z")
Dammit, EP! [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gvn2ai4_sJ7NTp1o7lr5iEyXSPtdWbK25nHEbEHkEYgMwNZUe-nQOfAdEjNL1nPS3-sE49KJXSuAFScL9Zr6LbMzutKyEYzNf9YWa9zUPjvW0EYc8PttoQeqb_sr2Tc9psJw78JcsA=w399-h191-p-k "New item by John Thornton") ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/SLeATwHrVmYkUnmJ9) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6866 "2020-11-23T22:30:04Z")
It is fortunate for us and the world that Trump has waited until now to realize that. And as Trump’s election realization- tearing off the band aid real slow- is causing him agony over an extended period of time, may the opposite effect, joy and peace and party, over an extended period of time be the result for the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6867 "2020-11-23T22:33:39Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > And it looks like Gouliani is all set to be the next schmuck to be [thrown under the bus.](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/23/trump-fears-giuliani-and-other-biden-vote-challenge-lawyers-are-fools.html) So sad. > > > Trump is worried that his campaign’s legal team, [which is being led by his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/19/biden-team-belittles-trump-lawyer-rudy-giuliani-for-vote-fraud-claims.html), is composed of “fools that are making him look bad,” NBC News reported Monday. For once, and perhaps the first time in his life, Donald “Only the Best People” Trump is right. What he’s missing is the fact that he’s the head fool, dumber than any of them. He’s the architect of this shit-show. The rest of them are just inept, unprincipled opportunists. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6868 "2020-11-23T22:34:58Z")
When does it become bribery, then? I’m pretty sure I can’t go into the mayor’s office and say “I’ll donate a million dollars to your re-election, but only if you give me a permit to build a rendering plant upwind from the elementary school.” ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6869 "2020-11-23T22:35:45Z")
OK man, do I have crack open a dictionary? Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6870 "2020-11-23T22:40:05Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Michigan just certified the election results. Trump’s chances of pulling off a coup just dropped to zero\*. I think we can all exhale. Michigander here and the whole thing was a disgrace. I know we are used to how corrupt and unethical Trump is, but to listen to the Republican strategists pretend that there was fraud and things were unfair in Michigan was disturbing. Trump won the state by 13,000 votes in 2016 and the vote was certified 4-0 instantly. Biden won by 150,000+ and they act like it was potentially unfair. Yes, it was certified. But a dark day for Michigan Whitmer can remove and replace any of the people on the board and she should remove the dissenter. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6871 "2020-11-23T22:43:38Z")
That would violate campaign finance limits, so, no. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6872 "2020-11-23T22:44:20Z")
If anything it’s blackmail, not bribery! They are threatening to withhold funding, not promising to give it. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2020, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/6873 "2020-11-23T22:47:20Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Whitmer can remove and replace any of the people on the board and she should remove the dissenter. Note: I just realized he walked away, abstaining. I guess he won’t be charged with a crime, but he should still be replaced. It was a 3-0 vote in Michigan. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618.md?page=342) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-month-s-year-2020-follow-along-thread/924618.md?page=344)