This really is unprecedented - really and truly.
Even in the election of 1876, which had valid claims of voter intimidation, violence, and fraud, there was at least an explanation as to why there was an election controversy that ended up in the House.
There is no basis for the controversy other than the fact that one man does not want a peaceful transfer of power. He wants to occupy the office.
Look, I know you all want to feel good, and feel like there’s something to hang your hat on that we give us confidence that we’re gonna get through this. But there is nothing to feel good about here.
It’s real simple: an authoritarian right wing party is telling you “Hey, I know we lost the election and all, but you know…we really like it here. I think we’ll stay in the White House for another four years.”
Communism is worse than a idiot tyrant?
Now some GOP members in NC and Arizona and maybe others are making noises that it’s totally cool to pick a slate of electors that goes against your state’s popular vote. It’s totally constitutional!
My ledge is now furnished with a barf bucket. Not sure what other supplies I will need.
Yep, they’re floating this idea out there right now. Why wouldn’t they? It’s not like people are going to fight about it.
The fact that you’re including a barf bucket suggests that you expect to be coming back in off the ledge, and that you’re currently just killing time. Therefore I suggest that you bring along something to wedge the window open, just to make sure somebody doesn’t accidentally shut it on you.
I didn’t “recognize” you since you changed your avatar.
It doesn’t seem like anything can stop this and anyone who tries to resist will likely be killed.
I noticed that avatar. Looks like a marionette from Supercar.
Accidental double post. I apologize.
Remember the t-shirts from 2016 “I’d rather be a Russian than a Democrat.” Or some such thing.
I think Biden’s lead would just barely hold up. Double electoral slates from Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Arizona would end up 306-304 Biden. Voiding the electors from those states would be a 234-232 Biden win. I believe (but admit to not having checked each individual state) the remaining blue states have Democratic controlled legislatures.
Not Blue State as a whole or even Red State as a whole (though that is more likely).
I see USA breaking up into several countries. California - Texas (heck they always seem to want to be on their own anyway), Hawaii, Then Maybe Oregon/Washington, NE blue states (down through maybe VA and maybe PN and could include MN and other Great Lake states if they wish. The old Confederacy maybe including al the Red states or maybe a Western state made up of the Reds out there. Colorado may be tough including…maybe AZ and NV…maybe joining the Western Reds or possibly California though they may not want that.
I actually think this might be a good thing. It should be done without Civil War…just like a …divorce.
You need 270, Flik. Otherwise it goes to the House of Representatives to vote on.
See, 1876. Where it would have ended up in the House, had a compromise not been reached on 20 disputed electoral votes. Also see, the Twelfth Amendment
It says the majority of the appointed electors. Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Arizona have 72. Without them there would be 466 appointed electors, and 234 would be enough to win.
ETA. Or 306 of the 610 if those states end up with both slates of electors.
Yes, and there are 538 appointed electors, AFAIK. Whether those appointed electors’ votes will be allowed, if things like invalidating PA’s Presidential election actually occur, is another question.
The point is, that scenario is incredibly unlikely, and if it did happen, we’re in fairly uncharted territory. Maybe the Court will rule that the 12th actually means, “a majority of electoral votes that are counted?” Maybe it means, “a majority of electoral votes from all electors?” I couldn’t say.
You Americans and socialism - your roads and non-toll highways are socialist, public schools are socialist, to name a few. Having some socialist institutions isn’t some gateway drug into Soviet communism.
We in Canada are more socialist than you folks but that gives us the same things you have plus tax subsidized health care.
Try ditching the word “socialism” and instead ask yourself if it’s ok or not for people to die because they can’t pay for medical treatment, or only the fire department that you have subscribed to will serve you etc.
The evil socialism that everyone seems to fear would probably have reduced the lengths of foodbank lines as well as reduced vivid deaths by tens of thousands.
Faithless electors aren’t the point. It’s not Trump’s plan to convince Democratic electors to vote faithlessly. It’s his plan to have Republican-run states simply ignore the popular vote and send Republican electors.
I think “I couldn’t say” is the important part. Truth is, we just don’t know. We’re flying a spaceship warp speed into a constitutional nebula. We just don’t know what the outcome will be, but we can be fairly sure that it will be partisan, confusing, and it will leave a lot of room to doubt the process.
So what happens when a democratically elected government tries to pass a tax or policy that’s, for whatever reason, unpopular with half the country that’s convinced their leader was cheated?
Incidentally, Trump lawyer Sidney Powell confirmed today they want all swing state legislatures to simply overturn the election and appoint Republican electors.
And with that, I think there goes any talk whatsoever of America ever again “leading” on the world stage. Practically all countries are looking at us right now with what must be a tremendous sense of incredulity, realizing that America has had long-documented problems but simultaneously wondering “How in God’s name did the country that took down the USSR end up to be the drunken wino at the end of democracy’s bar that slammed down glass mug and shot after shot, bloviating well past midnight about its former glory, before finally falling off of her fucking stool face first into the cement floor below?”