# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making Part Deux (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083 "2020-06-22T03:36:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 331
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6620 "2020-11-17T22:26:08Z")
The head of the Federal Election Commission says that he believes the Individual 1 campaign lawyer who says there is widespread election fraud, and several states will be overturned. [FEC Chairman: If Sidney Powell Says There Was Rampant Voter Fraud, ‘I Believe Her’](https://www.theepochtimes.com/fec-chairman-if-sidney-powell-says-there-was-rampant-voter-fraud-i-believe-her_3582495.html)? ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6621 "2020-11-17T22:27:40Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > It nonetheless had the effect of blocking her confirmation… for now. It probably won’t block her for good. But it also didn’t. If he voted for confirmation, it still would have failed in a 48-50 vote. But now, he can have the nomination reconsidered - like when the quarantining Senators are back and 50 votes can be assured. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6622 "2020-11-17T22:28:55Z")
Please do not link to or accept any information from Epoch Times; they are not an acceptable source. > **[The Epoch Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Epoch_Times)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > > The Epoch Times is a far-right international multi-language newspaper and media company affiliated with the Falun Gong new religious movement. The newspaper, based in New York City, is part of the Epoch Media Group, which also operates New Tang Dynasty (NTD) Television. The Epoch Times has websites in 35 countries but is blocked in mainland China. > The Epoch Times opposes the Chinese Communist Party, promotes far-right politicians in Europe, an... ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6623 "2020-11-17T22:29:50Z")
They’re reporting what other people are saying, not making claims of their own. The head of the FEC said it on Twitter. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6624 "2020-11-17T22:30:04Z")
Yes, I assumed that’s why he did it. I just don’t know why he even called for the cloture vote in the first place. McConnell doesn’t as a rule call for votes that he knows are going to fail – even for cloture. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6625 "2020-11-17T22:30:16Z")
Yes, and here you are helping them spread their crap and make them money. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6626 "2020-11-17T22:31:27Z")
> **[The Epoch Times - Bias and Credibility](https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/the-epoch-times/)** > > QUESTIONABLE SOURCE A questionable source exhibits one or more of the following: extreme bias, consistent promotion of propaganda/conspiracies, poor or no > [@](#): > > **Overall, we rate The Epoch Times Right Biased and Questionable based on the publication of pseudoscience and the promotion of propaganda and conspiracy theories as well as numerous failed fact checks.** ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6627 "2020-11-17T22:42:12Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > “rise up” against public health measures Didn’t he say to rise up against the Michigan Government though. Because they enacted mask wearing laws? Doesn’t matter if it was done while acting as a doctor. He is a member of Trumps cabinet. That is sedition. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6628 "2020-11-17T22:45:55Z")
I am not reporting their views, I am reporting what they are reporting about other people’s views. If you want to bury your head in the sand and not see that the head of the FEC is calling the election illegitimate, then you do you. I’m not saying he’s right, I’m saying he’s saying it. ---
**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 17, 2020, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6629 "2020-11-17T22:51:49Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Speaking of whom, a recent headline [here](https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-us-election-news-11-17-20/index.html): > > > McConnell: “We’re going to have an orderly transfer from this administration to the next one” > > _ **WHEN?** _. I think he meant “The next Republican one” ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6630 "2020-11-17T22:54:33Z")
The chairman of the FEC is an unqualified Trump toady who was confirmed in May of this year in a rush to stack the commission with people who would go along with whatever Trump wants. It’s not really news that he is now going along with whatever Trump wants. Fortunately, his opinion doesn’t really matter. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6631 "2020-11-17T23:06:29Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > I am not reporting their views, I am reporting what they are reporting about other people’s views. If you want to bury your head in the sand and not see that the head of the FEC is calling the election illegitimate, then you do you. > I’m not saying he’s right, I’m saying he’s saying it. You’re acting as a literal agent of theirs, spreading their links so they make more money and get more views. Stop helping assholes. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6632 "2020-11-17T23:20:06Z")
Here’s another recent story about the FEC: > **[Trump and GOP rush to “quietly pack the FEC with partisans” after election,...](https://www.salon.com/2020/11/13/trump-and-gop-rush-to-quietly-pack-the-fec-with-partisans-after-election-watchdog-group-warns/)** > > The FEC would have three Republicans, two independents and only one Democrat if the Senate moves forward ---
**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 17, 2020, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6633 "2020-11-17T23:32:31Z")
The fact that the US has partisan people that have anything to do with running elections is completely baffling to me. In civilized countries, elections are run by non-partisan people with checks and balances: In Canada, this was established A CENTURY AGO. Get with the program, USA. > # The Role and Structure of Elections Canada > > Headed by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency of Parliament. Its primary task is to be prepared at all times to administer an electoral event. > > ## The Chief Electoral Officer > > The position of Chief Electoral Officer, was created in 1920 by the Dominion Elections Act, largely to put an end to political partisanship in the administration of federal elections. The Chief Electoral Officer is appointed by a resolution of the House of Commons, so that all parties represented there may contribute to the selection process. Once appointed, the incumbent reports directly to Parliament and is thus completely independent of government and political parties. As of 2014, the Chief Electoral Officer is appointed for a 10-year non-renewable term. He or she can be removed only for cause, by the Governor General, following a joint address of the House of Commons and Senate. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6634 "2020-11-17T23:42:20Z")
[Sen. Grassley, 87, says he tested positive for coronavirus](https://apnews.com/article/chuck-grassley-quarantine-virus-exposure-75dad54f5f5c28fdb9a8e6f811bf4592). ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6635 "2020-11-17T23:46:25Z")
Why don’t they just come out and say, “Put Granny out on an ice floe” and get it over with? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6636 "2020-11-17T23:56:25Z")
What is the desired outcome from switching back to the ‘Gold Standard’? ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6637 "2020-11-17T23:56:58Z")
I did a Google search to see if I could find anything about this in a more mainstream and less biased news source. The only reporting I can find is coming from sources such as the [Epoch Times](https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/the-epoch-times/), [OAN](https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/one-america-news-network/), [Newsmax](https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/newsmax/), and [NTD (New Tang Dynasty)](https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/ntd-tv-new-tang-dynasty/). All of these are highly biased right-wing sources with “mixed” or “low” factual reporting. That should tell you something about the credibility of the allegations. With that said, it’s undeniable that the Republican FEC chairman is flogging these baseless Trump/GOP election fraud conspiracy theories with no evidence whatsoever. That is indeed concerning, and it demonstrates how far down the rabbit hole the GOP is going. The only saving grace is that the mainstream news is not giving these unfounded allegations any credence. Even Fox News appears to be avoiding this for the most part. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6638 "2020-11-18T00:00:32Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > What is the desired outcome from switching back to the ‘Gold Standard’? Crashing the economy right as a Democrat enters the White House. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6639 "2020-11-18T00:01:49Z")
Discussion of this point going on over here: > [@How to prevent this election nonsense from happening again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-prevent-this-election-nonsense-from-happening-again/924791/148): > > In terms of the mechanics and operations of conducting an election were it normal times, much less the current environment, a resounding yes. But … That state election officials are identified as representing a political party is a fundamental flaw. Yet results would suggest that institutional respect for the electoral process triumphed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=330) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=332)