# Trump Pressured Georgia Official to ‘Find’ Enough Votes to Overturn Election **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 3, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592 "2021-01-03T20:06:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/101 "2021-01-04T13:15:35Z")
I am not a conspiracy theorist. I believe Oswald, acting alone, killed Kennedy; I believe we landed on the moon, and walked on its surface; I believe that vaccines are one of the safest, most effective things modern medicine has given to the world; I believe the Twin Towers collapsed because terrorists from al qaeda flew planes into them; I believe COVID-19 occurred naturally and spontaneously in China, and was not contained due to disorganization vs. the nature of the virus. But I am prepared to believe that Donald Trump conspired to rig the 2020 election. I am prepared to believe that the reason he is so incredulous over his loss is that _ **he was certain he had bought the election, and it was a foregone conclusion long before November 3** _. I am prepared to believe that he is calling and threatening people because he cannot come right out and say “Dammit, I paid you for a win, now give me what I paid for!” but that’s what he means. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/102 "2021-01-04T13:17:23Z")
@RTFirefly if it makes you feel better the morning talking heads are saying the word “impeachment” again, so apparently some people are talking about doing that again. Maybe it would work. I’d be happy to be wrong on this and a second impeachment actually being of use. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/103 "2021-01-04T13:37:17Z")
He didn’t have to conspire to win to believe he won - he had to see/accept the results @ midnite on the 3rd and ignore ‘the rest of the votes’ that were counted after midnite (the mail in votes). His calls to count ‘all legal votes’ is hilarious given that he really doesn’t want ALL of them counted. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/104 "2021-01-04T13:41:29Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > It does, but what does it say about the state of things that Trump feels so bold as to phone up elections officials and threaten them the way he did? I know, right? Do I get a gold star every time I walk down the street and refrain from assaulting anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/105 "2021-01-04T13:50:48Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > I am prepared to believe that the reason he is so incredulous over his loss is that _ **he was certain he had bought the election, and it was a foregone conclusion long before November 3** _ . > > I am prepared to believe that he is calling and threatening people because he cannot come right out and say “Dammit, I paid you for a win, now give me what I paid for!” but that’s what he means. That’s preposterous. For one, do you really think he’d be willing to pay for something? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/106 "2021-01-04T13:53:06Z")
I’ve been reluctant to call for prosecuting Trump for anything related to Russia-gate or any of his other obvious misdeeds. My position has been, go after his minions instead and put the fear of God into any future lackey who believes that the power of the presidency can insulate them from future prosecution. But I think this takes the cake: I think that Biden’s Department of Justice should seriously investigate what has happened with this phone call and prosecute Trump for attempted election fraud, if the statutes will allow for it. There has to be a line somewhere; otherwise, we’re just emboldening future presidents to do the same, and worse. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/107 "2021-01-04T13:57:37Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > For one, do you really think he’d be willing to pay for something? 😃 Where do you think most of that ~billion dollar campaign fund mysteriously disappeared to? Duhhh 🤣 Of, course, a lot of the unaccounted-for money was laundered into trump family-owned accounts, but not _ **all** _ of it. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/108 "2021-01-04T14:01:13Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > > > I’m worried the Biden administration won’t prosecute. > > I hope they dont. We cant go down that road. I don’t know that it matters; the damage to our democracy is done. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/109 "2021-01-04T14:22:40Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > That’s utter nonsense. No, it’s not. Raffensperger has worked very hard to disenfranchise voters. Georgia’s possibly unconstitutional “Use it or lose it” registration laws allow him to do so, but certainly don’t require it and would be stupid laws even if they were determined constitutional. Telling Trump you aren’t willing to break the law for him, while taking every single “legal” tactic to disenfranchise voters that might lean against him, is not what I consider a demonstration of democracy, dignity and honor. Raffensperger is absolutely doing the right thing in not breaking election laws for Trump. Raffensperger is still a shit-stain standing in the way of universal suffrage. And Kemp makes Raffensperger look good. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/110 "2021-01-04T14:29:45Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > I know, right? Do I get a gold star every time I walk down the street and refrain from assaulting anyone? Don’t go stealing my New Year’s Resolutions! ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/111 "2021-01-04T14:31:08Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Why did I read that? That was seriously Caine Mutiny level ranting. How can anybody think he is competent? You know, that really is kinda funny. Well, in a dark humor way. Bogie’s ranting about strawberries seems almost quaint compared to this ass clown. Good lord, the next 16 days can’t pass quickly enough… ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/112 "2021-01-04T14:35:10Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Good lord, the next 16 days can’t pass quickly enough… Hell, I’ll be happy to just get through Wednesday… ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/113 "2021-01-04T14:37:37Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > No, it’s not. Raffensperger has worked very hard to disenfranchise voters. … > > Raffensperger is absolutely doing the right thing in not breaking election laws for Trump. Raffensperger is still a shit-stain standing in the way of universal suffrage. And Kemp makes Raffensperger look good. You know, it might be worth “investigating” GA state officials’ efforts, encouraging them to impugn Trump in the process. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/114 "2021-01-04T14:39:03Z")
Shumer is having fun! > > > The Washington Post @washingtonpost ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/115 "2021-01-04T14:40:27Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I agree that some have, but that is a really, really low bar we’re setting, gdave. I think that this is our source of frustration: there shouldn’t be a participation trophy for standing up for democratic norms. I’m beyond frustrated. I’m outraged, frightened, and saddened. That doesn’t mean that I get to ignore actual factual events, or tell someone who’s reporting them that their post is not even the same neighborhood as the truth. _No one_, least of all me, is giving anyone a “participation trophy.” A specific poster made a specific post using specific terms. I responded to that specific post, using that post’s specific terms. That’s it. > [@DMC](#): > > No, it’s not. Raffensperger has worked very hard to disenfranchise voters. Georgia’s possibly unconstitutional “Use it or lose it” registration laws allow him to do so, but certainly don’t require it and would be stupid laws even if they were determined constitutional. Telling Trump you aren’t willing to break the law for him, while taking every single “legal” tactic to disenfranchise voters that might lean against him, is not what I consider a demonstration of democracy, dignity and honor. > > Raffensperger is absolutely doing the right thing in not breaking election laws for Trump. Raffensperger is still a shit-stain standing in the way of universal suffrage. And Kemp makes Raffensperger look good. As much as you seem to want to have an argument with me about what else Raffensperger may have done before the election, I’m not going to argue with you about it or defend him for those actions, or Kemp for that matter. I was responding to a specific post that used specific terms about the specific topic of this specific thread. That’s it. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/116 "2021-01-04T14:48:53Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > As much as you seem to want to have an argument with me about what else Raffensperger may have done before the election, I’m not going to argue with you about it or defend him for those actions, or Kemp for that matter. > > I was responding to a specific post that used specific terms about the specific topic of this specific thread. That’s it. Again, your response was: > Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger _is_ a Republican, and in fact was a outspoken Trump supporter before the election, and **he _is_ standing up for democracy, dignity, and/or honor**. Not being willing to commit election fraud is not standing up for democracy, dignity, and/or honor. It’s showing a desire to stay out of prison. If you had simply stated that he was correctly standing up to Trump, I wouldn’t have any issue with your post. Instead you wanted to assign him virtuous attributes which he doesn’t possess. ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/117 "2021-01-04T15:04:16Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > Again, your response was: > > > Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger _is_ a Republican, and in fact was a outspoken Trump supporter before the election, and **he _is_ standing up for democracy, dignity, and/or honor**. > > Not being willing to commit election fraud is not standing up for democracy, dignity, and/or honor. It’s showing a desire to stay out of prison. If you had simply stated that he was correctly standing up to Trump, I wouldn’t have any issue with your post. Instead you wanted to assign him virtuous attributes which he doesn’t possess. You conveniently snipped out the specific post I was specifically replying to: > [@bobot](#): > > I’ll be surprised if Republicans stand up for democracy, dignity and/or honor- whatever they can muster. In the _specific context_ of this _specific thread_, the phone call between Raffensperger and Trump, Raffensperger, in _@bobot_’s words, _did_ stand up for democracy, dignity and/or honor. I assigned him _no_ virtuous attributes. If you want to believe that he acted purely out of a self-interested desire to stay out of prison, I won’t argue with you. I don’t know what was in his heart. That doesn’t change what his _actions_ actually were in this specific instance. ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/118 "2021-01-04T15:14:37Z")
All the times Trump mentioned “certified” results left me scratching my head. > The minimum number it could be because we watched it and they watched it **certified in slow motion instant replay** if you can believe it but slow motion and it was magnified many times over and the minimum it was 18,000 ballots, all for Biden. > But Brad, if you took the minimum numbers where many, many times above the 11,779 and many of those numbers are **certified, or they will be certified but they are certified**. And those are numbers that are there that exist. > So that’s it. I mean, we have many many times the number of votes necessary to win the state. And we won the state and we won it very substantially and easily and we’re getting, we have, much of this is a very, you know they’re **certified, far more certified than we need. But we’re getting additional numbers certified, too**. > **Germany:** This is they moved back in years ago. This was not like something just before the election. So there’s something about that data that, it’s just not accurate. > > **Trump:** Well, I don’t know, **all I know is that it is certified**. And they moved out of Georgia and they voted. Who is this outside entity that they have certifying vote tallies, and out-of-state voter registration information, and _slow motion instant replay_? > **Trump:** Certified accountants looked at them. So just some rando CPA they dug up? Got it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/119 "2021-01-04T15:22:27Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > “I just want to find 11,780 votes”: Oh, hey! I found them in the couch cushions right next to Jesus. I also found 27 cents. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592/120 "2021-01-04T15:25:04Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > > [@DMC](#): > > > > “I just want to find 11,780 votes”: > > Oh, hey! I found them in the couch cushions right next to Jesus. I also found 27 cents. - A. “They were all for Biden.” B. “You still came up one short.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pressured-georgia-official-to-find-enough-votes-to-overturn-election/929592.md?page=7)