Excellent explanation of the plan this criminal, flailing President has as his only possible hope of not getting tossed out of the White House. As a historian, I was glad to see you refer to the 2000 election when the republicans were perfectly content to wait while W found a way to get Florida’s electoral votes. Other than being aware of the way this election will differ from prior elections in terms of counting ballots, anything else folks can do to help settle down the press and urge them to be prudent on November 3? Thanks for your wise words today
Congress responds to calls and letters and in-person visits. The press probably does, too. I'd like to see people stay off FB and turn off all the cable news shows between now and Election Night, but fat chance.
You make it all sound so simple & relatively easy. The truth is, this could, and likely will, get very ugly. Trump refusing to leave and the Constitution requiring him to are not as easily defendable as it would seem. As we’ve seen in the past four years, the rule of law is only enforceable against those who are willing to concede to it. Trump and Barr are not. The big question in my mind is: Are Democrats willing to do the dirty work necessary to force their concession? Who will the military ultimately back? And the really big question, how will the population respond to all this? I believe Portland, Washington, Minneapolis, Kenosha, etc, etc, etc have all been dry runs. Democrats wilt when faced with accusations of misdeeds while Republicans double down. We need to toughen up fast. Peaceful protest is great but defense in the face of insurrection gets bloody. We must be prepared for that as well.
There's no question it could break bad, but I have to believe that most people prefer we keep the republic...and that includes the military top brass and the IC, both of which have made it clear they do not back a Trump autocratic overthrow. I'm more worried about the election results than the shit Trump will pull after.
I live in a very red part of Minnesota. Today, in response to my expressing sympathy for those living with the wildfires and the awful air quality in Portland OR, my manager stated that she wished Portland would blow up. In shock, I reminded her that I have family there. She replied flippantly that they should move. She also recently acquired a permit to carry. This is not going to end well if Trump loses. And if he wins, it will not end well either. I’m having a very difficult time believing most people are good right now and they will magically see the light when November is over. I have to ask, do most of the rest of you live in primarily blue areas? Because it’s already getting ugly around here.
We must also be aware of the fact that electoral college may/or may not act as they should...that they have not have been compromised by easy money, their own wish that Trump be re-elected, ignoring the fines that go with going against the people of whatever state they reside in. There are so many variables in this election, except for one..60-70% of the country want Trump gone. Trump has burned down any way he might have won simply by letting his base nature take over, his real hatred for those who love America, those who serve without needing any fanfare, in other words Trump hates all of the good that America stands for seeing it through his clouded lens of being rejected and deserted by American banks, even the few rich men who didn’t know Trump well, but had heard about the way Trumps‘ do business refused Trump a cash bail-out in the late 1980’s early 1990’s when Trump went bankrupt for the last time, he searched for help and found a Russian who would bail him out...Trump, never one for loyalty, grabbed onto this lifeline and has never let go since...although now he knows he can’t eschew the assistance of the Russian mafia, he’s now in their vice grip, he must do as they tell him, but he reviles US so much he doesn’t want to go against them, this is the relationship, the man we need to be wary of we must NEVER let him renter the White House after November, because he may refuse to leave.
You always bring the receipts Greg with your spot on analysis. I don't think the Democrats or Never Trumpers will relent in the face of Trump and crew's malfeasance. The stakes are too high and people are too enraged to back down.
Even the deplorables have been affected by Trumps policies, Trump tariffs and his inaction on Covid-19, everyone of them is likely sitting at home, if they still have one, awaiting the government cheque to help them feed their family, many will be relying on food banks and the help of many corporations to feed themselves and their children. Oddly, they can’t see that Trump is the cause of this economic failure, due to the late action, and subsequent inaction of his White house to help curb or stop the virus in its tracks by keeping gathering places closed, mandating mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing, all of which would forestall the Corona virus tragedy in many states, and the climbing number of sick and dying.
Trump’s refusal to take responsibility for the 200,000 dead Americans, on his watch, is in itself a message that his followers refuse to understand. Trump continues to lie to everyone, while critical thinkers know he is lying the deplorables don’t seem to get that same message instead like nothing more than to blame elites on both coasts for their financial difficulties, certainly not the fact that Trump has encouraged them in their refusal to wear masks or socially distance themselves from others, to their detriment.
Another great column Greg! I too see the danger of this man in the WH and most especially his supporters, who don't seem to care one way or another how Trump gets re-elected, just that he does. I don't pretend to understand that mindset. It's unfathomable to me that after the past four years, there are STILL people who support this guy. To this day, there are still those who accuse others of just "hating" Trump, as if it's just a mindless exercise in some kind of personal animosity. Not that what he's been mostly doing in office the past four years is watching TV and doing crimes to benefit himself. No, we just "hate" Trump for personal reasons. How do you deal with that?
I'm already starting to pull back from news on this election and Trump's antics. There is nothing new under the sun there, and the stress and anxiety of having to hear about and talk about the president every day (including weekends) for four years is enough. On the other hand, I will keep up with your column however, because no matter the subject matter, you're a breath of fresh air in these "interesting" times. Thanks for that!
The MAGA cult can be ignored. They are not going to budge, and we don't need them. We need people who didn't vote in 16 to vote now. That's the ballgame.
one of your very best my friend. what I'll add here (and on twitter) is that we need to watch what state-GOP parties—largely completely radicalized by Tangerine Saddam—do after a (please jesus) resounding-donald loss. think about GOP in swing states like Ohio and PA and FL and what they might do to keep Dear Leader in power and out of prison. we've seen state-GOP officials getting charged right and left *now* and that would get exponentially worse under future-POTUS Biden and his veep Harris. they have motive and opportunity to ratf*ck as much as they want.
Excellent explanation of the plan this criminal, flailing President has as his only possible hope of not getting tossed out of the White House. As a historian, I was glad to see you refer to the 2000 election when the republicans were perfectly content to wait while W found a way to get Florida’s electoral votes. Other than being aware of the way this election will differ from prior elections in terms of counting ballots, anything else folks can do to help settle down the press and urge them to be prudent on November 3? Thanks for your wise words today
Congress responds to calls and letters and in-person visits. The press probably does, too. I'd like to see people stay off FB and turn off all the cable news shows between now and Election Night, but fat chance.
Thank you. I will step up calling my representatives to remind them that every vote must be counted. And urge friends to do the same
You make it all sound so simple & relatively easy. The truth is, this could, and likely will, get very ugly. Trump refusing to leave and the Constitution requiring him to are not as easily defendable as it would seem. As we’ve seen in the past four years, the rule of law is only enforceable against those who are willing to concede to it. Trump and Barr are not. The big question in my mind is: Are Democrats willing to do the dirty work necessary to force their concession? Who will the military ultimately back? And the really big question, how will the population respond to all this? I believe Portland, Washington, Minneapolis, Kenosha, etc, etc, etc have all been dry runs. Democrats wilt when faced with accusations of misdeeds while Republicans double down. We need to toughen up fast. Peaceful protest is great but defense in the face of insurrection gets bloody. We must be prepared for that as well.
There's no question it could break bad, but I have to believe that most people prefer we keep the republic...and that includes the military top brass and the IC, both of which have made it clear they do not back a Trump autocratic overthrow. I'm more worried about the election results than the shit Trump will pull after.
I live in a very red part of Minnesota. Today, in response to my expressing sympathy for those living with the wildfires and the awful air quality in Portland OR, my manager stated that she wished Portland would blow up. In shock, I reminded her that I have family there. She replied flippantly that they should move. She also recently acquired a permit to carry. This is not going to end well if Trump loses. And if he wins, it will not end well either. I’m having a very difficult time believing most people are good right now and they will magically see the light when November is over. I have to ask, do most of the rest of you live in primarily blue areas? Because it’s already getting ugly around here.
We must also be aware of the fact that electoral college may/or may not act as they should...that they have not have been compromised by easy money, their own wish that Trump be re-elected, ignoring the fines that go with going against the people of whatever state they reside in. There are so many variables in this election, except for one..60-70% of the country want Trump gone. Trump has burned down any way he might have won simply by letting his base nature take over, his real hatred for those who love America, those who serve without needing any fanfare, in other words Trump hates all of the good that America stands for seeing it through his clouded lens of being rejected and deserted by American banks, even the few rich men who didn’t know Trump well, but had heard about the way Trumps‘ do business refused Trump a cash bail-out in the late 1980’s early 1990’s when Trump went bankrupt for the last time, he searched for help and found a Russian who would bail him out...Trump, never one for loyalty, grabbed onto this lifeline and has never let go since...although now he knows he can’t eschew the assistance of the Russian mafia, he’s now in their vice grip, he must do as they tell him, but he reviles US so much he doesn’t want to go against them, this is the relationship, the man we need to be wary of we must NEVER let him renter the White House after November, because he may refuse to leave.
He can refuse to leave if he wants, but check-out time is noon on January 20, and if he's still there, he will be thrown out, like any squatter.
You always bring the receipts Greg with your spot on analysis. I don't think the Democrats or Never Trumpers will relent in the face of Trump and crew's malfeasance. The stakes are too high and people are too enraged to back down.
Totally agree. We are not surrendering to these deplorables. Ever.
Even the deplorables have been affected by Trumps policies, Trump tariffs and his inaction on Covid-19, everyone of them is likely sitting at home, if they still have one, awaiting the government cheque to help them feed their family, many will be relying on food banks and the help of many corporations to feed themselves and their children. Oddly, they can’t see that Trump is the cause of this economic failure, due to the late action, and subsequent inaction of his White house to help curb or stop the virus in its tracks by keeping gathering places closed, mandating mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing, all of which would forestall the Corona virus tragedy in many states, and the climbing number of sick and dying.
Trump’s refusal to take responsibility for the 200,000 dead Americans, on his watch, is in itself a message that his followers refuse to understand. Trump continues to lie to everyone, while critical thinkers know he is lying the deplorables don’t seem to get that same message instead like nothing more than to blame elites on both coasts for their financial difficulties, certainly not the fact that Trump has encouraged them in their refusal to wear masks or socially distance themselves from others, to their detriment.
Another great column Greg! I too see the danger of this man in the WH and most especially his supporters, who don't seem to care one way or another how Trump gets re-elected, just that he does. I don't pretend to understand that mindset. It's unfathomable to me that after the past four years, there are STILL people who support this guy. To this day, there are still those who accuse others of just "hating" Trump, as if it's just a mindless exercise in some kind of personal animosity. Not that what he's been mostly doing in office the past four years is watching TV and doing crimes to benefit himself. No, we just "hate" Trump for personal reasons. How do you deal with that?
I'm already starting to pull back from news on this election and Trump's antics. There is nothing new under the sun there, and the stress and anxiety of having to hear about and talk about the president every day (including weekends) for four years is enough. On the other hand, I will keep up with your column however, because no matter the subject matter, you're a breath of fresh air in these "interesting" times. Thanks for that!
The MAGA cult can be ignored. They are not going to budge, and we don't need them. We need people who didn't vote in 16 to vote now. That's the ballgame.
one of your very best my friend. what I'll add here (and on twitter) is that we need to watch what state-GOP parties—largely completely radicalized by Tangerine Saddam—do after a (please jesus) resounding-donald loss. think about GOP in swing states like Ohio and PA and FL and what they might do to keep Dear Leader in power and out of prison. we've seen state-GOP officials getting charged right and left *now* and that would get exponentially worse under future-POTUS Biden and his veep Harris. they have motive and opportunity to ratf*ck as much as they want.