Election integrity and the transfer of power

[Octavious]

The best thing he could do for the country is to make the Republican party split. So I totally think they should make a patriot party.

[LordMortis]

It's weird to me how headlines group think. The news almost universally states "Trump... Turns... McConnell..." Like it's an extention Trump pivoting... Is there no Lexicon in news or do they all pull from a primary alien programming.

[El Guapo]

Agolf is turning on McConnell! Patriot Party!

I've been saying for a while that we really need a three-party system. My vision was for the Left and Right to be joined by a Center. I never considered the implications of fracturing the Right and handing control of everything to Democrats. I suppose the GOP earned this, though. The culmination of 30 years of careful manipulation and planning ends with someone dropping a bowling ball through their glass house.

I will say that I think the best case scenario for the next couple decades is some type of third-party "Patriot / Trump Party" gains steam. This costs the Republicans a number of elections. More importantly, it creates a broad constituency for (small d) democratic reforms, where Republicans are willing to make a deal and look at stuff like ranked choice voting because the Patriot Party is causing them to lose a lot of elections, and Democrats are willing to make a deal because they're still disadvantaged by a lot of structural elements in our political system (including gerrymandering and voter suppression).

I'm sure it's not going to play out anywhere like that, but a guy can dream.

[Jaymann]

I don't do social media, but if I did I would promote and retweet PATRIOT PARTY! at every opportunity and encourage all my right-thinking friends and relatives to do likewise.

[Skinypupy]

Agolf is turning on McConnell! Patriot Party!

I've been saying for a while that we really need a three-party system. My vision was for the Left and Right to be joined by a Center. I never considered the implications of fracturing the Right and handing control of everything to Democrats. I suppose the GOP earned this, though. The culmination of 30 years of careful manipulation and planning ends with someone dropping a bowling ball through their glass house.

I will say that I think the best case scenario for the next couple decades is some type of third-party "Patriot / Trump Party" gains steam. This costs the Republicans a number of elections. More importantly, it creates a broad constituency for (small d) democratic reforms, where Republicans are willing to make a deal and look at stuff like ranked choice voting because the Patriot Party is causing them to lose a lot of elections, and Democrats are willing to make a deal because they're still disadvantaged by a lot of structural elements in our political system (including gerrymandering and voter suppression).

I'm sure it's not going to play out anywhere like that, but a guy can dream.

The downside is that we see the extremism of the "MAGA Party" get amped up 10x to appeal to their moronic horde, and they start gaining even greater representation in Red strongholds. Because let's face it, there are lots of places in this country where there is no way a Democrat is going to win, even if the conservative vote is split.

[LawBeefaroni]

Agolf is turning on McConnell! Patriot Party!

I've been saying for a while that we really need a three-party system. My vision was for the Left and Right to be joined by a Center. I never considered the implications of fracturing the Right and handing control of everything to Democrats. I suppose the GOP earned this, though. The culmination of 30 years of careful manipulation and planning ends with someone dropping a bowling ball through their glass house.

I will say that I think the best case scenario for the next couple decades is some type of third-party "Patriot / Trump Party" gains steam. This costs the Republicans a number of elections. More importantly, it creates a broad constituency for (small d) democratic reforms, where Republicans are willing to make a deal and look at stuff like ranked choice voting because the Patriot Party is causing them to lose a lot of elections, and Democrats are willing to make a deal because they're still disadvantaged by a lot of structural elements in our political system (including gerrymandering and voter suppression).

I'm sure it's not going to play out anywhere like that, but a guy can dream.

Or the Patriot Party can gain power.

[Daehawk]

If they name themselves the Patriot Party Ill sue them for misuse of the name.

If they want to call themselves The Mean Moronic Evil Cult of the Uncaring Hell Bound Doofuses then Im ok with that.

[El Guapo]

Agolf is turning on McConnell! Patriot Party!

I've been saying for a while that we really need a three-party system. My vision was for the Left and Right to be joined by a Center. I never considered the implications of fracturing the Right and handing control of everything to Democrats. I suppose the GOP earned this, though. The culmination of 30 years of careful manipulation and planning ends with someone dropping a bowling ball through their glass house.

I will say that I think the best case scenario for the next couple decades is some type of third-party "Patriot / Trump Party" gains steam. This costs the Republicans a number of elections. More importantly, it creates a broad constituency for (small d) democratic reforms, where Republicans are willing to make a deal and look at stuff like ranked choice voting because the Patriot Party is causing them to lose a lot of elections, and Democrats are willing to make a deal because they're still disadvantaged by a lot of structural elements in our political system (including gerrymandering and voter suppression).

I'm sure it's not going to play out anywhere like that, but a guy can dream.

The downside is that we see the extremism of the "MAGA Party" get amped up 10x to appeal to their moronic horde, and they start gaining even greater representation in Red strongholds. Because let's face it, there are lots of places in this country where there is no way a Democrat is going to win, even if the conservative vote is split.

ehhh. If the Patriot Party got to the point where it's getting ~ 15% of the vote in red areas (I expect that it'll never get off the ground, but assuming for the moment) then Democrats will start winning in a lot of red areas. E.g., Biden got 37.5% of the vote in Tennessee, 37.7% in Utah, 43% in Alaska, 45% in Iowa, 43% in South Carolina, etc. To say nothing of NC, FL, etc. which were narrow Trump wins in 2020.

It wouldn't take a right-wing third party to siphon off a ton of votes to swing election results. Heck, even if they only got 5% in 2024, that's probably enough to cost the GOP NC and FL (and make the presidential election non-competitive).

[El Guapo]

Agolf is turning on McConnell! Patriot Party!

I've been saying for a while that we really need a three-party system. My vision was for the Left and Right to be joined by a Center. I never considered the implications of fracturing the Right and handing control of everything to Democrats. I suppose the GOP earned this, though. The culmination of 30 years of careful manipulation and planning ends with someone dropping a bowling ball through their glass house.

I will say that I think the best case scenario for the next couple decades is some type of third-party "Patriot / Trump Party" gains steam. This costs the Republicans a number of elections. More importantly, it creates a broad constituency for (small d) democratic reforms, where Republicans are willing to make a deal and look at stuff like ranked choice voting because the Patriot Party is causing them to lose a lot of elections, and Democrats are willing to make a deal because they're still disadvantaged by a lot of structural elements in our political system (including gerrymandering and voter suppression).

I'm sure it's not going to play out anywhere like that, but a guy can dream.

Or the Patriot Party can gain power.

If the Patriot Party winds up displacing the current GOP, then either "soft" Republicans have gone over to the Democratic Party (making a majority harder for the PP) or the PP is competing for "soft" Republicans and winds up essentially becoming the current GOP with a different name.

[LordMortis]

Patriot used to be a word that instilled pride. Now when I see the word attached to anything it instills mistrust.

[Skinypupy]

Patriot used to be a word that instilled pride. Now when I see the word attached to anything it instills mistrust.

Same with “Freedom”.

Or anything that makes extensive use of an American flag.

[Grifman]

Agolf is turning on McConnell! Patriot Party!

I've been saying for a while that we really need a three-party system. My vision was for the Left and Right to be joined by a Center. I never considered the implications of fracturing the Right and handing control of everything to Democrats. I suppose the GOP earned this, though. The culmination of 30 years of careful manipulation and planning ends with someone dropping a bowling ball through their glass house.

I will say that I think the best case scenario for the next couple decades is some type of third-party "Patriot / Trump Party" gains steam. This costs the Republicans a number of elections. More importantly, it creates a broad constituency for (small d) democratic reforms, where Republicans are willing to make a deal and look at stuff like ranked choice voting because the Patriot Party is causing them to lose a lot of elections, and Democrats are willing to make a deal because they're still disadvantaged by a lot of structural elements in our political system (including gerrymandering and voter suppression).

I'm sure it's not going to play out anywhere like that, but a guy can dream.

The downside is that we see the extremism of the "MAGA Party" get amped up 10x to appeal to their moronic horde, and they start gaining even greater representation in Red strongholds. Because let's face it, there are lots of places in this country where there is no way a Democrat is going to win, even if the conservative vote is split.

Actually, that's not true. There are a lot of states where Democrats get over 40%, which would be all that would be needed for a Democratic presidential candidate to win that state:

https://cookpolitical.com/2020-national ... te-tracker

I count only only 14 states where Biden got less than 40%, and a number of those were above 35%. A split in the Republican Party would pretty much guarantee Democratic presidents for the most part.

[Remus West]

Agolf is turning on McConnell! Patriot Party!

I've been saying for a while that we really need a three-party system. My vision was for the Left and Right to be joined by a Center. I never considered the implications of fracturing the Right and handing control of everything to Democrats. I suppose the GOP earned this, though. The culmination of 30 years of careful manipulation and planning ends with someone dropping a bowling ball through their glass house.

I will say that I think the best case scenario for the next couple decades is some type of third-party "Patriot / Trump Party" gains steam. This costs the Republicans a number of elections. More importantly, it creates a broad constituency for (small d) democratic reforms, where Republicans are willing to make a deal and look at stuff like ranked choice voting because the Patriot Party is causing them to lose a lot of elections, and Democrats are willing to make a deal because they're still disadvantaged by a lot of structural elements in our political system (including gerrymandering and voter suppression).

I'm sure it's not going to play out anywhere like that, but a guy can dream.

The downside is that we see the extremism of the "MAGA Party" get amped up 10x to appeal to their moronic horde, and they start gaining even greater representation in Red strongholds. Because let's face it, there are lots of places in this country where there is no way a Democrat is going to win, even if the conservative vote is split.

Actually, that's not true. There are a lot of states where Democrats get over 40%, which would be all that would be needed for a Democratic presidential candidate to win that state:

https://cookpolitical.com/2020-national ... te-tracker

I count only only 14 states where Biden got less than 40%, and a number of those were above 35%. A split in the Republican Party would pretty much guarantee Democratic presidents for the most part.

Stop it. You're getting my hopes up.

[Alefroth]

Countdown to Biden inauguration as President:

35 DAYS

Barr submits Pirate Resignation Letter. Angry posters want to form Patriot Party (oh please do) and claim the US military will join their Sandbox RebellionTM.

I'm still skeptical they'll have the fortitude to break off and form a new party.

[El Guapo]

Countdown to Biden inauguration as President:

35 DAYS

Barr submits Pirate Resignation Letter. Angry posters want to form Patriot Party (oh please do) and claim the US military will join their Sandbox RebellionTM.

I'm still skeptical they'll have the fortitude to break off and form a new party.

Yeah, I'm deeply skeptical. Hard to say for sure with Trump, though.

[malchior]

Countdown to Biden inauguration as President:

35 DAYS

Barr submits Pirate Resignation Letter. Angry posters want to form Patriot Party (oh please do) and claim the US military will join their Sandbox RebellionTM.

I'm still skeptical they'll have the fortitude to break off and form a new party.

I'm beyond skeptical on this. Trump owns the party outright now. He gained support over the last 4 years and locked in the base. He isn't going to break off. The most it'd be is a re-brand. In the end, there isn't enough "rump" left to split. There are only a handful of 'moderate' Republicans at best right now. They aren't going to go off on the wilderness all on their own especially since the base is fervently controlled by Trump.

What McConnell did was read the situation properly -- per usual -- and position himself where he needs to be. He has the luxury to be able to pursue his own agenda since he just got re-upped for another 6 years. Rubio and the short-timers who are at his mercy with the base are the people you need to watch. Heck right now Ron Johnson is running a sham hearing to push forward this 'stab in the back' election fraud theory.

[Smoove_B]

So only the racists and politicians that are all about voter suppression are going to magically split off? Leaving whatever GOP members that are left solely focused on what? Staying rich? Sending money to their corporate sponsors? Continuing to attack women's health?

The entirety of the GOP should be sent to history's dust bin. They've embraced (figuratively and literally) Trump and actively courted the ugliest parts of our society; they deserve to be collectively retired.

[LordMortis]

The entirety of the GOP should be sent to history's dust bin. They've embraced (figuratively and literally) Trump and actively courted the ugliest parts of our society; they deserve to be collectively retired.

I don't disagree with you but power loves a void. What comes next? Half of the US had been revealed as willing to accept Trumps GOP as a cost of doing business or are IMO worse people than that. That's a big exposure to me that I can't wrap my head around. Even coming into 2016 as a shit sandwich, I still held to the idea that generation landslide was causing the last gasps bigotry to flame out, being used by wealthy corporate short sightedness. I was demonstrably wrong on more than one front, something I used to appreciate as a learning opportunity. I got nuthin' anymore.

[Skinypupy]

As always, rules for thee but not for me.

If Nancy Pelosi tries to overturn the people's vote in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, the losing Democrat candidate will be viewed as illegitimate.

Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks won, and I look forward to her swearing-in on January 3rd.

[Jaymann]

Countdown to Biden inauguration as President:

34 DAYS

Citizens in Mar a Lago tell Agolf: You don't have to go home but you can't live here. No wonder he is telling aides he will refuse to leave the White House on January 20.

[Holman]

Senator-elect Coach Dumbass of Alabama has declared that he will buck McConnell and object to the approval of EC votes on January 6. Since House idiots are already on board with it, this would mean Congress holds a two-hour "debate" before voting to certify.

The outcome will not be in doubt, especially since overturning the electors requires majorities in both houses, and neither will provide it.

What this will do is require all Republicans to go on record as rejecting democracy or rejecting Trump, which is what McConnell is desperate to avoid.

Presumably McConnell is already instructing Tuberville to STFU, presumably with repeated blows from a claw hammer.

(I've already seen disinformation in the wild informing MAGAs that the House vote is a one-per-state thing, which it isn't. They're going to try to persuade themselves that they can overturn the election if they can push the Senate hard enough.)

[Skinypupy]

Rand Paul saying the quiet part out loud again.

Rand Paul rails on how Georgia was supposedly stolen — “but probably most importantly” absentee ballot applications being sent out for the Senate runoffs.

“I’m very, very concerned that if you solicit votes from typically non-voters, that you will affect and change the outcome.”

[Jaymann]

Rand Paul's neighbor: Don't make me come over there...

[Alefroth]

As always, rules for thee but not for me.

If Nancy Pelosi tries to overturn the people's vote in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District, the losing Democrat candidate will be viewed as illegitimate.

Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks won, and I look forward to her swearing-in on January 3rd.

I'm not familiar with the mechanism that would allow Pelosi to seat her. Is that a constitutional power Pelosi has?

[Freyland]

Unrelated, it's kinda ironic having a politician named "Marianette".

[gilraen]

I'm not familiar with the mechanism that would allow Pelosi to seat her. Is that a constitutional power Pelosi has?

Federal Contested Elections Act of 1969

[Holman]

I'm not familiar with the mechanism that would allow Pelosi to seat her. Is that a constitutional power Pelosi has?

There's some controversy over the recount, which was apparently not given enough time for absentee ballots (which favor Dems) to be fully checked, and the margin was 6 votes out of 400,000.

I'm not sure how Pelosi comes into it, but if McCarthy is whining self-righteously then there must be some way for the Dem to win.

[Skinypupy]

I'm not sure how Pelosi comes into it, but if McCarthy is whining self-righteously then there must be some way for the Dem to win.

I mostly figured it was general whinging to cater to the base, not that Pelosi would actually ever swoop in and actually do anything to affect the election.

Just found it incredibly ironic, considering the actions he's personally taken over the past couple weeks.

[Jaymann]

I don't know the specifics, but can't the 6-vote loser demand a recount? If it costs money, the DNC could pick up the tab.

[malchior]

I don't know the specifics, but can't the 6-vote loser demand a recount? If it costs money, the DNC could pick up the tab.

There was a partial recount. It ran out of time to re-count all the absentee votes before it was certified.

[Jaymann]

I don't know the specifics, but can't the 6-vote loser demand a recount? If it costs money, the DNC could pick up the tab.

There was a partial recount. It ran out of time to re-count all the absentee votes before it was certified.

That would sound like the basis for a legal challenge approximately 6 or 7 thousand times more valid than: But Hugo Chavez!

[Alefroth]

I'm not sure how Pelosi comes into it, but if McCarthy is whining self-righteously then there must be some way for the Dem to win.

I mostly figured it was general whinging to cater to the base, not that Pelosi would actually ever swoop in and actually do anything to affect the election.

Just found it incredibly ironic, considering the actions he's personally taken over the past couple weeks.

It appears as if there is something to it. She filed a petition to the Committee on House Administration regarding the Federal Contested Elections Act.

[malchior]

I don't know the specifics, but can't the 6-vote loser demand a recount? If it costs money, the DNC could pick up the tab.

There was a partial recount. It ran out of time to re-count all the absentee votes before it was certified.

That would sound like the basis for a legal challenge approximately 6 or 7 thousand times more valid than: But Hugo Chavez!

Well it's tricky. That essentially was what closed down Bush v. Gore. The state certification deadlines. So the candidates legal counsel probably realized informed they they had a poor shot in the courts.

[Paingod]

he is telling aides he will refuse to leave the White House on January 20.

I would pay a $29.95 Pay-Per-View charge to watch the Secret Service drag the trespasser out of the White House, in full-blown toddler tantrum mode, complete with kicking and screaming.

[Holman]

he is telling aides he will refuse to leave the White House on January 20.

I would pay a $29.95 Pay-Per-View charge to watch the Secret Service drag the trespasser out of the White House, in full-blown toddler tantrum mode, complete with kicking and screaming.

Is Trump's post-presidential Secret Service detail obligated to defend him if he's trespassing?

[LawBeefaroni]

Secrets Service wouldn't be the ones executing a presidential eviction. It would be the US military most likely.

Either way, the Secret Service oath and duty is to the Constitution, not the President. Or the president. They'd be obligated to stand aside or assist.

[Skinypupy]

So, immediately after massive confirmed cyber-attack by Russia, the Pentagon halts all briefings with the Biden transition team. Seems legit.

Pentagon is playing it down as "we're overwhelmed by meetings and need a break". I remain...skeptical.

[malchior]

So, immediately after massive confirmed cyber-attack by Russia, the Pentagon halts all briefings with the Biden transition team. Seems legit.

Pentagon is playing it down as "we're overwhelmed by meetings and need a break". I remain...skeptical.

The stated rationale also makes no sense. (To paraphrase) We had only a few meetings left but *THEY WERE TOO MUCH TO HANDLE*. This is our national security apparatus. A complete shit show.

[El Guapo]

So, immediately after massive confirmed cyber-attack by Russia, the Pentagon halts all briefings with the Biden transition team. Seems legit.

Pentagon is playing it down as "we're overwhelmed by meetings and need a break". I remain...skeptical.

The stated rationale also makes no sense. (To paraphrase) We had only a few meetings left but *THEY WERE TOO MUCH TO HANDLE*. This is our national security apparatus. A complete shit show.

Is Chris Miller one of the last minute DoD Trump political appointees? I assume that he is? So hard to read this as anything other than finding an excuse to cut off transition briefings. Question is what else they're doing.

[Paingod]

Pentagon is playing it down as "we're overwhelmed by meetings and need a break". I remain...skeptical.

Talking circles and evading reality is exhausting work.