The Washington Examiner frames the Georgia runoff in terms of Trump somehow needing to protect his legacy:
If Trump wants Republicans to keep the Senate and protect his legacy, he needs to change his tune
President Trump says he wants Republicans to keep the Senate and will be campaigning in Georgia. But his persistent claims that the election was stolen from him and attacks on Georgia’s Republican leadership are fueling disillusionment that could backfire on conservatives and the Republican Party, and make Sen. Chuck Schumer the majority leader.
I get what they mean, to some degree--that Trump should want to preserve all his accomplishments. Which, the Examiner somehow fails to note, came about in spite of GOPe obstruction rather than because of any enthusiasm the Establishment had for the Trump agenda. The subtext, of course is: Please concede and graciously support those who may well do nothing to protect your legacy. Who could refuse an offer like that?
There might be reasons that Trump would follow that route, but right now Trump has larger responsibilities. Those responsibilities are not to a political party but to the American people who elected him--and as president he is the only public official elected by the general public of the entire nation. As president Trump represents the interests of an entire branch of government, as well as those of the population of the nation at large. That responsibility has to come before any lingering loyalty to those who undercut him to the maximum extent they were able.
And then there's this. What about the GOP as a party? What have they done lately to promote and protect their brand? To engender trust among the public?
Ted Cruz, to his credit, takes a forthrightly pragmatic approach. Rather than engage in phony appeals to Trump, he sets out the real issue in all its starkness:
I don’t know who this clown is, but anyone saying America would be better off w/ Chuck Schumer as Majority Leader—producing huge tax increases, the Green New Deal, massive amnesty & a packed Supreme Court destroying the Bill of Rights—is trying to mislead the people of Georgia. https://t.co/jtEPT2UtzF
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 3, 2020
Notice what Cruz isn't saying. He isn't suggesting that Georgians can reasonably be enthused about the choice they face. He's simply saying: Consider the alternatives. That's honest. He's not trying to kid anyone about the dysfunction that Democracy in America has descended into. This is a holding action, he seems to say.
I live in GA, and have no allegiance to the GOP, and to the extent they aren't aligned with DJT, I'm not really interested in them. Voting for GOP seats in House or Senate was a losing proposition- they couldn't even repeal Ocare after making it a major campaign issue over and over. Sleazeballs! If I thought any of them had learned how to get in the trenches and fight from DJT, I might feel differently. As it stands now, I plan to vote for Kelly Loeffler, but if she shows the least bit of aligning with all the 'moderates' calling on them to forget the election to focus on the runoff- that WILL backfire, with me and most other voters! They really don't understand what they messing with here! All of the ones calling for this are the old-time losers who just know how to lose and lose and lose, including Cru! I like Cruz's intellect, and like him when he's on track, but in this instance, and most political issues, he needs a lot more direction and spine. His statements here make me more likely to stay home.
ReplyDeleteHere’s another Georgian, whose blog I follow, declaring his current intent to sit out the runoff election.
Delete“Now I can’t speak for all Georgia voters who might be of similar mind to me, but there is still a chance I could vote for Perdue and Loeffler on January 5th. However, for me to do so would require decisive and concrete action by Republicans across the board, both at the national and state level. I want to see Senator McConnell and other senate Republicans speaking out daily in support of Trump in Washington DC; I want to see and hear them pressuring Republican state legislatures — publicly and behind the scenes — to not certify electors for Biden. I want to see pressure brought to bear on Kemp, Raffensperger to do the right thing by Trump. I want to see the full weight of the Republican establishment brought to bear on all these state level Republicans — officials, legislators — in Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, etc., to support Trump’s efforts, whether in the courts or legislatures — wherever they have influence. I want to see the Republican Establishment do whatever is necessary to ensure Trump takes the oath of office on January 20, 2021. I want to see Perdue and Loeffler at protest rallies for Trump, demanding Kemp call a special session of the legislature to decertify the vote. Time is running short. The electors must be selected by December 14. Clock is running, Republicans!”
Read the rest of his damning indictment of the GOP establishment and justification for what’s gonna hit the Republican party if they don’t change their stripes pronto:
https://romalocutaest.com/2020/12/04/georgia-on-my-mind-back-trump-or-else/
Over at RedState, there’s a post on Georgia, which reports that the Secretary of State is stalling over the Governor’s endorsement of a signature audit. And it’s the Secretary of State, not the Governor, who has the authority to call for such a measure. What’s behind that, assuming this report is correct?
ReplyDeleteAletheia
The Gov'nr is posing for holy pictures so the rubes think he's a good guy. The SoS doesn't give a flying flip about the rubes or anyone else.
DeleteFirst, great initial response, Mark. First duty is to Constitution and electoral integrity.
ReplyDeleteBut, no, it is high time that these quisling Republican candidates and office holders actually *do* something to justify support such as calling an emergency session of the legislature, demanding ballot authentication, and publicly supporting Trump's claims. Otherwise this is no different than Bush,McCain, and Romney--- "vote for us because the other guys are so much worse!" That doesn't fly anymore. You earn our vote. Anything else is just an abusive relationship where they beat us repeatedly and then try to scare us into staying because they are not as bad as the alternative. Why is it so hard for Perdue, Loeffler et al to get out in front and serve their party constituents??
Be interesting to see what Lin Wood releases on the ga Governor and Secretary of State.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is pretty dirty.
And due to politics other gop won’t call them out. And instead pressure trump to quiet down and go away.
Hmm...
https://channel411news.com/2020/11/24/breaking-treason-ga-gov-kemp-and-ca-gov-newsom-bought-off-by-communist-china-in-covid-supplies-kickback-and-money-laundering-schemes-source/
It's four weeks until the runoff.
ReplyDeletePlenty of days for news to develop that might enthuse Georgia's R voters to turn out.
So, to me, the current drama about whether or not R's should vote in that election is premature.
I think that's true. The continuing drumbeat of evidence of fraud will surely have an effect.
DeleteYes we've been in "holding action" mode for thirty years. Trump showed them what the "not holding action" mode looked like and they were most reluctant soldiers. Mr. Cruz pointedly makes no argument as to Republicans actually stopping any of those plans of Harris/Biden, especially in view of yesterdays NDAA. It is indeed pragmatic, but only if one utterly discounts GOP history. Romney, Murkowski, Collins, Sasse, Cornyn, Rubio, Toomey, Capito, Alexander, to name a few, are practically salivating at the thought of a return to the good old days of reach-arounds across the aisle.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand there is this:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/12/fellow-dc-federal-judge-signals-emmet-sullivan-may-challenge-flynn-pardon/
Much as I predicted. Obviously the Swamp Judges have been discussing this among themselves. The DS will not let Flynn go. Not because there is a substantive gain from persecuting him, but because they can't allow him to escape unhumiliated.
We often hear people say, jokingly, that liberalism is a mental illness. I do not hold that view, that it is a joke that is. I believe in all seriousness that the predominant personality trait of those attracted to it is narcissism, and those that rise in life while being marinated in it grow into a form of malignant narcissism in which obedience to their self-perceived natural right to power becomes obsessive. A personality to which the power to humiliate, and especially to compel self-abasement and humiliation, is paramount. If you read much literature concerning socialism/communism you get a sense of that theme running throughout. Often what dictators, commissars, committees, etc. order of the population is simply irrational, but all must bow and comply. It's not simply the ability to live like a king, unearned. The real quest is to accrue enough power that people are too terrified to not abase themselves. Masks and ruinous lock-downs on the whimsy of these people function quite well to humiliate the less powerful. So do meaningless prosecutions.
Tom S.
I think what Sullivan was really talking about when excoriating Flynn concerning treason was Flynn's betrayal of the DS, which was an unforgiveable sin in Sullivan's mind.
DeleteTom S.
https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2020/12/04/wapo-media-must-shun-republicans-who-dont-accept-biden-as-president-elect/
DeleteThis a good example of what I'm talking about. The compelled complicity in the lie.
Tom S.
You've got a bead on it, Tom.
DeleteI am afraid The Republican Party is in for a real shock. However this goes down Trump supporters are leaving the party. They might not say they're leaving the party (then again they might) but they are leaving the party. Mr. Woods plea was to the Trump supporters and the preface to those remarks Mr. Cruz finds so "stupid" were to the effect "Where are the Republican Senators in this fight? Where is the Republican Party? Where is Ronna McDaniel?" So instead of ANYONE in the Republican establishment answering those questions, we're treated to the same old entreaty -- vote for US because THEM over there are worse. Mr. Cruz may be more outspoken in his support of the President than other Republican Senators the defeatist implication of his "you gotta support us in the runoff or President Xiden will destroy our country" is laughable. The fraud election and fraud covid is destroyinig our country. that's what's destroying our country.
ReplyDeleteNew SWC post: Justice Alito Has Asked Pennsylvania to Respond to Kelly Request for Emergency Injunction -- by December 9.
ReplyDeleteFrom SWC:
Delete"Alito’s order likely means there are not 5 votes to grant the emergency injunctive relief, and prevent the naming of Pennsylvania’s electors — at least not with respect to the complaint filed by Congressman Kelly....
The easy justification for the Court is, there is simply not enough time for the Court to take on such a *monumental challenge* given the stakes....
while the Court MIGHT agree that, on the merits, that the “vote-by-mail” scheme is invalid, there is *no* purpose in doing so at this point in time, given the significant likelihood that it may **only be Pennsylvania that ends up being flipped**, and the outcome of the election remains the same....."
This "significant likelihood that it may only be Pennsylvania that ends up being flipped" is
1) not so likely, and
2) a quite weak excuse to duck the huge issues at stake, in persuading voters that the system takes its rep for integrity at all seriously.
Pathetic, and makes martial law or secession much more likely than before.
The main takeaway here is that the Supreme Court is not going to do this piecemeal. They will wait until there are enough credible cases that, taken together, could affect the outcome of the election. Ultimately the remedy will likely be to throw it to a contingent election in the House by denying the electors to either candidate based on the unconstitutional election processes in the various states.
Delete"They will wait until there are enough credible cases that, taken together, could affect the outcome of the election."
DeleteIs that just a hope, or do you have major reason to *expect* that.
The republic hangs in the balance.
I don't have any insider knowledge on any of this but what Mccoy says above makes sense to me. I think here is how Alito + 4 thinks the order of events should be:
Delete1. Let state officials (governors, SoSs) have their say, and let state legislators have an opportunity to claim their constitutional rights to act, by December 8th.
2. In the meantime let state and lower federal justices oversee evidences and cases built.
3. By December 9th, all cases from contested states should be mature enough to be consolidated into a single case. (This is what Rudy stated as their plan as well, a short while ago in his youtube channel).
4. Between 9th and 14th, SCOTUS studies the case and makes a decision, likely throwing the ball to US Congress (assuming 5 R judges hold the line, I don't count Roberts as a R). I think it will have to be somehow disqualifying those states that violated the US constitution, rather than fraud. So lokely PA, GA, MI and / or WI. This should prevent both candidates reaching 270.
5. After that, US Congress does its thing, after going through Pelosi's shenanigans. Hopefully selecting Trump.
6. There's also a chance Trump acts preemptively, right after #4 above, declaring a partial martal law, and without taking the risk of allowing another round of Democrat shenanigans, clean the house. Alternatively he might wait until #5 occurs, but if the Congress somehow selects Biden, it might be too late to trigger martial law option labelled as constitutional.
These two may not be enough. Romney and a few others will be voting with the left on many issues. even with 52 it will become a problem. Hopefully Minchin will be able to keep the crazy's at bay. He should switch parties, even if we hold at 52, to give folks a cushion on certain votes - including himself - when necessary.
ReplyDeleteI'm concerned that we need to live to fight another day. I don't like these squishy repubs either, but I don't see Romney voting to end the filibuster, stack SCOTUS, add more states, etc. President Trump has shown us the way. We need to stay in the fight. Sitting on our hands and not voting is not an option. I don't live in Georgia, so have not vote, but I will be contributing.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone seen the @!#$storm interview Perdue gave to the Washington Post today? It is a kick in the teeth to both President Trump and base voters.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/12/wth-senator-perdue-trashes-trump-day-coming-campaign-georgia-says-biden-will-easy-work/
Unbelievable. The GOP is... dare I say, irredeemable?
as a Georgian, I was planning to vote for Kelly, but just leave Perdue's race blank...but now am actually considering the unthinkable- actually voting for Osoff! Something that would have been totally unthinkable a few minutes ago...Perdue is totally shifty and sleazy, and not an ounce of honor in his bones. He's very unctuous in all of his campaign commercials, but this type of disloyalty is just unforgivable!
DeleteThe Wa Examiner has always been and will always be a NeverTrump bunch of sissypants.
ReplyDeleteI just watched a clip of Trump in GA (@ CTH). Loeffler stepped up to blather, wearing a ball cap. What a total fraud. Then Perdue showed up and started to spout cliched drivel, but he was overwhelmed by a "Fight for Trump" chant from the crowd. This was a golden opportunity for him to stand up for Trump.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, he couldn't get off the stage fast enough. These two clowns aren't fooling anybody.
They are reprehensible.