Holy Shit! Hang on! Carl Bernstein on CNN today just said...

[PearliePoo2]

Carl Bernstein today on CNN says his sources in the White House are telling him that if the mid-terms are close and the Democrats only take it back by 5 to 7 seats, trump is preparing for legal challenges in the courts, to sow confusion, he will declare a victory and say the election was illegitimate!

HE IS ALREADY PLANNING FOR THIS!

Make sure you have shoes with sturdy soles to swarm to the streets! (for days or more)
THIS election is for ALL the marbles!

We will have NO choice but to shut the country down!

Link to tweet

[marble falls]

1. He's wasting his time. We're rolling the table on him.

[vlyons]

47. That's what I think

The blue tsunami will wash up the steps of the capital and wash a lot of filth out of the House.

Think Hercules cleaning the Aegean stables!

/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/300?cb=20160604050322

[muriel_volestrangler]

51. No, if it happens, it won't waste his time; it wastes everyone else's time. Which is what he wants.

He won't have to work on this; he gets to tell the GOP to pay lawyers and protesters. He gets to tie up Democrats who ought to be preparing to be the majority. He gets to decrease trust in the House, even when his protests are overruled. He riles up the deplorables who believe whatever he tells them.

It's like saying "he wasted his time claiming Obama wasn't born in Hawaii". If there's any chance at all of a Democrat increasing their influence or power, he'll try to stop it. He doesn't care it would be unseemly, or embarrassing to a normal president. He doesn't care it makes the USA look like a banana republic. All he wants is all the power for himself. And if he can't have that, then he has to disparage other people, and the institutions that aren't bending their knee to him.

[Hamlette]

66. as president he doesn't have the power to stop the certified winners from being seated

when they are seated in January, they start investigating.

I really don't see what he can do. Hell, Fox news doesn't carry his rallies anymore. You think he can get his deplorables to riot? I don't.

Krugman has been saying the some thing for some time. Yes, he'll claim it is illegitimate and if he sues it will go to the Supreme Court if necessary (I don't think he owns enough lower court judges for it to go that far) and do you see the Supremes overturning the results of the election? For the likes of Trump?

The more seats we win, the harder it will be. Take a nonvoting friend to the polls.

[lark]

73. Rabid extremists on SCOTUS would do anything for drumpf or oligarchs.

The only question is will Roberts vote to overturn the election and destroy the constitution? We know for sure Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh will vote with drumpf and oligarchs always?

[BigGermanGuy]

126. I'm going to say no

because without evidence there won't be standing to even bring it to the supreme court.

"rigged election" will be his mantra going into 2020. It's more a campaign slogan than something that we need to worry about.

now, of course, if we only win the house by 1 or 2, i'd expect challenges to those, IF those races are close.

but if we blow them out of the water, ain't shit to worry about.

[muriel_volestrangler]

78. Yeah, if he gets the GOP to dispute results, it holds up Congress

See, for instance, the way Norm Coleman delayed Al Franken taking his seat for 6 months: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_election_in_Minnesota,_2008

That had a big effect on the ACA, because Franken being seated while Ted Kennedy was still able to cast a vote would have allowed the Democrats to override a filibuster:

Even when his illness prevented him from being a major factor in health plan deliberations, his symbolic presence still made him one of the key senators involved.[268]

However, Kennedy's tumor had spread by spring 2009 and treatments for it were no longer effective; this information was not disclosed to the public.[214] By June 2009 Kennedy had not cast a Senate vote in three months

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kennedy

Trump would love to hold up Democrats taking their seats. As far as his base goes, it'll give them more excuses to call Congress "illegitimate". Will they riot? Yes, some of them will. Look at the Proud Boys. To Trump, it's not a "waste of time".

[TheBlackAdder]

55. This sounds like Trump's 2016 loss strategy, or is 2020 loss strategy that we will see in 2 years.

[demigoddess]

70. any win by the democrats is considered illegitimate by the republicans

"no democrat should be elected to any office ever again, not even dogcatcher" Rush Limbaugh in the 90s. Don't think they have changed their minds.

[PufPuf23]

2. Far past time to shut down Trump. Chilling. nt.

[triron]

40. How?

[PufPuf23]

98. That Bernstein says that Trump is setting the tone to invalidate the election.

Trump (and the GOP) are capable of messing with the election system in such a manner.

Chilling as by election is the one sure path out of the morass.

[roamer65]

3. That's the stuff secession is made of...

[Blue_playwright]

4. That's chilling

Bernstein is in the know. He knows more about the presidency than the Resident. I believe that his sources have both been vetted and that they are telling him the truth.

[empedocles]

20. Very chilling, and warnings like this have been given before.

In 2016 candidate trump refused to commit to the Presidential Election results. Dismissed by some, its still a warning.

[PearliePoo2]

5. He's an un-hinged cornered rat ALREADY warning about the election and he will be watching!

If he attempts this, we will have NO choice but to shut this country down.

In the streets for days, a massive sit-down of millions at the Capitol and the White House and a General Strike.

This will be as bad as it gets.

We will soon know what this mad man is capable of trying.

Will he call out the troops and riot squads?

Asking for a friend, " Does Mattis still carry and is he proficient with his service revolver?

[RHMerriman]

15. The Marines have carried semi-automatic pistols since WW I, and...

The Marines have carried semi-automatic pistols since WW I, and from what is known about Secretary Mattis, I bet he qualifies every year at the range, but he wouldn't have to use one to scare Trump.

Mattis terrifies Trump, because Mattis is the sort of individual who could break Trump in half in about three seconds. Same as Kelly, which is why Kelly hasn't been fired; same as Putin, actually... Trump is a physical coward.

But the issue with any obviously extra-legal effort to delay seating a Democratic Congress is not that the Marines from 8th and I would take control of the WH at Mattis' order (although they would, if ordered to do so); the issue is that the donor class would rebel if Trump tried to do something undeniably illegal.

The people who truly own the GOP value stability above all else, and the reality is that Trump and his followers have never been more than a tool to them, in the same way that Nixon was ... and once Nixon lost his usefulness, they dropped him in a heartbeat.

The Fortune 500 will do the same to Trump. They have received significant gains for at least 2-3 tax cycles, and two SC seats, plus various federal judges at the circuit and appellate levels; they've also received at least 2-3 federal budget cycles heavily in the red, and with spending focused on Fortune 500 stocks. They values of the above is in the hundreds of billions, at least...

They keep all that if they drop Trump; if they go down with him, it is all at risk of confiscation, destruction, or both.

They'll cast him aside like last week's mistress, and Trump knows it; despite everything his father tried to do for him (buying him a Penn degree, the gifted investments he just had to leave alone to remain wealthy, etc.), Trump has never been part of the club in the way that Bush the Younger is and was...

[PearliePoo2]

25. What a terrific, well-written informative post!

Thank you!

[RHMerriman]

28. You are entirely welcome...

You are entirely welcome...

[PearliePoo2]

53. A bit late, but WELCOME TO DU RHMerriman!

I hope you will continue to contribute and author many more posts!

[RHMerriman]

85. Many thanks

Back at ya!

[Duppers]

60. Spell out the logistics of how our ruling class

Will stop him. He's insane and terrified of going to prison. Think Roman Emperor Caligula. His base is insane and ready to start a civil war upon his notice. Lack of Wall Street support will not influence him if he thinks he's against a system that'll send him to the slammer.

A _ _ _ solution? Mattis may indeed have to draw his revolver. Then, at that moment, who controls this country? Pastor Pence?

This country is an inch away from it's second greatest crisis, thanks to a bunch of ignorant damn racists.

[RHMerriman]

87. A) Trump is a physical coward who has never risked himself at anything

A) Trump is a physical coward who has never risked himself at anything;
B) He folds like the cheapest of suits when faced by real power (see $25 million Trump University settlement as an example);
C) His base are, generally, overweight, out of shape, and despite their whining, have too much to risk;
D) He has next to no one willing to risk their lives against any element of state power (name them? his sons? Miller? Seriously, they're a bunch of cowards as well);
E) His base, however ready "any" slight percentage may be to go into the streets (I'd wager a few hundred, at most; total attendance at Charlottesville is estimated at ~500, at most), have no organization beyond the squad/section level, so maybe ~10+ at most, which if they attempt to take collective action, would be slaughtered by a single big city PD SWAT team)
F) The moment Mueller's team comes back with a solid case, Wall Street abandons Trump and the right calls are made; Pence, the Cabinet, and various House and Senate leaders make it clear he can step down or be dragged out in cuffs - just like Nixon.

If 1861-65 is your take on the greatest crisis, one can offer any number of examples (1929 being the most obvious) that were not as bad as Sumter, but certainly worse than getting rid of one idiot.

[Duppers]

111. I think some rednecks and paramilitary

Are itching to use their weapons on neighbors.

I do not trust anyone who has stolen my Obama signs and poisoned my dog because he thought she was the one barking all the time (she stated indoors except for her potty trips into our backwoods). Other neighbors had a fence constructed because this big TRump supporter had bothered them.

Did ethnic cleansing in the Balkans not begin with neighbors killing neighbors?

[RHMerriman]

115. Actually, the Balkans began - generally - with the Yugoslav federal forces under

Actually, the Balkans began - generally - with the Yugoslav federal forces under Serbian control against (initially) the pro-independence Slovenian and Croatian forces, and then the Serbian government forces, and then it degenerated to various "local" police and security forces and various ethnic-based militias against the Bosnians, Kosovars, etc.

And not to go all American exceptionalism, but the US - certainly in comparison to Yugoslavia - has a much longer history of democracy, the rule of law, and a civil society.

As far as the RW lunatic fringe goes, unfortunately there are always sociopaths in any human society, but the numbers are definitely lacking in the US today. There's no equivalent in numbers of the Klan or the Bund, much less the Weathermen and SLA.

Does that mean something tragic and horrific might not happen? No, as witness Oklahoma City or Sept. 11 - but if it does, it will be contained.

Keep your eyes and ears open, and - not to be trite - but if you see something, say something. There are legions of dedicated professionals - at the local, state, and national levels - who will take action to prevent violent acts and bring perpetrators to justice.

Sounds like an outtake from Captain America, I know, but these folks exist and put their lives at risk on a daily basis to keep our country - any everyone who lives here - safe.

[Duppers]

124. Thank you! 🙏

[Garrett78]

119. Just vote. Fretting won't do any good.

[MarcA]

67. Very Good Points! Real world politics. Much of Intelligence is against him also.

Of course, that can be a two-edged sword.

[RHMerriman]

88. Indeed...

But in the meantime, allies are allies.

[llmart]

69. Well thought out post.

I believe you are 100% correct.

[RHMerriman]

89. Thanks ... look, I get the seriousness of having this idiot in a position of power, trust me...

Thanks ... look, I get the seriousness of having this idiot in a position of power, trust me...

But this country has survived far, far worse. Historical perspective is a force multiplier.

[davekriss]

102. I so hope you're right!!

[RHMerriman]

104. You and I both, my friend...

You and I both, my friend...

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Let him sue.

It will go nowhere.

[lapfog_1]

8. but what happens when the new Congress is NOT sworn in

pending court challenges.

That is the central question... and could those court challenges reach the Supreme Court where we know that the conservatives now have a 5-4 advantage.

[PearliePoo2]

16. Yup, he's got "Brett the Belching Beer Guy" installed, who believes a President is above the law!

Hell, he's probably advising the White House and the Rethugs on the legalities of how to pull it off!

[triron]

42. Wouldn't surprise me at all.

[2naSalit]

56. More than likely...nt

[MarcA]

71. Doubt Roberts would go along.

In the end, he may have only the K frat boy.

[lapfog_1]

91. we want to hang our hat on John F'ing Roberts?

for the fate of democracy in the United States?

[drray23]

118. Nothing. The president does not have standing to sue about elections organized by the states.

Those lawsuits would be thrown out.

[lapfog_1]

120. The lawsuits will be filed in each state by the republican party

not Trump himself... but he will be fanning the flames.

[TheCowsCameHome]

37. He'll sue even if he wins

it's what he does best.

Fuck him, let him sue until he has the big one.

[still_one]

61. He will have to sue every state, because that is where elections are run. You are right, it will go

nowhere, but perhaps he doesn't care, he just wants to sow chaos

[Iliyah]

7. Shithole and the GOP want a

single party rule forever. This has to be stopped now.

Vote!

The Senate is in play. I would love the Democrats to take it also.

Shithole and the GOP will try and stop future elections and cry foul. Stacking the courts with RWers, US SC is rigged in their favor.

2016 elections was stolen, hopefully evidence of that will surface.

[PearliePoo2]

9. Cascadia!!

Washington, Oregon and California!

[alittlelark]

30. Pls bring in N Mexico and CO...

We could build a really BIG bridge over AZ.....

[PearliePoo2]

31. Yes, the logistics could be worked out!

[MarcA]

72. Also NV and someday AZ. Interesting looking map. n/t

[ProudLib72]

10. What if Mueller hands down indictments against him and his family

the day after elections? The Rump needs to be taken into custody and have his cell phone privileges permanently revoked. No more fucking rallies. Just sit there and shut the fuck up until he is arrested.

[FakeNoose]

95. Amen to this!

From your mouth to Mueller's ears. Just shut the orange asshole up.

[FreepFryer]

11. How is this in any way a surprise? Press on, resist, oppose. (n/t)

[libdem4life]

12. There are people who lie...and Liars.

That's the difference...a Liar was selected this time around. Am I the only who is getting damn sick and tired of the phrase used by pundits...left and right..."baked in" as if there is nothing we can do to point out the vermin's current evil deeds? Uneducated, ignorant, gullible, self-loathing bigots.

[Socal31]

13. Can you link to the Carl quote? I would love to see the whole segment.

Luckily, a President can't sue on behalf of the US, nor can he declare an election illegitimate.

[PearliePoo2]

19. Yes. The link is in my original OP. Carl is definitely a VERY concerned man!

It's the 'Reliable Sources' Twitter and just click on the little blue arrow to start the video!

[FM123]

14. Don't even try, you orange idiot...

we are ready for your antics, and then some!

[cilla4progress]

17. Love the chutzpah

here this morning!

BTW: as an inland Washingtonian..all in on the Cascadia proposal! Including legal weed and same sex marriage! Legal weed only thing keeping me SANE these days.

[PearliePoo2]

21. YES to everything you said and we'll also have Medicare for all from birth in Cascadia!!

We'll have a beautiful flag too! Oh Yeah!

On it will be: Mountains with volcanoes, rain forests , fruit orchards, Mighty Rivers and the Pacific Ocean!!

[cilla4progress]

100. Omg...

Reason to dream!

[Qutzupalotl]

38. Russia wants us divided. Calexit, Newmexit ...

Cascadia may sound like Utopia but is unworkable in a practical sense, starting with national defense.

Meanwhile, Russia wants Alaska back. Fuck Russia.

[Downtown Hound]

18. LOL! Whatever.

Trump can whine all he wants and take it to the courts all he wants. It won't matter and all that will happen in end he will be seen as a complete joke by most people. Who cares what his cult thinks? They already think everything is rigged against him.

[Quixote1818]

68. Yes, I don't think Trump will get much traction. He may cause another Federal Building to get blown

up however.

[Pathwalker]

22. Thank you! I heard it, too and was chilled to the bone.

Terrifying. If that happens, he'd have to declare martial law, which I don't put past him at all.

[RHMerriman]

33. Martial law is only an option when:

Martial law is only an option when:

a) there is illegal activity (protest and strikes are not illegal);
b) said illegal activity is beyond the capability of local AND state law enforcement to deal with (and there isn't a governor or mayor in this country who will ever admit that, for obvious reasons);
c) the c-in-c is willing to order it (and we know Trump is a coward who shies away from any real responsibility, for anything);
d) the military chain of command accepts such orders (and from the secretary of defense on down, which given the professional status of the US officer corps, is extremely unlikely); and
e) the military being assigned to such duty accepts it (and the US military, as an institution, abhors being used for law enforcement functions).

So, no, actually.

[PearliePoo2]

35. You are very knowledgeable and versed in these matters!

May I ask please?

Are you active or a retired, career military officer?

[RHMerriman]

39. Veteran and an informed citizen...

Veteran and an informed citizen...

Keep asking yourself ... what happens when Trump is actually confronted?

He folds. Every time.

[Pathwalker]

36. Well, I won't be holding my breath on it not happening.

I hope you're right, but the Repukes are so deep in tRump's back pocket, they might just give him that power before the new congress takes over.

[RHMerriman]

43. Except the GOP electeds belong to their donors, who are most definitely NOT

Except the GOP electeds belong to their donors, who are most definitely NOT Trump and his supporters.

The people with real money value stability, and stupid decisions by Trump that threaten stability will be ignored. Trump is a tool, just lik Nixon was, and Trump will be dropped just like Nixon was when was no longer a useful tool.

[PearliePoo2]

49. Well, there was THIS. Kent State, May 4th 1970. And I remember it.

[True Blue American]

54. And long before that

We had Union busting and the Pinkerton’s.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_union_busting_in_the_United_States

[Duppers]

63. Exactly!

[True Blue American]

80. Jim Rhodes, Governor

Called the Guard in. The students were protesting Cambodia. Look who was President.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_State_shootings

[Duppers]

81. I remember the day.

Kent State

[True Blue American]

83. So do I

It was horrible. Compared to the mass shootings today, it was only 4. But the young are really angry now at the do nothings in Congress.

It is a scary time for the old white men in Congress. That is why they are screeching, trying to do as much harm as they can. While they can. Thank goodness for the millions of old white men on our side. The women,the young.

[RHMerriman]

92. Yeah, and as tragic as Kent State was, it took place against the backdrop of:

a) the Vietnam War;
b) an active draft;
c) an active anti-war movement;
d) an active anti-draft movement;
e) etc.

All of which are not present in 2018.

Same with Jackson State, of course.

In an era where everyone can broadcast live new footage from their smart phone, there is not an elected official in this country who is going to order Guard personnel to intervene in a political demonstration.

[True Blue American]

105. Trump is arrogant

And dumb enought to try. But his mouth gets away from his brain so his threats are forgotten the next minute.

[RHMerriman]

112. Yep; plus he's also a coward and doesn't want to be held responsible for anything

Yep; plus he's also a coward and doesn't want to be held responsible for anything.

[PufPuf23]

101. What about the Bonus Army?

The Bonus Army hits all your points except a). The protests in 1932 were legal to start.

"The Bonus Army were the 43,000 marchers—17,000 U.S. World War I veterans, their families, and affiliated groups—who gathered in Washington, D.C. in the summer of 1932 to demand cash-payment redemption of their service certificates. Organizers called the demonstrators the "Bonus Expeditionary Force", to echo the name of World War I's American Expeditionary Forces, while the media referred to them as the "Bonus Army" or "Bonus Marchers". The contingent was led by Walter W. Waters, a former sergeant.

Many of the war veterans had been out of work since the beginning of the Great Depression. The World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924 had awarded them bonuses in the form of certificates they could not redeem until 1945. Each certificate, issued to a qualified veteran soldier, bore a face value equal to the soldier's promised payment compound interest. The principal demand of the Bonus Army was the immediate cash payment of their certificates.

On July 28, U.S. Attorney General William D. Mitchell ordered the veterans removed from all government property. Washington police met with resistance, shots were fired and two veterans were wounded and later died. President Herbert Hoover then ordered the Army to clear the marchers' campsite. Army Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur commanded the infantry and cavalry supported by six tanks. The Bonus Army marchers with their wives and children were driven out, and their shelters and belongings burned.
A second, smaller Bonus March in 1933 at the start of the Roosevelt administration was defused in May with an offer of jobs with the Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort Hunt, Virginia, which most of the group accepted. Those who chose not to work for the CCC by the May 22 deadline were given transportation home.[1] In 1936, Congress overrode President Roosevelt's veto and paid the veterans their bonus nine years early."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army

[RHMerriman]

103. DC is federal territory, and 1932 predated DC Home Rule by four decades...

DC is federal territory, and 1932 predated DC Home Rule by four decades...

Plus, the officer corps of 1932 sure as hell ain't the officer corps of 2018.

[PufPuf23]

108. Eisenhower and Patton as well as MacArthur

were officers central to the action. They are American war heroes.

So Posse Comitatus does not apply to DC?

Just thinking about what occurred in 1932 with "good guys" (Hoover had some good points but turned out a failed POTUS).

[RHMerriman]

110. In 1932? Probably not, actually; the DC police could not have coped with the size of the Bonus Army

In 1932? Probably not; the DC police could not have coped with the size of the Bonus Army presence, there was very little in terms of a federal law enforcement "emergency" force at the ready (unlike today), and even the DC Guard would have been pretty small; even today it's less than 4,000 strong, and in 1930 there were 100,000 fewer residents of the District than there are today.

Eisenhower and Patton both argued against using the active army as riot troops, I believe; I'd have to look it up, but this was MacArthur's decision. Having said that, Patton died right after VE Day, but DDE did order the 101st Airborne into Little Rock and federalized the Arkansas NG, so I have a hard time seeing him ordering troops to engage peaceful protesters.

Likewise, it is worth considering the record of Major General Sherman T. Clinger, Adjutant General of Arkansas in 1957, during the integration of Central High. When the Guard was under the governor's control, he followed orders; when the Guard was federalized, he also followed orders. In both cases, the Arkansas NG did not use force against anyone.

Again, the US military has a deep institutional opposition to being used in law enforcement tasks, and as political enforcers.

[PufPuf23]

121. Look at the wiki. MacArthur, Eisenhower, and Patton were all directly

involved in the actions against the Bonus Army.

I tend to look at all three, especially Eisenhower, as "good guys" but not perfect. Eisenhower was inaugurated the week prior to my birth so he was the POTUS for the first 8 years of my life. Think Eisenhower was one of the best POTUS in the 20th century.

Tough situation. Later early when Roosevelt was POTUS there was a similar protest that was important to the beginnings of the CCC and WPA. CCC is part of my family history and was a positive influence in my home town and where I now reside in age.

[RHMerriman]

122. True, but MacArthur chose to take command... it's also worth noting that

True, but MacArthur chose to take command... it's also worth noting that incidents that include the Bonus March are exactly WHY the US military remains so reluctant to become involved in law enforcement missions. It's also worth noting the fatalities that occurred during the Bonus March incidents that can be laid directly to the use of deadly force by the authorities amounted to two men shot by DC police officers; no gunshots were fired by the Army during the entire incident, and tear gas was used specifically as a non-lethal agent. There was one fatality due to smoke inhalation, however.

For dispersing a crowd in 1932, that's downright progressive, especially compared to Blair Mountain or Ludlow; certainly a better record than at Kent State, as well.

The piece below seems balanced; I try to avoid wikipedia.

[link:http://www.historynet.com/the-bonus-army-war-in-washington.htm|]

The quote regarding Patton seems appropriate:

Patton, a man who revered duty, had mixed emotions, calling it a ‘most distasteful form of service.’ Within months he criticized the Army’s tactics, believing they violated every precept of how to handle civil unrest. Still, he commended both sides: ‘It speaks volumes for the high character of the men that not a shot was fired. In justice to the marchers, it should be pointed out that had they really wanted to start something, they had a great chance here, but refrained.’ And while Patton was disgusted that ‘Bolsheviks’ were in the mix, he considered most of the Bonus Army ‘poor, ignorant men, without hope, and without really evil intent.’

[Blue_true]

23. Why don't we fucking vote and put it out of reach.

Please stop planning for protests when we haven't executed Step 1.

[MariaCSR]

82. THANK YOU.

[spanone]

24. he cheats every way possible in every thing he does....no surprise

[kairos12]

26. This tactic is completely predictable.

[elleng]

27. There is not AN election, there are HUNDREDS of elections,

congressional as well as state, in case people haven't noticed, so feeding trump's ego this way serves little purpose other than confusing the uninformed. We don't need more of THAT.

[liberal N proud]

29. IMO: trump never has plans to never leave the white house

He is setting this nation up for a coup.

But that is just my opinion and fear.

[RHMerriman]

34. Coup only works when there is power behind it

No one with real power is going to go down with Trump.

[True Blue American]

58. Trump is

A paper tiger. Not enough guts to pull that off. Not enough followers,either.

[RHMerriman]

93. Exactly.

Exactly.

[Gothmog]

32. trump can only win by cheating

We need to be prepared to protest these efforts like crazy

[PearliePoo2]

41. Remember in the debate how he never answered the question if he would accept the results of 2016?

Then he made the ridiculous, bullshit claim that 3 million people voted ILLEGALLY in California and he set up a commission to investigate nationwide?

He already said yesterday that he will be watching this election very carefully. He's setting it up and sowing the seeds. Expect more of this!

[MFM008]

44. This time it wont be close

we got our ballots yesterday,
we are rushing them to the drop off boxes.
People are spitting mad.

[Blue_true]

94. Yep. Let's wipe the floor with their asses at the polls.

Terrify that orange asshole with powerful numbers and restrain him until we defeat him soundly in 2020. Don't count on Mueller, count on ourselves.

[getagrip_already]

45. Remember - he can't do this alone - he needs state ag's and gov's on board....

Hitler didn't rule alone either. There are thousands of monsters helping this regime and they all need to go.

[PearliePoo2]

46. It could very well be that control of the House could go into the wee hours of the night.

It might all hinge on California where the polls close at 8 pm Pacific (11 pm Eastern)

I better take a nap early in the day!

My guts are already now a mess! I haven't bitten my fingernails since I was in grade school, but they will be gone Tuesday night, I'm sure!

[George II]

48. If that's the case I almost wish we win by only a few seats (but that won't happen)...

...just to let him try it. That would be the end of him. Period.

[erronis]

50. Great thread with lots of sub-threads. And a special hat tip to RH Merriman

Who seems to have a clear-eyed view of these matters.

[PearliePoo2]

52. Yes, we all need to welcome RH Merriman to DU!

And hope he/she continues to post and contribute their knowledge!

[RHMerriman]

97. Thanks, and back at ya!

Thanks, and back at ya!

[RHMerriman]

96. Thank you for the kind words

I try. Perhaps I am a "premature" anti-fascist, as was my the source of my monicker, but one deals with the hand one is dealt.

[berni_mccoy]

57. This would lead the country to civil war

[Duppers]

65. 🔼 THAT is EXACTLY my fear.

When you know how crazy his weapons-carrying base is.

[Hortensis]

59. PearliePoo, with respect, don't be a trumpian tool.

We would protest in the streets peaceably if it came to it, but the constitution, the courts and the rule of order are on our side. At state and federal levels.

(For you personally, please give thought to the reality that the very LAST thing we would want to do would be for the systems 330,000,000 people depend on for life itself to shut down the nation and the courts. That is the gravest, most existential danger all Americans must fear. But if you do find yourself rushing to destruction with hundreds of thousands of others, by all means carry a backpack with survival supplies, including some kind of water filtration and refillable bottles. You might never get home again.)

[PearliePoo2]

75. I'm praying all the guardrails willhold (and I'm an atheist) As you said, the courts, Constitution..

and rule of order are (hopefully) still on our side.

But the courts at all levels are already being filled with RWNJ picks. I feel like we're truly in uncharted waters.

YES, of course, to peaceful protest!

But if crowds turned out in the millions, as we did in the Women's March and millions were in Washington D.C. in the streets, can you see a scenario where they were TOLD TO DISPERSE for National Security reasons?
And what if they DIDN'T obey that order?
What might happen next? Things can escalate in a second by stupid people making BAD decisions.

Could someone decide to use tear gas? Water Cannons? Rubber bullets?

This could play out in cities all over the country.

We've never been here before. This is not a normal President. These are not normal times.

Thank you for concerns about my well being (survival backpack and supplies)

But Jeez, being called a "trumpian tool" is a little harsh! I had to swallow hard on THAT one!

[safeinOhio]

62. The tide is a rolling in for trump

Saudi Arabia, trade war, convictions of his pals, tax cuts are failing, Mueller and on and on.
I'm not good at predictions, but I'll keep saying You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet.

[red dog 1]

64. This is downright scary!

Let's all hope that the midterms are NOT "close"



K&R, thanks for posting

[cstanleytech]

74. Nixon used lying and untruths so its not exactly accurate to say we have never had such a President.

[PearliePoo2]

79. Yes, Nixon was a lying, paranoid asshole but he wasn't stupid.

Trump IS stupid.

Plus, it was the Republicans who came to Nixon and said, "The jig is up".

I may be wrong, but I don't think there are presently any Republicans, as there were then, who would tell trump, "it's time to go."

[Kablooie]

76. It may take a new civil war to get rid of Trump.

[Doodley]

77. If there's a blue wave in the house and Dems get 50 Senate seats, Trump knows his days are numbered

Republican lawmakers will see him as a n electoral liability. He will be a lame duck and will know Republicans will turn on him. He is desperate.

[Cha]

84. Of course.. I would expect NOTHING MORE

from that POS putin wannabe FASCIST ASSHOLE.

[Initech]

86. This is so fucked up. I just want this nightmare to end!

[KCDebbie]

90. All Democratic candidates should be prepared to challenge election results if they "lose"...

And defend against election result challenges from republicans if they WIN!

[Retrograde]

99. That's why it's important to pack the courts

[struggle4progress]

106. Constitution Article I Section 5 Paragraph 1

Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members ...

[Grasswire2]

107. My prediction? A shock and awe multi-faceted "event" from Trump team.

More than one facet.

False flag MOBs.

Someone gets killed.

Chaos at some polling sites.

I believe it's all planned out. Gamed out. Workshopped, as they say.

Chaos demanding that he speak from the WH.

Chaos demanding that he call in some national guard somewhere, perhaps.

His instinct is for THEATER, DRAMA.

Get ready, people.

[Separation]

109. This is terrifying

I cant believe that I am alive in a period of time, where people in the future will say, "That's were Americans should have done something about Donald Trump".

Its like being a German in the early 1930's.

[treestar]

113. They are many separate

Elections. This would have to be in states. And he would “declare victory “ regardless of the results.

[drray23]

114. That's complete nonsense.

The federal government does not have any say whatsoever. It is the states which certify the elections.

[Progressive Jones]

116. He won't like what happens next if he tries this. He will drown in the flood from the shitstorm. nt

[Bettie]

117. I've been saying this for months

and hoping that I was wrong.

I suspect that they are not freaking out about a blue wave because they intend to invalidate the whole thing and stop having elections.

[Takket]

123. He can't declare anything.

He has no authority to do so. Congressional elections are not run by the White House, certified by the White House, nor do they require any sort of approval or consent by the White House.

Also the White House does not set the date for swearing in nor can it issue and order to change the date or stop the process.

And if you want to know how SCOTUS feels about certifying elections and timing for lawsuits and disputes effecting them, well there is already MAJOR precident for that. See Bush vs Gore

Finally, read post 106.

Now, yes, I’m sure drumpf is going to say some dumb ass stuff and threaten some billshit. But come January those elected Nov 6 ARE going to be seated.

[Joe941]

125. It if far past time for him to be removed from office.