Maddow is discussing the plans for the Trump admin's

[Nexus2]

plans to forestall the election and install Trump via the electoral college now

[BigmanPigman]

1. The Atlantic article is scary!!!! Chris Hayes covered it too.

I wish I didn't kust hit my paywall with The Atlantic, I want to save this for reference and planning.

This is scary shit! I have no doubt the fucking moron, GOP and Putin will do all of this.

[LovingA2andMI]

2. Hate to say it outloud...

And some won't like it, others dismiss it -- but there won't be an election 11/3. The Coup is happening sadly before our eyes. Be Prepared.

[Hoyt]

3. Hope she apologizes for spreading BS when Biden wins. Maddow

and a few others got me through bush years, but I can’t watch the hysteria. For last 4 months, I’ve been almost exclusively watching CNN.

[fishwax]

5. I mean, I don't think you should watch if it doesn't push the right buttons for you

but I think it's inaccurate to describe what she was saying as hysteria, and I think it's silly to suggest it would warrant an apology when Biden wins. She's not saying it's inevitable. She's covering the story that they've got those plans. And as Adam Schiff said towards the end of her program, it's a story worth covering.

That they're going to try it--particularly in the event of a close election (imagine what tricks team trump might try to pull in a Florida 2000 type situation)--doesn't mean that they'll get away with it.

Anyone worried about the prospects should consider donating to the DNC (perhaps here) or the Biden campaign (perhaps here). Then make plans to vote, maybe volunteer at the polls if they can, and encourage their friends and family to vote.

Anyone not worried about the prospects, of course, should do the same.

I don't think the stories are cause for panic, and certainly not for helplessness. And I think helplessness should be addressed wherever it appears. But I also don't think the anger and frustration and fear in response to these stories are cause for panic either. I don't think Rachel covering this is going to hurt Biden's chances.

[Hoyt]

7. Agree with donations and voting. The rest is what trump wants.

[LW1977]

4. Your concern is noted.

[TomCADem]

6. This Underscores The Importance to GOTV for The Senate As Well!

I would not put anything pass Trump regarding the Atlantic story about the Trump campaign trying to explore ways to bypass election results. However, this does not apply to Senate races. The 17th Amendment provides that Senators are election by the popular vote of each state. There is no theoretical opportunity to bypass the popular vote:

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

This also might be why some Republicans like Ben Sasse have called for the repeal of the 17th Amendment.

Nonetheless, the one real check on Trump being able to hijack the Presidency by convincing Republican Governors and Legislatures of throw out the popular vote is to elect a Democratic Senate.

Far from suppressing the vote, we should use this news to campaign harder for Senate seats, because Trump and Republicans might be tempted to try to hold on to power if they think that they will not be held accountable.