Charles P. Pierce: Here's an Electoral College Prediction You Can Take to the Bank

[babylonsister]

I also predict their fear will trump their bravery.

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a51562/electoral-college-trump-revenge/

Here's an Electoral College Prediction You Can Take to the Bank

Republicans who vote against Trump will taste his vengeance.
By Charles P. Pierce
Dec 14, 2016


I don't believe that the creaky, antiquated creature that is the Electoral College is going to save us from the onrushing catastrophe. This is largely because it will take 37 brave souls to make a difference, and I don't know if there are 37 principled political actors left in American politics these days. (I refer anyone bothered by this assertion to Tomlin's Law: No matter how cynical you are, it's never enough to keep up.)

However, I believe this story entirely. From Salon:

"We have gotten reports from multiple people," the elector said, "that the Donald Trump campaign is putting pressure on Republican electors to vote for him based on . . . future political outcomes based on whether they vote for Donald Trump or not." The elector emphasized that these reports had come straight from the Republican electors themselves, with the threats steering clear of violence but instead focusing on "career pressure." "It's all political, basically," the elector said. "If Trump becomes the president, he's going to be able to put pressure on the state parties and they won't be involved anymore."

Given what we already know about the predilections of hackers from the land of the Rus, I'm wondering if there aren't other forms of pressure available to the Trump forces beyond the ability to disinvite people from the Mason County Republican Pig Roast next summer. At this point, nothing really would surprise me.

[kentuck]

1. I'm afraid you are right, Charlie.

We are on a collision course with fate.

It doesn't matter what we do - nothing will change the direction we are going.

Bend over, put your head between your legs, and kiss your ass good bye.

There is not going to be anyone brave enough to intervene in this tragedy we know is coming.

[GoCubsGo]

2. Wish I could disagree with him.

We are so fucked.

[Silent3]

3. Even though I agree the odds of the EC saving us from Trump are low...

...I can see it happening if there's enough anti-Trump sentiment that the electors feel they'll have enough company among their fellow electors to pull off getting Trump below 270.

While that in and of itself doesn't defeat Trump, it creates the "there's blood in the water" conditions that would embolden House Republicans to vote against Trump too. And if Clinton is smart about this, she'll implore Democrats to vote not for herself, but for the non-Trump Republican candidate, so it only takes a few anti-Trump Republicans in the House joined with all of those Democrats to defeat Trump.

If the odds of defeating Trump seem high, then Trump's threat is a hollow threat, and not so much of that rare commodity, bravery, is needed.

[Kotya]

4. Republican electors will not only vote for Donald Trump,

They will do so enthusiastically.

Article after article, thread after thread, where are all these liberals getting the notion that Republican electors are somehow morally troubled about voting for Donald Trump? Rest assured, they're not. The GOP will enter Washington DC early next year the most powerful it has ever been; in control of a majority of statehouses, state legislatures, the senate, the house and the presidency. A vacancy on the Supreme Court and three liberal justices 78 or older.

State electors are partisan Republicans. They don't care that Hillary won the popular vote. They don't care about allegations of Russian funny business. Donald Trump is forming the most conservative cabinet this country has ever seen and everyone one with an (R) after their name, from the President down to the local dog catcher is salivating at the opportunity to undo decades of progressive legislation.

Honestly, I'll be surprised if there is more than a single faithless GOP elector.

[Hortensis]

5. Democrats have principled political actors. One who

received more than 2.8 million more popular votes, for instance.

PLEASE STOP THE INTELLECTUALLY AND MORALLY BANKRUPT FALSE EQUIVALENCIES.

I know they've been ground into our brains by constant media repetition, but they're poison.

America has one party that, considering the rampant corruption all around, is still functionally clean and trying to serve the people. That is the Democratic Party.

The Republican Party has been virtually completely corrupted and has been taken over by right-wing extremists, both secular and religious.

[babylonsister]

6. Seems we know the difference between

right and wrong. It's so disheartening to see so many don't care and embrace what won't be good for any of us.

[Hortensis]

7. Shocking. The corruption of the Republican Party

absolutely includes its voters. MOST have gone right out of their minds with vicious irrational partisanship.

[kentuck]

8. If the electors fail our country...

then the Senate is our last hope. With only 3 Republicans, Democrats could defeat Trump's plans. That is my hope.

[Hortensis]

10. Same here. Do expect the electors to fail their duty.

[nini]

9. I agree

People of integrity and guts are hard to find anymore.