The Election Rejectionists - WSJ Editorial (written before the infamous phone call)

[question everything]

(snip)

The leading culprit here is Mr. Trump, who as always refuses to accept responsibility for defeat. Recall that he also claimed the Iowa caucus result was stolen in 2016 when he lost to Ted Cruz. He’s now spinning conspiracy theories and election falsehoods daily on Twitter. He doesn’t seem to care what damage he does in promoting the myth of his victory.

The damage is spreading as Mr. Trump puts pressure on other Republicans to take up his lost cause. A dozen Senators have issued a statement demanding an Electoral Commission that would investigate claims of fraud and report within 10 days. The plan is to persuade state legislatures to overrule their Dec. 14 Electoral College certifications for Joe Biden. Throw the election into the House and Mr. Trump might salvage a second term.

Note that the Senators in their statement don’t allege specific acts of fraud. Instead they cite “allegations of fraud and irregularities” that feed “deep distrust” of the results—distrust they and the President are feeding. The courts have rejected every Trump campaign attempt to intervene in the state results, often by judges appointed by the President. Mr. Trump’s lawyers make charges in public that they won’t even bring to a court, perhaps because they know there are penalties for speaking falsely before judges.

(snip)

In our view this week’s exercise is also unconstitutional. The text of the original charter, elaborated by the 12th Amendment, gives state legislatures the power to appoint electors. The Vice President is charged to open the votes to be counted—nothing more. The Electoral Count Act of 1887, which the House and Senate will act upon, is unconstitutional in giving Congress the ability to second-guess those state decisions. In stretching this law for a partisan exercise, Republicans are also giving Democrats more ammunition to use in their campaign to overturn the Electoral College in favor of a direct popular vote.

(snip)

Some may figure the vote Wednesday is merely symbolic; they can show solidarity with Mr. Trump’s voters and dodge a primary challenge in 2022. Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz are making their own presidential calculations for 2024. But the cost of this showboating will be more political cynicism, and a precedent that Democrats are sure to exploit in the aftermath of some future close election. This is also a lousy political strategy for returning to power. By indulging Mr. Trump, Republicans are helping him divide the party and remain as a potential kingmaker. This could hurt what should be their very good chance to retake the House in 2022. As for 2024, good luck trying to court his support. He could run again for the nomination or, if he lost, run out of spite as a third-party candidate and guarantee a victory for Kamala Harris.

More..

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-election-rejectionists-11609713506 (subscription)

[TexasJeff]

1. Abandoning reality and Your constituents

This IS the heading I used to contact My Congressman from Texas Jody Arrington , both Senators Cruz and Cornyn . I think we need a new political move , Democratic Congress 2024 , we must doggedly pursue the election of Dems starting now. Our children and grandchildrens' future is at peril . This Country has NEVER seen the likes of liars and thieves in High places . They do as they as they want in public ,using their positions of power to keep it and their lies become the truth .Unfortunately, for America, half of us believe the lies and are teaching our kids to go along. We half to take action for the truth.