I'm glad that people are thinking about this. Trump has shown a willingness to violate democratic norms about the election & the smooth transition in power. We take it for granted, but the first time the president's political party changed they called it a "revolution" & still do
I wrote about Trump's authoritarianism, conspiracy & his refusal to say if he'd accept the results of the election, the election would be rigged in my book. Here's a excerpt that covers a part of it, but I couldn't fit everything in one piece: theguardian.com/us-news/2020/j…
The key things here are: the language of conspiracy is "self sealing," meaning it cannot be pierced. Evidence isn't allowed to count against it.
And, Trump's followers believe that democracy is broken. It's more democratic to break the "phoney rules" than to follow them.
And, Trump's followers believe that democracy is broken. It's more democratic to break the "phoney rules" than to follow them.
Trump's followers are in the minority in the US, but they control the majority of state legislatures.
If the election isn't clearly a blow out, Trump will deny he lost. Will Republicans support his challenge? It will depend on how popular Trump is in Nov/how miserable we are.
If the election isn't clearly a blow out, Trump will deny he lost. Will Republicans support his challenge? It will depend on how popular Trump is in Nov/how miserable we are.
He joked in 2016 about canceling the election & just giving him the presidency. He doesn't care about democracy. He doesn't care about the democratic process. He only cares about winning. And he's dangerous.
Why is Roger Stone free? Not just because he didn't roll on Trump. It's also because he rigged the Bush v Gore recount. He's the one who told Trump to say that the 2016 election was going to be "rigged." He had a plan for what Trump should do if he lost in 2016.
I think it's really important that the election run smoothly so no one on either side can claim that the outcome isn't real.
And, with the virus it's going to be really difficult for the election to run smoothly. I can explain the rhetoric, but I can't protect the process.
And, with the virus it's going to be really difficult for the election to run smoothly. I can explain the rhetoric, but I can't protect the process.
Make sure you're registered to vote. And your friends/neighbors.
How is your state planning for election safety?
Make sure you understand your state's voting rules.
Sign up to work the election/be a poll watcher.
How is your state planning for election safety?
Make sure you understand your state's voting rules.
Sign up to work the election/be a poll watcher.
this is how I end the book (spoiler, I guess) 
