Thread by @joshgerstein

Important point since Giuliani is arguing right now for 'canceling of these ballots'....almost 700,000 the Trump campaign says were counted w/inadequate observation....

https://twitter.com/neal_katyal/status/1328805347205779460

Another atty for SOS Boockvar, Mark Aronchick, just quoted Saylor's dissent from PA Supreme Court ruling where he said ballots shouldn't be thrown out even if observers were mistreated

Here's my report from inside the modest courthouse in a central PA city of 28,000 where Giuliani is trying to rescue the Trump campaign's foundering effort to challenge the election results politico.com/news/2020/11/1…

Aronchick again says Giuliani's call to void 600,000 or perhaps 1.2 million votes based on alleged observer issues is 'disgraceful'

I said above that Aronchick, who keeps taking shots at Giuliani, is repping Boockvar but actually he's repping six counties named as defendants in the suit

Aronchick is now accusing the Trump campaign of hypocrisy, noting that when Jill Stein went to federal court in 2016 to challenge the PA election results, Trump lawyers told her the case belonged in state court

Aronchick urging Brann not to hold the evidentiary hearing planned for Thursday, saying it would turn into a 'circus'

We are taking a 10 minute recess

We're back in Williamsport. Lawyers for individual counties being sued have a chance to speak now.

David Zionts is arguing for civil rights groups and voters that Trump campaign should've brought their suit before the election and case should now be barred by doctrine of 'laches'

Judge is asking why 6.8 million votes should be thrown out because of alleged irregularities. "Can you tell me how this result can possibly be justified?" Brann asked

Giuliani says they're not asking to throw out all the votes, just around 680,000 from Pittsburgh and Philly. He acknowledges it's a "draconian" remedy. "As far as we’re concerned, your honor, those ballots could have been for Mickey Mouse."

Giuliani is defending himself, saying he has read Judge Brann's opinion from before the election. But I think the allegation was that he didn't read an opinion from Judge Ranjan in Pittsburgh

Judge is giving Trump side a pretty hard time, about where their complaint claims fraud and why they're not suing the counties where the plaintiffs who were denied cure

If this was the Manafort courthouse, we'd be 90 minutes into that time when it was the reverse roach motel, you could check out but not in. Not sure how they handle that here at this courthouse, where the only crowds usually are at the Social Security Office. No post office, tho

Kerns is saying without the differential curing policies "the results would have been very, very different." I'm not sure that's true. Has anyone seen statewide or big city numbers on how many ballots were cured? Do they exist?

Judge is moving on to 'ministerial' matters. Briefing timing. Rudy a tad confused, but Kerns steps in.

Now discussing voicemail message from Kirkland associate to Kerns. Judge says it was bad form, could be viewed as harassing, but says it's not sanctionable. Judge does seem pissed about people haranguing the attorneys

Brann: 'I don't know what's going on in this country. These individuals have a right to legal representation of their choice.'

Evidentiary hearing for Thurs is off. Judge: 'I don't think there's a need for a hearing at this juncture.'

Kerns notes her motion to withdraw remains pending. Judge asks her if she still wants to withdraw. She looks at Giuliani who quickly shakes his head no. She's going to think about it and says it is up to the client. Will get back to judge who will let her out if she asks again.

Judge says he's canceled evidentiary hearing, not continued it. That doesn't sound good for Trump campaign. After offering a series of restaurant reviews, he wraps hearing at 656PM