Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Somehow, I don't think they'll have the stones

"The election of our next President is not over. On Nov. 8, voters chose electors who will on Dec. 19 meet in their respective states to vote for President.

Our Founding Fathers created what we now call the Electoral College to protect our country against the precise danger we now face: a demagogue who has manipulated and bullied voters, exploited fears and now threatens the very foundation of our republic.

The electors have an obligation to think deeply about the sanctity of our democracy and the national interest — and they are sworn to vote not for the most popular candidate in their state, or any party candidate for that matter, but for the individual who they think will best protect the nation and the Constitution.

The electors can save us by choosing a highly qualified Republican who respects our noble traditions, values and laws.

The public reaction after Nov. 8 — including spontaneous protests, but also widespread shock and revulsion from highly respected voices — is unusual for the depth of despair it expresses about what looks like the potential end of an inclusive, benevolent America. Most Americans are not sore losers (we have all accepted electoral losses in the past), but they fear that the election of a demagogue will bring the constitutional order to the brink of failure.

Donald Trump’s flagrant attacks on veterans, judges, generals, journalists, minorities and women make him a hateful divider, rather than the benevolent unifier all Presidents have sought to be, until now. Trump’s selections of extreme figures for his administration, his refusal to recuse himself from his personal business interests, his continued attacks on critics (including the actors in “Hamilton”) and his unwillingness to renounce incidents of hate and intolerance since his election show that he likely will not even try to be a President for more than his limited core of supporters.

The Electoral College must perform its constitutional role, providing a check against tyranny. In his authoritative explanation during the ratification of the constitution, Alexander Hamilton explained: The electors should “vote for some fit person as President.” They were not required to choose the most popular figure, and they were expected to resist the “heats and ferments” assembling behind “any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications.”

Our current electors must fulfill their clear constitutional duty of denying a unqualified demagogue..."

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/tulis-levinson-suri-hail-mary-defeat-donald-trump-article-1.2882315

20 comments:

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

Good luck with that plan (ed, that was sarcasm, just to reassure you I am not championing they actually do this).

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

Donald Trump's first act as president should be to have those three guys beheaded.

deborah said...

lol to both...

winky-poo to ed.

Amartel said...

Failure to prosecute Clinton: Unfortunate but not unexpected. Doesn't want to set a precedent. A strong and independent AG could still go after her. The bitch sold us all out, literally, and provided access to national secrets due to her need to remain unaccountable.

Methadras said...

I think I can come to live with it. Yeah, well, no. It's bullshit and i think it's going to backfire on him. If an independent AG gives him a recommendation to prosecute and he still says no. It'll be tough to wash his hands on that one. I understand the politics, but his presidency was supposed to be about not falling in line with rote politics.

Trooper York said...

You just described Jeff Sessions.

I think everyone should just take a breath. Remember the Anthony Weiner case? It still has to be adjudicated and there will be plenty of revelations to come. The case will go to a grand jury unless Weiner pleads out and you know he will only do that if he gets a deal. So it is way to quick to jump to conclusions.

It looks like there will not be a special prosecutor. Which is disappointing. The first step it to install a incourrptable honest FBI director and let the investigation commence. James Kallstrom springs to mind. Then the investigation into Weiner, Huma, the emails and the Clinton foundation will continue. What develops will I think lead to a possible grand jury indictment of Hillary without a special prosecutor.

Then I think Trump will pardon her. I mean he will go on television and list all of her crimes and misdemeanor and rub her face in it. Then offer her a pardon. If she takes it she admits it. That is how Trump will handle it. Public humiliation. But most likely no incarceration.

Plus Hillary is very, very sick. So I don't even know if she will live long enough to be prosecuted.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

I was hoping Trump would just hint at it so Obama pardoned her on the way out. The issue is resolved and she is branded a pardoned politician.

Even if he says he won't pursue her, what about the Clinton Foundation? That criminal enterprise is still going (albeit with way less in "donations" post election).

Trooper York said...

Trump does not have the power to stop an ongoing investigation in New York and by the FBI. If what is in the press is true (which you always have to question because they want to protect Hillary) then he is not going to go after her directly by appointing a special prosecutor. I guess for a lot of reasons. But that doesn't mean if credible evidence of wrongdoing comes out that it will not be followed up by the Justice Department.

That is why Hillary is shitting her Depends. This is not Eric Holder. This is not Jemima Lynch. This is Jeff Sessions. He is not going to cover it up if there is something there. So lets see what is there. Then we can make a better choice as to whether they did the right thing.

Trooper York said...

I think that is reasonable.

For all the mooks pissing their pants and saying Trump is not being Presidential here is an instance where he is moderating his tone. Being like JebbieMcRubio. I don't agree with it and I think it is a mistake. But I don't trust the reports in the press and I think events have a life of their own. So lets wait a little and see what happens.

I would suggest to Hillary fans to not press the issue because Trump can turn on a dime. So if you piss him off he might change his mind. Just sayn'

edutcher said...

OK, this is weird. Nothing in the Constitution binds an elector to the candidate he claims to represent, but some states apparently do provide jail and fines for anybody who's feeling silly.

In 1820, James Monroe swept the country, but 1 elector didn't vote for him because he thought no President should have a rubber stamp.

Amartel said...

Failure to prosecute Clinton: Unfortunate but not unexpected.

A couple of things to consider. First, how ill is she really? If she's going to croak soon, it may be a waste of resources. And those resources could possibly be better spent in more pressing causes. Right now, the Slush Fund is drying up and she has a life of looking at the walls and her "husband", not to mention the brood mare when she brings the kids.

It also may be more trouble than it's worth; consider Jerry Ford pardoning Nixon (he had yet to be impeached), presumably with the aim of getting the country off the dime, rather than spending another couple of years fighting it out. Trump has set a busy agenda and he doesn't want to get sidetracked.

Second, is a deal involved? Lay off the Beast and we'll give you Sessions; doubtful, but you never know.

Evi L. Bloggerlady said...

Even if he says he won't pursue her, what about the Clinton Foundation? That criminal enterprise is still going (albeit with way less in "donations" post election).

A comment elsewhere also noted Conway only mentioned prosecution for the server. Influence peddling, etc., may still be on the table (OK, we'll back off if you tell the goon squads to cool it), so Troop has a point.

ricpic said...

They're reduced to ad hominem attacks on Trump: bully; demagogue. Ad hominem is one of those terms where if you say it wrong it comes out ad hominemineminem.

Methadras said...

Well, I pretty much called it when I said that her concession phone call to Trump included that she wouldn't fight the results and that she would concede if he didn't prosecute her because I'll bet you that conversation was had.

Amartel said...

That sounds about right. He won't personally pursue her (the AG will, and NY) and she won't personally contest the results (her shock troops threatening the electors will).

deborah said...

Sample of one, but a female 20-something Hillary voter was put out by Hillary not showing up the nite of the election.

ndspinelli said...

I'm not in a position to criticize Trump. I merely voted for him. I didn't genuflect like the true believers. Just kidding.

You let the server felony slide, but go after the foundation, that will get all 3 Clinton's and some cronies as well. If he doesn't do that. Well, then he's just the blowhard, lying, asshole NYer we all, well almost all, knew he was. Sessions appoints a Special Prosecutor and does the hand flip casino dealers do to show all they're not palming any chips. That's the right way to handle this.

ndspinelli said...

And make the Special Prosecutor a respected Democrat who hates the Clinton's. Turley comes to mind.

deborah said...

Mebbe, but I told the girl she was too shocked, and did not have the emotional strength to appear...girl looked a bit dubious, but that is what I believe.

ndspinelli said...

No excuse. All candidates are emotionally shocked when they lose. You get your drooping Twazzie out there to speak to the people who worked their asses off, who are also shocked and hurting, and thank them. You don't send out your weasel pedophile assistant to lie to them. He said "We're still counting votes, don't give up" as she was drunk dialing Trump to concede. Classless and entitled, it encapsulates why she lost.

deborah said...

I know, I know, just further proof she lacked the drive and health to be pres...a narrow escape, indeed. Thank you director Comey.

MamaM said...



I'm with you on that one ND.

Attributing Hillary's inability to show up for her supporters as a "lack of emotional strength" sounds like a winky-poo way of accounting for what was more likely to have been an intense rage response that left her drained and ultimately drugged.

Did anyone ask the dubious young girl who was old enough to vote for Hillary for her opinion on what happened? I'd be curious to hear her account for that dropped ball.