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GA, AZ and PA All Called for Biden: Now With 306 EV

Democrats have turned some major ruby red states blue: The media has now called Georgia (in addition to AZ and PA) for Joe Biden.

The Electoral Vote total is now 306-232.

Goodbye Red States, Goodbye Trumps, Welcome Biden/Harris, we've got a lot of damage to reverse and a lot to do. So let's get to work.

< The Cost of Donald Trump's Failure to Lead (to Him and Us) | Friday Open Thread: Let's Get to Work >
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    The jig is up. (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by KeysDan on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 03:00:16 PM EST
    DHS chief Chad Wolf, who is a model for sycophants world-wide, has defied Trump's order to fire his cyber-chief, who was, apparently, doing too good a job, and Trump can't have that.

    Wolf will be gone in 3,2,1...

    No, no, please. Don't make me (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by Peter G on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 03:11:29 PM EST
    have a kind thought about Chad Wolf. I couldn't stand the cognitive dissonance headache.

    Parent
    does that mean his trip (none / 0) (#11)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 06:56:05 PM EST
    to Latin America won't happen?

    Parent
    Tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon could be curtains (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Peter G on Mon Nov 16, 2020 at 10:12:58 PM EST
    for the Tr*mp Campaign's challenge to the PA vote.  The judge is going ahead with the scheduled hearing. Their case -- weak to the point of imaginary to begin with -- is totally falling apart. All their original lawyers have now moved to withdraw (perhaps fearing sanctions for filing a baseless case), but the federal judge (active in Republican politics before being appointed to the bench by Obama) denied the withdrawal motion as to one of them. Their new lawyer -- whose motion requesting more time was immediately denied -- is a conservative blowhard (local) talk radio host and former Santorum aide.

    The judge gave them another chance (none / 0) (#24)
    by Peter G on Tue Nov 17, 2020 at 07:58:19 PM EST
    to file briefs (by tomorrow at 5) to justify their case. But based on the judge's questions, I think the Tr*mp campaign's big Pennsylvania case is done for. Giuliani went to the federal courthouse in Williamsport, PA, to argue the case personally. Apparently his first appearance in any court since the early '90s. I listened in for a while to the live audiocast. Rudy was ridiculous in what he was saying, but surprisingly competent as a lawyer (except that he couldn't articulate the language of constitutional law that he was supposedly invoking). (Addendum for the lawyers: Rudy couldn't grasp what the judge meant by "strict scrutiny.")

    Parent
    WE WON THE PA CASE (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by Peter G on Sat Nov 21, 2020 at 06:36:25 PM EST
    Life-long Republican judge, nominated by Senator Toomey, rules in a strongly-worded 37-page opinion that the Tr*mp Campaign has no basis to challenge PA's election results. Case dismissed "with prejudice" (that is, any further attempt to amend is denied). Request for injunction against certifying the results of the election emphatically denied. Very proud of my ACLU-PA legal team which intervened in the case on behalf of LWV, NAACP et al. and their members, speaking as voters who opposed nullifcation of their votes.

    Parent
    It was an enjoyable read (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Nov 21, 2020 at 06:46:37 PM EST
    For a court document

    Parent
    Another lawsuit filed to stop certification (none / 0) (#30)
    by MO Blue on Sat Nov 21, 2020 at 08:40:34 PM EST
    Can PA certify its election results while lawsuits are outstanding?  Filed Saturday:

    A group of Republicans, including Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) are launching a lawsuit -- in the hopes of blocking the certification of Pennsylvania's election results -- that claims a state law passed in 2019 allowing for universal mail-in voting is unconstitutional. If that were the case, mail-in ballots would be invalidated, likely swinging the state back to President Trump.

    source


    Parent

    This case is even more frivolous. (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Peter G on Sat Nov 21, 2020 at 11:12:39 PM EST
    A challenge to announced voting procedures must be filed prior to the election. It cannot be held back until you see who won and who lost, and then deployed to invalidate millions of votes cast in good faith reliance on the law as enacted. It also happens that this PA law, when adopted, included a specified mechanism for challenging its validity -- within 30 days of enactment, and in the state Supreme Court. This new lawsuit was filed six months late, and in the wrong court. There is no reason to expect any judge of any court to issue an order delaying the certification of the vote while this case goes through the process of getting dismissed.

    Parent
    This whole thing is absurd (5.00 / 2) (#32)
    by MO Blue on Sun Nov 22, 2020 at 12:23:56 AM EST
    This assault on our country's democratic process is not just by Trump but by the Republican Party as a whole. Even if it fails this time around, it will not be the last time that they do this.

    If Biden sprouts the nonsense that we must look forward and not  hold them responsible, we can anticipate they will only be more successful next time.

    Parent

    The Tr*mp campaign has filed an appeal (none / 0) (#35)
    by Peter G on Sun Nov 22, 2020 at 10:48:14 PM EST
    of Saturday's Pennsylvania federal decision. In their motion to expedite the appeal, they state that the only aspect of the ruling they are appealing is the dealing of leave to file their second amended complaint. They are not asking the court of appeals to enjoin the certification of Pennsylvania's vote, which should happen not later than Wednesday, if not Monday. Apparently they don't challenge the dismissal of their First Amended Complaint. But almost all the fatal flaws of the now-dismissed complaint infect the proposed Second Amended Complaint as well. Kind of mystifying what they think (using that term loosely) they are up to.

    Parent
    Michigan certified the results (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by MO Blue on Mon Nov 23, 2020 at 04:03:05 PM EST
    The vote was 3-0 with one Republican abstaining

    Aaron Van Langevelde, the Republican vice chair of the board, voted with its two Democratic members, Democratic chair Jeannette Bradshaw and Julie Matuzak, to certify the results. Norman Shinkle, the other Republican member, abstained.

    "We have a clear legal duty to certify the results of the election as shown by the returns that were given to us. We cannot and should not go beyond that," Van Langevelde said in closing remarks before the vote. "John Adams once said, `we are a government of laws not men,' and this board must adhere to that principle today."

    The Hill

    Breathing much easier after this certification.

    Parent

    Pennsylvania results have now been (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by Peter G on Tue Nov 24, 2020 at 10:45:30 AM EST
    certified. Any court ruling after this would have to have the effect of overturning the result, rather than of disqualifying a few (or a lot of) ballots. That's asking a lot more of a court. It's over. We went out to the front yard a few minutes ago and took down our Biden-Harris sign.

    Parent
    64 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties (none / 0) (#41)
    by Peter G on Mon Nov 23, 2020 at 07:24:00 PM EST
    certified their results today (the deadline) to the State's Secretary. The others claimed they needed a few more days to finalize their counts. She will certify the state-wide result shortly (Wednesday, I think).

    Parent
    Federal court appeal of refusal to upset the PA (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Peter G on Fri Nov 27, 2020 at 01:24:39 PM EST
    results just got unanimously slapped down by an all-Republican 3-judge panel in a sharp but highly readable 21-page opinion, written by a Tr*mp nominee. Best line (of many pithy lines): "Voters, not lawyers, choose the President. Ballots, not briefs, decide elections." Begins with "calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here." Reiterates that point throughout. IMHO, they have no basis to petition the Supreme Court (again), not that that will stop them.

    Parent
    Last remaining challenge to the PA vote (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Peter G on Sat Nov 28, 2020 at 08:35:58 PM EST
    -- a wholesale challenge to our 2019 mail-in voting law -- has been dismissed with prejudice (legalese for finality) by the State Supreme Court, by party-line vote of 5-2. Actually, more like 7-0, since the two Rs would deny the attempt to dispute this year's election but allow the challenge to the validity of the 2019 law to go forward prospectively.

    Parent
    Bush v. Gore does not federalize every (none / 0) (#44)
    by oculus on Sat Nov 28, 2020 at 02:51:05 PM EST
    jot and tiddle of state election law.

    Parent
    that's "jot and tittle" actually (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by Peter G on Sat Nov 28, 2020 at 08:32:04 PM EST
    not "tiddle."  It's Biblical, Matthew 5:18.

    Parent
    For shame. And me, a PK. (none / 0) (#47)
    by oculus on Sat Nov 28, 2020 at 10:23:05 PM EST
    PK? Can't figure it out; my lack of imagination, (none / 0) (#48)
    by Peter G on Sun Nov 29, 2020 at 10:34:42 AM EST
    no doubt.  Protestant something? And when I say "Biblical," of course, I mean "King James Version."

    Parent
    Preacher's kid." (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by oculus on Sun Nov 29, 2020 at 01:38:07 PM EST
    Georgia's by-hand recount shows (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Peter G on Thu Nov 19, 2020 at 08:00:24 PM EST
    Biden-Harris winning the state by a statewide margin of under 12,500 votes out of nearly 5 million. About 1/4 of 1%. That's close. Can we say again, thank you, Stacey Abrams?

    We desperately need (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by MO Blue on Sun Nov 22, 2020 at 12:25:31 AM EST
    Stacey Abrams to work her magic for the Senate races.

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#34)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Nov 22, 2020 at 06:42:11 AM EST
    but I have to say the insider trading twins are doing a lot of damage to themselves and the GOP here in GA.

    Parent
    Republican voters, (none / 0) (#36)
    by MO Blue on Mon Nov 23, 2020 at 07:28:37 AM EST
    particularly Trump voters, really don't care if their politicians are corrupt.

    Parent
    Neither do the other republicans (none / 0) (#37)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Nov 23, 2020 at 10:02:45 AM EST
    "The leading theory in Washington is cowardice. Most political observers believe that for the last four years Republicans remained silent about Trump's chaotic incompetence and crass corruption out of trepidation. Whenever a Republican enables another Trump transgression, every liberal blue checkmark tweets `COWARD.' The sense among reporters is that Republicans don't like what Trump says or does, but if they speak up they will be tweeted out of the party."

    "This narrative is comforting because it implies that the Republican Party is not beyond repair -- they are just cowards, not bad people. Here's the problem: the events of the last few weeks make it crystal clear that this narrative is wrong. It is way too generous to the Republicans."

    "Cowards want to to do the right thing but are too afraid to do it. I do not believe the Republicans want to do the right thing and I do not believe they are concerned about the damage Trump is doing to our democracy. Ultimately what bothers them about Trump is not that he is a racist authoritarian. It's that he is a clumsy, incompetent racist authoritarian. The Republican supplication to Trump's whims -- before and after the election -- is not cowardice, it's calculation."

    So true
    My senator and your senator will probably duel to see who is the best at not being a clumsy incompetent racist authoritarian.  

    link

    Parent

    I wish that more people, (none / 0) (#38)
    by MO Blue on Mon Nov 23, 2020 at 11:58:58 AM EST
    especially the media, would recognize this. This IMO is key:

    The Republican supplication to Trump's whims -- before and after the election -- is not cowardice, it's calculation. Understanding the difference is critical. If we don't, we will not be prepared for the battles to come nor we will fully comprehend the very dire threat to democracy that the Republican Party poses.

    Yes, no question, my Senator wants to be a new and better Trump. Heaven help us if he succeeds.

    Parent

    It's not (none / 0) (#39)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Nov 23, 2020 at 03:37:51 PM EST
    the corruption. It is their ridiculous embrace of conspiracy theories. Sidney what's her name even got involved saying that Doug Collins lost the jungle primary because of voting machines. It's just nonsense after nonsense and the only sane appearing Republicans are Kemp, Raffensperger and Duncan. Of course the Trumpers are convinced that Kemp finagled the election for Biden here and Loeffler and Perdue are going along with every crazy thing the Trumpers are saying.

    Parent
    Another one bites the dust (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Nov 21, 2020 at 06:31:48 PM EST

    In a total loss the the Trump campaign, a federal district court in Pennsylvania has dismissed the most serious case brought by the campaign and denied the campaign a motion to file an amended complaint.

    The judge just excoriates this suit, which those of us in the field have called ridiculous from the start:


    In other words, Plaintiffs ask this Court to disenfranchise almost seven million voters. This Court has been unable to find any case in which a plaintiff has sought such a drastic remedy in the contest of an election, in terms of the sheer volume of votes asked to be invalidated. One might expect that when seeking such a startling outcome, a plaintiff would come formidably armed with compelling legal arguments and factual proof of rampant corruption, such that this Court would have no option but to regrettably grant the proposed injunctive relief despite the impact it would have on such a large group of citizens.

    That has not happened. Instead, this Court has been presented with strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations, unpled in the operative complaint and unsupported by evidence. In the United States of America, this cannot justify the disenfranchisement of a single voter, let alone all the voters of its sixth most populated state. Our people, laws, and institutions demand more. At bottom, Plaintiffs have failed to meet their burden to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Therefore, I grant Defendants' motions and dismiss Plaintiffs' action with prejudice.

    In a 37-page opinion, the court concluded:

    Defendants' motions to dismiss the First Amended Complaint are granted with prejudice. Leave to amend is denied. "Among the grounds that could justify a denial of leave to amend are undue delay, bad faith, dilatory motive, prejudice, and futility." Given that: (1) Plaintiffs have already amended once as of right; (2) Plaintiffs seek to amend simply in order to effectively reinstate their initial complaint and claims; and (3) the deadline for counties in Pennsylvania to certify their election results to Secretary Boockvar is November 23, 2020, amendment would unduly delay resolution of the issues. This is especially true because the Court would need to implement a new briefing schedule, conduct a second oral argument, and then decide the issues.

    link

    The new path to the WH (none / 0) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 02:22:47 PM EST
    Read this post (none / 0) (#7)
    by leap on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 03:46:55 PM EST
    about coincidences. Those silly "bellwether" whatevers (states, counties, cities) are just that. Silliness. Means nothing. But I suppose those whatevers gain some fame and riches, maybe.

    Parent
    ennie meanie chili beanie (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 02:49:40 PM EST
    The Orange is about to speak.

    He must have read my comment about how great it is to not hear his whiny voice for 8 days.

    His Excellency will hold an audience any moment.  

    I'm kind of looking forward to it.

    He seems to have gone grey (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 03:11:19 PM EST
    no doubt the stress of the office.

    Parent
    Seriously (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 03:17:16 PM EST
    This is more than lighting.  He has actually changed his hair color to grey I think.

    Parent
    Yes, (none / 0) (#8)
    by KeysDan on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 05:01:54 PM EST
    Apparently, it took a week to get the color just right.  But, the Trump's take a while for these things---Melania took a month for that "kidney thing".

    Parent
    I'm picturing Trump (none / 0) (#9)
    by jondee on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 06:13:28 PM EST
    having one last Trumpstock 2021 mass rally just before or just after he leaves office..

    Hannity and Bill Barr making Wavy Gravy-like announcements from the stage about a woman in the crowd who just gave birth to her twelfth child and warning people to avoid the brown chloroquine..

    Could be tomorrow (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 06:40:00 PM EST
    Trump supporters plan rallies in Washington DC, experts warn extremists may attend

    Love the mealy mouthed headline.  Extremists may attend.

    This and others around the country could get ugly.


    Parent

    I just read that 80+ % of Republicans (none / 0) (#12)
    by jondee on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 07:23:33 PM EST
    think Trump won.

    It's unfathomable to me. Maybe it shouldn't be, but it is.

    Right about now, I'm starting to think 'militarizing the police' might not be a bad idea in some circumstances.

    Parent

    Heartwarming (none / 0) (#13)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 07:26:44 PM EST

    Donald J. Trump
    @realDonaldTrump
    ·
    7h
    Heartwarming to see all of the tremendous support out there, especially the organic Rallies that are springing up all over the Country, including a big one on Saturday in D.C. I may even try to stop by and say hello. This Election was Rigged, from Dominion all the way up & down!

    This claim about election fraud is disputed



    Parent
    When it gets larger (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by MO Blue on Sat Nov 14, 2020 at 06:52:44 AM EST
    Than the woman who marched against him, let me know.

    Parent
    Should be (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by MO Blue on Sat Nov 14, 2020 at 10:58:06 AM EST
    Women

    Parent
    Scary (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 07:31:10 PM EST
    BUt still occasionally funny

    From that link

    Jones' website InfoWars announced plans to lead a cross-country caravan to the march through Houston and Austin, Texas; Tallahassee, Florida; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Atlanta; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Richmond, Virginia.

    Carusone estimated Friday that the caravan currently has attracted about 10 people.



    Parent
    The TikTok kids are on it (none / 0) (#15)
    by Repack Rider on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 07:51:48 PM EST
    The march organizers created the hashtag #MillionMAGAMarch,

    98% of the content is now pictures of pancakes.

    Parent

    Love (5.00 / 4) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 08:00:05 PM EST
    John Lewis and ? (none / 0) (#17)
    by leap on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 09:10:18 PM EST
    who is the other one?

    Parent
    McCain (none / 0) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 09:33:17 PM EST
    ah. OK (none / 0) (#19)
    by leap on Fri Nov 13, 2020 at 11:52:09 PM EST
    Not a very good rendering.

    Parent
    And then (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Nov 14, 2020 at 05:25:45 AM EST
    there's all the people making prank calls to the voter fraud line.

    Parent
    WSJ OpEd (none / 0) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Nov 21, 2020 at 02:56:22 PM EST
    "If it [TRump's effort] succeeded in denying Mr. Biden 270 electoral votes, the result would be a backlash that would be a calamity for the GOP. It would draw legal challenges and might head to the Supreme Court. For the gambit to work, more than one state would have to be involved. But even if a single state took this course, it would be a terrible precedent that Republicans would live to regret," the editorial stated.

    They then closed with a pointed warning to the president.

    "Republicans have given Mr. Trump ample leeway to prove his case for ballot fraud, and we've approached his claims with an open mind," they wrote. "But if there's no evidence beyond general innuendo, the President's charges of a stolen election will undermine public faith in the electoral system. That won't serve the country, his party, or his supporters, who will sour on politics and in the process cede elections to the left. None of this will serve Mr. Trump, his legacy, or whatever hope he has to run again in 2024."

    link

    What they really care about is in bold.  I've been thinking the same thing.  You don't get people out to vote by telling them their vote does not matter.  That is a very bad plan.  For them.