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Roland99

(53,342 posts)
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 11:48 AM Nov 2018

Bernstein - TRUMP MAY CALL 2018 ELECTION 'ILLEGITIMATE' SHOULD DEMOCRATS TAKE CONTROL OF CONGRESS

https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-2018-election-illegitimate-democrats-take-control-congress-carl-1181683
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Carl Bernstein said over the weekend that should Democrats win control of Congress in a close election, President Donald Trump might move to challenge the legitimacy of the 2018 midterms.

Bernstein made the comments in an interview on CNN's Reliable Sources on Sunday that focused largely on Trump uses "untruth" as a political strategy.

"I talked to people...in touch with the White House on Friday who believe that if the congressional midterms are very close and the Democrats were to win by five or seven seats, that Trump was already talking about how to throw legal challenges into the courts, sow confusion, declare a victory, actually, and say that the election's been illegitimate," Bernstein told host Brian Stelter. "That is really under discussion in the White House."
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Bernstein - TRUMP MAY CALL 2018 ELECTION 'ILLEGITIMATE' SHOULD DEMOCRATS TAKE CONTROL OF CONGRESS (Original Post) Roland99 Nov 2018 OP
Of course he will. I'm anticipating it. java108 Nov 2018 #1
Me too. And it will fail ooky Nov 2018 #18
Exactly, because the Repugs are still in charge of the majority of state run offices that oversee politicaljunkie41910 Nov 2018 #40
who cares? Trump can call chicken little, he has no input or say on election outcomes or beachbum bob Nov 2018 #2
Of course he will. I absolutely expect that he'll claim "voter fraud" occurred The Velveteen Ocelot Nov 2018 #3
How much money ellie Nov 2018 #37
We've got one rich donor and they have a tons of them and they continue to cry wolf regarding Soros. politicaljunkie41910 Nov 2018 #41
He can call it whatever he wants, they will still be in control of those seats. RockRaven Nov 2018 #4
So, he can flap his arms like a bird. It doesn't mean he'll fly. NightWatcher Nov 2018 #5
Wish he could. Then get tired and fall and, well.... Roland99 Nov 2018 #16
How can you be sure? I say he should give it a shot. 11 Bravo Nov 2018 #25
Just like I call HIS election "illegitimate" but that fucker is still president! 50 Shades Of Blue Nov 2018 #6
The Pope is Catholic. A bear craps in the woods. Baltimike Nov 2018 #7
He'll incite others to do his violence duforsure Nov 2018 #8
Certainly he will gratuitous Nov 2018 #9
So says the illegitimate potus Fullduplexxx Nov 2018 #10
So? workinclasszero Nov 2018 #11
Bring it on. n./t Downtown Hound Nov 2018 #12
Yeah. No kidding. GoCubsGo Nov 2018 #13
FTF malaise Nov 2018 #14
As if winning the electoral college by 75,000 and losing the popular vote by 3 million... Tom Rinaldo Nov 2018 #15
When Trump loses in 2020 he will declare it to be a stolen election elocs Nov 2018 #17
Unfortunately. And they have most of the firearms. hedda_foil Nov 2018 #19
Not necessarily MFM008 Nov 2018 #26
I didn't say they had ALL of the firearms. hedda_foil Nov 2018 #34
Really? workinclasszero Nov 2018 #33
Only cause they each own about 30 each. GulfCoast66 Nov 2018 #35
Nailed it NickB79 Nov 2018 #42
I own very few guns. GulfCoast66 Nov 2018 #43
but on Jan 20, he will cease to be president Grasswire2 Nov 2018 #22
How much damage and chaos will be incited by Trump between election day and Jan. 20? elocs Nov 2018 #23
this is not a federal election. Grasswire2 Nov 2018 #20
The truth. And no SC to do a 2000 Bush/Gore deal. However, does each State AG certify it? Bfd Nov 2018 #28
The mother fucker can call it anything he wants. It won't change a thing. Autumn Nov 2018 #21
I will, not may, call Trump a fucking asshole. shockey80 Nov 2018 #24
Yep, will rile up the deplorables and likely blood on the streets bigbrother05 Nov 2018 #27
"If selling my country to the Russians doesn't work, it's just not fair!" struggle4progress Nov 2018 #29
I have been hearing this fear for years; going back to Bush tymorial Nov 2018 #30
of course he will. was there any question about that? 0rganism Nov 2018 #31
If the Red Don's supporters come ungluged if they lose Hotler Nov 2018 #32
Who is Marshal? GulfCoast66 Nov 2018 #36
Martial.......damn it........ Hotler Nov 2018 #44
Don't sweat it... GulfCoast66 Nov 2018 #45
We've seen this SHITE before. DumbFUCK Cha Nov 2018 #38
He and the Republican's are the ones in power. They can't run elections correctly? Quixote1818 Nov 2018 #39

politicaljunkie41910

(3,335 posts)
40. Exactly, because the Repugs are still in charge of the majority of state run offices that oversee
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 04:56 PM
Nov 2018

election activities, and we couldn't get these a$$holes to do anything to ensure that our election systems were secure and not vulnerable to outside attacks. So the hell with them, if they lose. No one will give a damn if they want to challenge the results.

 

beachbum bob

(10,437 posts)
2. who cares? Trump can call chicken little, he has no input or say on election outcomes or
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 11:50 AM
Nov 2018

"validity" of elections except to whine. Democracy is a rough thing for asshole dictator wannaabees

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,836 posts)
3. Of course he will. I absolutely expect that he'll claim "voter fraud" occurred
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 11:51 AM
Nov 2018

in all elections Dems win. He'll blame it on massive voting by "illegals" (millions of them!) brought across the border by Democrats, paid for by George Soros.

RockRaven

(14,998 posts)
4. He can call it whatever he wants, they will still be in control of those seats.
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 11:52 AM
Nov 2018

Just like people saying HIS election was illegitimate doesn't change the fact that he is POTUS now.

NightWatcher

(39,343 posts)
5. So, he can flap his arms like a bird. It doesn't mean he'll fly.
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 11:52 AM
Nov 2018

His party will lose the House and who knows about the Senate. He can not prevent the newly elected from taking office. All he can do is scream and make threats of actions that are so unconstitutional that it's laughable.

11 Bravo

(23,926 posts)
25. How can you be sure? I say he should give it a shot.
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 02:03 PM
Nov 2018

And I hear the view from atop Trump Tower is lovely.

Baltimike

(4,146 posts)
7. The Pope is Catholic. A bear craps in the woods.
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 11:54 AM
Nov 2018

And he will do that if the active measures they're taking to rig it in their favor fail in any way.

I feel like Captain Obvious should write for Newsweek.

duforsure

(11,885 posts)
8. He'll incite others to do his violence
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 11:56 AM
Nov 2018

Then blame the Democrats , Hillary, and President Obama for it. People are wise to his propaganda and lying. That's why so many republicans will be losing their jobs in Congress soon, they did nothing to stop this monster. The gop will be ready to turn on him too, then he'll attack them too.

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
9. Certainly he will
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 11:57 AM
Nov 2018

Pro tip for the media: You don't have to report Trump's rantings as legitimate. You seem to have sort of caught on recently, noting from time to time that whatever bullshit fell out of Trump's mouth today doesn't have any factual basis. Feel free to lead your story with that little tidbit.

GoCubsGo

(32,088 posts)
13. Yeah. No kidding.
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 12:17 PM
Nov 2018

He can call it whatever he wants, but it wouldn't change the fact that the vast majority of the country hates his fucking guts.

Tom Rinaldo

(22,913 posts)
15. As if winning the electoral college by 75,000 and losing the popular vote by 3 million...
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 12:18 PM
Nov 2018

...while our election was being hacked by Russia makes him legitimate. Right

elocs

(22,600 posts)
17. When Trump loses in 2020 he will declare it to be a stolen election
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 12:31 PM
Nov 2018

and that it was a massive conspiracy to defraud him of reelection.
For anyone thinking that's a ha-ha laughing joke, just think of when he incites his tens of millions of followers to violence, something he will deny even with lots of video proof. How many thousands of those Trumpsters are enough to cause lots of violence and turmoil across the nation. There's no way that will be funny, there's no way its victims will consider it to be a joke.

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
35. Only cause they each own about 30 each.
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 04:41 PM
Nov 2018

Can only shoot one at a time.

Plus, they are mainly keyboard warriors. Law Enforcement will deal with any that actually try to use violence.

And a vast majority of his voters, while shitty people, are not at all willing to use violence to overturn an election.

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
43. I own very few guns.
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 05:13 PM
Nov 2018

Each for a specific type of activity/hunting.

As I type the are locked up in a safe.

And to your point, as an ethical hunter it is inherent that I do not miss.

I totally support the last Democratic Party Platform gun policy.

elocs

(22,600 posts)
23. How much damage and chaos will be incited by Trump between election day and Jan. 20?
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 01:31 PM
Nov 2018

And it won't just be about him leaving the White House because who believes it will stop there? Trump will rabble-rouse and continue to incite his followers to violence even after he leaves office.

 

Bfd

(1,406 posts)
28. The truth. And no SC to do a 2000 Bush/Gore deal. However, does each State AG certify it?
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 02:15 PM
Nov 2018

This is the only problem I foresee.
State AG's like Kemp & other Red States may do a Trump, but I'm not sure how all States certify.

Please no.

Trump can't touch it but his dogwhistle to Red States to follow his lead is a bit unnerving.

Can't wait till its over & Voters have stopped the madness. Even a bit of headway is better than where we are today.

bigbrother05

(5,995 posts)
27. Yep, will rile up the deplorables and likely blood on the streets
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 02:10 PM
Nov 2018

His illegitimate SCOTUS appointees will come down on equal protection and a true Judicial crisis will explode.

Think Red Dawn, but it will be Russians in Command & Control of the 2A Militias.

Hope for a Blue Tsunami to squash any plausible argument.

tymorial

(3,433 posts)
30. I have been hearing this fear for years; going back to Bush
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 02:20 PM
Nov 2018

Its probably been touted even longer but the internet helps facilitate this discussion in a wide spread manner simply impossible in the past. This is the first time I have ever given it any second thought. Even under Bush I never believed he would pull this maneuver. Trump however, I fully believe this could be a major consideration. When whacky conspiracy theories become of genuine concern, you know the country is seriously f'd.

0rganism

(23,970 posts)
31. of course he will. was there any question about that?
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 02:20 PM
Nov 2018

he could never admit that his proposals and persona are repulsive to a majority of the electorate, to the point where they might want some kind of check on his unlimited powers.

so, illegitimate it will have to be.

Hotler

(11,445 posts)
32. If the Red Don's supporters come ungluged if they lose
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 02:21 PM
Nov 2018

Last edited Fri Nov 2, 2018, 09:14 PM - Edit history (1)

and take to the streets in real angry mobs he might use that to declare martial law. Edit to fix the F-ing spelling for the..........

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
45. Don't sweat it...
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 09:36 PM
Nov 2018

No one makes more spelling errors on DU than me.

Sorry about my smart ass response.

But in all seriousness, there is no mechanism to declare Martial law in this country. And a federalist system makes such a power grab impossible. Over half the governors and the officer Corp would just tell him fuck off.

You see he is already backing down on shooting people at the border. Now saying he meant arrest. Why, because 4 days ago the joint chiefs told him to fuck off. The DOD told DHS they would provide logistical support; communication, aviation, medical etc. President Obama sent them to provide that. But DOD refused the request to provide soldiers to police the border. If they give him static on that, what chance they send troops to police opponents?

Cha

(297,650 posts)
38. We've seen this SHITE before. DumbFUCK
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 04:50 PM
Nov 2018

can't handle reality.

And, sarah Dumbfuck sanders will back him up

Quixote1818

(28,968 posts)
39. He and the Republican's are the ones in power. They can't run elections correctly?
Fri Nov 2, 2018, 04:53 PM
Nov 2018


But seriously, fuck him! He will gin up more violence because he lost and he knows Mueller is closing in. He will just look like a dying fish flaying about trying to stay alive. It won't wear well.
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