McConnell, other Republicans split with Trump on peaceful transfer of power

[webfact]

McConnell, other Republicans split with Trump on peaceful transfer of power

By Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu

 

FILE PHOTO: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to the media after the Republican policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September 22, 2020. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other top Republicans on Thursday repudiated President Donald Trump's refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, assuring American voters the lawmakers would accept the outcome of November's election.

 

Trump declined to embrace a peaceful transfer on Wednesday in response to a reporter's question and said he expected his upcoming election battle with Democrat Joe Biden to be settled by the Supreme Court.

 

Democrats accused Trump of threatening American democracy and further politicizing his upcoming choice to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by suggesting the yet-to-be named nominee would intervene in the election's outcome.

 

Republicans invoked the guarantees of the U.S. Constitution, but did not openly condemn Trump.

 

"The winner of the November 3rd election will be inaugurated on January 20th. There will be an orderly transition just as there has been every four years since 1792," McConnell wrote in a tweet.

 

McConnell was joined by fellow Republicans, including Senators Marco Rubio and Mitt Romney and Representative Liz Cheney, who leads the House of Representatives Republican Conference.

 

"It will be a smooth transition regardless of the outcome," House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters.

 

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell joined other Republican lawmakers in rallying to the defense of constitutional government on Thursday, after President Donald Trump refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power following the Nov. 3 election. This report produced by Jonah Green.

 

Trump, who trails Biden in national opinion polls, has long sought to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election, claiming without evidence that mail-in voting would be rife with fraud.

 

A record number of Americans are expected to vote by mail this year to avoid the coronavirus, and Democrats hope mail-in ballots will help to motivate large numbers of voters who oppose Trump.

 

In 2016, Trump also raised questions about whether he would accept the results of the election, which he went on to win.

 

"President Trump, you are not a dictator and America will not permit you to be one," said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who took to the Senate floor to call the president "the gravest threat" to U.S. democracy.

 

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders said in a speech in Washington that Trump was "prepared to undermine American democracy in order to stay in power," and called for an independent commission to oversee the upcoming elections.

 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi cautioned against panicking over the remarks of a president who she said admires autocratic leaders. But at a news conference, she advised Trump: "You are not in North Korea, you are not in Turkey, you are not in Russia."

 

Republican Senator Mike Rounds asked what would happen if Trump won. "If President Trump wins the election, will those on the far left agree to be peaceful when the election is complete? We don't need property damage and we don't need bodily injury," he told reporters.

 

COURT CHALLENGES

If November's election is close, Trump could contest the results in the federal courts in hopes of being awarded enough Electoral College votes to retain the White House, according to political analysts.

 

Only one U.S. presidential election, the 2000 contest between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore, has had its outcome determined by the Supreme Court.

 

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally who is overseeing the process to weigh the president's forthcoming nominee to replace Ginsburg, said he expected a peaceful transition.

 

"Now we may have litigation about who won the election, but the (Supreme) Court will decide and if the Republicans lose, we will accept that result," Graham told Fox News. "But we need a full court."

 

Trump later said he agreed with Graham but told Fox News Radio: "I think we have a long way before we get there. These ballots are a horror show."

 

Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat on Graham's committee, said Trump's remarks posed a problem for his Supreme Court nominee, who is expected to be a conservative woman.

 

"I think this creates a significant complication for the legitimacy of the court," Coons told NPR.

 

Biden, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, said Trump's comments on the transition of power were "irrational."

 

The former vice president's campaign said it was prepared for any "shenanigans" from Trump, and reiterated comments from July that "the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House."

 

(Reporting by Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu, Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell; Writing by David Morgan; Editing by Mary Milliken, Colleen Jenkins and Jonathan Oatis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-25

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Somtamnication]

Like watching 3 year olds in the playground, angry and confused as to the rules.

[Jack Mountain]

4 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:

Like watching 3 year olds in the playground, angry and confused as to the rules.

Talking about the voters right? LOL. Popcorn time.

[RJRS1301]

Amazing how POTUS cannot contemplate that he may not be wanted by the voters for another term.

Narcissism on steroids', tinged with delusions of grandeur.  

[Tug]

He’s just testing the idea of an attempt at a coup imo more than likely he will just slink out with his tie between his legs in the dark of night

[Puchaiyank]

Yes, but, but, but...HRC is on record telling Joe Biden to not acknowledge defeat...hang tough until the numbers are in his favor...however long it may take!  In your face corruption!

 

Trump is doing a tit for tat routine...

[simple1]

11 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said:

Yes, but, but, but...HRC is on record telling Joe Biden to not acknowledge defeat...hang tough until the numbers are in his favor...however long it may take!  In your face corruption!

 

Trump is doing a tit for tat routine...

trump world spin. Clinton said don't concede on election day if initial results show a narrow win for trump, in that circumstance, wait until mail in votes have been counted. It is currently estimated about 50% of all votes will be via mail so a logical statement.

[scorecard]

47 minutes ago, Tug said:

He’s just testing the idea of an attempt at a coup imo more than likely he will just slink out with his tie between his legs in the dark of night

Hopefully, plus I would love to see his daughter and her husband sneaking out with their faces in their hands. Both just as bad as trump. 

 

A bit longer term I wonder how long before trumps wife splits from him?

[scorecard]

26 minutes ago, simple1 said:

trump world spin. Clinton said don't concede on election day if initial results show a narrow win for trump, in that circumstance, wait until mail in votes have been counted. It is currently estimated about 50% of all votes will be via mail so a logical statement.

Sure, there should be a mail in voting option to give everybody the opportunity to vote and sure they should wait a set number of days, 7 days seems logical and fair.

 

If the contenders have to wait the 7 days so be it. 

[Sujo]

1 hour ago, Puchaiyank said:

Yes, but, but, but...HRC is on record telling Joe Biden to not acknowledge defeat...hang tough until the numbers are in his favor...however long it may take!  In your face corruption!

 

Trump is doing a tit for tat routine...

Hilary is not the candidate so has no say.

[Chomper Higgot]

8 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Hilary is not the candidate so has no say.

No but she does live rent free in the head of a lot Trump supporters.

[Cryingdick]

His term ends in January whether he likes it or not.This is much ado about nothing. He can continue to contest the results after that should he want to but he will no longer be president at that point. This is a story that should be simply put to rest. Unless you believe the military will back Trump in a coup.

[Masterton]

The way this article is framed is dishonest, which is what we've come to expect from Reuters. Another opinion hitjob article against the president, complete with Democrats accusing others of doing what they are doing. The reason Trump expects the SC to decide the election is due to the Democrats preparing to refuse to concede under any circumstances if they lose and already planning for legal action, ie Biden having already hired some 700 lawyers to do this. It is not because Trump is planning to challenge it or refuse to concede or chain himself to the desk or whatever other <deleted> he gets accused of daily by the Democrat media. 

[Emdog]

17 minutes ago, Masterton said:

The way this article is framed is dishonest, which is what we've come to expect from Reuters. Another opinion hitjob article against the president, complete with Democrats accusing others of doing what they are doing. The reason Trump expects the SC to decide the election is due to the Democrats preparing to refuse to concede under any circumstances if they lose and already planning for legal action, ie Biden having already hired some 700 lawyers to do this. It is not because Trump is planning to challenge it or refuse to concede or chain himself to the desk or whatever other <deleted> he gets accused of daily by the Democrat media. 

You should know that per Constitution it does not matter if loser concedes or not. Or maybe you don't.

Watching Australia tv yesterday, one commentator quoted Obama about 3 things he loves about there

1. compulsory voting

2. independent election commission declares who wins/loses

3. national healthcare

[FritsSikkink]

Banana republic.

[Antonymous]

23 minutes ago, Masterton said:

The way this article is framed is dishonest, which is what we've come to expect from Reuters. Another opinion hitjob article against the president, complete with Democrats accusing others of doing what they are doing. The reason Trump expects the SC to decide the election is due to the Democrats preparing to refuse to concede under any circumstances if they lose and already planning for legal action, ie Biden having already hired some 700 lawyers to do this. It is not because Trump is planning to challenge it or refuse to concede or chain himself to the desk or whatever other <deleted> he gets accused of daily by the Democrat media. 

Yep, on record.

 

"We've got to have a massive legal operation," she said. "And I know the Biden campaign is working on that."

 

“Joe Biden should not concede under any circumstances,” Clinton said. “Because I think this is going to drag out, and eventually, I do believe he will win, if we don’t give an inch and if we are as focused and relentless as the other side is.”

 

Clinton made these remarks during an interview on Showtime’s “The Circus”.

[Chomper Higgot]

24 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

His term ends in January whether he likes it or not.This is much ado about nothing. He can continue to contest the results after that should he want to but he will no longer be president at that point. This is a story that should be simply put to rest. Unless you believe the military will back Trump in a coup.

A sitting President refusing to commit to a ‘Peaceful transfer of power’ is anything but ‘much a do about nothing’.

[simple1]

4 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Banana republic.

Under the current president, absolutely!

Edited September 25, 2020 by simple1

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, Antonymous said:

Yep, on record.

 

"We've got to have a massive legal operation," she said. "And I know the Biden campaign is working on that."

 

“Joe Biden should not concede under any circumstances,” Clinton said. “Because I think this is going to drag out, and eventually, I do believe he will win, if we don’t give an inch and if we are as focused and relentless as the other side is.”

 

Clinton made these remarks during an interview on Showtime’s “The Circus”.

The issue is not one of conceding, but of ‘the peaceful transfer of power’.

[TKDfella]

According to Kayleigh McEnany (some 8 hours ago) when asked the question she replied that Pres. Trump will accept the results of a free and fair election. So I guess we will have to wait and see who considers the election free and fair and who doesn't. As an outsider I have no politics here...just stating what was said. 

[Credo]

3 minutes ago, TKDfella said:

According to Kayleigh McEnany (some 8 hours ago) when asked the question she replied that Pres. Trump will accept the results of a free and fair election. So I guess we will have to wait and see who considers the election free and fair and who doesn't. As an outsider I have no politics here...just stating what was said. 

Trump is on the record saying the election is 'rigged', so that would mean he's already determined that it is not free and fair.   

 

[newnative]

    I feel like I've crossed over into the Twilight Zone.  How can America possibly have reached this state where you have the President refusing to say he will leave office if he loses.  A President baldly stating that votes should be thrown out and not counted.  A President that wants the Supreme Court, not the American voters, to pick the next President--which is why he is in such a hurry to get another lacky on the Supreme Court to insure the vote will go for him. 

    We have an America now so messed up by Trump and his endless lies, misdeeds, and disrespect for the law that a Federal Election Commission member is compelled to refute the President and publicly state that, yes, votes will be counted.  Sad that America has reached such a state that something like this needs to be said.

    Outrage after outrage.  Today's outrage?  Trump's trumpeted 'executive order'--totally vague and with absolutely no legal power behind it--falsely claiming it will protect Americans with pre-existing conditions from being dropped from medical coverage--while his lawyers are arguing in court to overturn Obamacare and eliminate pre-existing coverage protection.  Twilight Zone indeed.  

     

[RJRS1301]

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

Hopefully, plus I would love to see his daughter and her husband sneaking out with their faces in their hands. Both just as bad as trump. 

 

A bit longer term I wonder how long before trumps wife splits from him?

If defeated, day after inauguration perhaps??

 

[heybruce]

3 hours ago, Masterton said:

The way this article is framed is dishonest, which is what we've come to expect from Reuters. Another opinion hitjob article against the president, complete with Democrats accusing others of doing what they are doing. The reason Trump expects the SC to decide the election is due to the Democrats preparing to refuse to concede under any circumstances if they lose and already planning for legal action, ie Biden having already hired some 700 lawyers to do this. It is not because Trump is planning to challenge it or refuse to concede or chain himself to the desk or whatever other <deleted> he gets accused of daily by the Democrat media. 

"The reason Trump expects the SC to decide the election is due to the Democrats preparing to refuse to concede under any circumstances if they lose and already planning for legal action, ie Biden having already hired some 700 lawyers to do this."

 

If that is true then why did Trump repeatedly say "get rid of the ballots"?  https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/09/23/trump-wont-commit-to-peaceful-power-transfer-says-get-rid-of-the-ballots-for-continuation-of-his-presidency/#e60f3d980dbc

 

In view of the fact that Trump has been crying "fraud" and "rigged" for months, it's a good idea for the Democrats to prepare for frivolous legal challenges in every state where the vote may be close.

Edited September 25, 2020 by heybruce

[Surelynot]

3 hours ago, Masterton said:

Democrats preparing to refuse to concede under any circumstances if they lose

"Under any circumstances".....Seriously?.....you can substantiate that claim?

[Surelynot]

1 hour ago, RJRS1301 said:

If defeated, day after inauguration perhaps??

 

When...not if.

[Walker88]

The guy knows how to just walk away when he loses. He did it five times when his casinos went belly-up and a 6th time when he went bust on the Plaza Hotel.

 

He stuck the US Taxpayers with all those debts (since banks and bondholders can write off losses against profits and carry the losses forward).

 

He might regret now calling servicemen and women 'suckers and losers', because when they are removing him from the White House after he loses, they might not be so nice.

[J Town]

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Banana republic.

It's becoming that way. It's not too late to fix, and the very fact that anyone who wishes to speak openly about it shows it's not there yet.

[J Town]

That there is even ONE Republican that can accept 45's word about discounting ballots says everything about how their party has sold its soul. What 45 spews is the very definition of sedition:
 

se·di·tion

/səˈdiSH(ə)n/

 

noun

 

1. conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch.

Edited September 25, 2020 by J Town

[Thomas J]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

President Donald Trump's refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power

FAKE HEADLINE

 

This is a set up question made to create that headline.  Here is the video of the actual exchange.  He did not say he would not peacefully transfer but he deflected the fact that there would be a transfer of power.  

Should Al Gore have stated prior to the election that he would not contest the results if they were in question?