We know that it’s not going to be campaigning as usual: vote for the Republicans because Trump the omniscient endorses them. And there will likely be a maskless, superspreader crowd, mindless about COVID.
Of course, Trump’s going to complain, as he does at every opportunity, that the national election was fraudulent, and get some cheers for that. (Which in turn will trigger fundraising for his future.)
And of course, he will list doomsday scenarios if the ‘socialists’ Ossoff and Warnock get elected and the Democrat Anarchists take control of the Senate. Economic wipeout, high taxes, Antifa sanctioned to run wild in their streets with no police protection, the usual recycled bluster.
But given that he believes he has carte blanche with no consequences to himself, it’s what follows that I’m worried about:
1. PERSONAL THREATS to election officials, including Raffensperger, Sterling and even Kemp. He may openly incite the crowd, - his weapon to aim at the disloyal — to take vengeance on any official who does not obviously nudge the result in Loeffler and Perdue’s favor. I can just picture him saying he can’t be responsible for the safety of these people’s lives and families if “cheating” happens again. Our ears will be ringing with his dog whistles. Any Mafia don would be proud.
2. VOTER AND ELECTION PROCESS INTIMIDATION: Oh yes, this time we will have double the watchdogs, taking notes on every inch of cheating and we are going straight to court the eve the voting stops. Rudy will be salivating anew. Once again, Raffensperger and company will be put through the mill.
How do we protect this process from Trump’s poison and intimidation?
Remember, Trump loves fear and chaos, and feels IMMUNE to the law, it seems. So when his insurrection and intimidation show cranks to new heights, I’m open to suggestions about how we respond.
(Yes we send money, volunteer on phone teams as I do, but what else?)
Of course, we can pray that some of it backfires and some Repubs stay home, but don’t count on it. Trump wants them at the polls, doubting or not.
I just don’t want to again watch umpteen news anchors go into faux shock and say: we can’t believe Trump actually openly threatened this, or said that. C’mon guys, he’s going to say it.
Are we prepared?
Tonight I’ll be watching the Lincoln Project on You Tube’s “LPTV The Breakdown” to hear their input.