In the 14th-15th century, the western Christian church was divided, with two, and even three Popes at a time claiming Holy leadership. This was made possible by regional powers rising to challenge Rome’s hegemony over the Church for 39 years in an event called the Western Schism. What had been the singular Christian religious authority in Western Europe for centuries, was torn apart by rival claims of legitimacy. Popes in Avignon, Rome, and later a third, elsewhere in Italy, claimed power simultaneously.
On her July 9th Poltics Chat, Heather Cox-Richardson's weekly YouTube video ended with her mentioning that Trump’s campaign spending, besides paying his legal bills, is otherwise going to helping loyalists win Secretary of State positions in swing states. She noted that strangely, he does not have a single campaign office in the entire state of Pennsylvania, for example.
And, we know convict34 said he doesn’t need the Nikki Haley voters from the primaries. That’s 20% of the usual Republican base. So, what’s he thinking in not even trying to win a coalition of voters capable of carrying the electoral college?
There are many articles here about voter suppression. But, perhaps the plan goes well beyond that. If his loyalists refuse to verify and submit votes at the state level, they can prevent electors from being chosen, or the states can send false electors, as in 2020. This will throw the election to a vote in Congress, where each state receives a single vote. Trump can thereby be chosen 26-24. Any legal challenge to that will be thrown out by the Supreme Six.
We know Trump will cheat any way he can. Perhaps his incompetence will stop him, or we will, by way of election integrity holding on. But, it seems to me the obvious play is for him to cheat and use the SCOTUS to checkmate us.
Perhaps, Democrats accept all that, and submit peaceably to Project 2025. But, what if we don’t?
What if we go ahead and certify our nominee as the clear winner, and seat the new, Democrat elected Congress, based on the clear victories in enough states to win?
We could have two USA federal governments claiming legitimacy, dividing up not just states, but the federal control of our armed forces. A Civil War would likely result, as both Presidents would seek to assert control. I don’t want any of this to happen, but it seems entirely possible, as I don’t see either side giving up without a fight.
I think back to General Sherman’s letter to Southerners 1861: he predicted that the North would fight, and that the South overestimated the value of their hubris in a conflict. www.goodreads.com/...
