civilservant

Even my wife, who was all-in on Trump because 'he's doing what he said he would' for the first time yesterday called him an idiot that is making the situation in the US worse. I think it was the 'the Federal Government is not a shipping clerk' comment that finally broke the camels back.

Ingles

He is defiantly losing the "plot" rapidly !
As the pressure grows ,so does the bull shit he spouts , I feel it-s only a matter off time ,before he has "a on TV melt down" & starts raving that he's the best thing since sliced bread & then the medics have to step in

Steerpike

I honestly wonder if he will try to cancel the 2020 election. I said something like this earlier, and was accused of being silly. On the one hand, he could very well do it for personal, selfish reasons if he thinks he could lose, but on the other hand, if we don't have a good handle on this virus by then, can we practically have an election where people have to visit voting booths? 'Social Distancing' and in-person voting seem to be mutually exclusive. Of course, in rural areas voting stations are not generally overcrowded but in some urban areas, they are. Can you imagine ... "we will allow voting to proceed but limited to (some limit to prevent overcrowding)". This would absolutely impact democratic voters who typically vote in urban areas. This could get very messy.

Giantaxe

I suspect he will leverage this if he can to cancel/delay the election. I also wonder about the census. A lot of this is done by mail/online, but they were hiring a multitude of workers to do outreach and data processing etc. I have read a couple of articles about this and concerns there won't be an accurate count of urban areas.

kimilseung

I have had little doubt about that for some time, I have said so on these forums. His path to attempt it will probably be as Commander in Chief, his continued use of describing the present situation as a "war" suggests, that might be his current thinking. Bolivia have cancelled their elections, I anticipate Trump will see that as a precedent for him to follow.

Giantaxe

There was a presidential election in 1944. Admittedly that created a different set of issues, but nevertheless one was held.

scrubbedexpat091

Can the president cancel elections?

From what I can find about it, he can't. Not without congress changing the law anyhow.

HDWill

Federal elections are a constitutional requirement. Even if a total of 10,000 people vote absentee in the whole country, those results would take effect. In reality, if the virus is still raging in November, voter turnout would be severely depressed, but the elections would still happen. I don't think there's any constitutionally valid mechanism at all to delay them even by a day.

kimilseung

Even if the election isnt cancelled/delayed, a more worrisome approach might be for States to direct the votes for the electoral college directly. Skipping the popular vote.

Nutmegger

Since this all started, I have had in my head the vision of nasty little Giuliani sitting on his shoulder, feeding him the idea of trying to stay in office without an election, just as he tried in NYC after 9/11.

HDWill

I would think that would require the States to cancel Election Day or rule the results invalid, either of which would be quickly ruled unconstitutional by the federal Supreme Court.

Tarkak9

I think he truly firmly believes 'we' are to owe him something (for doing what he does) and should be grateful . Since it appears we are not obliging, the danger imo is that he will do everything possible to jeopardize things as some warped way of getting back at 'us' for not supporting him etc. Personalities like that thrive on the engagement rather than the substance.

I interpret 2 things out of that .... When the States individually took initiatives and acted in response to the outbreak, I think DJT saw it as insubordination and undermining him (which he can't stand) and this is his way of reacting; looming something over our heads as 'punishment' if you will .... gaslighting. Continuing, he wants the States to beg to him, especially over medical supplies, at which point he is awaiting the golden moment to swoop in and appear to be this great oracle if you will. - only to tout it nearer the election. ..... Maniacal behaviour from anyone.

I think he will try to delay the 2020 election.

kimilseung

On what grounds?
Given: "Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors..."

Leslie

And now Fauci is being silenced by Trump. What say you now?

Jerseygirl

it does look that way...he has not appeared at the press conferences for a few days. I have read it’s because he’s been busy doing the TV rounds. Who knows?