Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumRemember the lessons of 2000...
In the election of 2000, Bush was leading Gore in Florida by over 500 votes out of 6 million cast. Gore asked for a recount, and the gop sent goons in to create chaos and destabilize the recount process. It was a shit show in the courts with challenges to the recounts and in the counting rooms.
Then, SCOTUS took up a challenge to the recount and stopped it, using the lol argument that if it dragged on, it would create a constitutional crisis since it could extend beyond the electoral college schedule. If FL didn't ratify, Gore would win; no crisis. If the recount proceeded, Gore would have won since it was going his way; no crisis
SCOTUS ruled that the recount be stopped, handing the election to Bush. It was a twisted decision, and the majority even said it could not be used as a precedent in any other case. It was a political power grab.
So what does that mean today?
If ANY state race is close, this will be repeated. In EVERY close state. SCOTUS will do the exact same thing. Trump will get another term.
So we HAVE to win by the widest margin possible. In every state possible. It doesn't matter if a candidate can squeak out a win - the race will be stolen.
That's why Biden needs to be the candidate. He is in the best position to win by the widest possible margin. We can only argue about policy if we are in a position to implement it.
People on the fence aren't going to vote for a socialist who wants to dismantle the military and who hates the intel community as much as trump does. They aren't going to vote for a divider. For someone who can't bring back our allies or stand up to our enemies.
And this is our last chance to save this republic. Biden isn't the closest to me from a position pov, but he is close enough, and he has the best chance to run up the numbers.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)Picked a different lesson.
Nader got almost 100k votes in Florida.
Without that, Gore wins easily.
Which is why there is no time for Green Party sabotage this year.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Va Lefty
(6,252 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
getagrip_already
(14,905 posts)It's another good lesson.
But election f'ery could have a much bigger footprint this time around. The very lack of election IT security could be used as a basis for invalidating results the doj doesn't agree with. That wasn't a factor in 2000.
It is now.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
aikoaiko
(34,185 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Democrats_win
(6,539 posts)First it's screwed because of the electoral college and the election process. Then there's the Senate---America's house of lords. America is the definition of FUBAR.
Second, America is screwed up. Working America turned to opiods in reaction to 40 years of economic war. Evangelicals have turned their love of God into a love of wealth and power. Screwed up.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Bush still would have won.
The real issue is the 97,000 people in Florida that voted for Nader. People cannot lose sight of that, protest votes are very dangerous to cast in a critical election.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden