The people have spoken

If you were to take a gander at the latest NFL power rankings, you'd see a team in the top 5 which hasn't been there in probably a quarter century. That team would be the Buffalo Bills. 

Despite the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs having another fine season as they've clinched the AFC's top seed, I believe the Bills could present a serious challenge to KC even returning to the big game.

As a Vikings fan, I am all too familiar with the fact the Bills and Vikes are equal in their Super Bowl futility with both having gone 0 for 4 in the big game. So if Buffalo goes on to represent the AFC in Tampa, FL on February 7 and loses, would my fellow Vikes faithful feel a modicum of solace that our favorite team would no longer be the most inept Super Bowl participant? Yeah? 

But what if the Bills matched up with the hated Green Bay Packers?

With that in mind, I decided to put together a Twitter poll addressing that very issue. 

OK, question for #Vikings fans.

If the #SuperBowl ends up being #Bills vs. #Packers, who would you want to win?

The Bills because......well, they're playing the hated Packers. Or GB because then Buffalo would surpass the Vikings in Super Bowl futility by falling to 0-5.

— Brad Carlson (@Brad_Carlson) December 29, 2020

Skol Nation (or at least 32 of them) has spoken!

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Wish in one hand.........

 Just recently came across this tweet from Minnesota's senior U.S. Senator. 

A headline from Newsweek last August: 

Joe Biden Says 'There Are Least Three' Genders in Iowa Campaign Stop.

Oof. Better luck next time, Klobee. 

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Life is so strange when you don't know.....

It's the final Sunday of 2020! As such, the year's final installment of my radio show The Closer will air today from 1:00 until 3 PM Central Time. 

In the first hour I'll discuss the haggling over the COVID-19 relief package and the utter dysfunction of all in Washington. Also, is conservative radio icon Rush Limbaugh done for good?

At 2:15, our official technology wonk Greg Scott will join the show to discuss the Nashville bombing and the damage it caused to some of our critical infrastructure. He will also weigh in on the Solar Winds cyberattack from a couple of weeks ago. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Merry Christmas

 Luke 2:8-14 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Glory in the Highest

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

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About that COVID-19 "relief package......."

I actually agree with almost every single word President Trump has to say. I say "almost" only because he indicates his administration will also be the "next one."

 

This speech even triggered a rare moment of unity with House Speaker Marie Antoinette Nancy Pelosi...... 

Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it! https://t.co/Th4sztrpLV

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020

......and.....Ilhan Omar????

 

Mitch don’t be the only reason people don’t get $2000, let’s do this. https://t.co/yuvsYUQX6m

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 23, 2020

Look, I get it. This bill will just add to what is already an out-of-control annual deficit and overall National Debt. However, if government's handling of the pandemic results in putting livelihoods in peril, then this is the second best option (the best of course would be no lockdowns at all).  

Not sure where we go from here but precious time is a wastin'.

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The response is worse than the ailment

Is it any wonder that the U.S. Congress consistently has the most abysmally low approval ratings? Their dithering over how to assist struggling Americans in the midst of a deadly pandemic has been utterly disgraceful. I guess their pettiness and finger-pointing are OK given these elected officials will suffer little to no real-world consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. We peons are told to suck it up and stop being selfish for wanting to work and tend to our families, while their gravy train continues to roll along. 

I guess passing a nearly 6,000 page bill (which no one read in its entirety) totaling close to $1 trillion is no skin off their Ashtabula since we the taxpayers will be on the hook. Eh, what's another trillion when the National Debt is already at about 25T? 

Not surprisingly, House Speaker Marie Antoinette Nancy Pelosi, who extolled the virtues of expensive ice cream on national TV while many American struggled to make ends meet and violated COVID protocols for a hair appointment, continues to be the most two-faced, disingenuous figure in all of this. 

While Pelosi praised the $600 payment provision, she previously characterized thousand-dollar bonuses provided to employees by corporate America as “crumbs” in 2018.

After the Republican-led tax reform bill, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed, many companies – ranging from Capitol One to Fiat Chrysler – decided to reinvest in their businesses by giving out worker bonuses. These efforts were largely encouraged by perceived savings from a number of provisions, including a drastically lowered corporate tax rate.

This is all in light of the fact that Pelosi pretty much admitted she torpedoed a more significant stimulus payment to Americans for fear it might portray President Trump in a positive light. 

I may be stating the obvious here, but the fecklessness and lack of engagement from our elected officials is not sustainable for a more peaceful union. Their response to a global pandemic was confirmation of that.

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Who killed that bird out on your window sill?

It's the final Sunday before Christmas, but the Northern Alliance Radio Network will be live from 1-3 PM Central Time today!

In the first hour I will focus on local news, particularly Gov. Tim Walz's revisions to Minnesota's COVID-19 restrictions. In response, a number of bars and restaurants on the brink of financial ruin look to defy Walz's latest orders. 

Then in the second hour I will discuss national politics with our show's political wonk Matt Mackowiak. Matt will join the broadcast at 2:00 to weigh in on the incoming Joe Biden administration, the latest in the Georgia Senate runoffs, etc. Speaking of the Georgia races, GOP volunteer Joe Witthuhn will check in at 2:30 to share his experience volunteering in the state on behalf of Sens. Perdue and Loeffler. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Are we supposed to thank him?

Not surprisingly, the DFL majority in the MN House declined to strip Gov. Tim Walz of his peacetime emergency powers this past week. As such, Walz on Wednesday adjusted restrictions he put in place last month in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. 

The new order, which will take effect at midnight Saturday and last until Jan. 11, replaces a four-week closure of bars, restaurants, fitness clubs and entertainment venues. It allows gyms to open with caps of 100 people or 25% capacity; amateur sports to resume practices but not games on Jan. 4; and gatherings of up to 10 people from two households indoors, or up to 15 people from three households outdoors. The prior pause discouraged gatherings outside of immediate household members.

Indoor entertainment venues such as theaters and museums remain closed through Jan. 10, but outdoor events can continue at 25% capacity, capped at 100 people.

And who says the Governor isn't flexible, particularly in light of this big "compromise?"

One concession was the allowance of outdoor bar and restaurant service at 50% capacity, though that has limited benefit in the heart of Minnesota's winter. Closing time must be 10 p.m., and tables of no more than four people must be kept 6 feet apart.

Minnesotans: Can we eat and drink inside though? It’s December in Minnesota.

Gov. Walz: pic.twitter.com/qRQGYQ2qhs

— John Rouleau (@John_Rouleau) December 16, 2020

And if indeed there are Minnesotans who are hardy enough to dine outdoors in FREAKING DECEMBER, it wouldn't be beyond the Walz administration to cite being able to do so solely because of the unfortunate existence of climate change. 

Have I mentioned lately how we live in very stupid times?

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Focusing on the wrong things

I would be totally naïve to say that there was no voter fraud this past (or any recent) election cycle. Of course there was. Where I break from many of President Trump's supporters is I believe it wasn't on a scale to sway the election to Joe Biden. And the kooky statements coming from Trump's legal team as well as Trump himself has only underscored that belief. 

All that said, there are nefarious reasons why Trump lost, but it has nothing to do with fraud.  

Indeed, something profoundly fishy happened in the 2020 election, but it wasn’t the Kraken or Venezuelan communists running remote software when they can’t even make the red lights work in their own country. Those shiny objects will play out with time and examination of evidence.

What happened in 2020 is something more fundamental and profound. What happened in 2020 is cultural and systemic, and sadly, generally legal. Until Republicans, and more importantly Trump supporters, understand what happened to them this year, it will happen again.

Two things happened in 2020. First, COVID led to a dismantling of state election integrity laws by everyone except the one body with the constitutional prerogative to change the rules of electing the president – the state legislatures.

This should have been addressed through the legal system the millisecond any state's governor or secretary of state unilaterally changed election laws. Thankfully here in Minnesota there were judicious individuals who rightfully took exception to Secretary of State Steve Simon extending the deadline for absentee ballots. And the good guys won that suit. However, all GOP held legislatures have to make election integrity a top priority this year. The first place to start is obvious. Sh*t can "mail-in voting." 

There is a long list of things being reported as fraud that are not fraud that will need to wait for another day to address, but the singular fact is the rush to mail balloting created weaknesses all across the system.

Mail ballots went to dead people. Mail ballots went to abandoned mines in Nevada. Mail ballots went to vacant lots in Pittsburgh. Mail ballots went in the garbage. Mail ballots were voted by people other than the voter.

I successfully argued in court that Virginia election officials violated Virginia statute when they issued rules that ballots can arrive late and without a postmark. But sadly, that case was one of the few instances of success at blocking the Democrats’ frenzy to throw out election integrity laws. By and large, the Democrats succeeded in tossing out state laws related to absentee ballot verification, deadlines and a whole range of laws all in the name of COVID. By and large, GOP efforts in court failed. It was a courtroom bloodbath that created vulnerabilities across the system.

Given that Trump garnered the largest share of the non-white vote of any GOP presidential candidate since 1960, how is it he still came up short?

Well......

 

(T)he Center for Technology and Civic Life happened.

If you are focused on goblins in the voting machines but don’t know anything about the CTCL and what they did to defeat Donald Trump, it’s time to up your game.

The Center for Technology and Civic Life and allied groups are responsible for building an urban get-out-the-vote-machine of the sort that Democrats could only dream up on a bender fueled by jugs of Merlot and all the legalized pot they could smoke.

The Capital Research Center has this deep dive into what the Center for Technology and Civil Life did in just Georgia. It starts with this:

 

This year, left-leaning donors Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan gave $350 million to an allegedly “nonpartisan” nonprofit, the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), which in turn re-granted the funds to thousands of governmental election officials around the country to “help” them conduct the 2020 election.

 

“Help.” That’s a good one. What these grants did was build structural bias into the 2020 election where structural bias matters most – in densely populated urban cores. It converted election offices in key jurisdictions with deep reservoirs of Biden votes into Formula One turnout machines. The hundreds of millions of dollars built systems, hired employees from activist groups, bought equipment and radio advertisements. It did everything that street activists could ever dream up to turn out Biden votes if only they had unlimited funding.

In 2020, they had unlimited funding because billionaires made cash payments to 501(c)(3) charities that in turn made cash payments to government election offices.

Flush with hundreds of millions in new cash, government election offices turned those donations into manpower, new equipment, and street muscle to turn often sluggish and incompetent urban election offices into massive Biden turnout machines across the country – in Madison, Milwaukee, Detroit, Lansing, Philadelphia, and Atlanta among dozens of others.

The kicker is that such practices aren't illegal. So how does the GOP combat this going forward? I honestly have no idea. But in order to address this situation, it at least has to be engaged in. Sadly I'm not seeing a lot of evidence of that at this point in time. 

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Ya don't say.......

Has anyone else noticed how Minnesota's senior U.S. Senator has lately gone into full Karen mode when it comes to wearing face coverings?

The vaccine will save lives. So will a mask. Wear one.

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) December 15, 2020

Especially when one is in a cramped indoor setting, right Klobee?

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Quick Hits: Volume CCXXXVIII

 - Had the NFL season ended after last week 13, my Minnesota Vikings were the #7 (and final) seed in the NFC playoffs. Alas, there were still four games to be played. 

With Sunday's 26-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Vikes are now on the outside looking in with regards to the playoffs. However, the focus of their loss to the Bucs was on the ineptitude of kicker Dan Bailey. Despite being one of the more accurate kickers in NFL history, Bailey has been plagued with the "yips" of late, as he missed his only extra point attempt and all three field goal tries on Sunday. Over the past two weeks, he's 1 for 4 in extra points and 2 for 6 in FGs. 

Given the Vikes' recent history of woefully timed kicking mishaps (see: Anderson, Gary and Walsh, Blair), fellow Vikings fan John Kriesel (who lost both his legs while in combat in Iraq) had this to say after Sunday's debacle. 

The Vikings kicking game is legitimately the only PTSD I suffer from.

— John Kriesel (@johnkriesel) December 13, 2020

Yikes. 

- So the Cleveland Indians baseball team is dropping their 105-year old nickname. 

If you're asking my opinion as to what their new nickname should be, I'm thinking it's one which comes with a readymade team anthem.

- It's official. Joe Biden is President-elect of the United States. 

In light of this, the focus shifted to President Donald Trump and his continued refusal to concede the election. If I were Trump and some smarmy media person asked me about my lack of a concession, I would just answer with "Whatta ya talkin' about? My concession speech was the exact one used by Stacey Abrams."

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We can live like Jack and Sally if we want.....

Only 13 shopping days until Christmas, but we hope you have an opportunity to tune in to today's edition of my radio show The Closer. The 2-hour broadcast gets started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the latest challenge to the presidential election results in multiple states, so it appears official that President Trump will not be reelected. Also, I have had several listeners over the past month or so convey their disappointment in me over my concession that Trump lost. I've got a few things to say about that as well. 

On a local level, the Minneapolis City Council voted to reduce funding to its police force despite significant increases in violent crime in the city. Also, some prominent health club owners are lobbying to have their facilities re-opened during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Good Trump

Despite the month of December showing record daily American deaths since the COVID-19 pandemic began 9 months ago, there is some good news. 

The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine, marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans.

Shots for health workers and nursing home residents are expected to begin in the coming days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of what promises to be a strongly protective vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech.

President Donald Trump took a well-earned victory lap upon this being announced. 

 

pic.twitter.com/ofLq3OMicv

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2020

This is an undeniable positive to come out of Trump's four-year term (one of several, IMO) despite his initial handling of the pandemic leaving a lot to be desired. I can't help but think if he had just allowed VP Mike Pence take the lead on the COVID-19 task force, it would have put a much better face on what was a harrowing situation. Unfortunately that is just not in Trump's nature to delegate, so he ended up inserting himself into what were once daily COVID pressers, often resulting in some of the more boorish, disjointed and awkward moments of his presidency. I can't say for sure if this alone cost him reelection, but it was definitely a major factor. 

I just hope for Trump's sake that he is able to one day find that inner peace that seems to have eluded him probably his entire life. 

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Part of me wished for a different resolution

 By now you've heard of the "woke Santa" who denied a young boy's wish for a toy gun. 

Thankfully there was a happy ending as the boy received his nerf gun after the aforementioned incident went viral. 

While that certainly was the more heart-warming and appropriate ending to this sorry saga, a part of me wished the kid would have got back in line with that "woke Santa" and had this exchange (CAUTION: STRONG LANGUAGE): 

Yeah, yeah, I know. That is wholly unacceptable behavior from a kid. Forgive me, as I let my vindictive side get the best of me there. 

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Quick Hits: Volume CCXXXVII

- On Tuesday, many commemorated the 40-year anniversary of the death of legendary musician John Lennon. 

I was in 6th grade when this occurred and while I knew the name "Beatles," I couldn't have named one member of the group. I was also taken aback at how this tragedy affected my fellow 6th graders. Apparently they were much more musically engaged than I was. 

But the one aspect of this anniversary which stood out to me? Lennon has now been gone for almost the same amount of time (40 years) as he was alive. Dang. 

- University of Nevada-Las Vegas quarterback Max Gilliam apologized for eating sushi off a naked model on an episode of some reality TV series called Below Deck. 

"This is not a reflection of my character or the way I was raised nor a reflection of the culture of UNLV Football," Gilliam wrote. "I would like to humbly move past this and focus my time and energy on our game against the University of Hawaii this weekend."

I would concur that this was as egregious an offense as one can imagine. One should never partake in eating sushi.

- Yet another in a long-running series of reminders about how we are so not "all in this together" in the fight against COVID-19.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is warning that renewed restaurant restrictions could be on the way in the state as the coronavirus outbreak worsens, but operations at NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” won’t be interrupted despite the fact that the program recently had an indoor, live audience.

As previously reported by Fox News, the comedy show is said to have skirted strict coronavirus regulations in the Big Apple by paying audience members $150 for their participation in the season premiere this fall. This would allow the program to consider live audience members paid individuals who “work” for the show.

An NBC spokesperson did not return Fox News' request for comment on whether this policy is ongoing.

This is on the heels of SNL personality Pete Davidson mocking small business owners who reside in his hometown of Staten Island. Davidson implied they were crybabies for essentially not wanting to acquiesce to their livelihoods being in peril.

You ever notice that the biggest critics of anti-lockdown protests are those who aren't suffering much (if any) of a financial loss? 

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Dick Allen: 1942-2020

 Former MLB slugger Dick Allen has passed away at the age of 78.

As of his passing, Allen was not in the baseball Hall of Fame. With a lifetime .292 batting average, 1,848 hits and 351 home runs, should he be in the Hall?

A few years ago, MLB Network's Brian Kenny made a compelling case. 

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It's all such a blur when time goes so quickly.....

We're now into December of a year that has been......noteworthy. Good thing I have a 2-hour weekly radio show, which I'll broadcast today. My program The Closer will get started at 1:00 PM Central Time. 

Much of the political news is focused on the two Senate races and presidential election results in Georgia, so I will definitely weigh in on what's happening there. I will also discuss the blatant Democrat politicization of COVID-19.

At 2:30, MN State Representative Peggy Scott (R-Andover) will join us via phone to discuss the latest MN budget projections as well as offer a preview of the 2021 legislative session slated to begin next month. 

So please call (651) 289-4488 if you'd like to weigh in on any of the topics we plan on addressing.

 

You can listen live in the Twin Cities at AM 1280 or, if you're near downtown Minneapolis/West Metro area, 107.5 FM on your radio dial. In and out of the Minneapolis-St Paul area you can listen to the program on the Internet by clicking this link, or check us out via iheart radio as well as Amazon Alexa (just say "Alexa, play The Patriot Minneapolis"). If you're unable to tune in live, please check out my podcast page for the latest show post.

And if you're so inclined, follow along on Twitter at #NARNShow or "Like" our Facebook page.

Until then.....

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Like shooting fish in a barrel

It's not that surprising when we learn of an elected official not willing to live up to the standards they insist their constituents adhere to, and this era of the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. But what has me somewhat taken aback is the sheer number of politicians (all Democrats) who have been busted breaking their own edicts. 

The latest offense involving the mayor of Austin, TX was not only egregious but utterly hilarious. 

EXCLUSIVE: Austin Mayor Steve Adler told the public to "stay home if you can...this is not the time to relax" in a Nov. 9 Facebook video. He did not disclose that he was at a timeshare in Cabo San Lucas after flying on a private jet with eight family members and guests. pic.twitter.com/w1uZahGfpM

— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) December 2, 2020

My radio show's political wonk (and Austin resident) Matt Mackowiak with the mic drop response: 

 

BREAKING NEWS: Austin Mayor Steve Adler tests positive for CABO-19.

— Matt Mackowiak (@MattMackowiak) December 3, 2020

Both Daily Caller and New York Post are compiling pretty lengthy lists of those officials ignoring their own mandates. Maybe these politicos should just resort to the tactic of their media enablers by continually pointing the finger at Sturgis. 

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True sacrifice

When former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick became the face of Nike shoes, the slogan tied to his ad campaign was "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything." The insinuation being that Kap's outspoken activism is the reason he has not had a job in the NFL since 2016. 

Kaepernick played in the National Football League for six years. Sure, he lost out on a significant amount of money with no team opting to sign him. But it's a stretch to suggest that he made a huge sacrifice when he had a longer than average NFL career, attained a financial settlement in a grievance against the NFL as well as locking in a lucrative Nike endorsement deal. I'm guessing Kap's not living check-to-check (not to mention his not playing pro football means he's avoided significant risk of additional head injuries). 

Now, you want an example of true sacrifice?

Hong Kong pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow, and Ivan Lam were sentenced to jail on Wednesday on charges related to an unauthorized anti-government protest last year at the city’s police headquarters.

Wong, who pleaded guilty to organizing and participating in the protest, received 13 1/2 months behind bars. Chow, who also pleaded guilty to participating in the protest and inciting others to take part, received 10 months, while Lam received 7 months after pleading guilty to incitement.

The protest took place on June 21 last year and saw thousands surround the police headquarters as they demonstrated against excessive force by police against protesters, as well as a now-withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to mainland China.

The jailing of the trio, known for their advocacy for democracy in Hong Kong both at home and abroad, comes as Beijing tightens control over the semi-autonomous city following months of anti-government protests last year, which occasionally saw violent clashes between protesters and police.

In June, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong to crack down on dissent.

It is the first time that Chow, 23, has been given a jail sentence. Wong, 24, and Lam, 26, had previously been jailed over charges related to their activism.

In China, there has been a longstanding practice of enslaving Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in prison camps. Recently there's been proposed legislation aiming to ban imports of a significant number of goods produced with forced Chinese labor. One of the prominent major U.S. companies lobbying against such a bill? Nike. 

Enjoy those royalty checks, Kap.

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Unhinged

It's become increasingly clear that there is no one in President Trump's inner circle who can convince him he's dead wrong on a subject. It appears to be some sort of ego defense, one in which he's wholly incapable of admitting error even when discussing the most innocuous, superficial subjects. 

Trump's obsession with taking shots at Georgia elected officials is just the latest instance where he is woefully misguided. 

....Also, quickly check the number of envelopes versus the number of ballots. You may just find that there are many more ballots than there are envelopes. So simple, and so easy to do. Georgia Republicans are angry, all Republicans are angry. Get it done!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2020

Ed Morrissey at Hot Gas Air punctures Trump's flawed demands.

In the first place, how would any emergency relate to ballot procedures? We set rules in advance for elections precisely to prevent ad-hoc handling of elections. There is no emergency declaration that would touch this process, and the process itself is set by legislation which Kemp has no authority to change. The idea of using “emergency powers” to override statute on elections is absurd on its face, and more reminiscent of banana republics than American governance.

Next, the ballot signatures have already been checked — twice — in this process. Kemp can’t order another signature match against the ballots because the ballots get separated from the signatures when they get counted. We have secret ballots in this country, remember? Once the signatures get checked on intake (after a previous check on the absentee application), the envelopes are separated out. Even if you find a mismatch, you can’t point it to a specific ballot.

The greater issue here is Trump raising doubts about Georgia's electoral system five weeks ahead of the two critical U.S. Senate runoffs taking place in the state, races which will decide the balance of power in the upper chamber. If enough GOP voters are convinced their votes for Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler would be undermined, they may not bother to vote at all. And if indeed both Republicans lose, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy resulting in Trump et al continuing to shift the blame to the Georgia Secretary of State for not "STOPPING THE STEAL," or something. 

The Republicans keeping the U.S. Senate and gaining double digit seats in the U.S. House sets the party up nicely for the 2022 midterm elections, especially since there remains dominant GOP representation in state legislatures across the country. As such, the redrawing of Congressional districts in early '22 will be favorable to the party. But the fact Trump his airing his own personal grievances as well as peddling baseless conspiracy theories threatens all that, which would in turn undo unquestionably positive aspects of his legacy. 

Sad!

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