Thoughts 6: 10/17

As Donald Trump continues to make the dangerous, unsubstantiated statement that the election will be rigged, the leaders of the Republican Party have divided into three camps; the supporters, the silent, and those who disagree.

Paul Ryan, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Pence, and Newt Gingrich have all offered their opinions. A number of prominent Republicans, past and present, have refused to comment. These include Mitch McConnell, Chris Christie, Presidents Bush and Bush, and past candidates Mitt Romney and John McCain.

Giuliani and Gingrich have endorsed Trump's claim, but at different magnitudes. While Gingrich has certainly aided Trump's campaign during the primary and general election, he also hasn't been afraid to criticize Trump's more outrageous statements. Here, he seems to agree with Trump's claim the election is rigged, but while Trump intends that there will be voter fraud, Gingrich only means that the media is biased.

Giuliani though, agrees (a bit hesitantly perhaps) that voter fraud is a problem, and Democrats are to blame.

Paul Ryan, has explicitly rejected Trump's language, but since he has not fully withdrawn his endorsement, his denunciation rings hollow.

And finally, Trump's running-mate, Pence has attempted to appear on both sides: publicly rejecting a woman's call for “revolution” at a rally, but has moved closer to Trump's position recently.

Since Trump shows no sign of backing down from his claim, the only question is, who will reject his story if he loses?

Will we see Pence publicly denounce Trump if they lose: will others who have remained silent come forward to repudiate their candidate's ugly rhetoric? Or will they allow Trump to continue his assault, unanswered, on the norms of our democracy?



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