Begin forwarded message:From: "Choose Democracy via ActionNetwork.org" <info@email.actionnetwork.org>Subject: Where are things now?Date: November 10, 2020 at 9:45:52 PM PSTReply-To: choosedemocracypledge@gmail.com
Months ago we urged people to prepare in case of a coup. We told people to act decisively if a coup begins — because coups are often decided in days or weeks.
This scenario has unfolded differently. What we have seen has been slow, poorly rolled out, and has none of the surprise elements associated with a traditional coup.
There are reasons for concern, such as: the government refusing to authorize resources for Biden’s transition team, prominent Republicans refusing to honor the election results, and Attorney General Bill Barr instructing the Department of Justice to look into serious “allegations” of supposed voter fraud.
Yet votes continue to be counted deliberately and fairly. The media continues to treat Biden as the president-elect. Secretaries of State are standing by the election process. World leaders, Democrats, and many Republicans have congratulated Biden on his win.
Do we spring into action?
We keep looking at each news item through this lens:
Are the actions by these institutions and individuals able to change the outcome of the election?
The answer is no. And given where we are, we don’t think we have to jump into the streets and do mass nonviolent civil disobedience.
Reasons we think that’s not needed now:
Trump’s campaign is filing lawsuits, but they don’t go anywhere. They are consistently losing in the courts because they have no evidence. It’s tough talk to announce new lawsuits, but because their arguments are without merit, they continue to be quickly disposed of. Ultimately, coups require institutions like the courts to cooperate in breaking norms — but so far, the courts have resisted his calls to collaborate.
Trump’s campaign has the support of individuals, but not institutions. When the Attorney General announced the Department of Justice would open an investigation into supposed “voter fraud”, it was immediately met with internal resistance, like Richard Pilger quitting in protest. Internal dissension stops coups.
Trump’s campaign is putting out a narrative, but it’s not being validated by mainstream media or election officials. While Trump continues to insist that there is massive voter fraud and that he has won the election, virtually every mainstream news outlet and election official remains unanimous in agreeing that the election has been conducted fairly, and that Biden has been declared the winner. Election officials remain steadfast that they don’t see any signs of mass voter fraud.
Deteriorating their cause further, those supporting Trump’s claims that he won don’t have a unified goal. Some people want to keep Trump in power. But many others are driven by other concerns: sabotaging Biden’s presidency, loyalists acceding to Trump’s inability to lose gracefully, and appearing responsive to part of the Republican base.
The bottom line is, Trump’s efforts aren’t building momentum in the institutions that determine the election outcome. The people leading the charge believe it cannot win. Trump’s family are asking him to concede. Even his lawyers are saying this may be too unethical for them!
Consistent with the will of the voters, Biden appears fully on track to be this country’s President.
So we don’t believe this is the moment for activation in the streets. We will keep monitoring this very closely.
Some things we plan on doing right now and encourage others to do:
Breathe. This pandemic-election was stressful. Acting out of our fear isn’t going to make us stronger. Find your steady ground.
Tell elected officials what to do. This is a good time to write to your officials who are doing the right thing or who need pressure to step up.
Give gratitude to Democracy heroes. Send food to poll workers to thank them for making your vote count, send cards to election officials standing up to this nonsense, and express gratitude to voices who are speaking truth.
Prepare for a Biden Presidency. Trump will keep doing outrageous things that sow chaos. Don’t get caught up responding to every news cycle so we don’t prepare for the big things coming our way. This is a good time to consider what pressure will the Biden administration need to assert your values and repair the Democratic fabric that’s been ripped apart right now.
Yes, Trump and his collaborators are appealing to a frustrated and angry base. Yes, it's traitorous to our Democracy. Yes, it's vile. Yes, it’s stirring up forces of distrust and dissension. Yes, it can be scary.
And… Trump isn't winning the fight for legitimacy. His efforts are being slapped down and do not have the power to change the outcome of the election. It's the move of a losing team that's trying hail mary plays after the game is over.
Our collective work has helped make Trump’s efforts to undo the election ineffective. As we continue to monitor the situation closely, let’s keep breathing, staying attentive, and be ready for action if things escalate.
Choose Democracy
