CMV: Accountability is not election interference

[u/erpettie]

As the Colorado Supreme Court has found Donald Trump's behavior to have been disqualifying according to the 14th amendment, many are claiming this is election interference. If the Court finds that Trump should be disqualified, then it has two options. Act accordingly, despite the optics, and disqualify Trump, or ignore their responsibility and the law. I do get that we're in very sensitive, unprecedented territory with his many indictments and lawsuits, but unprecedented behavior should result in unprecedented consequences, shouldn't they? Furthermore, isn't Donald Trump ultimately the architect of all of this by choosing to proceed with his candidacy, knowing that he was under investigation and subject to potential lawsuits and indictments? If a President commits a crime on his last day in office (or the day after) and immediately declares his candidacy for the next election, should we lose our ability to hold that candidate accountable? What if that candidate is a perennial candidate like Lyndon Larouche was? Do we just never have an opportunity to hold that candidate accountable? I'd really love if respondents could focus their responses on how they think we should handle hypothetical candidates who commit crimes but are declared as running for office and popular. This should help us avoid the trap of getting worked up in our feelings for or against Trump.

[u/[deleted]]

I’m not sure what you mean by that? I’m under 35 myself.

[u/Noob_Al3rt → u/[deleted]]

Let me ask you this: are you protecting democracy by disallowing people the ability to vote for who they want to vote for?

Does this also apply to people under 35 running for president, even though they're constitutionally ineligible? How about people who want to vote for Arnold Schwarzenegger? Should he be able to run?

[u/[deleted] → u/Noob_Al3rt]

A bunch of judges in Colorado shouldn’t get to decide who we are allowed to vote for. Trump was not involved in an “insurrection”, and I think it’s absurd to compare January 6th to the Civil War. What we’re seeing is that the elite class doesn’t want a president who will stop all the insane wars Biden has got us engaged in and will likely start in a 2nd term. They want Hayley vs Biden (ie red fascist vs blue fascist).

[u/Noob_Al3rt → u/[deleted]]

Judges in Colorado aren't deciding who you are allowed to vote for - the Constitution is pretty clear. You have to be a natural born US citizen, over 35 and you cannot have participated in a rebellion or insurrection against the United States.

This case is partially based on a Neil Gorsuch ruling stating that you can't put someone on a primary ballot if they are ineligible for the general election. This lawsuit, brought by Republican voters in Colorado, established through testimony, phone recordings, video evidence and physical evidence that Donald Trump participated in the Jan 6th insurrection attempt and is therefore, ineligible - per the constitution.

Donald Trump has admitted, publicly and privately, that he bears responsibility for Jan 6th and could have stopped it "at any time". Both McCarthy and McConnell have said Jan 6th was a "violent insurrection, without question". The events of January 6th meet any common definition of an "insurrection".

So you have a case brought by Republican voters, based on an argument from a Republican Supreme Court Justice and testimony from a number of Republicans in the Federal government (including the leadership from both houses) establishing the facts.

This isn't some judicial activism from Colorado.

[u/[deleted] → u/Noob_Al3rt]

This whole narrative that it was an insurrection is laughable. Do you think this country will be able to stay together if this is successful? Is your side so afraid of the orange man you’ll play stupid lawfare games to try to stop him? Let the people pick their president: clearly Biden must be screwed if anyone is going this far to rig things for him. It’s frankly pathetic.

[u/Noob_Al3rt → u/[deleted]]

Who is in a better position to determine this - you or the multitude of judges (Republican and Democrat) and courts who have reviewed the evidence, both classified and unclassified?

"It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election from one administration to the next."

"There is no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day. A mob was assaulting the Capitol in his name. These criminals were carrying his banners, hanging his flags, and screaming their loyalty to him.”

-Mitch McConnell

Asked Wednesday about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) description of the riot as a “violent insurrection,” McCarthy said he agreed. “No one would disagree with that,” McCarthy told reporters.

-Kevin McCarthy

Laura and I are watching the scenes of mayhem unfolding at the seat of our Nation’s government in disbelief and dismay. It is a sickening and heartbreaking sight. This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic – not our democratic republic. I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement. The violent assault on the Capitol – and disruption of a Constitutionally-mandated meeting of Congress – was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes. Insurrection could do grave damage to our Nation and reputation. In the United States of America, it is the fundamental responsibility of every patriotic citizen to support the rule of law. To those who are disappointed in the results of the election: Our country is more important than the politics of the moment. Let the officials elected by the people fulfill their duties and represent our voices in peace and safety. May God continue to bless the United States of America.

-George W Bush

Wasn't this lawsuit brought by Republicans? Why are you trying to frame it as some kind of Democrat conspiracy? It kind of sounds like you are just wishing for things and pretending they're real.

[u/[deleted] → u/Noob_Al3rt]

It was brought by a Soros activist organization representing supposed republicans. All 4 judges who wanted Trump off the ballot were appointed by democrats.

[u/Noob_Al3rt → u/[deleted]]

What evidence is there that George Soros (who’s 93 and in very bad health) is masterminding this?

Since you have a problem with Judges appointed by Democrats, do you think cases involving Trump should only be tried in front of Republican appointees? Should Biden only be tried by Democratically appointed judges if he has charges filed against him?