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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Electoral Count Open Thread

Electoral Count Open Thread

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Here’s a CSPAN live stream of the proceedings:

Also, Pence isn’t going to gum up the works. From The Post:

Pence, in a letter to lawmakers Wednesday, rejected Trump’s view that he could unilaterally reject electoral college votes from states won by Biden when he presides over a joint session of Congress.

“My oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not,” Pence said in the letter. “My role as presiding officer is largely ceremonial.”

His letter circulated as Trump repeatedly implored him to intervene in Congress’s counting of the results during a rally at the White House Ellipse.

“Mike Pence, I hope you’re going to stand up for the good of our Constitution and for the good of our country,” Trump said. “And if you’re not, I’m going to be very disappointed in you. I will tell you right now, I’m not hearing good stories.”

Flaccid Führer was just telling the assembled Brown Shirts that Pence had the power to overturn the election. He doesn’t, of course, but I figured the servile Pence would fake a seizure or something to get out of his emcee duties. Pence has spent four years occupying Trump’s colon hoping to inherit the MAGA choads, but that’s not happening now. Let the Sessionshunning of Pence begin!

Open thread.

Reader Interactions

156Comments

  5. 5.

    Jerzy Russian

    Pence has spent four years occupying Trump’s colon hoping to inherit the MAGA choads

    Eww.

    Can we do the equivalent of moving over to a different calendar system similar to when they moved from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian calendar? You will recall that they skipped 12 days after that transition. We would need about 14 days or so to get us to January 20.

  6. 6.

    randy khan

    I guess the Proud Boys and their fellow travelers didn’t manage to keep Dems from getting to the House chamber.  Quelle surprise.

  8. 8.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    “And if you’re not, I’m going to be very disappointed in you. I will tell you right now, I’m not hearing good stories.”

    This is what, three elections in a row your lost Donny? A lot of people are disappointed in you.

  12. 12.

    Mary G

    Listen to Adam Schiff speak after Jim Jordan has shouted incoherently is just pure bliss. So eloquent, well written, delivery perfect. “This house has been a place of giants, how did we become so small?”

    Backhanded praise of Mitch McConnell, lol.

  13. 13.

    mali muso

    I can’t bear to watch, but will follow along here.  How long do we expect the circus to last before the fat lady sings?

  14. 14.

    MisterForkbeard

    @WaterGirl: Probably with the violence happening in the halls, where Trump-incited rioters are trying to kill the police and various congresspeople.

    Or maybe she’s unhappy with the Republicans trying to overthrow the entire government for fascism.

    Porque no los dos? :)

  16. 16.

    Eolirin

    @mali muso: I would think at least six hours. Less if the morons also lack stamina. If they really wanted to be assholes about it they could contest the results of every single state and tie this up for days. But I don’t think they have the fortitude for that.

  18. 18.

    Mary G

    @mali muso: Don’t know for sure, but I think I read they get two hours for each objection, and since they are objecting to six states, 12 hours total. I hope Nancy keeps them there as long as it takes and they have to vote at 4 a.m.

  19. 19.

    emmyelle

    Remember at the end of Breaking Bad, after Walt had enlisted the help of Uncle Jack to take care of his enemies and help him amass the 80 billion, or whatever, and then he loses control of things because of course when you fucking enlist the “help” of Nazis for your own selfish purposes you lose control and anyway then Uncle Jack and his goons kill Hank and take most of Walt’s money?

    The first time I saw that scene, and every time since when I have thought about it, I think that’s how it is in the GOP.

  20. 20.

    Geminid

    @WaterGirl: They’ve kind of gone out on a limb. I think they will still contest least one state. There is up to 2 hrs. debate allowed for an objection to state’s results, I believe. One Senator spoke of contesting three. Maybe they’ll just contest one state and get it over with.        I’m interested in which Republicans and Democrats get to speak against the objections. There probably won’t be enough time for all who want to.

  21. 21.

    I'll be Frank

    SO – Mitch seems near tears

    Me – it’s like old yeller.  He’s got to shoot his dog.  Only instead of it being a beloved dog it was a rabid dog the whole time and Travis had been using the dog to keep old man Sanderson away.

  23. 23.

    Mary G

    ????

    I’m sheltering in place in my office. The building next door has been evacuated. I can’t believe I have to write this.— Rep. Haley Stevens (@RepHaleyStevens) January 6, 2021

    Oh:

    BREAKING: Trump supporters have breached the Capitol building, tearing down 4 layers of security fencing and are attempting to occupy the building — fighting federal police who are overrun
    This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Thousands, police can’t stop them pic.twitter.com/VVdTUwV5YN— ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) January 6, 2021

  24. 24.

    mrmoshpotato

    “Mike Pence, I hope you’re going to stand up for the good of our Constitution and for the good of our country,” Trump said. “And if you’re not, I’m going to be very disappointed in you. I will tell you right now, I’m not hearing good stories.”

    You should totally fire Pence, you fat, orange, fascist shitpile!  Do it!  That’ll show him!

    “I will tell you right now, I’m not hearing good stories.”

    Oh shut your Kremlin ass-sucking face already.

  25. 25.

    Eolirin

    @Mary G: This all assumes the capitol police can get the angry mob under control. They may need to evacuate before they get through the procedural roadblocks.

    This could get very ugly very quickly.

  29. 29.

    Mary G

    Jamie Raskin gets up and thanks Nancy SMASH for her kindness and tenderness to his family and gets a standing ovation from at least the Democrats. Rs at least quiet.

  30. 30.

    patrick II

    I was one of the few here who thought Pence would follow his obligation and in the end do what he was supposed to do.  He was ambiguous about what he would do up until today to moderate Trump’s pressure. But in the end, he is a Dominionist, not a man of mob rule.

  32. 32.

    Baud

    @Mary G: I keep reading they are only going to challenge three states.  If so, maybe they can announce Biden the winner yet again during the prime time hours.

  33. 33.

    RedDirtGirl

    Thought I was dreaming listening to McConnell. Guess he knows he’s in the minority now. Just had to mute the Zodiac Killer. I’m in too good a mood for his smarm.

  34. 34.

    mali muso

    So it sounds like the Trump mobs are trying to enact the coup outside?  What happened to lawn order???

  37. 37.

    Cacti

    It’s kind of cute that Trump thinks his refusal to concede will change anything.

    Or it would be, if he didn’t have a cult following of deranged loons, ready to commit violence for him.

  40. 40.

    Leto

    I wish someone would hold Cruz down and 1) shave that fucking mullet off his head and 2) shave that scraggly werewolf hair off his face. Basically just shave him bald, Handmaiden style.

  41. 41.

    M31

    it’s hard to listen to Raskin knowing what he’s going through

    fuck the fucking fuckers, just sayin’

  42. 42.

    ByRookorbyCrook

    McTurtle had to decry partisanship by accusing Democrats of doing the same thing in every previous election. The rest of his speech was good.

    Cruz is terrible. A minority doubts the validity of the election so we need to amplify the doubt, not reaffirm the validity? Dumbass.

  43. 43.

    NotMax

    @RedDirtGirl

    McConnell’s attempt to both sides it was weak sauce. Other than that he seemed genuinely shaken, the shadow of Georgia hanging over him.

  44. 44.

    Mary G

    All the impeachment managers are speaking for Dems. Good choice. Well written and mostly well delivered. Zoe Lofgren always seems trembly and nervous, but her content was good. Republicans mostly relying on yelling. This is the new one, the crazy Colorado gun girl. Spouting Fox News talking points as fast and as loud as she can. Trying to outdo Kimberly Guilfoyle, but she doesn’t have nearly enough lung power.

  48. 48.

    Cacti

    @NotMax: AG Merrick Garland investigating Mitch and wife’s Kentucky kickback scheme at the DOT, and the firing of the Inspector General?

    This couldn’t have worked out better in a movie plot.

  52. 52.

    Amir Khalid

    @Leto:

    Ted Cruz looks appropriately creepy as is. Unlike you, I do not think kindly enough of him to want to make him look less creepy.

  53. 53.

    Leto

    @trollhattan: the response to these traitorous shit weasels v BLM protestors is stark. It’s the same type of response ala the Michigan capital protests. Don’t see any extra Justice Dept goons out there beating the shit out of people.

  55. 55.

    NotMax

    Shorter Cruz:

    “We must look into these allegations. Pay no attention to them being bereft of evidence and having repeatedly been held to carry no merit.”

    All that was missing was his closing by using a finger to make motorboat noises with his lips.

  57. 57.

    germy

    So Boebert is screaming about… more people being allowed to register and vote.

    And she mentions her constituents… who are outside rioting.

  58. 58.

    topclimber

    @Mary G: I am intrigued by this “up to two hours” provision. If Nancy gets pissed off enough by the MAGA invasion of her House, what stops her from getting approval to make each objection have only 10 minutes or 5 minutes or even 1?

    Maybe enough GOP Senators get to do the same thing in their chamber, once the House makes it clear their co-equal branch ends this charade TODAY. They can overrule Mitch if they are pissed enough about mobs in the hallways.

  60. 60.

    JWR

    NBC covering the MAGA rally, and it’s odd. Something seems off. Oh, I know… no tear gas. (Or is gas verboten so near the Capitol?)

    Goddamn! Now the crowd has breached the gates of the building!

  61. 61.

    Leto

    Traitorous shit weasels have pushed further up the capitol steps. MSNBC is showing it on the split screen. It looks like they’re moving into the Capital itself. This really, really needs to be fucking shut down.

  62. 62.

    Geminid

    @Mary G: If Kevin McCarthy thinks giving Lauren Bobert speaking time is a good thing, he’s an idiot. But I guess we already knew McCarthy is an idiot. But I’m glad the Democratic impeachment managers will speak. That’s a talented bunch.

  63. 63.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Eolirin:

    If they really wanted to be assholes about it they could contest the results of every single state and tie this up for days. 

    Definitely contest the states won by their Soviet shitpile mobster manbaby god emperor.

  64. 64.

    Fraud Guy

    Trump supporters trying to give Trump reason to invoke the Insurrection Act?  Wouldn’t that be a conspiracy?

    I think Pence should have a letter in his pocket to give to Nancy and Mitch with the signatures of half of the Cabinet to have Trump sidelined until the end of his term.

  65. 65.

    NotMax

    @topclimber

    The rules in place provide for a maximum of two hours’ debate. No speaker to hold the floor for more than five minutes. No speaker to be granted the floor more than once during the time allotted for debate.

  67. 67.

    germy

    Where are these rioters fathers? This is an indictment on their music, role models, and home. We need law and order.

    — Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) January 6, 2021

  70. 70.

    Mary G

    Two Capitol Hill buildings now being evacuated by USCP: Cannon House Office Building and Madison Library of Congress Building per @ChadPergram – source on the floor tells me things are very tense— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) January 6, 2021

  71. 71.

    worn

    Re: magats storming the Capitol – I guess what’s been going on out here in Salem the past few weeks was an omen.

  77. 77.

    Patricia Kayden

    Yep.

    This is more than just a riot, this is full blown attempt at insurrection. Meanwhile, apparently the cops are holding out on the tear gas and rubber bullets, you know, just in case some black people show up.— Stonekettle (@Stonekettle) January 6, 2021

  80. 80.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Leto:

    And I immediately want to punch Ted Cruz in the face. 

    Evergreen.  And the beard doesn’t improve anything.  C’mon. Ted.

  81. 81.

    randy khan

    @Mary G:

    Edit:  It seems like the Post story I quote was not entirely up to date, based on a couple of other items.  I hope these idiots get prosecuted and sent away for a long time.

    The WaPo account puts this in better perspective (with a photo that probably tells the story):  They didn’t get in.

    Here’s the gist:

    As protesters marched from the Ellipse to the Capitol, several hundred came up against the metal barricades surrounding the back of the building.

    Just before 1 p.m., a group of primarily White men pushed, then toppled the barricades, storming through them to the grassy fields leading to the Capitol.

    Several Capitol police stood guard but could not hold back the tide. Hundreds scaled and kicked aside the barricades, yelling “forward!!” as they ran upward.

    Some tried to reach the steps of the Capitol, but were stopped by law enforcement. A few who made it through and scaled metal construction structures were tackled by police.

    Appalling, of course, but in the end they never got within 100 yards of anyone but law enforcement (and I’d add that you really can’t get into the Capitol from that side anyway).

  82. 82.

    Roger Moore

    @Fraud Guy: 

    I think Pence should have a letter in his pocket to give to Nancy and Mitch with the signatures of half of the Cabinet to have Trump sidelined until the end of his term.

    What makes you think he could get half the cabinet to sign such a letter? Most of them are 100% on-board with Trumpism.

  84. 84.

    ET

    Capitol Police were more prepared for BLM than the Nazis.

    Closed building, telling people to stay away from windows, metro bypassing Capitol South, building evacuations.

  86. 86.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Mary G: watching MSNBC–  sounds like the Secret Service hustled trump out of the chamber, a plain clothes Capitol Hill police officer is in the presiding chair of the Senate chamber.

    ETA: “REpbulican National Committee headquarters evacuated”

    what’s that whole what you sow thing again?

  87. 87.

    Leto

    @mrmoshpotato: while we’re at it, add Fuck Todd to that list. Totally useless bloviating right now. I say right now as if the last N+ of his tv career has been anything less.

  88. 88.

    Mary G

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Yeah, House recessing pursuant to “Clause B, rule 1”. Grassley gaveled the Senate out until the call of the chair. Members milling around glued to their phones. And Grassley cuts the cameras.

  90. 90.

    JWR

    This is more than just a riot, this is full blown attempt at insurrection.

    Meanwhile, apparently the cops are holding out on the tear gas and rubber bullets, you know, just in case some black people show up.
    — Stonekettle (@Stonekettle) January 6, 2021

  92. 92.

    Leto

    @randy khan: reporters there at the scene, and now HuffPo people are posting photos of protestors outside the Senate Chambers. They’re 100% inside the building.

    edit: not protestors, insurrectionists. Fuck these people.

  94. 94.

    trollhattan

    @Leto:

    The contrast is compelling and appalling. And the lack of preparation should get somebody canned. These assholes should have been kept well away from the building.

    (Also, how did antifa manage to disguise themselves as humble patriots?)

  95. 95.

    Tazj

    @Mary G: You won’t be surprised to learn that many conservatives are blaming the actions of these rioters on the actions of protesters this summer and the “failure”of the press to call out how violent the protests were. No comments about how violent the police became against those protesters.

  101. 101.

    topclimber

    @NotMax: It’s NotMAX I am talking about, but MIN (couldn’t resist). Nothing stops the Congressional majority from changing the rules, especially in the face of an a-hole invasion.

  103. 103.

    mrmoshpotato

    @NotMax:

    McConnell’s attempt to both sides it was weak sauce. Other than that he seemed genuinely shaken, the shadow of Georgia hanging over him. 

    Cry harder?  Can fascist turtles even cry?

  104. 104.

    trollhattan

    @NotMax:

    NPR did a solid this a.m. playing audio of VP Biden cooly swatting away Dem. objections to the Trump vote four years ago.

  106. 106.

    Betty Cracker

    Now CNN is saying there are MAGA thugs INSIDE the Capitol building, and they’ve advised everyone in there to find a place to shelter away from windows and public spaces.

  113. 113.

    Leto

    @trollhattan: totally agree. As someone mentioned, somehow they’re “prepared” for BLM protestors, but fucking Nazis/Insurrectionists show up and nothing can be done? Someone def needs to be shit canned, procedures revised, and full lockdown needs to be implemented. Will Bobert (whatever the fuck her dumb name is) start pewpew’ing all these traitorous thugs? Worthless sacks of skin.

  114. 114.

    randy khan

    @Leto: Yeah, WaPo is behind on the story.  I’ve edited accordingly.  It still sounds like it’s just a small group.  I honestly have no idea what the Capitol Police were thinking here, but I hope they arrest every single one of them and that they all get prosecuted.

  115. 115.

    Quinerly

    Trump 3 mins ago: “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!”

  119. 119.

    Mary G

    House back in session: Paul Gosar addressing the Capitol police guy as “Madam Speaker,” and continuing the speech as if he’s talking to Nancy Smash.

  120. 120.

    NotMax

    @topclimber

    Actually, no. The time and format of debate for this situation are delineated by a law passed in 1887. Not something which can be waived by a spontaneous ruling.

  121. 121.

    Leto

    @Steeplejack (phone): I can usually go weeks/months without seeing him, but it’s just such a visceral reaction whenever I see him. It’s no different than any other day, but it’s like a surprise $5k bill for something and you just go, “FUUUUUCK!” You weren’t expecting it, you’re not prepared for it, and you want it to immediately die/go away. Ted Cruz!

  123. 123.

    Leto

    MSNBC showing live feed of the insurrectionists inside the Capital. They’re about 20 yards from the Senate chamber. They’re just milling about, grouping up, no Capital Police control of the situation.

  124. 124.

    Mary G

    Now instead of the House proceedings, they are showing Magats in the Hall of Statuary screaming “We Want Trump.” Capitol police standing back and watching.

  126. 126.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    Were the bloated, loathesome mediocrity anything approaching decent, he’d come out and ask that they go home.

    He won’t. He’ll sit like a fat, belching Panjandrum and let them (and us) bear the consequences of his incitement.

    It is too much to ask him to act as a statesman.

  128. 128.

    Leto

    DC Mayor just ordered a 6pm (1800) curfew for the city. For all of our DC jackals, please be safe!

  133. 133.

    JWR

    Anybody else have a feeling these Covidiots, in coordination with certain people, are planning to undertake a full on riot on the House floor? I mean, they’re right outside the chamber’s doors.

  134. 134.

    NotMax

    @topclimber

    That’s cutting it rather fine. Debate ends when no one rises to speak (and is recognized by the presiding officer) or when two hours have elapsed, whichever comes first.

  136. 136.

    Betty Cracker

    @I’ll be Frank: Hey Frank, if your username contains an apostrophe, every comment will automatically go into moderation until someone with admin access approves it. I’m not sure why it works that way, but here we are. Maybe change your name to “I Will Be Frank”? :)

  140. 140.

    Shalimar

    @Fraud Guy: The question arises for 25th Amendment purposes: What constitutes a cabinet member?  To wit, do all of the illegal temp workers Trump has appointed without confirmation count?

  141. 141.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    @Quinerly:

    Anybody checked to see if Boebert is rolling strapped?  Nancy is in significant danger.

  145. 145.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    I think it was Katie Tur who just said “Oh my god” on a hot mike, and I don’t think she was responding to what Elissa Slotkin is saying on the phone

  147. 147.

    topclimber

    @NotMax: You are probably right…but let’s see what happens if the sedition squad has the stomach to continue their game beyond 3 states after rioters have invaded Congress. I suppose the worst case is they can drag proceedings out for several days by objecting to every pro-Biden state’s electors. I think Nancy would find a way to cut things short if she gets annoyed.

    Alternatively, Mother may wake Pence up to the fact that it is already too late for him to be a MAGA fave. Then he can do what Biden did and dismiss further objections for lack of grounds. Being spirited out of the Senate by the secret service might make even this wimpish weasel angry enough to strike back.

    When the evangelicals dump the deplorables to make an alliance with Chamber of Commerce types in the new and smaller Republican Party of the 2020’s, Pence might even be seen as a hero, just by acting like one now.

  149. 149.

    eponymous

    jesus fuck. I think my BP has soared to dangerous levels. Can they please stop calling these mofos “protestors”??

  151. 151.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    @topclimber:

    I like to think that Mark Kelly has punched Ted Cruz into a bloody pulp in whatever bolthole the Senate has fled to.

    On a doomy note, the DOD is denying the requests of DC officials for the National Guard to come in.  We’re in full on coup/autogolpe.

  155. 155.

    NotMax

    @topclimber

    I think Nancy would find a way to cut things short if she gets annoyed.

    In practice, to little effect as she would still have to wait until the Senate’s two hours (or less as the case may be) is up and their vote is held before they traipse back in to the House chamber to resume the joint session.

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