Transcription
Republicans think there's something shady going on with our elections. I mean, if there wasn't, how would you explain their low numbers in California? This is just another day.
With the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years, all eyes have been laser focused on the East Coast. But out west, there's some other news worth following.
>> Fox News alert. The AP just officially called the LA mayor's race. Nithia Ramen and Karen Bass will officially advance to the next election. No matter the outcome, California's process is slow, stupid, and frustrating.
Wow, what a coincidence. That's how millions of people describe you. But look, I get it. We all want our election results as fast as possible. Unfortunately, each state is different with a different process. And it's not like we can simply guzzle the ballots and spit out the results. That would be unprofessional.
But with the state of California's vote count still ongoing, there seems to be something afoot here for Republicans that goes beyond feelings of frustrated anticipation.
>> I think it's it's raised a lot of skepticism among voters when they see these wide changes days and weeks after the election and you still can't get a result uh 2 3 weeks after an election happened. Why not have all of your elections take place on election day and have the results that night?
>> Hey, I get it. Republicans know there's an agreement between the American people and their government. We should be able to expect that if something can happen in a timely manner, it will. And any excuse as to why it can't is simply a sign that something fishy is going on.
This isn't a war. Militarily on the battlefield, it's been an astounding military success.
>> We should take a step back. 50 days to deal with a 50-year-old problem.
>> We're in the midst of a of a couple of weeks long operation that's very sensitive in its mission and scope.
>> You're really going to win it over the next two weeks when we declare total victory.
Hey, maybe Republicans would relax if we constantly told them that California's election results were only two weeks out. But if I understand this correctly, what members of the GOP are saying is there's definitely voter fraud taking place.
>> I'm not saying it's rigged. I'm saying it stinks to high heaven and everybody knows that. Let's let's let's remove the appearance of impropriety.
>> Hey, I'm all for removing any appearance of impropriety. In fact, it'd be cool if our government devoted no, I don't know, $1.8 billion to the matter because I would hate for people to think that anything unethical was taking place. And that seems to be the main issue of their argument here. It's not about whether something is going on, it's whether it feels like there is.
>> Clearly, this is a system in California that doesn't work and doesn't inspire confidence and trust in voters.
>> Whether you can prove fraud or not, it does undermine voter integrity in in the vote. Um, not to get all nitpicky here, but I believe it's you who is undermining integrity in the vote. The same way if you constantly lob the accusation that someone can only achieve an orgasm if they drink their own urine, it doesn't mean that it's true. But after a while, it makes people think it's true. And that's not good to think that because it's not true unless it is. Who knows? I'm just saying. I've heard things.
But it is wild that Republicans are raising red flags around elections as a result of their losses in California, the most liberal state in the nation, which is like Harvey Weinstein saying he's having trouble finding a date and blaming the apps. I think there are some other factors at play. But the fact that they're willing to say this about the bluest of blue states just goes to show what unserious people they are. They're not even discerning about the conspiracy theories they float. My god, there must be at least one conservative out there willing to have this discussion without resorting to lies and hyperbole.
>> I mean, this is third world we're looking at right now.
>> We're not. Yes, the incredibly well-lit woman in her air-conditioned studio with presumably ample amounts of disease-free drinking water sees what's happening right now as real third-world. But how rude of me to cut her off, for it must only be a matter of seconds before those child soldiers burst in.
And you can mail in the ballots on election day. They don't have to be in by election day. I'm just like, okay, I don't care how convenient you want to make it for people. Do we really want to make it that convenient? I mean, these are lazy ass people if they can't get off their fat asses and get to election polling stations on election day, then we don't want you, okay? We don't want we don't want your vote. Who gives a damn about you? You're too lazy. You're too busy. Sure. To make it down to uh the polling station on election day. Then get out. Good. Goodbye. You don't get to vote.
>> Hell yeah. That is America. For, as Lady Liberty said, give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, so I can shame them into turning around and going back to their holes that they came from.
While it may not be as overt or as violent, what Donald Trump and his supporters are doing right now is as undemocratic as what those insurrectionists did on January 6th. They are attempting to overthrow and undermine our electoral process. And for further proof of that, take Trump-appointed US attorney Bill Barr, who has been making the rounds talking about his war on voter fraud.
>> We do monitor and we do look for fraud in every election. Uh this is no exception. Any election that has a federal candidate on it, we do monitor and we look for fraud. And there's no question there is fraud in every election. The question is how much fraud.
>> Right? But isn't that kind of the issue? There's always going to be traces of bad things in everything we do. Americans and our government have grown to accept that.
>> From rat feces and rodent hair to insect parts, what the FDA allows in the foods you eat for tomato products, for example, the FDA sets certain limits as to how many fly eggs or tiny maggots may show up in a tested amount.
>> Hear that? Our government is totally cool with a certain amount of maggots in our tomatoes. Frankly, not nearly enough to satisfy this guy. Oh, I hate it when my worms start to taste like the vegetables.
But unfortunately for these Republicans, we live in a democratic society, which means there will always be a few incidents of things we don't like. But that's life. And before we start overhauling the entire electoral system, it would be nice to have some actual proof that all of the things that you claim are taking place are actually taking place.
>> But what evidence is there to prove that there was >> I don't Some of these efforts are so diabolical and so far upstream that it is impossible to prove. But I think everybody knows instinctively something is wrong here.
>> Ah, yes. The old trust me, bro, as a source. Got it. The sad reality is Donald Trump and his sycophantic Republican acolytes wouldn't need to pedal any of their asinine conspiracy theories or babble on about non-existent suspicious activities if they spent even a fraction of their energy simply oh uh what's it called? Governing. Watching the GOP right now is like watching a high schooler try and get out of reading their book assignment by tackling a bigger book called 101 ways to avoid reading.
There is a simple solution to the Republican party's election woes. It is not rigging the election or crying fraud. And while I hate to give them answers for free, I'm feeling a little bit generous these days. So here it is. Do the you promise to do. It's that simple. when you promise to lower costs, lower inflation, make healthcare more affordable, make housing more affordable, not entangle America in foreign wars, and vow to release all of the Epstein files, and then you don't do any of that, some, let's call it, mild frustration is to be expected.
But I am very well aware that my advice will fall on deaf ears because when it comes to hearing things, it's not exactly a specialty for the leader of the Republican party. Take last night's Knicks game for example. There are a lot of events from last night that are open to interpretation. Some say New York lost because their defense wasn't as physical as they should have been. Others blame missed free throws or excessive turnovers. But if there is one thing that is not debatable about last night's game, it is how Donald Trump was welcomed at the Garden.
>> It appeared to be a frosty reception at Madison Square Garden for President Trump.
>> He was loudly booed during the national anthem. Not the warmest reception for Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden.
>> The president was greeted by boos.
>> Donald Trump has been given a brutal reception.
>> President Donald Trump was greeted by a chorus of loud boos. Thunderously booed at Madison Square Garden.
>> Well, President Trump did not receive a warm hometown welcome at Madison Square Garden last night. He drew loud boos from some fans during the playing of the national anthem.
>> Or to put that another way,
>> I thought it was very good. Yeah. It was certainly amazing. It was It was I think mostly tears. It was It was loud and it was very enthusiastic.
>> See, what is the point in trying to debate facts when this man is just going to hear what he wants to hear? Democrats need to continue to fight because what the other party is attempting to do is take a sledgehammer to the very concept of democracy. If Donald Trump and the Republicans are successful in their efforts to steal future elections through lies and falsehoods, then America will eventually look like oh um what was it?
>> Third world.
>> Exactly. Before you go, I'm very excited to announce that I've written a new book titled The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World. The book explores what is, in my opinion, the single most important theme that we're dealing with in politics today and moving forward. Power. Specifically how Republicans abuse it and how Democrats refuse to wield it. This book explains how we got here and more importantly, how we should finally wield power if we're fortunate enough to get it back. It is the blueprint for progressives who want to do far more than just restore the status quo. Please pre-order today by visiting the link in the episode description or go to brianylcocken.com/book. You can grab yours from any of the major retailers like Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or find an independent bookstore closest to you that's also listed on that website. Thanks so much for supporting Independent Media.