What if a US presidential candidate refuses to concede after an election? | Van Jones | Summary and Q&A

Transcript

Transcriber: Ivana Korom Reviewer: Joanna Pietrulewicz OK, as an attorney, as a political commentator, and frankly, as a former White House official, I used to think I knew a lot about how America picks a president. I was wrong, I did not know. And this year, I've been doing some research into some of the fine print and all the different things in ... Read More

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the potential loopholes in the American presidential election system that could result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote or majority in the electoral college. The speaker emphasizes the importance of the concession speech as a voluntary gesture that helps maintain peace and stability after an election. They also highlight the potential consequences and actions that could occur if a losing candidate refuses to concede. The speaker provides suggestions on how individuals can get informed, get loud, and get active to protect democracy and prevent a potential coup.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does the speaker emphasize as the reason behind the lack of riots and strife after a US election?

The speaker emphasizes that the concession speech plays a crucial role in preventing riots and strife after an election. They explain that this speech demobilizes the candidate's supporters and encourages them to accept the outcome of the election, thus ensuring peace and unity.

Q: Why does the speaker describe the concession speech as a remarkable tradition?

The speaker describes the concession speech as a remarkable tradition because it voluntarily concedes the race and allows for the peaceful transfer of power. They explain that the speech helps to accept the winner, which is important for the functioning of subsequent constitutional steps that follow the election, such as the meeting of the electoral college and the presidential inauguration.

Q: What could potentially happen if a losing candidate refuses to concede the election?

If a losing candidate refuses to concede, several consequences and actions could follow. The candidate could file numerous lawsuits to block the counting of mail-in ballots, demand states to refuse to certify the election due to alleged fraud or interference, or present a rival slate of electors to the electoral college or Congress. This could create chaos and ultimately lead to the House of Representatives deciding the outcome of the election, even without considering the popular vote or majority in the electoral college.

Q: How does the speaker explain the possibility of Republicans anointing their candidate as president despite not winning the popular vote or majority in the electoral college?

The speaker explains that if the presidential election ends up in the House of Representatives, it is not determined by individual congresspeople's votes but by delegation, meaning that each state has one vote. This scenario could potentially result in the candidate supported by the majority of states, most of which are red states, becoming the president, disregarding the popular vote or majority in the electoral college.

Q: What are the three important things individuals can do in this scenario?

The three important things individuals can do in this scenario are getting informed, getting loud, and getting active. Getting informed involves researching organizations focused on safeguarding democracy and finding reliable sources of information. Getting loud means using one's voice and speaking to universal American values that transcend partisan lines. Getting active includes joining and supporting organizations that fight for fair outcomes and peaceful resolutions. It may also involve peaceful protests and following strategies outlined in resources like the "Hold the Line" guidebook.

Q: What organizations does the speaker mention as working to warn Americans about the threat to democracy?

The speaker mentions several organizations that are actively working to warn Americans about the threat to democracy, including choosedemocracy.us, electiontaskforce.org, protectdemocracy.org, mobilize.us, allamericans.org, civicalliance.com, and the Fight Back table at demos.org. They also suggest organizations like The Heritage Foundation and the Government Accountability Institute focused on voter fraud for those on the right.

Q: What does the speaker advise when speaking out about the potential threat to democracy?

The speaker advises individuals to speak to universal American values rather than parti-san issues. They mention the importance of emphasizing the value of every vote counting, the idea of the majority ruling, and the honorable and gracious concession by an incumbent president for a peaceful transfer of power. Speaking to these values can resonate with a broader audience and help bring the country together.

Q: Why does the speaker mention the importance of peaceful protests?

The speaker mentions the importance of peaceful protests to challenge potential coup attempts because history has shown that peaceful protests are more successful in reversing such attempts compared to violent ones. Violent protests often lead to chaos, which can shrink support for the protests and make the government's crackdown appear more reasonable. Adhering to peaceful protest strategies outlined by experts like Gene Sharp can be an effective way to challenge a coup attempt.

Q: What potential actions could a rogue president take to resist conceding or staying in power?

The speaker suggests that a rogue president could call on private armed militias to intimidate lawmakers, abuse emergency powers to stay in office indefinitely, or use various tactics to twist the electoral process beyond recognition. These potential actions highlight the need to address and strengthen the democratic system after the election to prevent such abuse of power.

Q: What steps does the speaker believe should be taken to protect democracy and prevent future crises?

The speaker believes that after the election, steps need to be taken to update and strengthen the democratic system. They suggest rethinking or reimagining the electoral college system and focusing on protecting voter rights, prosecuting voter intimidation, and ensuring secure voting technology. They stress the importance of these steps to maintain a functioning democracy and ensure the principles of government by and for the people.

Takeaways

In a potential scenario where a losing candidate refuses to concede and challenges the election outcome, individuals can take several actions to protect democracy. Getting informed about organizations working to safeguard democracy is essential. Using one's voice and speaking to universal American values can help bring people together. Getting active through support, donations, or peaceful protests can also make a difference. Strengthening the democratic system and addressing issues like the electoral college and voter rights are crucial for the enduring success of democracy. By staying vigilant and active, citizens can play a role in upholding the core principles of democracy and ensuring a fair and just outcome.