The GOP is trying to walk a tightrope right now.

[PTWB]

They're trying to balance between two conflicting paths:

1. Enabling Trump's election fraud fantasies, which they have to do to keep from losing Trump's devout MAGA base.

2. Convincing those same people that their votes matter and that they should turn out at the GA runoff in January.


As this farce proceeds for the next few weeks they're going to reach the end of that rope. TIME is going to catch them long before the runoff election. The results declaring Joe Biden the winner will be certified before the runoff. Once that happens they will immediately pivot into new talking points to try to drum up anger at Democrats while downplaying their month-long campaign to delegitimize the election.

[enki23]

1. Tightrope? Then they have a net on every side.

They are clear about this. They, nearly all of them, would happily accept a coup the moment it became likely to be successful. Gleefully

[PTWB]

2. That isn't one of the outcomes.

There is no plausible scenario where Trump retains power.

[StClone]

5. Attempted Coup

Not what is written in rules, laws, or The Constitution.

[PTWB]

7. I don't think we've come close to an attempted coup yet.

It is just bluster and easily explainable at that.

[StClone]

8. Coup means violent overthrow...so what is the right word?

He will do what ever he can to stay in power. And, Cons can not be counted on to do the Right thing. I think a slow moving coup is not out of the question. We deserve better but Trump has never proven to be that.

[PTWB]

9. He's just throwing a tantrum and the GOP is appeasing him.

They're doing it because it is political suicide to let him fall without appearing like they're supporting him to the MAGA base.

[StClone]

10. But the effects are very detrimental

A tantrum by the POTUS, even Trump, can cause earthquakes. This may well pass as another stupid historic footnote, but the path of his destruction is wide. Not out of the woods until he is safely out.

[PTWB]

12. Very detrimental indeed.

[Mike 03]

6. It's the *attempt* to retain power that worries me.

We're beyond "plausible" and "implausible."

[StClone]

3. Mitch faces backlash

Trumpsters have been putting out threats in my circles. If Mitch doesn't fight for Trump and overturn this election they are going to not vote in Georgia's Senate run offs. That is why the Turtle was at the podium throwing some hamburger at the wall. He knew steak was not going to stick but ground beef might.

[PTWB]

4. Right.

That's what I'm saying. The GOP are going to huff and puff and try to convince the MAGA base that they fought for Trump. The reality is that Joe's win will be certified BEFORE the runoff. There's going to be a period of time between Joe winning "officially" and the runoff where MAGAs will have to cope with Trump's loss.

The GOP has to convince those folks to turnout in GA even after Trump has "officially" lost.

[stevil]

11. Definite tightrope.

They can't live with him, can't live without him. I'm talking next two election cycles. Can't say when Trump will concede/give up the 2020 ghost and announce a 2024 campaign. Assuming he does both the Republicans will NEED him in order to survive 2022 mids and will NEED to back him for the 2024 run. They bought him and now he owns them. I thought he would go away by now but I won't put anything past him any longer. I think he's trying to create a dynasty.