Teri Kanefield

A few weeks ago, a theory that Trump could steal the election in this manner made the rounds. For this to happen, a string of very unlikely and highly improbable things would have to happen. The story died down. The press right now is very bad for Trump. 2/

First, remember that each state has rules that govern the certifying of their elections. Yes, laws still matter. The Trump legal advisor wants you to think they don't. Why? Because when enough people lose confidence in democracy, democracy will fail. 5/

New polls came out today showing that Trump is ten points behind nationally. The Strongman needs you to think he's strong. He doesn't want you talking about the polls. If he was winning, he'd want you talking about the polls. 7/https://twitter.com/JohnJHarwood/status/1308828949791858688 …

See my Strongman Con post (now on my blog), and this thread. When enough people believe the con, this amplifies and gives credence to the lies, which then creates a reality based on the lie, which helps bring about the very outcome you don't want. 9/https://twitter.com/Teri_Kanefield/status/1308799627647266818 …

This is not to say that very real things can't go wrong. Polls showing a close race in Florida worry me. The fact that more than 45% of voters willingly choose Trump, despite everything we know worries me. 10/

The fact that so many people don't vote worries me. Here's the thing about democracy: If a majority of voters no longer want it, it will cease to exist. If a majority of voters don't put in the work, it will cease to exist. 11/

Being rather perverse, my response is, "Trump wants this headline, so let's not give it to him." Trump's talent is controlling the national conversation. He manipulates everyone. Look how easy it is. His 'legal advisor' puts something like this forward. . . 14/

Then most of Twitter takes the bait. Twitter peeps instantly (and obediently) begin discussing whether he can. People begin arguing for why it might be possible. Then someone says, 'we need to prepare for all of these worst-case scenarios!' 15/

Then everyone starts wondering how to prepare for this worst-case scenario. And Trump succeeds. Trump manipulated everyone. He transformed himself from a loser (in the polls) to a scary strongman. He's a genius at manipulating the media and controlling the conversation. 16/

(4) The election would have to come down to a few states in which the elected officials were willing to go against the will of their voters and against their own laws. (5) They'd have to break the laws (and defy their voters) for Trump. (6) The courts would have to allow it.

(9) In a close election, like 2000, where the election comes down to a few thousand votes, something like this might work. (10) We're looking at an election in which Trump loses the popular vote by upwards of 7 percentage points. . .

Let's not pretend that we are at the mercy of Trump, or that we give two hoots about whether he will "respect" the results of the election. Secret service can escort him out of the White House in January.https://twitter.com/TaoOfTweet/status/1308898545542615042 …

Look how much time we spent on this. Win for Trump. Dear those of you who explaining why I'm wrong and that Trump can easily steal this election (and I'm naive to doubt it) let me ask you this: Suppose you succeed in persuading lots of people of this? What will you accomplish?

Of course: Trump knows he can't win by persuading people to vote for him, so he will try to create chaos. What you can do: Volunteer to work on the election. What Biden will do: Put together a top-notch legal team.https://twitter.com/jon_ostrove/status/1308908873118556166 …