Election 2024: Trump’s Strategy of Stamina and Subversion
The 2024 presidential race has become a battleground of not just political ideologies but also of narratives about the candidates' abilities and intentions. Two critical storylines demand deeper investigation by the media: the capacity of Donald Trump to maintain a rigorous campaign schedule and the implications of his claims that he doesn't need votes to win. These aspects are intertwined with a broader, more insidious strategy to manipulate election outcomes through the Election Integrity Project.
Firstly, Donald Trump's limited campaign activity raises significant questions about his physical and mental stamina. Since debating President Joe Biden, Trump has participated in only eight events over six weeks, averaging less than one and a half events per week. This reduced schedule starkly contrasts with the frenetic pace expected of a presidential candidate, especially during such a critical phase of the campaign. For instance, Trump held rallies in Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, Minnesota, Pennsylvania again, Georgia, and Montana. These events were fewer in number and geographically scattered, with some in non-battleground states like Montana and his home state of Florida. This unusual campaign pattern could suggest a strategic decision to conserve energy or avoid scrutiny. However, it might also indicate a decline in Trump's health and capacity to sustain the demands of a full-fledged campaign. The media's failure to probe into this issue leaves a critical gap in public understanding. Analyzing his sporadic appearances and their implications is essential to assess his readiness for the presidency.
Moreover, Trump's rhetoric at these events reveals a disturbing confidence in claiming victory irrespective of actual voter turnout. His repeated assertions that "you won't have to vote again" if he wins are not just campaign hyperbole; they hint at a deeper strategy aimed at undermining the democratic process. This claim must be scrutinized in light of the growing movement to challenge and obstruct the certification of election results at local levels.
The Georgia State Election Board's recent rule change exemplifies this trend, granting local officials more discretion in certifying election results. This move, supported by Trump and his allies, could lead to significant delays and even refusal to certify results, effectively nullifying the popular vote. The media should connect Trump's claims of not needing votes with these legislative maneuvers, as both point to a coordinated effort to undermine electoral integrity.
The Election Integrity Project, spearheaded by the Trump Campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC), further solidifies these concerns. Billed as the largest election integrity program in history, it mobilizes over 100,000 volunteers and attorneys to monitor and challenge election processes. While framed as a measure to ensure transparency and fairness, its real objective appears to be laying the groundwork for contesting unfavorable results and perpetuating baseless claims of voter fraud. This initiative's scale and scope are unprecedented, reflecting a deep-seated strategy to control election outcomes through legal and procedural tactics rather than relying on genuine voter support.
Trump's campaign has also tested these tactics in several states:
Georgia: The State Election Board's new rule requires an undefined “reasonable inquiry” before certifying results, potentially allowing partisan county election board members more discretion to reject the outcome.
Arizona: Cochise County supervisors faced felony charges for delaying certification of the 2022 election results.
Pennsylvania: State legislators have refused to modify laws preventing the counting of mail ballots before Election Day, intentionally slowing the certification process.
New Mexico: Otero County officials initially declined to certify election results citing conspiracy theories about voting machines, only complying after a state court order.
Michigan: Local officials in the Upper Peninsula delayed certification of an election result due to false claims of voter fraud.
These efforts, while largely unsuccessful due to judicial intervention, highlight a persistent and growing threat to democratic processes.
The media must take action now. They need to thoroughly investigate Trump's campaign activities to uncover any signs of his physical and mental decline that might affect his ability to lead. They should also dig deeper into his alarming statements about not needing votes and connect these to efforts to disrupt the certification process. The Election Integrity Project's true intentions must be exposed. By shedding light on these issues, the media can reveal the real threats to our democracy and ensure voters understand what's at stake in the 2024 election.