Trump team has some ‘splaining to do

In most of the issues and controversies swirling around former President Trump, there always seems to be two sides – the mendacious spin of the biased media and the “other” side.  In my commentaries, I try to bring up the “other” side – largely because of the dishonesty of the constant critics.  But that does not mean I surrender my objectivity.  I do call out Trump and Republicans when I think they stray from sound conservative principles or proper conduct. 

Every so often, a situation arises that I can neither defend nor criticize because it just makes no sense to me.  The reports of the filing of bogus electors is one of those issues.  Whether you look at it from a political angle or a legal angle, the question remains.  What were those folks thinking?  What was the purpose of the filings?

In terms of the vote to decertify, I can understand that.  That is perfectly legal.  Even though most folks do not know it, it is also perfectly constitutional and legal for the state legislatures to intervene by sending alternative electors to the Electoral College.  It is an extreme and unwise measure – and has only been tried once in American history.  And in that case, it resulted in the unfortunate and tragic Compromise of 1877.

Recently, it has been revealed that there was an apparently coordinated effort to create an alternative delegation of electors.  They were produced in five states in which Biden had won the electors.  Some of the documents claimed that the proposed alternative electros were “duly elected.”  What was not true by the people or the state legislature.  

They were apparently drafted in the anticipation – or hope – that efforts in Congress to reject certain state’s electors would be successful – and that these folks would be the replacements.  Although that makes no sense, either.

But that was not how it was being conducted.  The various lists of alternative delegates were being sent directly to Washington – to the Congress and the National Archives as if they were the official documents.

That is not only how the system does NOT work, but it is also a nonsensical strategy.  It makes no sense legally or politically.  What did those involved expect to achieve?

My mother always counseled that everything makes sense if you know all the facts.  Soooo, obviously, we do not know all the facts – at least I do not.  And that is why some folks have a lot of ‘splaining to do.

First, there are all those who signed on as “electors.”  Who are they?  Why did they do it?  What were they told that convinced them it was a viable or even a good idea?

Then there is the next level in the controversy.  Who told them it would be a good idea?  It does seem that the multi-state effort was coordinated by someone.  Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s name keeps coming up.

As much as I examine the issue, I fail to find ANYTHING that could possibly play into any strategy that could have remotely changed the outcome of the election constitutionally, legally – or even illegally.  In terms of constitutionality or legality, that is not the way the system works.  And even if it was an attempt to illegally install the electors, it was so doomed to failure that no rational person – no matter how devious – would have considered as a viable option.

This is one issue for which I haven’t any unique knowledge – obviously making an intelligent opinion impossible.  I am left only with … at this time there are a lot of questions to be answered – a lot of ‘splaining to do.  Has me scratching my head.

So, there ‘tis.