Posted on 01/05/2021 7:47:59 AM PST by BlackFemaleArmyColonel
If Vice President Mike Pence decides not to attend Wednesday’s U.S. Senate debate over counting the electoral college votes, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley will preside instead over what promises to be a bitter, partisan battle. Grassley, a Republican, is senate president pro tempore.
“I’m going to be sitting in the chair listening to what all of my colleagues have to say during that debate,” Grassley says, “and at that time will decide how to cast my vote after considering all of the information before me.”
Some Republicans plan to challenge the results of the electoral college vote, claiming there’s widespread election fraud and President Trump is the true winner. Grassley says the move by fellow Republicans is perfectly legitimate.
“First of all, it’s a legal process under the law and under the Constitution, for these folks to do what they’re doing,” Grassley says. “It was done by the Democrats in 2004 and I think one other time. People that are finding fault with Republicans doing it shouldn’t do it when it’s done by Democrats.”
He says it follows the same procedure as in 2004 when Democrats objected to certifying President George W. Bush’s election, particularly the electoral votes from Ohio. Grassley says this is an important issue and it merits an open discussion.
“It gives an opportunity for the entire country to hear during two hours of debate the pros and cons of fraud in the election,” Grassley says, “and whether or not the election was conducted correctly.” Grassley says the debate “gets lost when the social media platforms don’t carry it.”
University of Northern Iowa political science professor Donna Hoffman says the expected challenge by Republicans will almost certainly fail.
Hoffman says, “And it’s all really very symbolic in many ways, because at the end of the day, we would put the odds at something happening here, where Joe Biden is not certified here, as very, very, very minute.” Hoffman says it may be wise for Iowa’s Republican representatives to “hide in the corner” to see how politics may change after President Trump’s loss.
“There’s a lot of time that passes before even the next midterm election when, of course, all of them will be up, and certainly two more years before the next presidential election,” Hoffman says. “The conditions right now in this country, related both to elections but also in terms of governing, is extremely fluid.” Hoffman says focusing on constituent services may be the best bet for Iowa’s freshmen House Republicans, who are in the minority.
A retiring Congressman from Michigan announced Monday he’s quitting the Republican Party and becoming an Independent. Paul Mitchell is calling the effort to overturn the presidential election “disgusting and demoralizing.”
Either that or Pence wants to weasel out. I do not know that I trust Pence to stand tough.
Grassley’s office clarifies that he was meaning to explain what would happen if Pence had to step away during Wednesday’s proceedings to count Electoral College votes. “Every indication we have is that the vice president will be there,” Grassley’s office said.
Taking tea with Polonius.
pence not gonna be there? it is his job ... where else would he be? i dont understand
Paul Mitchell you find it disgusting and immoral to object a blatantly fraudulent election? Glad you’re leaving the Republican party, that’s a start for us getting rid of RINOS.
You know, it could be what is to come. What if Pence steps off the floor for a reason, Grassley steps in and certifies Biden to keep Pence out of it.
Keep in mind Grassley is retiring so he has no future aspirations.
Could be that skunk Turtle behind this.
Why would Pence need to “step away”?
Preside OVER THE DEBATE not the initial presentation of the electors.
Pence is part of the hit.
Yeah, why is this suddenly being floated as an idea.
Seems suspicious.
Well if Pence isn’t there, Grassley will be doing the job.
It is suspicious. But so is all of it!
Take a piss.
Skunks. McConnell, Cornyn, Schumer AND Pence.
This plot was leaked 3 weeks ago.
Tell him to hold it!
I do not believe the he has a role in the debate. While the VP technically presides of the Senate, they only vote on the Senate floor in the case of a tie.
Theoretically conceivable that if during the closed debate the challenge came out 50-50, he would have to, but that is extraordinarily unlikely.
Grassley is 87 yrs old and his career is over.
The perfect dodge .....let him take the fall.
Like they think we won’t notice if Pence punts.
Possibly laying groundwork if Pence tries to delay the vote that they can continue with the next in line?
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