>>And all Pence had to do was not knowingly certify fraudulent electors.<<
Have you read the constitution? I mean, I’m not looking for a pissing match, but the constitution does not subscribe those powers to the Vice President. It is NOT there.
Exactly right. The states send their electors. The states are empowered to send whomever they like, chosen by whatever means they desire. They can hold elections. They can hold cage matches. They can hold seances. Coin flips. Game of cards. Roll some dice.
The states choose the electors. The vice president is not empowered to accept or reject anyone sent by the states. If the state of Alabama appoints Queen Elizabeth and the Harlem Globe Trotters as electors, then whoever they vote for President of the United States must be read aloud by the President of the Senate (the VP). He has zero authority. The entire Federal government has no authority. It’s a state matter.
When did we lose sight of the fact that we’re for states’ rights? Federalism? All just gone when it doesn’t suit our immediate needs?
“but the constitution does not subscribe those powers to the Vice President. It is NOT there.”
Pence could have faked it—allowing time to organize a re-vote.