Top Pennsylvania Senate Republican Pushes for New Election Audit After Trump Pressure

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

Source: Newsweek

The GOP leader of the Pennsylvania state Senate said an investigation into the results of the 2020 election is gaining steam following substantial pressure from former President Donald Trump.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, a Republican, tweeted on Friday that a "forensic" review of the past presidential election was "moving forward."

The former president had publicly applied pressure to Corman and other GOP lawmakers in Pennsylvania to launch a review similar to the highly controversial audit undertaken by Arizona Republicans.

"After many weeks of work behind the scenes, we are now moving forward to conduct a forensic review of recent elections. I am confident that we have the right team in place to make it happen," Corman wrote on Twitter.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/top-pennsylvania-senate-republican-pushes-for-new-election-audit-after-trump-pressure/ar-AANzMEA?ocidctx=hvs%3A9%2Cfdwt%3A495%2Chb%3Afalse%2Ctb%3Afalse%2Cpb%3Afalse%2Ccvc%3A0&ocid=winp1taskbar

---

I wonder how much Pennsylvania taxpayers are willing to fork over to support Trump in foisting his Big Lie on their state in an attempt to nullify their votes. The Democrats should introduced a bill which would allocate $100 million for this fiasco. That would give them the opportunity to explain to the legislature and more importantly, to the voters of Pennsylvania, just how much Trump's delusions is going to cost them. It would also force the Repugs in the legislature into the uncomfortable position of defending in the press exactly why this exercise in futility should take place.

The bill would give the Dems a foothold to mount a call-in campaign by voters to their individual representatives, telling them how they feel about this waste of taxpayer funds which could be applied to real problems, like expanding facilities to handle the increase of COVID cases in the state since mask mandates ended in June.

[RKP5637]

1. Never seems to be a shortage of republican assholes and misfits! n/t

[Corgigal]

2. Money must grow on trees.

Republicans never mind wasting money. Giving a hungry family a meal, no can do.

[aocommunalpunch]

3. It's not about the 2020 election.

It's about the NEXT election. These ugly fucks are laying the groundwork. They're gonna audit the fuck out of everything not nailed down. Bank on it.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

6. Agreed. It's about every election after that.

Every.single.election. Forever.

The Repugs are trying to destroy voters' faith in the democratic method of governing out country. "Democracy only matters when we get what we want," is the new GQP slogan, replacing, "F*ck you, I've got mine."

[twodogsbarking]

4. Never miss an opportunity to look like a fool.

Go Jake.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

11. That's what I thought, too. I'd also like to ask TFG what "warp speed" is.

I imagine it sounded good to him and his minions, along with "space force." He undoubtedly has no knowledge or interest in Star Trek, and as far as establishing Space Force as an entirely new branch of the of the military, he would have been better served by reviewing the history of the Air Force. There was already an established Space Command within the USAF. He could have easily expanded its mission statement to include an operational component, i.e., launching things and blowing things up in orbit. There was no need to go through the whole rigmarole of starting an new branch. It sounds like it's going to be a "full employment" program for generals .

"I'm expanding Space Command," wouldn't have gotten him the applause and adulation he so desperately craves. He needed to smirk, "I created Space Force. No one else ever thought to create a Space Force. I did it. Space Force -- it just rolls off of the tongue, doesn't it? Space...Force. I like way that sounds!"

He wouldn't have been able to claim credit for creating an already existing Space Command. He can always refer to "President T****'s Space Force."

[marybourg]

7. Call CyberNinjas. I hear they're finished

compromising Maricopa County’s election machines. They’ll be happy to do the same for you.

[BlueIdaho]

13. Oh boy are they finished!

Wait until they get the bill for ruining millions of dollars worth of voting equipment.

[marybourg]

20. It's the state Senate (in other words, the taxpayer)

who indemnified the county. Anything to suck up to TFG’s voters.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Republicans are cornered, know they'll never get what they want by free elections

So they're trying to Perfect the Steal for every subsequent election. Which means their agenda must be mutinous, treasonous, villainous, criminal. It's either steal the wealth of ordinary folk, or enslave them, or make them go away.

Please. I hope I'm wrong. I grew up in a GOP town, I know they're important to jobs, stability, finance, growth. So point out the deficits in logic in my thinking.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

15. You're not wrong. The Republican Party had been important to jobs, stability, finance, growth.

The problem is that that Republican Party no longer exists. It has been totally obliterated and replaced by T****'s GQP, whose only interest is in gaining power. Absolute power over everything and everyone. They have not put forward a single idea which will benefit the majority of Americans ever since Reagan was in office. They can't win with their programs -- of which they have none -- so they have resorted to destroying democracy.

And as much as I hate to get down on a fellow Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin is helping them.

Guess who support's Manchin's intransigence on the filibuster? TFG, who railed against it while he was in office.

[Evolve Dammit]

24. Indeed

[bluestarone]

9. My question

Can this BULLSHIT be stopped in Pennsylvania? (hope so)

[certainot]

22. go on offense. penn state is helping them. it broadcasts sports on at least 11 xlimbaugh stations

from fakenewsradio.org - PENNSYLVANIA 14 Penn St. 11, Pittsburgh 2, Temple 1

i'll bet those stations are some of the loudest in the state and they are critical for getting republicans like that elected, and attacking dems

those schools share responsibility for this republican disaster, have all been selling voter suppression bullshit along with everything else and they have no exccuse n ot to start looking for apolitical alternatives - same with the pro teams that support those stations.

getting the schools to start pulling out of rw radio will send advertisers scramblling and the ad industry will have to start breaking up rw raddiioi - that would spell doom for the GOP

[twodogsbarking]

38. Jake is part of the rabid Penn State crowd.

He ignores reality and lives the fantasy.

[AllaN01Bear]

10. give it up will u . u lost . dang nabbit.

how many more are we going to endure for the next 4 years ? hem

[BumRushDaShow]

12. What is different between PA versus AZ & GA that the article neglects to mention

is that our governor here in PA is a Democrat and the State Supreme Court is majority Democrat - 5 (D) - 2 (R).

However because the state legislature is majority (R), anything Democrats "introduce" with respect to this would be DOA, but anything the state legislature tries to jam through via legislation would be vetoed by the governor and they don't have enough to override.

One thing is interesting from the article though -

(snip)

But the GOP state senator also removed loyalist Trump supporter state Senator Doug Mastriano, a Republican, from leading the probe. Corman accused Mastriano of being only interested in "politics and showmanship."

The top Pennsylvania Republican said Friday that he was "deeply disappointing that Sen. Mastriano has retreated from conducting a forensic investigation of the election in Pennsylvania, and it is discouraging to realize that he was only ever interested in politics and showmanship and not actually getting things done."

Corman had previously appeared noncommittal to moving forward with a review of the 2020 results and avoided discussing the issue in public, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. However, earlier this month he had told local channel ABC 23 that GOP lawmakers were "trying to provide oversight that everyone is comfortable with the election process moving forward."

(snip)

So basically the loon Mastriano who was pushing this was summarily shoved out of the way and replaced by the boss loon because apparently Mastriano didn't "code talk" his way through justifying their nonsense.

If the legislature attempts to subpoena the records (which was Mastriano's original threat as a chair of a committee), it will most likely be taken to court all the way to the state Supreme court (and any federal court routes if do-able).

The Secretary of State already decertified one tiny red county's (Fulton, pop. 14,500) election equipment because they handed it and its data over to Mastriano's 3rd party bullshit "Cyber Ninja"-related review and they will have to pay for their own replacement equipment because doing what they did was in violation of state law.

The House Oversight Committee has been investigating them and they recently blew past a deadline for providing info to the Committee (and now the screws will be turned).

I also noticed the "mass media" have ignored this because Afganistan pile-ons are sexier -

Arizona Senate must turn over Cyber Ninjas records related to election audit, Appeals Court says

Ryan Randazzo
Arizona Republic

The Arizona Court of Appeals said Thursday that the state Senate must turn over records from the contractor hired to conduct the review of Maricopa County's 2020 election. It's the second consecutive day that a court has ruled against the Arizona Senate in its fight over records related to the audit, including email and other communications. The Court of Appeals said in a Thursday order that documents from Cyber Ninjas, the lead contractor on the audit, are public records.

A Superior Court judge already ruled the same way, but the Senate appealed the decision. Senate President Karen Fann, R-Prescott, said she would appeal this decision, too. The Senate has argued that it will turn over records in its possession but does not need to provide records held by Cyber Ninjas because they are not covered by the Arizona Public Records Law.

The courts have disagreed. "The Senate defendants, as officers and a public body under the (records law), have a duty to maintain and produce public records related to their official duties," the Appeals Court judges wrote in Thursday's decision. "This includes the public records created in connection with the audit of a separate governmental agency, authorized by the legislative branch of state government and performed by the Senate’s agents. ...

The requested records are no less public records simply because they are in the possession of a third party, Cyber Ninjas."Fann said Thursday the Senate will appeal the decision to the Arizona Supreme Court because she thinks it sets a bad precedent to have emails between a state contractor like Cyber Ninjas and its subcontractors subject to the Public Records Law.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/08/19/arizona-audit-appeals-court-orders-senate-release-cyber-ninjas-records/8202543002/

[Deminpenn]

17. Corman's not crazy

Replacing Mastriano tells us that. My guess is that Corman feels he can control Dush. I don't honestly see the same "audit" done in AZ happening in PA.

As an aside, after Wolf vetoed the voting rights bill passed by the R legislature because it required voter ID, Wolf backbacked after Stacey Abrams said she could support some form of voter ID. AFAIK, he and the state legislature have re-opened talks on an update to the state election laws that would incoporate things like allowing counties to pre-canvass (doing everything but counting) absentee ballots before election day and several other things that are just good government. The last time the legislature and Wolf negotiated, we got no-excuse absentee balloting and other goodies in exchange for eliminating the straight ticket voting option.

[BumRushDaShow]

23. The majority of the GOP in the state legislature who sat back amd continue to allow

the bullshit that happened this past November, that continues to happen non-stop to date, are CRAZY DEGENERATES.

FULL STOP.

That crap that they sent to Wolf with all the supposed "sweeteners" that are actually items that would allow the county elections offices to be able to do an early pre-canvass of the mail-in votes (i.e., mail ballots that THEY, as the majority in the legislature, put in place in October 2019 and now suddenly don't like anymore because their fucking squatter-in-the-White House lost), had poison pills introduced that did NOT have ANY Democratic input for them, and served to suppress the vote.

The reason I say this is because ANYONE in the state of PA who votes for the first time and/or for the first time in a "changed" precinct/district, MUST show some sort of ID or proof of who they are and residency in that voting district. THAT is not at issue. But that was not what their intention was with their poison pills. They also included this -

Pennsylvania governor vetoes GOP-led election overhaul citing voter ID restrictions

by Marie Albiges of Spotlight PA | June 30, 2021

(snip)

While the 150-page bill — dubbed the Voting Rights Protection Act — included election officials’ two priorities, it also contained numerous proposals Democrats said would disenfranchise voters, such as limiting the use of drop boxes and requiring signature verification on mail ballots.

“This is Pennsylvania’s voter suppression effort rearing its ugly head,” Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Philadelphia) said on the Senate floor before the chamber approved the bill Friday. “This is Pennsylvania contributing to the national state-by-state effort to suppress the vote.”

https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2021/06/pa-election-overhaul-voter-id-wolf-veto/

That whole "signature" check thing is a scam and is designed to throw out the votes of URBAN DWELLERS ONLY because if you think some little hick GOP country town's poll workers are going to "signature check" THEIR voters, then you are naive. And the ones who they are targeting for this are minorities who vote as DEMOCRATS and they want to send their fucking Brown Shirts in to pick and choose what votes "count".

They are a bunch of fucking Jim Crow loons and sore losers.

[Deminpenn]

34. No, they are not all crazy

The majority of the senate Rs are from my way out here. They're conservative, but they're not nutty. There's lipservice to Trump, but that's what it is.

Btw, I'm from one of those "hick towns" you disparaged. There is nothing in our county that is anything close to what you suggest.

[BumRushDaShow]

36. The "lipservice" became a misleading ballot question that targeted a Democratic Governor

with respect to his emergency declarations that were put in place to try to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the state (a virus that from day one you didn't believe was a "thing" and was only something that didn't exist "west of Chester County" ).

Given that we bordered 2 states that at the time, had the highest rates of COVID-19 and highest numbers of deaths in the nation (NY and NJ), the spread needed to be stopped in its tracks or at least slowed and mitigated.

Thanks to Wolf, PA did not devolve into the coronavirus quagmire of death that many other states descended into but TFG asshats are trying to do everything they can to take us there anyway.

I don't give a shit whether they do "lipservice" or not. It's the ACTIONS - THEIR legislation, and THEIR efforts to change the state Constitution, including what will be an attempt to institute Jim Crow in the state of PA specifically against Democratic-majority urban areas.

When you have bullshit like this, it establishes their "lipservice" goes beyond "lipservice", and was spearheaded BY the top, establishing that they are fucking loons.

And in your case, if the shoe fits wear it. I don't know what county you are "from" but as long as they lockstep vote to take MY RIGHTS away, then fuck them.

[MyOwnPeace]

19. Thanks, Bum!

Great job keeping on top of what the PA Repuqs are trying to do! While I think they will ultimately fail, it’s a whole lot of wasted time just trying to keep them from shitin’ the bed!

[BumRushDaShow]

26. They are trying to get around Wolf by changing the state Constitution

to institute RW loon crap and I think that is going to be their next step with this.

They did it just recently by putting out a misleading ballot question for an amendment to the state Constitution that now allows the state legislature to end a Governor's "emergency declaration" after 2 weeks if they want, and this was directed towards Wolf's declaration of emergency due to COVID-19.

Since GOP loons don't declare "emergencies" because like DeathSantis or fucking Abbott, they want their constituents to die and they will eliminate the right to vote for anyone who disagrees, then it starts this state down the road of becoming a Florida or Texas.

This state was NEVER like this. Yes people talk about "Pennsyltucky, but every state has that. The GOP politicos here were the Tom Ridges and the Bill Scrantons and god forbid, the Dick Thornburghs.

But what has ultimately happened is that native-born Pennsylvanians like Newt fucking Gringrich and Orrin Hatch, have gone on to poison their party and eliminate anything resembling a SANE "moderate" Republican.

[onetexan]

21. Yup never gonna happen

PA needs to stay blue forever.

[yaesu]

14. IDC what the flushed turd says or does, or any of the floaters like this PA repuke. nt

[Champp]

16. Creampuff Republicons are a disgrace

So soft and squishy, do any damn thing a Casino Hustling liar tells them to do.

Sad.

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. Anyone who votes for this ought to have to pay for it

It's the same as recounts when the losing candidate was not close - their campaign has to pay. So the Trump arse-lickers should have to pay the state's (and and counties') entire costs themselves.

[MissMillie]

27. Yep (n/t)

.

[turbinetree]

29. Agreed ....

[monkeyman1]

25. # TALIBAN TRUMP STRIKE 'S AGAIN !!

[turbinetree]

28. So this is why the dickheads were standing on the corner of US 202 and US 1 yesterday

in PA, with there fucking signs.....they were running out in the intersection with there thumbs pointing in the air and people where honking at them to get the fuck out of the way, when drivers were waiting for the light to turn green....there was about six of them from what I could see....

Forensic review...they think voting is looking for cadavers, well on there right wing delusional side they had I think three cases where family members were dead and they voted (got ballots) like they were alive...and then they got busted,,,,.....

[BumRushDaShow]

31. The only "voter fraud" found so far in the state was done by GOP degenerates

Link to tweet

TEXT

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
“A man from Forty Fort said he used “poor judgement” regrets using his deceased mother’s name..”

This case is the true face of *actual voter fraud* in PA in 2020: 4 people using a departed loved one to vote for the former President- out of 7M ballots.
Robert Lynn seated in passenger seat after his preliminary hearing earlier this year.
“Dude in Forty Fort’ pleads guilty to absentee ballot violation | Times Leader
WILKES-BARRE — A man from Forty Fort said he used “poor judgement” and regrets using his deceased mother’s name on an application for an absentee ballot for the 2020 presidential election.
timesleader.com
7:39 AM · Aug 17, 2021

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
Oh, and someone still owes Pennsylvania a very, very handsome reward for rooting out voter fraud. 💰💰💰
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick reminds senators to keep their testimonies short during a discussion on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1663 relating to the removal, relocation or alteration of certain monuments or memorials, on the Senate floor on May 7, 2019.
There’s no evidence of widespread voter fraud, but Dan Patrick is enc…
The Republican lieutenant governor's crusade for proof of election problems in Texas comes as members of his own party dominated up and down the ballot.
texastribune.org
7:39 AM · Aug 17, 2021

Link to tweet

TEXT

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
Aug 17, 2021
Replying to @JohnFetterman
Oh, and someone still owes Pennsylvania a very, very handsome reward for rooting out voter fraud. 💰💰💰
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick reminds senators to keep their testimonies short during a discussion on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1663 relating to the removal, relocation or alteration of certain monuments or memorials, on the Senate floor on May 7, 2019.
There’s no evidence of widespread voter fraud, but Dan Patrick is enc…
The Republican lieutenant governor's crusade for proof of election problems in Texas comes as members of his own party dominated up and down the ballot.
texastribune.org

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
ALL COUNTIES routinely cross check death + voting records.

You know that, right?? 👇

“A database used for voter information listed Hannigan died in 2015, and her voter information was changed to deceased on Aug. 21, 2015. Hannigan last voted on Nov. 4, 2014.”
7:46 AM · Aug 17, 2021

Link to tweet

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
Aug 17, 2021
Replying to @JohnFetterman
ALL COUNTIES routinely cross check death + voting records.

You know that, right?? 👇

“A database used for voter information listed Hannigan died in 2015, and her voter information was changed to deceased on Aug. 21, 2015. Hannigan last voted on Nov. 4, 2014.”

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
TRUTH: Voter fraud does not exist.

It is a lie that *only* manifests itself when confronted with an electoral outcome they are upset with.

Every single case in Pennsylvania was caught. 5/7M

This is the % of fraudulent ballots cast in PA for 2020. 👇
Image
7:56 AM · Aug 17, 2021

Link to tweet

TEXT

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
Aug 17, 2021
Replying to @JohnFetterman
TRUTH: Voter fraud does not exist.

It is a lie that *only* manifests itself when confronted with an electoral outcome they are upset with.

Every single case in Pennsylvania was caught. 5/7M

This is the % of fraudulent ballots cast in PA for 2020.
👇
Image

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
TRUTH: Pennsylvania really does have a town named “Forty Fort”. I’ve been there a couple times and it is delightful.
🥰
Image
8:06 AM · Aug 17, 2021

Link to tweet

TEXT

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
Aug 17, 2021
Replying to @JohnFetterman
TRUTH: Pennsylvania really does have a town named “Forty Fort”. I’ve been there a couple times and it is delightful. 🥰
Image

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
Finally, a lone PA case involves a *living* relative, I dubbed “Returns In Sunglasses” 😎

“However, about 45 minutes later, Thurman returned to the precinct, this time wearing sunglasses, and identified himself as his (Democrat) son.”

giggle. 🤭
Charges filed in father-son voter fraud case in Chester County
EAST GOSHEN — A Willistown man’s clumsy attempt at trying to cast a false ballot in the 2020 presidential election has led to one of the only verified instances in
dailylocal.com
8:22 AM · Aug 17, 2021

Link to tweet

TEXT

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
Aug 18, 2021
Democrats vote like Democrats or vote under terms set by Republicans.
Newly Empowered Georgia Board to Review Fulton County Elections
Atlanta (AP) -- Georgia's Republican-controlled State Election Board plans to take a step Wednesday toward a possible eventual takeover of elections in the state's most populous county that critics...
bloomberg.com

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
“The Maricopa County result has already been audited four times, with each of them confirming Biden’s margin there. Republicans ranging from Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to the four on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (only one Democrat sits on it)”
A person carrying a cardboard box. The background is blurred.
The Arizona "audit" finally seems to be wrapping up. Prepare for a blizzard of disinformation.
Fittingly, the proceedings are ending with an investigation of a bizarre Trump conspiracy theory.
vox.com
7:25 AM · Aug 18, 2021

Link to tweet

TEXT

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
Aug 18, 2021
Replying to @JohnFetterman
“The Maricopa County result has already been audited four times, with each of them confirming Biden’s margin there. Republicans ranging from Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to the four on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (only one Democrat sits on it)”
A person carrying a cardboard box. The background is blurred.
The Arizona "audit" finally seems to be wrapping up. Prepare for a blizzard of disinformation.
Fittingly, the proceedings are ending with an investigation of a bizarre Trump conspiracy theory.
vox.com

John Fetterman
@JohnFetterman
Wisconsin.
EXPLAINER: What's ahead for Wis. Republican's election audit
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin lawmaker has taken the unprecedented step of demanding clerks in two counties turn over all ballots and voting equipment used in the 2020 presidential election for...
apnews.com
7:30 AM · Aug 18, 2021

[turbinetree]

35. Apparently the right wing delusion just missed those facts you put on this thread...

Fetterman will make a excellent senator for PA.....thank you for information...

[BumRushDaShow]

37. They want to implement Jim Crow 2 in PA

and we here in the largest city/county in PA are going to fight them tooth and nail.

When the Ghouliani-humping jackass Mastriano (ETA to add "AND INSURRECTIONIST" ) demanded Philly election equipment, they got this response -

Link to tweet

TEXT

Lisa Deeley
@DeeleyforPhilly
This morning @PhillyVotes voted to not participate in the State Senator from Adams County's proposed forensic "audit" of the 2020 General and 2021 Primary and furthermore to not grant the State Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee access to the requested items.
Image
Image
Image
12:36 PM · Jul 30, 2021

[turbinetree]

40. Yeah I think the dipshits haven't fully realized that they have awoken a sleeping giant

and there supposed Sept. 18 rally they are planning is going to go down in flames, for one businesses in Washington area are not going to allow these punks near them...and if they don't have permit....well your not allowed to pitch tents anywhere....

[BumRushDaShow]

41. Haven't been able to follow all the goings-on lately

but thanks for alerting me about that latest "rally" nonsense.

(am guessing it is piggy-backing off of "National Constitution Day" which is the day before (on Friday)).

[turbinetree]

42. Yeah...they don't even know what the Constitution says about traitors trying to overthrown a duly

elected government....

[Marthe48]

30. asked and answered

Just say no, you cowards.

[marble falls]

32. Fat chance after the Maricopa Country "investigation" fully hits the fan.

[AZ8theist]

33. JACK UP TAXES ON MILLIONAIRES IN PENN

...to pay for it.
That'll stop it in it's tracks.

[The Jungle 1]

39. Pa Rep Craig Staats 145 district

Why are republicans in this state spending MY money on trump's big lie?
He lost get over it. Do you hate our democracy that much. You and your party are doing real harm to the country.

[DjNzx]

43. Maybe PA just wants to have an excuse to buy new voting machines.