by Robert Reich:'So far this weekend, I've received phone calls from three electors

[elleng]

who say they have doubts that Donald Trump should be chosen by the Electoral College next week (December 19). They tell me they've been in contact with other electors who feel the same way.

I don't want to get your hopes up about this. Chances are, the Electoral College will still give Trump the 270 votes he needs to become President of the United States. But I find it interesting that several electors are at least raising this question.

In my view, electors have a constitutional duty not to vote for Donald Trump. The framers of the Constitution established the Electoral College to guard against two possibilities: either that a demagogue might be elected, or that a foreign power might influence the outcome of a presidential election. Trump epitomizes both of these concerns.'

https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf

[pangaia]

1. They MUST vote for Clinton.

[Cracklin Charlie]

2. Yes.

[lapfog_1]

4. That's not going to happen

however, they might be convinced to vote for a sane republican... And whoever they vote for, that person MUST get 270 or it goes to our insane House of Representatives, who will lockstep vote for Trump.

Sorry.

[yodermon]

5. Even if they voted for the sanest Republican you can imagine,

E. G. John huntsman, and even if all hillary's electors flipped as well to make it a "landslide", the House could just reject it and vote in the orange menace, do not pass Go, do not collect $200

[lapfog_1]

9. The never trumpers would find a voice and

with the Democrats, certify the electoral college.

[KittyWampus]

13. Not going to happen and I wouldn't expect a Republican to ever vote for Clinton.

Another Republican? Yes.

[still_one]

3. I think it is highly unlikely.

[Doreen]

6. Can we threaten the electoral college with prison and steep steep fines if they vote for Trump?

Probably not but it is an idea. Please don't get mad at me for suggesting it.

[elmac]

7. believe me

I'm not getting my hopes up. As a matter of fact, I have no hopes for this country, I see a storm coming and its going to get baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!

[Flatpicker]

8. They don't have to vote for Clinton

I think they could abstain and force a re-vote.

Not saying they should, but this is a constitutional crisis situation.

We should probably extend the current administration for 1 year and clean slate the process.
I would think that would be less likely to cause the republican states from revolting.
Can't imagine splitting the union over Trump.

[elleng]

10. Right, and they probably won't,

as most supported trump. There are a few things they can do, as you've suggested.

[jmowreader]

17. I think we'd be better off to do a temporary "caretaker" presidency

It'd be totally constitutional and easy to do, because the Constitution doesn't say anything about a popular vote for president.

Step 1: When the Electoral College meets, Hillary Clinton (who doesn't have enough EV to become president without help) will go up against a Republican who meets all the requirements for office. I would settle for Poppy Bush and Dan Quayle for this role - compared to the douchebag we might be stuck with, those guys are Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Poppy will carry Obama's cabinet into his new, temporary administration. There will be no changing of any laws, starting unnecessary wars, or doing anything except keeping the US on an even keel.

Step 2: In 2017, we hold another election - but not for president. At least not directly. When The People make their choice, Quayle will resign as vice-president and Poppy will nominate the winner of the election as vice-president. That person will have to be confirmed by the Senate, and that will take all morning.

Step 3: We'll give the "new vice-president" (NVP) a year to assemble a cabinet. When the NVP has a team, Poppy will resign and the NVP will be elevated to the office of president. Because the NVP had a running mate, that person will be nominated as VP, confirmed and sworn in. The New President will serve for two years and, because the New President was not elected president according to the rules of the Constitution, that person will be allowed to run for president twice more.

Obama has already used up his eight years. If they try to hold him over, the Trumplers will sue to have him removed on constitutional grounds - and they'll have a pretty good case.

[Flatpicker]

22. I don't know

That would be placing a lot of trust in a group that hasn't been all that trustworthy.

I may be a young frog, but I'm not letting a scorpion on my back. No way, no how...

[jmowreader]

23. So what's the choice?

Let General Secretary Trump run the country into the ground? Allow Pence to do the same thing? The only thing I can think of (besides ordering the Republican-pledged electors to vote for Hillary, which they won't do) is to put a different Republican into the White House for a couple of years to hold down the fort until a legitimate election can be held.

[Flatpicker]

24. I honestly don't know.

This is such a mess, and both sides distrust each other at such a fundamental level, that I'm at a loss.

[Jean-Jacques Roussea]

11. Don't talk about it then Robert

You're only going to make them rethink it when their friends and family start burning crosses on their lawn.

Seems like someone wants some Facebook attention siiigh

[KittyWampus]

14. Reich does seem to have lots of "conversations".

[elleng]

15. Yes, people respect and admire him.

[ificandream]

12. I'm hoping ...

.. saner heads prevail and they don't vote for Trump. But I also know that concern for this country went out the window a long time ago thanks to the GOP. Maybe mass peaceful protests around the country might get a little attention.

[elleng]

16. 'Might,' but this country doesn't seem to be moved much,

these days, by protests.

[ificandream]

18. Because the right-wing media ...

... frames them according to race or by age, especially if there's violence. This is an issue that crosses race and age.

[elleng]

19. Yes, and Yes.

[Stargazer09]

20. Sadly, I'm not hopeful that this will work

I just don't think there will be enough electors who would be willing to do what's best for the country. Party loyalty is, after all, the main reason they were selected for the position in the first place.

If I'm wrong, I will be very happily surprised.

[Martin Eden]

21. "Trump epitomizes both these concerns"

It is up to the Electors to put their country first.