Donald Trump is toying with refusing to concede if he loses. That’s horrifying.

[onehandle]

The rest of the political world has spent the past several days dissecting a devastating report from the New York Times about Donald Trump’s 1995 tax returns. Trump has spent it, at least in part, warning his followers that Hillary Clinton is about to steal the election.

In two rallies over the weekend, Trump told his followers that Clinton is planning massive voter fraud in "certain areas" (and asked them to serve as vigilante election monitors on his behalf). It’s so clear that a Clinton victory is only possible if the vote is rigged in her favor, in fact, that Trump told the New York Times on Friday he may not concede after all.

This kind of thing has happened once too often to be a coincidence: Whenever things are looking especially dire for Trump’s hopes of winning the presidency, he starts telling his supporters that victory is about to be stolen from underneath their feet.

That a vote for Trump is the last chance his supporters will have to save the republic before Hillary Clinton distorts it into something absolutely unrecognizable.

http://www.vox.com/2016/10/4/13153832/donald-trump-refuse-to-concede

Does the Constitution say someone has to concede to conclude the election?

[MoonRiver]

1. That's why we have the National Guard.

[Hortensis]

50. No. Armchair rioters are just that. They can make

the nation's "head spin" by "hitting again and again" with Twitter tweets. Or something.

These people who show up at his rallies should not be mistaken for typical conservatives -- who merely want to defeat the Democrats -- in the first place, and second, that type of conservative is very cowardly without a crowd to run with. This isn't theory, it's study. They come out when there's a lynch mob to join, and they're too few to be so gratified.

[politicaljunkie41910]

71. He has to the be the world's most miserable sonofabitch in spite of how much money he has.

A couple of weeks ago I read on DU a story from a woman who worked for a magazine. (I believe it was the woman who said that Melania was wearing 5 inch stillettos two months after having given birth to Barron and when she commented that Melania had lost all her baby weight, he said ALMOST ALL.) The woman said that she ran into him somewhere on the street, having never met him before, and he asked her if she wanted to see his home.(????? Who does that???) I'm now convinced that he's just a crouchy old guy who's miserable as hell, in spite of how much money he has or doesn't have, and is desperate to have someone, anyone to talk to and show off his things, so he can gloat.

[Hortensis]

72. Psychiatrists say he craves constant attention and admiration; and,

when he gets people in his power, demonstrating it by abusing them gives him special pleasure and reassurance of his superiority. That's a bit reason why he cheats tradesmen, etc.

Definitely a miserable sonofabitch to be around. Perky Kellyanne Conway is looking stressed after only 6 weeks or so, even though she's billing big in two directions for all this, Trump campaign (good luck collecting it all) and billionaire Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah. Nasty crowd all around.

[tammywammy]

2. It doesn't matter if he concedes or not.

It's poor sportsmanship to not concede, but a concession isn't a requirement for the electoral college vote.

Not conceding doesn't mean she won't be president.

[vlyons]

33. my thoughts exactlyly

and maybe on election night, after CNN NBC CBS MSNBC have called the election for Hillary, maybe Trump will throw a hissy fit and tweet storm about how the election was stolen and refuse to concede, etc etc. So he can add bad sport and poor loser to his already tarnished reputation as a tax cheat, misogynist, racist, liar, and hate monger. What do you think that will do for the Trump brand? Well I guess that's one way to get your name in the history books.

Then for years and years and years, the clips of his loser speech will be compared to Al Gore's very gracious concession speech.

[adigal]

35. And Ivanka is all worried about her "brand"

Maybe I'll go on Instagram and ask her how this would affect her already damaged "brand."

[iandhr]

57. Don't jinx it.

Do you want to tempt the wrath from high atop the thing?

[CajunBlazer]

47. It absolutely makes no difference if he concedes or not

Hell, he can claim he won for all anyone cares and it still wouldn't make any difference.

Trump needs to start thinking like a business man again since it is obvious that he isn't going to be President. The Trump brand is taking a pounding recently. He hasn't been building much for the last 10 years - he makes the vast majority of his money by lending his name to building in which he has no financial stake because until now that has increased the price for rental that the real owners can charge. However, with the Trump brand taking major hits lately, this might be a lot less profitable for Trump in the future.

[chillfactor]

3. not surprising..

t'rump is definitely unhinged and has no respect for normal behavior in a presidential race.

[obamanut2012]

4. No, no one has to concede for someone to be elected

[onehandle]

8. Good. nt

[BlueStreak]

58. The election takes place on December 19

The people vote on (or before) November 8, but that doesn't elect anybody. Nobody is elected until the EC meets.

That's what the Constitution says. However, as a practical matter, the election is effectively over as soon as the mainstream press is convinced there was a decisive message from the voters. If the election is close, as in 2000, then certainly Trump can cause some real chaos. But if it isn't down to one state, there is no way that the media will take Trump seriously.

At that point, both the Media and the GOP will be eager to send Trump packing.

[tonyt53]

5. Most of his supporters are chicken shits. They will go home, turn on FoxNews and wallow in misery.

[pkdu]

15. Whilst we get back to celebrating like it was 2012 all over again...

[tammywammy]

65. Bwahahaha. That's a great gif!!!

[Wounded Bear]

6. The most important thing about a democracy...

is that those who lose the elections support or at lease concede the will of the voters.

The Repubs have been eroding this for many years now, possibly culminating in this kind of crap, where he is basically inciting intimidation at the polls and potential violence by dissatisfied supporters.

Could be dangerous times coming up.

[MoonRiver]

32. Then we will be seeing a lot of Deplorables doing serious time in the BIG HOUSE.

[sheshe2]

34. That is a good place for them. n/t

[asiliveandbreathe]

7. Well, okee dokee then - beaten by Hillary Rodham Clinton

Woman of the Year - WOW - she has grit!

[beachbum bob]

9. The winner is named by the electoral college and loser can

Concede or not... does not matter....and if a loser advocate violence then arrest and prison is pretty much a lock...

[bluestateguy]

10. Concessions are legally meaningless

and carry no standing under the law, nor are they required to render an election legitimate.

[jberryhill]

11. So what?

"Does the Constitution say someone has to concede to conclude the election?"

Is that a serious question?

No. The outcome and consequences of an election are in now way determined or affected by what either candidate hasn't to say about it.

[MineralMan]

12. His concession is not needed in any way.

The Electoral College will vote, and the Inauguration of President Hillary Clinton will take place. Trump can pout and rant all he wants. It won't affect a damned thing.

[Ohioblue22]

13. Hillary will get to presidentin and trump can continue to campaign

[LAS14]

14. Hopefully this will be the first step to his drift into...

... post election oblivion. Who cares if he concedes? The correct response is to ignore him.

[BSdetect]

16. This threat alone should negate any invitation to the inauguration

He is the most petulant idiot on the planet.

A disgrace to decency and decorum.

[geek tragedy]

18. Losers don't get invited, unless I missed Mittens and McCain at Obama's inaugurations nt

[geek tragedy]

17. I think this is overrated as an issue. Who cares what he has to say after

he loses?

His fumb duck supporters are already driving in the crazy lane.

[Arkansas Granny]

22. Driving in the crazy lane and it's going to be a short trip for many of them.

[TheCowsCameHome]

19. Who cares what he does?

I sure as hell don't.

[randome]

20. I think that's the family philosophy: you can get anything you want if you never give in.

You only lose if you are weak enough to concede.

This time, Trumpkins, it isn't going to work. Too bad, so sad.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Birds are territorial creatures.
The lyrics to the songbird's melodious trill go something like this:
"Stay out of my territory or I'll PECK YOUR GODDAMNED EYES OUT!"[/center][/font][hr]

[Madam45for2923]

21. His non-concession will look poorly on him!

NO CLASS!!

[Rocknrule]

23. The proud are always humbled in the end

Trump is probably the proudest, most egotistical person alive today. He thinks he's God's gift to the world. This November needs to be the biggest humiliation conga imaginable for him.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

24. The Twelfth Amendment sets out the procedure for electing a president

Essentially, each state selects members of the electoral college and they make the final determination. Nothing in there about requiring that the loser concede. Usually the loser concedes as an indication of good faith -- handing his (or her) sword to the victor -- and does so in recognition of the validity of the electoral process. I can't remember any presidential candidate who chose not to concede.

I don't know what's going to happen with the deplorables if Trump loses. Will they "resort to Second Amendment solutions"? Move out of the country? Take over Texas and secede from the Union (one can only hope)?

No matter the result, we are a severely divided nation, with one side demonstrably bat shit crazy.

[MagickMuffin]

42. Leave Texas out of it, Texas doesn't want THEM, TY very much

Perhaps we should send them to whatever state you live.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

66. California's already got its share of nut cases, so I guess a few thousand more won't matter

[stopbush]

25. I imagine there will be as much unrest when Trump loses as there was

when Hillary beat out Sanders for the nomination.

It's amazing how quickly politicians become stale bread the minute they lose an election.

[bullwinkle428]

26. Historic occasion - will mark the first time he's heard "NO" in his life.

The tantrum will be epic.

[C_U_L8R]

27. Because that's what babies do when they lose

Last edited Tue Oct 4, 2016, 02:06 PM - Edit history (1)

Throw a Trumper tantrum.

[3catwoman3]

63. A neologism...

...most excellent! Well done. -

[no_hypocrisy]

28. The issue isn't whether Trump would concede.

The issue would be whether he initiates one of his famous lawsuits to suspend the Constitution if the matter is still unresolved by January 20, 2017. Or whether there would be a 4-4 USSC decision. Or if he unleashes his Brownshirts in riots around the country if he doesn't win.

[jcgoldie]

36. The problem isn't legal

The problem with it I see is not that it has any effect on who won, but what do these redneck gun loving bigots do when Trumpster convinces them he only lost because it was rigged and they got fucked?

[jcgoldie]

44. Exactly but

It's an issue that could be avoided altogether if their candidate was simply an adult with any sense of social responsibility who conceded out of respect for the democracy.

[Motley13]

30. I want him beat so badly that we NEVER have to hear from him again

his new TV station goes down the tubes & no one will mention his name again.
And his kids will have to take care of him 'cause he is flat broke., zero, zilch, nada

[Orsino]

31. Naw, I think it's great.

He teases a lot, but he never does what he seems to be promising.

[Hawaii Hiker]

37. This is why I hope she wallops his f-ing ass

375+ electoral votes

[left-of-center2012]

38. I do worry ...

I worry Trump supporters will mob the voting sites and harass Clinton voters.

[saidsimplesimon]

40. A justified worry

I watched while thugs filled the halls of the voting authorities in Florida. I watched SCOTUS interfere in an election.

[immoderate]

39. I hope he doesn't concede. Like a genius scumbag wouldn't.

I really don't want him on my side.

--imm

[catbyte]

41. I'll bet that Uday, Qusay, and Ivanka will tie him up and lock him in a closet if he pulls too much

shit. Their "brand" is EVERYTHING to them, and right now it's swirling down the crapper. Bookings at Trump properties and golf courses are down 57% from last year. If Cheeto Benito keeps going like this, the only things they'll be able to sell are Trump Deluxe Confederate Flags and Trump Taj Mahal Luxury Mobile Home Parks in Bumfuck, Arkansas.

[bettyellen]

59. They can't- their trusts are revocable.

[Imperialism Inc.]

45. I'm a little surprised at the reactions you've gotten.

I don't think toying around with the peaceful transfer of power is acceptable under any circumstances. His supporters are unhinged, gullible people, and even if it only inspires a few to violence it will be too many. This is not something we should allow to become a part of normal political discourse.

[Orcrist]

68. Toy How?

I don't think toying around with the peaceful transfer of power is acceptable under any circumstances.

If Trump loses, and I believe he will, how exactly could he toy with the peaceful transfer of power? The transfer of power will take place between the outgoing Obama administration and the incoming Clinton administration. Trump won't have shit to do with it. Refusing to concede will just make him look like a sore loser on top of all his other unsavory personality traits.

His followers may bitch and moan some but soon enough they will back home watching Duck Dynasty with a natty light or Pabst Blue Ribbon hand and that will be the end of it.

[Democat]

48. A baby having a tantrum is annoying not scary

Trump is a baby.

[Historic NY]

49. They have one of these ready

[link:|

[Retrograde]

51. What's he gonna do? Set up a shadow government

and call the Old Post Office building the "real White House"? Appoint his own cabinet with Christie as Attorney General and Rudy Giuliani as who-knows-what and have a shadow government like the British opposition do?

[MFM008]

52. His supporters are like Bundy

And his bunch of ditch crappers, all hat....no cattle.

[DonCoquixote]

53. The GOP would love this

and try some settlement like "what if he stepped down and put Pence up?"

We conceded way too quick in 2000, and in 2004. Throw tomatoes if you wish, but at this point, I could care less if he wins by a country mile, if there is a way to keep that man from getting the oval office, we DO IT!

[lillypaddle]

54. Tough shit

about what he does or does not accept. Spoiled damn grown man. He is pathetic.

[rbrnmw]

55. The meltdown will be more epic than this

[Mike Nelson]

56. He's also...

...suggested Hillary be assassinated. I hope there is a question at the debate, like, "Mr. Pence, Do you support Mr. Trump's call for the death of his opponent?" This will go on after the election - they demonized Bill Clinton and Obama ...they will never accept that a Democratic President is legitimate.

[moonscape]

60. Being runner-up to President of the US is tough for the

most stable candidate, but for the already-unhinged, it's hard to imagine how he'll act out.

[cagefreesoylentgreen]

61. A similar article

From the History News Network from a few days ago:

Donald Trump’s Suggestion that He Might Not Accept the Victory of His Opponent Is Ghastly


http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/163992


It's a little more comprehensive than the Vox article with, as you might guess by the source, historical comparisons to draw on.

A quote from the HNN article: "Being a “sore loser” who advocates or endorses violence and bloodshed would put him into a class with people such as Benedict Arnold and Aaron Burr as traitors to the nation."

[pansypoo53219]

62. too bad. tantrums don't win.

[relayerbob]

64. Irrelevant

and 100% expected

[William769]

67. If he doesn't concede, he'll have to take it to court.

We only have 8 justice's right now so if they are split, it's feasible that some State Supreme Court or a Federal Judge could give us the next President of the United States.

EDIT: this is if the Electoral college is tied. Otherwise he can cry till the cow's come home and it won't matter.

[displacedtexan]

69. The little boy who cried, "Wolf!"

Too bad no one ever cared enough about him to explain why fairy tales are an important part of childhood.

[Lil Missy]

70. Hillary will carry on as President and the world will go on withou She doesn't need his consession.

[boston bean]

73. Hillary has experience with this. All will be fine!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

74. If he refuses to concede

Then what actually happens (assuming there is no legitimate complaint, which there wouldn't be)? Hillary takes office anyway. What could Trump DO about it?