Brunswick Beacon, 09.29.22
Donald Trump has been attacking the 2020 election for years as a cynical ploy to stave off humiliation, disenfranchise voters and grab or hold onto power. Ted Budd and David Rouzer are among 258 Republican election deniers helping him put democracy at risk.
In 2012, President Obama won the popular vote by 5 million, the electoral college 332-206. Trump called Obama’s victory a “sham,” adding “the electoral college is a disaster for democracy.” He called on Americans to “march on Washington and stop this travesty.”
In 2016, Trump lost the Iowa primary and Colorado caucus to Ted Cruz, then claimed Cruz was stealing the nomination through a “rigged, disgusting, dirty system.” Cruz replied “when anyone votes against him, it’s an act of theft.”
Trump won the nomination, then claimed the election would be “rigged.” He would accept the results, he said, “if I win.” He lost by three million votes but, ironically, won because of the electoral college! Trump then falsely claimed he won the popular vote, too.
In 2020, Trump told supporters he couldn’t lose unless “the election is rigged.” Trump lost by seven million votes, claimed the election was rigged, urged supporters to “stop the steal,” and incited the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Budd and Rouzer joined a Texas lawsuit challenging the election. The Supreme Court threw it out. Instead of accepting the ruling, they voted against certifying Arizona and Pennsylvania’s electors. They continue to insist they were right to give in to the insurrectionists’ demands!
The New York Times and Washington Post recently asked candidates if they would accept November’s election results. Budd refused to commit! Instead, his spokesman baselessly claimed his opponent might try to disenfranchise voters.
Budd and Rouzer sow distrust in democracy, echoing propaganda spread by our adversaries China and Russia and encouraging them to continue interfering in our elections. Don’t let them divide and weaken America. Elect Cheri Beasley and Charles Graham on Nov. 8.
Arthur Hill
Southport