u.s. election

Biden-Trump counting presses ahead 2 days after Election Day

81 Comments
By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER and WILL WEISSERT

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81 Comments

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stop vote counts

The cry of the anti-democracy herd.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Trump's use of "I" is also quite telling. "I easily win the election" versus Biden's "we feel good about where we are".

14 ( +17 / -3 )

Does Trump have any idea of what a democratic process is?

As always, fatuous claims with no credible evidence whatsoever....

7 ( +13 / -6 )

Biden, meanwhile, sought to project the appearance of a president, attending a COVID-19 briefing on Thursday. He offered reassurance that the vote counting process could be trusted.

No matter the final result, this is a massive failure of the Democratic Party and it must face the consequences.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/nov/05/biden-democrats-democratic-trump

5 ( +7 / -2 )

trump about to lose Georgia and therefore the presidency - was ahead by 600k only 24 hours ago, and now it's down to 9k.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Judge orders Dems running the count in Philadelphia to allow observers and they are refusing to comply. What are they hiding? their is a long history of election fraud in the city. The Dems think Trump is as evil as Hitler - got to wonder if they consider ignoring a judges order as a moral imperative.

-21 ( +2 / -23 )

President Elect Biden

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Closest election I’ve seen in my life by far. It’s fascinating to follow the fluctuation of the Yuan during this also.

Whoever wins’ number on challenge is to try to reunite the U.S. as it is obvious both candidates hade a huge number of supporters.

If unity cannot be achieved it’s game over for the US as a single entity.

I just watched the 1960 debate on YouTube (Kennedy vs. Nixon). What a contrast to what we have now.

I wish Kennedy could rematerialize. He would be considered to the right by today’s standards but I’m quite sure someone like him could unite the US.

We should have an outcome within today our time in Japan and this will thankfully be over (for the most part)

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Does he want to lead a democracy or is he and his followers anti-democracy? If the later, they could always move to a country that's ALL for their one and only political party. Like, I don't know... China?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

This is only prolonging the inevitable.

Concede and exit the presidency with whatever ounce of dignity you have left Trump.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Closest election I’ve seen in my life by far.

You must be under 20 years old then. Go review the history of the 2000 election. That one was ugly indeed. I've seen uglier stuff in the aftermath of state and local elections. None of this worries me too much because by and large the election officials, poll workers and ballot counters are honest.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

I wish Kennedy could rematerialize. He would be considered to the right by today’s standards

I don't see that at all. Politicians of both parties were more liberal than they are today. By todays standards even Richard Nixon was somewhat liberal. Remember Nixon advocated strongly for a negative income tax, pursuing it for two years before giving up after his proposal was squelched both years by the Senate Finance Committee.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

If what Trump says is right, then past presidential elections in the U.S. may have been forgeries and postiche. Can one trust U.S. democracy and politics then?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

John James, a Republican who ran against Senator Gary Peters of Michigan in a contest that ended up being much closer than most public polling showed, is refusing to concede, citing vague and unsupported claims of cheating.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/05/us/election-results?action=click&module=ELEX_results&pgtype=Interactive&region=ReporterUpdates#john-james-refuses-to-concede-to-gary-peters-in-michigan-senate-race

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I want to hear what the polling "experts" have to say about this nail biter.

I thought it was supposed to be a blue wave with Biden's 10 point lead and the Senate was gonna flip.

What fools

Thats right, they have only made things worse, much worse. They divided the country, now coming at us with "Biden will heal the divide"..lol. Nothing will get past the senate, the courts all red, they made things worse for both sides, but they have a long legacy of doing this. It was all based on feelings and I think people will realize it soon. They didnt think of the outcome if the senate held, the repubs will punish them every chance for the impeachment scam and the 24/7 harassment they did. Could be wrong, but looking that way because there is no plan going forward. There is no COVID vaccine, and winter is upon us.

I was surprised at the Trump turn out, mainly because I was believing what MSM was reporting about a Biden land slide. Biden will still likely win, but its only because the media put him there, exploiting COVID.

They only hope I see is Bidens long experience with the Congress, he might be able to work some things out, and work that, but he will start with all those radical dem plans to make his voters content, and with the divide, nobody is buying that mess. He wont get anything Trump did reversed...so whats the plan?

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Ah great, just great. I went to bed last night thinking they’d finally have this thing figured out by the time I woke up and I could move on but....here we are, yet another day to be spent constantly checking the news for the latest updates about this stupid American soap opera.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Trump isnt used to losing, and kicks and cries like a baby when he does!

8 ( +10 / -2 )

@Desert. I was old in 2000 and older now. This election is closer and the hanging chad pales in comparison to what’s going on now.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Vote fraud worthy of a third-rate banana republic. Japan needs a more competent ruler than the US.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I love it how Trump voters want the vote to be counted when they are behind (democracy forever!) but want the vote to be stopped in places where they are behind! (fascism forever—banana republic style) and then sending in DOJ officials to mess with it, which is against the law! And the meme—falsified votes! Ok, sort those out and ask the voter did you vote this way, is this your vote? But seriously, I hope this corrupt clown show is soon over. Everyday and every time Trump speaks it is like being waterboarded!

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Trump’s out of the game. I can’t believe the Americans were so stupid 4 years ago... no wait, I can believe it. And I once said George W was the worst president in history. How wrong I was. George W looks like a saint compared to Trump.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Clown act Trump due up soon. Get your popcorn and beers ready for the comedy show. What odds of him doing a Bud Dwyer?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

The government can’t even run an election properly; yet, most likely, people just voted to hand over healthcare to the government’s responsibility. I need a cutting torch to get through the irony.

OH! THE HORRORS, national health care, like we have here, Noidall, which you might be enjoying. Almost EVERY single developed nation has national health care, because......it is in the nations interest that its slaves and workers are healthy enough to WORK! And if they are saddled with HUGE bloated, ginned up bills for the crime of getting sick or injured or shot by the gun happy police, TOO BAD, but then they can’t have the money to go shopping!!!! Imagine how the economy would roar back to life if people didn’t have to spend 800 dollars a month on private health insurance and spent only 250 dollars, having 550 dollars of SHOPPING and PARTY money each MONTH? But in weirdo conservative land, that would be a crime!

9 ( +10 / -1 )

I sit here in Japan on my Couch, eating Chips and drinking beer and watch this entertainment show.

This election is more entertaining than a big Blockbuster Movie from Hollywood.

God bless America!

3 ( +7 / -4 )

The government can’t even run an election properly; yet, most likely, people just voted to hand over healthcare to the government’s responsibility. I need a cutting torch to get through the irony.

They've had an incompetent clown as its head for nearly four years. He has cut government spending and whole departments without even understanding what they do (who could need a pandemic response unit?). He ran down the postal service.

Yes, for once you've called something right. The government defunding under Trump has had a lot of negative consequences.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I thought it was supposed to be a blue wave with Biden's 10 point lead and the Senate was gonna flip.

Burning Bush - you're scraping the barrel. Firstly, no one ever predicted a landslide for Biden - it was always predicted for Trump by a lot of posters on this site.

The Senate is heavily weighted towards Republican states. 70% of Senators represent only 30% of voters. The smaller states are typically Republican.

Democracy in the USA is utterly weighted in favour of the Republican party. It is a remarkable democratic deficit for a developed country.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

@Ah_so

Democracy in the USA is utterly weighted in favour of the Republican party. 

I am an American and I am not a Republican. I am perplexed by your statement and I am wondering if you can provide the rationale for making the statement or some evidence to back up this claim.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Whoever wins’ number on challenge is to try to reunite the U.S. as it is obvious both candidates hade a huge number of supporters.

If unity cannot be achieved it’s game over for the US as a single entity.

Unfortunately, I don’t see how the US can get past the hatred of each side for the other, to be able to unify. Whether trump wins or loses, he’s going to be very vocal and loud. The political turmoil will not subside either, again whether he’s there or not. And the damage to the US on the world stage will likely never be able to fully recover. We all know you guys can do it all again - every four years. Any leader that does not widely diversify their nations interests away from American entanglement is just setting themselves up for a fall the next time America elects another trump. Or even this one.

The time of America is winding down. Please don’t stop making good movies and music.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Trump speaking from the White House live

How many times will he say “fantastic job”?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Trump just announced again that he has won the election and that only fraudulent votes are affecting the results.

He is spewing the normal list of successes about how his vote increased etc and improved his win in Florida, which the polls got wrong.

He is accusing the outstanding cases of all being fraudulent. Again making accusations without evidence of voter fraud. He claims to have won Pennsylvania.

In summary, he won't concede this election. He will have to be dragged out of the White House.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Trump is conceeding ungraciously, in that he is admitting he is going to lose, but will not accept it and will fight the fair result with made-up claims of fraud.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

@Strangerland - Actually the system in the U.S., right now, is working. The election process is working and a winner will be declared. Most likely Biden will win. The votes are being counted and the result (rightfully so) is not being announced. The media is even exercising restraint.

What happens after the election is so very critical. If the U.S. can somehow unite and if the pendulum does not swing too far the other direction (if compromise is achieved) it could be an opportunity for the U.S.

Trump is an anomaly and he was elected last time by many people (blue collar workers) who became disenchanted by a political party who historically always had their back and was seen as moving away from them. The last election the Democratic Party presented an elitist and Trump won.

This time the election is very close (and there is no way it should be) because the far left end of the Democratic Party, in my opinion, is trying to move too far.

I am a liberal who believes in natioinal health care (as a right), equal opportunity (which may not always result in equal outcomes), freedom of speech, and other similar ideals.

The reason the election is so close (It should not be: Trump should be defeated by a landslide) is that "my side" is moving too far and is becoming less and less willing to compromise. There are many centrists or liberals like me who believe this.

I hope Biden will govern this way and when Harris moves into the position (a real possibility) she will consider this as well. I grew up not far from Ms. Harris and attended University where her parents were professors. I know her history very well and it will be interesting to see where she would take the country; it could go either way.

The U.S. badly needs a 3rd Political Party. it would help with the division and also introduce new ideas and challenge the establishment. Unfortunately I do not see this happening as it would require those in power who enjoy the tremendous luxury of their positions to relinquish some of their power and privelege.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I like Ah_so's interpretation that this is actually conceding defeat. Had he actually won, all they've have to do is count the votes.

He doesn't even sound very confident about what he is saying, as if even he can't be bothered with this charade.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

He claims to have “a lot of proof, a lot of evidence” of ballot fraud. That’ll be interesting to see when it comes to court.

i.e. He has nothing and just spent 20 minutes saying nothing except “waaaaaaaa!”

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Mr. NoidallToday  08:43 am JST

Imagine how the economy would roar back to life if people didn’t have to spend 800 dollars a month on private health insurance and spent only 250 dollars,

Imagine getting what you pay for 

having 550 dollars of SHOPPING and PARTY money each MONTH? 

Good thing health insurance will be cheap; especially after all that partying and shopping which will most likely include drinking, vaping, gorging ourselves... Ans since it will all be on the gram and other outlets, hopefully they’ll throw in free mental healthcare too to treat the depression that comes with constantly being offended and not getting enough likes. 

550 dollars of SHOPPING and PARTY money each MONTH? But in weirdo conservative land, that would be a crime!

Truly youth is wasted on the young.

hahaha, funny! Well, the young and old will spend their extra money on whatever they like, better than WASTING it on private health care insurance PROFITS. And frankly, what is to complain about healthcare here? My wife’s filipino sister has cancer and has gotten great treatment. And it is not bankrupting her. My old bucho had a heart operation that cost around 2 million yen but he paid only 200,000. My own experience had been positive. Why are you people so invested in wasting your money on huge and wasteful enterprises like private health insurance companies. A brother in law in Georgia details his frustrations about small bill after small bill being contested or not paid. A girl that needed a kidney transplant was rejected as it was too experimental even though this operation has been around for 30 years—she died. But in YOUR WORLD Noidall, NO PROBLEM! Profits before people!!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Back on topic please.

The organizational ineptitude, an overall lack maintaining a steady flow of communication has contributed to break down/failure in the ability to manage the mail in vote effectively.

No excuses the warning signs were clear from the outset.

An/the, ultimate test of character is to show humility, being gracious when faced with defeat. 

There are many more challenges, opportunities to focus on.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I am an American and I am not a Republican. I am perplexed by your statement and I am wondering if you can provide the rationale for making the statement or some evidence to back up this claim.

Tokyo-Engr - the point about the democratic deficit was made in the previous paragraph regarding representation in the Senate.

The whole electoral college system Vs the popular vote also has a democratic deficit built in.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@Ah_so: I believe you are referring to the Senate. On the other hand, Congress is apportioned differently and there is no such misrepresentation. Additionally I believe your proportions are incorrect.

The electoral college was formed as the U.S. is a Constitutional Republic and is not a true Democracy. It is the old analogy "a Democracy is 2 wolves and a sheep deciding what is for dinner".

As imperfect as the U.S. system is (and it has its flaws) I do not believe it is biased toward the Republican Party. On this we will just need to disagree.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Tokyo-EngrToday  07:54 am JST

@Desert. I was old in 2000 and older now. This election is closer and the hanging chad pales in comparison to what’s going on now.

3( +3 / -0 )

I was living in Japan in 2000 and cast my absentee vote in that election. I am sorry, but in that election it came down to that one state and the final count had Bush winning by 537 votes. That is the slimmest victory margin in the history of the USA - look it up...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Meanwhile in the Trump big top, the crazy is amplified:

I hear a sound of an abundance of rain, I hear a sound of victory

Actually, Paula, that's seventy three million (and counting) cisterns flushing. And the excruciatingly long, shrill squeak of putrid, slimy filth through the nation's U bend.

https://news.yahoo.com/trump-spiritual-adviser-paula-white-144621231.html

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It is worth remembering the Electoral College process is clearly established in the Us constitution.

Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, the Electoral College is the formal body which elects the President and Vice President of the United States.

What is the Electoral College?

https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/about#:~:text=The%20Electoral%20College%20is%20a,popular%20vote%20of%20qualified%20citizens.

The Electoral College is a process, not a place. The Founding Fathers established it in the Constitution, in part, as a compromise between the election of the President by a vote in Congress and election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The Trump campaign said it was confident the president would ultimately pull out a victory in Arizona, where votes were also still being counted, including in Maricopa County, the state’s most populous area. 

Trump cannot have double standard in this election. When he is optimistic about his chance in a particular state, he considered the coming votes to be genuine. Meanwhile, in case he is losing badly, he sows doubt about the outcome of the race.

Donald Trump is the most unmanly US president.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@John

No need to be sorry - you are actually right. I just looked it up and I had thought the popular vote margin was wider but it was 49.38% for Gore and 47.87% for Bush.

I stand corrected on this.

On the other hand I believe the country is much more divided now than it was in 2000.

I think the division accelerated after 9/11 and has never turned back....although that is another story...

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The only thing “whittled down” is trump’s ego. He looks like he needs a hug.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Notice how about the ONLY repub voice we are hearing are the tantrums from trump as we near the end.

........seems like repubs are starting to distance themselves from the orange one!!!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The now evident catastrophe of the election result and the triumph of Trumpism is reason enough to arouse the ghost of Ben Franklin from his grave:

"It looks like you folks have finally gone and done it! You couldn't keep it, after all."

"What?"

"Your republic."

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Record election for republicans.

supposedly would lose 4-7 senate seats. Didn’t.

lose 15-20 House seats. Actually gained so many Dems are fighting each other over it.

but I’m expected to believe Trump himself, the leader of the whole thing, performed poorly and lost?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

It's not even close. Biden has pulled into a percentage tie with Trump in Georgia. In Pennsylvania, Biden has surged to be only 1% behind Trump and should soon surpass him once all votes are counted for. Biden has Nevada in the bag as well. At this point North Carolina is the only somewhat sure thing left for Trump.

Game over folks. It is time for Trump to start making plans for exiting with whatever dignity he has left.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Biden has got more votes than any other presidential candidate ever. However, I imagine few have actually voted for him. In reality I imagine the votes he has obtained are votes against Trump.

He is merely the lesser of two evils. It seems America is settling on a bad president rather than a disastrous one.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

American Politics will forever be changed. Both Biden and Trump should go away. The people should also stand up and fight against big tech polluting and brainwashing the minds of the people.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

President Donald Trump speaks from the White House | USA TODAY.......around one hour ago.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_geZZv9CqfI

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

As always, fatuous claims with no credible evidence whatsoever....

I guess you haven't paid attention to the media for the past 4 years and screaming Russia and Putin the entire time. So now that Dems have the lead, they are complaining about the Right having opinions?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

He is merely the lesser of two evils. It seems America is settling on a bad president rather than a disastrous one.

How do you know if he hasn't even started yet?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Record election for republicans. 

Biden got more votes than any candidate in history.

supposedly would lose 4-7 senate seats. Didn’t. 

lose 15-20 House seats. Actually gained so many Dems are fighting each other over it.

but I’m expected to believe Trump himself, the leader of the whole thing, performed poorly and lost?

He didn’t do poorly. Biden did better.

Why didn’t the Democrats cheat on the house and senate seats too?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

They only have to count the votes that were in at the time the polling stations closed, they dont count votes that came in after that. Only the Votes that were actually Voted before closing

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

They only have to count the votes that were in at the time the polling stations closed, they dont count votes that came in after that. Only the Votes that were actually Voted before closing

That's not the law in many states. Sorry, bud.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Finding boxes and boxes of uncounted ballots two days after the election doesn't look good. It either means: a) the counting process is inefficient and bent, or b) the counting process is inefficient and bent.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@Blacklabel

You may disagree but I will offer my 2 cents.

My answer is yes; it is quite conceivable that Trump can win under such circumstances.

Trump is divisive is certainly not a leader. The country is currently in multiple crisis. Some of these crisis are not within Trump's control and were not caused by him however his reaction has not been effective. He is in charge and the buck stops there (as they used to say).

On the other hand I believe alot of people feel the Democratic Party is moving far too left but they could never stomach voting for Trump. This would explain the gains in Congress and maintaining the Senate.

The U.S. wants a President they can respect and one who will lead and unite. Trump falls short in these categories. On the other hand, Americans tend to be more centrist (the large majority). In the U.S. the squeeky wheel gets the grease as we used to say so it is why we hear about the extremes always on both sides which are not representative of the U.S. as a whole. An example of the extreme on my side (the liberal side) is that Portland rioted for over 100 days and Mayor Wheeler in Portland or the Oregon Governor did nothing to stop it.

The results do not surprise me and I am surprised Trump got as many votes as he did (yes you are certainly right; the pundits and mainstream media were all wrong on this one).

3 ( +3 / -0 )

they did. See John James in Michigan.

So more urban voters voted for some random white guy than for John James, a Black man.

Voter turnout in just these areas of 95-200% of registered voters. Only in Michigan but next door Ohio, usual turnout.

But, but you can register on election day thats why over 100%. (ummm not if you did mail in balloting as these ballots were)

cheating is hard to do well. they trusted the polls about the Senate and House and only focused on the President (and John James at the end)

Why didn’t the Democrats cheat on the house and senate seats too?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

A likely factor for the failure of pre-election polls is that people do not want to admit to a human pollster they will vote for the less progressive option. This is a known phenomenon in the UK. Polling is not a secret ballot like an election.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shy_Tory_factor

Pollsters can only report what people are telling them, not speculate on what they might do. Since Trump is a liar of historical (and ever expanding) proportions, it is very conceivable that this might rub off on his supporters.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sorry I mistyped again....I should have written it is quite conceivable Trump can LOSE under such circumstances. Worked too late last night....ugh...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

well lets see what the courts say.

Next step is to convince a media outlet to "call" the race for Biden. Then it appears he is legitimate and the court challenges become much harder.

Because of their false "call" of Arizona for Biden, Fox News is in this position now.

They are surely checking if they think they can make more money being the "Trump was robbed" channel for the next 4 years. If they think they can, Fox will call a state for Biden (such as his "home state" of PA) by end of day tomorrow- without the counting actually being done.

Thus the media would have chosen our President, as the NY Times claimed is their right.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Not surprising that those who were telling us Trump would win, even as the results were coming in, are now telling us he really did win but fraud has won the day without any evidence.

People, just admit you were wrong. It happens to us all. Just man up.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Some music to accompany the slow dawning of decency, dignity, love and respect:

https://playingforchange.com/videos/love-train-song-across-america/

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Nothing you said that is unreasonable.

At some point a court is going to see all of these historic turnouts and election officials will have to prove that these people exist and filed legal ballots. I dont know that they will be able to do that.

I dont see how someone like Biden can get 3 million more votes than Barack Obama did in his historic victory. yet they cant pick up any Senate seats and lost the House seats?

Why did Black people in Milwaukee vote in such a strong and decisive way, yet Black people in Cleveland and Cinncinnati did not?

I think the historic turnout made Dems panic, stop the voting and dump 130,000 ballots (all for Biden?) into the system. That will have to be explained.

You may disagree but I will offer my 2 cents.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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