Republican split vs 'Trump has nothing to lose': US elections through the eyes of Russian-speaking American politicians

The leader of the presidential race in the United States has not yet been determined (you can follow the here), and both candidates still insist on their victory. The incumbent President Donald Trump in his speech on November 5 again expressed concerns possible fraud in the counting of votes and called the change in dynamics in a number of states in favor of Joe Biden "suspicious." A wave of protests has already swept across the country, in some cases escalating into clashes with the police.

Photo: Shutterstock

Meanwhile, the Michigan court dismissed the claim, filed by Donald Trump's headquarters to suspend the vote count. After a short hiatus caused by a similar lawsuit, the count also resumed in Pennsylvania. About how the current uncertainty could end, and what strategy the opposing parties intend to adhere to, Forum Daily was able to talk with American politicians from among immigrants from the post-Soviet space - the deputy of the Rock County Assembly in Wisconsin Yuri Rashkin (Democratic Party) and the former candidate for governor Washington State by Anton Sakharov (Republican Party).

Veiled signals

“It is rather difficult to predict how events will develop, since this is the first time such a situation is developing in our country. To understand the prospects of candidates, it is important to understand who is behind them. Judging by the fact that Trump posted to Philadelphia to check the legality of the counting of votes of his personal lawyer and closest aide Rudy Giuliani, it can be assumed that he has no more serious support. Recall that even the Republican channel Fox News first announced on the leadership of Democratic candidate Joe Biden in the vote in Arizona and insists on the need to count all the votes. All these signals suggest that part of the Republican establishment is refusing to support Trump. He is supported only by his closest circle and relatives, while the rest of his comrades-in-arms are beginning to turn away from him, ”Yuri Rashkin suggests.

Yuri Rashkin. Photo from personal archive

According to the Democratic deputy, the incumbent head of the White House has no legal basis to challenge the continuation of the vote count.

“Trump understands that as the counting proceeds, he will inevitably lose, and the point is not in 'falsification', but in the fact that at most polling stations the votes cast in person on the main voting day are first counted, and only then the ballots previously sent by mail. This is absolutely legal and it is impossible to stop this procedure. Another thing is that then, after the vote count is over, Trump will try to challenge the results, and this is his right. However, even some Republican officials admit that it will be difficult to find votes in the amount Trump may need. And this is also very significant, ”Rashkin notes.

Bridging split

The MP emphasizes: the refusal of some Republicans to support their candidate does not mean "collusion with the Democrats" in the corrupt sense of the word, since no decisions of the establishment can influence the will of the voters. However, this may mean that at least some of yesterday's supporters of Trump are unlikely to support his struggle for the presidency, if they are convinced of its legal futility. Nevertheless, Yuri Rashkin admits: among ordinary people, the number of Donald Trump fans is very large, and they do not intend to abandon their leader yet.

“The polarization of society is very strong. I run a public page in our city where we discuss local issues with residents. Its readers increasingly began to notice that it is becoming too politicized, and people quarrel among themselves because of their political views. As a result, I had to delete the most aggressive users. But the fact is that there are indeed many Trump followers, and there are more of them than we think, because many are simply afraid to say it out loud. But they trust Trump regardless of the outcome of the elections, ”the deputy shares his observations.

Yuri Rashkin. Photo from personal archive

Nevertheless, Yuri Rashkin hopes that the current division of society will not become fatal, and people will sooner or later find a common language.

“Today's followers of Trump will not remain them for life. Over time, disappointment and rethinking of some things may come. Much depends on advertising, propaganda and trends that come down from the top. As for the current moment, Biden just calls to calmly wait for the election results, and in no case resort to violence. We still have time until January 20. But if Trump wins, it's important to understand that the divisions in society will intensify. Otherwise, polarization can and must be overcome. We need to communicate with each other, look for common ground, for example, in terms of inequality in the distribution of the money supply. We really need to do something here, and we must agree on this topic regardless of our views, ”Yuri Rashkin believes.

"The country is moving in a dangerous direction"

Anton Sakharov, in turn, confirms: the tactic of the Republicans at the moment is to file lawsuits for a recount of votes.

“According to the rules, if the results differ within 0,25%, then the recount is paid by the state, if from 0,25 to 1%, then the candidate pays. Trump's staff will, of course, try to count the votes wherever he lost by less than 1%. I cannot say now whether there have been falsifications - as a rule, they always occur, but I cannot say on what scale, and whether it was deliberately planned. But the fact that even illegal immigrants vote is a fact, as well as the fact that ballots are collected from the homeless, ”the representative of the Republican Party is sure.

Anton Sakharov. Photo from personal archive

According to the former gubernatorial candidate, the biggest falsifications can occur during verification of signatures on envelopes with ballots sent by mail.

“They show who the vote was for, so the votes cast for Trump may simply not be taken into account, referring to the fact that the signature on the envelope does not look authentic. The main problem is that the country has been extremely split over the past 3 years, and whoever wins, the other side will never accept the election results. Unfortunately, the situation in the United States is moving in a very dangerous direction. Republicans are attacked everywhere - on the street, in stores, they are fired from their jobs simply because they have a different view or position on some issues. Unfortunately, freedom of speech in the United States is no longer free, ”complains Anton Sakharov.

According to him, the polarization of society began long before Donald Trump came to power.

“Both John McCain and George W. Bush were once called racists. This rejection stretches from afar, and it seems to me that it is wrong to speak of the split as a phenomenon that has occurred only in the last 20 years. Another thing is that Trump intensified this tendency many times over, because he began to call things by their proper names, and brought to light the names of people who really betrayed and sold the country. Trump opened the eyes of those who did not see their actions, and prevented many who were engaged in unclean deeds. This includes the legalization of drugs on our coast, and the so-called "sex education". All this happens because businesses that receive income from this make huge financial investments in the Democratic Party, which supports them, ”Anton Sakharov is sure.

Anton Sakharov. Photo from personal archive

As for the frightening prospect of armed clashes, Anton recalls that they began even before the elections.

“Nevertheless, I don't think it will come to any real battles. I think that all will be by local clashes, which have already happened before, ”he hopes.

Anton considers Donald Trump's behavior tactically correct and justified.

“He has nothing to lose. If he doesn't win, I don't know how he will live in America today, given the atmosphere in the country. His business and career will be very difficult. I know from my own experience that the price paid for political activity cannot be compared to any potential gain. Calling yourself a Republican, and also supportive of Trump, is tantamount to a feat these days. Therefore, in any case, the president will fight to the end, of course, by legal means, ”Anton Sakharov is sure.

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