The Media Does Not Certify Elections

Do people think that football refs wearing only one team’s jersey should get to call the score of a game before the game starts?

Uh, no.

Then why do people think the press certifies elections? I have had dozens of calls, emails, and texts from normal people who anxiously told me, “Fox says we’re going to lose!” Or, “We’ve lost Pennsylvania!” And I ask, “Where did you hear that?” And they breathlessly respond, “NBC!”

Really?

You’d think conservatives and Republicans would know by now, as the president has said it for months, that the media are not exactly fair analysts when it comes to this election. You’d think anybody who reads this column would get, as we’ve said it for some time, that you go to solid sources of data, not biased and contrived outlets, when you want reliable data.

And I could be wrong, but I haven’t read the part in any state constitution, nor in the U.S. Constitution, where CNN certifies elections. So, just stop it.

Now you’re asking, ok smart guy, where do I get any data at all? Simple. With the certifying body, which in the presidential case would be the state secretary of state offices in a normal year. This year, it’s the courts. Thus, nothing is won or lost because CBS decides to paint a map a certain color.

If @JoeBiden hits 270 plus electoral votes, you’ll hear tons of media members saying it’s over. NOT TRUE. Results need to be certified and of course legal challenges will continue, most likely all the way to the Supreme Court. #elections @realDonaldTrump

— David Brody (@DavidBrodyCBN) November 5, 2020

You want to figure out where this might go? This time I’d advise you to read the past election law opinions and decisions of current Supreme Court justices. I’ve read some of those and something tells me John Roberts, perhaps even Kagan, may not be thrilled with the aggressive flouting of judicial rulings going on in places like Philadelphia Thursday night. Democrats there are breaking election law with impunity and finding ballots out of nowhere. The Supremes may be partisan, but they won’t like Democrats ignoring judicial decisions. Not one bit. Though, the Democrats think they can get around that.

Because soon, within days, perhaps hours, bursting at the seams with glee, one of the networks will call Joe Biden the next president of the United States. The others will follow suit. If he can remember where he is and not wet his pants in the process, Biden will graciously accept. It will all be meaningless kabuki.

They are hoping for a bandwagon effect on gullible Americans whom they figure will bring pressure on Republican elected officials to force Trump from office before a final count. Also, meaningless. Because men like Clarence Thomas and women like Amy Coney Barrett don’t give a rat’s ass about the circus down the road on Capitol Hill. They care about the law and the Constitution. When they apply both to the detriment of Democrat plans of securing the presidency through corruption, Donald Trump will be reelected president.