In the third and final debate, Trump handed America the single greatest reason not to vote for him. By refusing to say he would accept the results of the election, he goes against 240 years of American tradition.
The one aspect of America that differentiates us from some countries, the thing which many countries have come to emulate, is our peaceful transition of power.
Elections are always contentious. Candidates are expected to go after their opponent’s ideas, concepts, plans, and experience. It is how we measure and evaluate their suitability for office.
Yet we expect, no demand, that every candidate accepts the results once the votes are counted. There is no room for “keeping the country in suspense.” Trump’s statements on this point border on incitement to anarchy.
Is there voter fraud in elections? Of course. Yet the overwhelming majority of voters cast their votes honestly and within the law.
Every campaign has zealots. There are those on both sides of this election who see their candidate as the only choice and are willing to do anything they can to ensure victory.
The problem with the Trump campaign is it is headed by a zealot with delusions of grandeur. He, alone, will decide the validity of the election process.
Is the existence of voter fraud justification to nullify the results because one candidate is dissatisfied with the election? Of course not.
If Trump has evidence of “widespread” voter fraud involving millions of votes, the time to produce this information is now. Before the election. Not wait and see. Instead, Trump says he’s “seen” evidence of voter fraud and warns the election is rigged.
That is a beautiful thing, Mr. Trump. We should just take your word for it.
What Trump is saying is clear. If Clinton wins, it’s because of fraud. If he wins, it’s because America has spoken.
Americans will speak on November 8th. And I, like most patriotic and rational Americans, will accept the results.
If Clinton wins, it will not be as a result of voter fraud. If Trump wins, it may well be the results of voter insanity. Choosing a candidate who tells you that he will only accept one result is as un-American as one can be.
That’s not making America great again, that’s turning America into a 10th century Dark Ages kingdom led by someone who sees themselves as having the divine right of ascendency.
