South Dakota Republican Senator admits election was not faudulent

[Hermit For Peace]

"We looked -- as a part of our due diligence, we looked at over 60 different accusations made in multiple states.

"While there were some irregularities, there were none of the irregularities which would have risen to the point where they would have changed the vote outcome in a single state.

"The election was fair, as fair as we have seen. We simply did not win the election, as Republicans, for the presidency. And moving forward -- and that's the way we want to look at this -- moving forward, we have to refocus once again on what it's going to take to win the presidency.

"And if we simply look back and tell our people don't vote because there's cheating going on, then we're going to put ourselves in a huge disadvantage. So, moving forward, let's focus on what it takes to win those elections. We can do that. But we have to let people know that they can -- they can believe and they can have confidence that those elections are fair."

https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/10/politics/mike-rounds-2020-election-big-lie/index.html

[Aurelius]

Good. The more the fever breaks the better.

[Schiff for Senate]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

[Mr. Smith]

Rounds is a known backbencher [I'm aware that's oxymoronic, shut up], it's admittance from Thune that would mean something.

[Middle-aged Europe]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

[Schiff for Senate]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

Enough represent seats that aren't solid, and even more don't represent gerrymandered districts. For instance, Beth van Duyne was elected in a Biden district in 2020, and she only narrowly won, yet she voted to overturn (though in redistricting she was shored up). Similarly enough other GOPers from competitive or moderately competitive seats have voted. I think it is because they are more scared of the Orange Man and don't want their political career to implode, while Senators already have experience and incumbency and are established figures in their own right. Representatives also face less scrutiny since there are 87 representatives for every 20 senators.

[Hermit For Peace]

Good. The more the fever breaks the better.

[TheReckoning]

As CentristRepublican says, a vast majority (84%) of Republican senators rejected the claim that the election was stolen, so this isn’t particularly newsworthy.

[emailking]

He didn't tap dance around it like most of them do. And Trump went nuclear on him for it. And Rounds held his ground. So I think it's newsworthy.

[Calthrina950]

Rounds is one of the most obscure members of the Senate, and these comments seem to indicate that this is because he is sane.

[ProudModerate2]

And let me guess ... Republicans voters want him lynched.
And the GOP party of his state, will proceed with the proper procedures to have him formally censured.

[Shaula🏳️‍⚧️]

Rounds is a known backbencher [I'm aware that's oxymoronic, shut up], it's admittance from Thune that would mean something.

Thune has admitted it and attacked Trump many times. That's why Trump said he wanted to primary Thune.

[Pericles]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

Lots of Republicans in swing districts voted to object too, and 2/9 Biden district Republicans objected. The main difference seems to be that McCarthy objected while McConnell told Senate Republicans it was a stupid idea and they shouldn't indulge it.

[S019]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

Lots of Republicans in swing districts voted to object too, and 2/9 Biden district Republicans objected. The main difference seems to be that McCarthy objected while McConnell told Senate Republicans it was a stupid idea and they shouldn't indulge it.

Yeah more or less this, McConnell is an actually strong leader who knows how to pick his fights. McCarthy is a total clown who has absolutely no control over his caucus. I'm already dreading his Speakership for the clown show that it'll be.

[BlueSwan]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

Lots of Republicans in swing districts voted to object too, and 2/9 Biden district Republicans objected. The main difference seems to be that McCarthy objected while McConnell told Senate Republicans it was a stupid idea and they shouldn't indulge it.

Yeah more or less this, McConnell is an actually strong leader who knows how to pick his fights. McCarthy is a total clown who has absolutely no control over his caucus. I'm already dreading his Speakership for the clown show that it'll be.

Well, the last time McCarthy was in line to become speaker they hauled in Paul Ryan instead. Maybe something similar will happen again.

[Calthrina950]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

Lots of Republicans in swing districts voted to object too, and 2/9 Biden district Republicans objected. The main difference seems to be that McCarthy objected while McConnell told Senate Republicans it was a stupid idea and they shouldn't indulge it.

Yeah more or less this, McConnell is an actually strong leader who knows how to pick his fights. McCarthy is a total clown who has absolutely no control over his caucus. I'm already dreading his Speakership for the clown show that it'll be.

Well, the last time McCarthy was in line to become speaker they hauled in Paul Ryan instead. Maybe something similar will happen again.

This is probably why McCarthy has been "sucking up" to Trump ever since 1/6 and why he recently announced that he was going to expel controversial Democrats from committees if Republicans got the majority. He's trying to fend off potential leadership challenges now and is trying to win over the Republican caucus.

[Blue3]

Trump already responded

On Monday morning, Trump responded, calling Rounds “woke” and falsely claiming that the election had, in fact, been stolen.

“Even though his election will not be coming up for five years, I will never endorse this jerk again,” Trump said of Rounds.

[RFK Jr.’s Brain Worm]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

Lots of Republicans in swing districts voted to object too, and 2/9 Biden district Republicans objected. The main difference seems to be that McCarthy objected while McConnell told Senate Republicans it was a stupid idea and they shouldn't indulge it.

Yeah more or less this, McConnell is an actually strong leader who knows how to pick his fights. McCarthy is a total clown who has absolutely no control over his caucus. I'm already dreading his Speakership for the clown show that it'll be.

Well, the last time McCarthy was in line to become speaker they hauled in Paul Ryan instead. Maybe something similar will happen again.

Any ideas as to whom? Also, Paul Ryan has basically vanished off the face of the earth.

[Schiff for Senate]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

Lots of Republicans in swing districts voted to object too, and 2/9 Biden district Republicans objected. The main difference seems to be that McCarthy objected while McConnell told Senate Republicans it was a stupid idea and they shouldn't indulge it.

Yeah more or less this, McConnell is an actually strong leader who knows how to pick his fights. McCarthy is a total clown who has absolutely no control over his caucus. I'm already dreading his Speakership for the clown show that it'll be.

Well, the last time McCarthy was in line to become speaker they hauled in Paul Ryan instead. Maybe something similar will happen again.

This is probably why McCarthy has been "sucking up" to Trump ever since 1/6 and why he recently announced that he was going to expel controversial Democrats from committees if Republicans got the majority. He's trying to fend off potential leadership challenges now and is trying to win over the Republican caucus.

I think another key difference is that McConnell is at his apex while McCarthy has further ambitions. What I mean is McConnell is the top Senate Republican (top Republican period, in fact, officially speaking) and was just reelected to a 7th (and very possibly last) term. McConnell has no further ambitions at this point. McCarthy is much younger and has still not reached what he hopes is the climax of his career - the Speakership. He needs to appease the Trumpish wing of the party and make sure Trump himself is mollified, in order to make sure he becomes Speaker of the House. Having already been jilted at the altar once, he's probably being particularly careful not to make the same mistake this time. Returning to McConnell, he has literally nothing to lose - I mean, if Trump decides to endorse a primary challenger in 2026, McConnell can simply bow out after a long and full career. McCarthy doesn't have that luxury and therefore recognizes the need to stay in Trump's good books if he wants to advance his career any further (spoiler alert: he does).

EDIT: Another key point I should add is that Trump himself might want to be Speaker if/when the GOP retakes the House, so McCarthy is probably willing to lick Trump's shoes and suck up to him that much if that's what it takes to keep Trump out (and keep Trump's support) and finally become Speaker.

Trump already responded

On Monday morning, Trump responded, calling Rounds “woke” and falsely claiming that the election had, in fact, been stolen.

“Even though his election will not be coming up for five years, I will never endorse this jerk again,” Trump said of Rounds.

Quite frankly, Trump will turn 80 in 2026. It's actually possible he's not even alive at that point. If he is, hopefully his clout within the GOP will have declined by then. I predict that if Rounds runs in 2026, he wins.

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

Lots of Republicans in swing districts voted to object too, and 2/9 Biden district Republicans objected. The main difference seems to be that McCarthy objected while McConnell told Senate Republicans it was a stupid idea and they shouldn't indulge it.

Yeah more or less this, McConnell is an actually strong leader who knows how to pick his fights. McCarthy is a total clown who has absolutely no control over his caucus. I'm already dreading his Speakership for the clown show that it'll be.

Well, the last time McCarthy was in line to become speaker they hauled in Paul Ryan instead. Maybe something similar will happen again.

Any ideas as to whom? Also, Paul Ryan has basically vanished off the face of the earth.

Trump himself is an actual possibility. Otherwise, thinking uncreatively, they could go with Steve Scalise (the Minority Whip).

[BlueSwan]

Trump already responded

On Monday morning, Trump responded, calling Rounds “woke” and falsely claiming that the election had, in fact, been stolen.

“Even though his election will not be coming up for five years, I will never endorse this jerk again,” Trump said of Rounds.

Trump has to respond, because otherwise it will seem like he allows for defections with regards to the big lie and he can't allow that.

[BlueSwan]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

Lots of Republicans in swing districts voted to object too, and 2/9 Biden district Republicans objected. The main difference seems to be that McCarthy objected while McConnell told Senate Republicans it was a stupid idea and they shouldn't indulge it.

Yeah more or less this, McConnell is an actually strong leader who knows how to pick his fights. McCarthy is a total clown who has absolutely no control over his caucus. I'm already dreading his Speakership for the clown show that it'll be.

Well, the last time McCarthy was in line to become speaker they hauled in Paul Ryan instead. Maybe something similar will happen again.

Any ideas as to whom? Also, Paul Ryan has basically vanished off the face of the earth.

Trump himself, but I predict that Trump really isn't interested as he would have to put in some actual work. Unfortunately, I think they are stuck with McCarthy.

[Hermit For Peace]

Top Republicans stand up for Rounds after Trump's attack: He 'told the truth'

Senior Republicans are closing ranks behind Sen. Mike Rounds after he endured a scathing attack from former President Donald Trump for acknowledging the reality that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

"I think Sen. Rounds told the truth about what happened in the 2020 election," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told CNN on Tuesday. "And I agree with him."

The back-and-forth is the latest sign that many Republicans -- particularly in the Senate -- are eager to move past the former President's obsession with the 2020 elections and instead focus on more fertile ground: The Biden agenda and their efforts to take back both houses of Congress in 2022.

Rounds, who has a low-key and genial demeanor and is well-regarded by his colleagues, stood by his comments -- and said he was "disappointed but not surprised" by Trump's statement. Rounds told CNN on Tuesday that Republicans need to speak the truth to voters about 2020 so they can have trust in the results of free and fair elections in 2022 and beyond.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/11/politics/mike-rounds-republican-defense/index.html

[Mr. Smith]

Not too surprising, honestly. The context makes it clear he couldn't avoid the subject, and he voted to certify. The GOP senators are actually sane for the most part about the Big Lie - the problem is the GOP representatives. Out of 50 GOP senators, 7 (14%) actually supported impeachment and just 8 (16%) supported the Big Lie (i.e., voted to overturn; they disproportionately came from southern states - 6 of the 8 come from states that used to allow slavery; one of the other two comes from WY, America's reddest state). Out of 211 GOP representatives, 139 (66%) supported the Big Lie and just 10 (less than 5%) voted to impeach. I don't know exactly why this is, though probably because Senators are generally more dignified and less wildly partisan than their House counterparts (on the other end of the spectrum, you don't see Democratic senators calling for the police being abolished). They also seem to oppose objecting to election results - in 2000, some 20 House Democrats tried overturning FL's 'results,' while 0 Senate Democrats did.

Bold part: Gerrymandered super-safe R districts, while senators always need to win an entire state which also consists of lots of Democrats and Independents?

Lots of Republicans in swing districts voted to object too, and 2/9 Biden district Republicans objected. The main difference seems to be that McCarthy objected while McConnell told Senate Republicans it was a stupid idea and they shouldn't indulge it.

Yeah more or less this, McConnell is an actually strong leader who knows how to pick his fights. McCarthy is a total clown who has absolutely no control over his caucus. I'm already dreading his Speakership for the clown show that it'll be.

Well, the last time McCarthy was in line to become speaker they hauled in Paul Ryan instead. Maybe something similar will happen again.

Any ideas as to whom? Also, Paul Ryan has basically vanished off the face of the earth.

Trump himself, but I predict that Trump really isn't interested as he would have to put in some actual work. Unfortunately, I think they are stuck with McCarthy.

What happened to Steve Scalise again?  He's always been up in those echelons.

[GregTheGreat657]

Great news

[ProudModerate2]

Mitch McConnell just dunked trump's face into a fresh, wet pile of cow ****.