CBS Mornings’ Election Day edition tried to suppress the vote Tuesday and scare viewers into thinking that there is potential violence from domestic violent extremists. In other words, they suggested that a vote for Republicans could mean backing violent conspiracy theorists.
Just a few minutes after Gayle King, Democratic donor, and Nate Burleson complained that voters aren’t as concerned about the supposed death of our democracy as they should be, Face the Nation anchor Margaret Brennan said that while vote counting might take some time, she insisted there was nothing to see so we should keep moving.
We are — and that is why I think we need to be so sure that it isn’t a flaw in our jobs. It is part of the system. This will take time. Some of these states are going to be very closely contested. We won’t have a clear view. In some cases, we might have to resort to the more mundane things like recounts or re-examinations of ballots. This is completely different from sowning doubt in a way to make people say, “It’s not worth me voting.”
There is a big difference in officials taking too long to count ballots and results that are not known because they go to a recount. To demand competence and efficiency from the states in the voting counting process, you don’t have to be a conspiracy theorist.
Brennan stated that “if you stay home, you leave that space for the loudest and most extreme voices to fill,” and she added that “we’ve seen that highlighted, that direct link — and I know Jeff [Pegues] weiß this — between domestic violent extremists, and those who deny the results of last year’s election.”
Pegues responded by warning:
It’s a strange thing to say that in this democracy, you know. We’ve all seen enough elections, but this is something different. It’s not a presidential election but it’s a midterm with the possibility of violence. Law enforcement is also present — they are on pins and needles. They claim they are ready. They monitor social media. They are looking for domestic violent extremists. These are people who look for an excuse to lash out, cause trouble. They’re paying close attention to this. This is not a coincidence. It’s because of what happened on that day that we are now discussing this topic on Election Day in this democracy.
Violence at the polls is a serious crime. However, CBS has done more than any other network to scare voters and inflate the threat.
King was even more fear-mongering: “Yeah, and what do you tell voters who are nervous about going to polls?” We’ve seen photos of people at polling stations looking very menacing, with some of them armed.
Voter intimidation is not acceptable, but it would be nice for CBS to be consistent in this.
King later turned to the international implications, saying, “The whole world is watching Margaret.” How are our allies interpreting us?
Brennan responded absurdly by recalling that she had spoken to a diplomat from western Europe who said that she grew up seeing the United States as a bastion for democracy and that she is sad that she doesn’t feel that she can because these divisions have been exploited and it hurts America’s ability to project its power.
America has been divided since the inception of the Republic. That’s why elections are held. However, it is only when Republicans are poised for victory that it can be said that this would impact our power projection.
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Here’s the transcript of the November 8th show:
CBS Mornings
11/08/22
8:30:25 a.m.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE] America Decides Campaign ’22; Voters Cast their Ballots; Our Panel Examines the State of Our Democracy & Security Risks]
GAYLE KING: As Americans cast their ballots on Election Day, we are focusing on two major issues: the security of our election and the state of democracy. The White House stated yesterday that there were no credible threats of security, but U.S. law enforcement warned about domestic violent extremists. Some are also concerned about candidates refusing the results. [INTRODUCES PORTAL] We are glad to have you all at the table. We had the CBS News battleground tracker earlier in the show. Bob, I’m starting from you. Economy, crime, inflation, and election issues are at the top of the list. The point is that the state of democracy is not on this list, not even among the top ten. What does this tell you about what voters think or say about the issue? Because Democrats have really pushed it.
ROBERT COOSTA: It seems that the economy and other issues are top of mind for most voters, according to polls. Gayle, based upon my reporting and travels in recent months, I believe that voters care about democracy but not in the same way Washington does. When people talk about democracy when I’m on Capitol Hill, it is usually a shorthand for the January 6th Capitol attack. When I talk about democracy when I travel, I don’t mean just talking about January 6th. Redistricting is a key topic.
NATE BURLESON – Mmm.
COSTA: – voting rights, the integrity and the broader American system. This is what people are worried about in this year.
KING: Mmmm. KING: Mmmm.
BURELSON: Right. Right.
KING: That’s the thing. You can —
BURLESON: It doesn’t have to be either one or the other.
KING: That’s what I think, Nate. It doesn’t have be either or. Margaret, what about the effects of this? What will this have on the election if people reject the results? This is a serious concern.
MARGARET BRENAN: It’s extremely corrosive. This system works only if we have faith in our institutions. The basic idea is that we settle differences at the ballot box, not at the gun barrel. You can’t.
KING: But some are already lying —
BRENNAN — Choose the outcome.
KING: Margaret, the groundwork, if it doesn’t go their way.
BRENNAN : We are — that’s why I think it is important that we in our jobs make sure it isn’t a flaw. It is part of the system. This will take some time.
BURLESON: Yeah.
BRENNAN – We won’t have absolute clarity on some of these closely fought countries. In some cases, we might have to resort to re-examinations and recounts. This is completely different from sowning doubt in a way to make people say, “It’s not worth me voting.”
KING: Yeah.
BURLESON : Of course.
BRENNAN: Because if your home is empty, it will be filled with the loudest and most extreme voices.
BURLESON: Mmmm.
BRENNAN : We have seen that clearly, that direct line — Jeff knows this well — between domestic violent extremists (and those who deny the results of the previous election)
BURLESON : That’s right.
BRENNAN: Intelligence links that.
BURLESON – Well said. Jeff, speaking of that system: What are your most concerned about in terms of election security for officials?
JEFF PEGUES – Violence. It’s strange to say that in this democracy, you know. We’ve all seen enough elections, but this is different.
BURLESON: Yeah.
PEGUES: It’s not a presidential campaign, but it is a midterm election. There’s also the possibility of violence. You have law enforcement — they are on pins and needles. They claim they are ready. They monitor social media. They are looking for domestic violent extremists. These are people who look for an excuse to lash out, cause trouble. They’re paying close attention to this. This is not a coincidence. It’s because of what happened on that day that we are now discussing this topic on Election Day in this democracy.
BURLESON: Mmmm.
PEGUES: Law enforcement doesn’t want to be caught flatfooted this time.
BURLESON: For sure.
KING: Yes, and what advice do you give to voters who are anxious about going to the polls. We’ve seen photos of people at polling stations looking very intimidating, some with guns, and you can see them —
BURLESON: Oooof.
KING: The arm of the king
BURLESON: Scary stuff.
KING: — See the weaponry.
PEGUES: They’ve been told to stay clear of them.
KING: Yes, but —
PEGUES: Law enforcement can sometimes be seen in plain clothes. They’re always on the lookout for that. There are DOJ monitors sent to all election districts in the country. As I said, they are preparing for this because they don’t want any violence that could result from some of these operations, such as the influence operations from China. They’ve been active in this area for the past few days. Russia, Evgeni, this Putin’s chef, okay? He has catering contracts with Kremlin. This is his day job. In his spare time, he runs the Internet Research Agency, which tries to incite trouble online in this country and sow divisions around issues such as abortion. They’re also watching for that.
(….)
8:36:19 a.m.
47 seconds
KING: Margaret, the world is watching. How are our allies interpreting us?
BRENNAN
BURLESON: Right.
BRENNAN They are watching what’s going on right now. I was speaking with a diplomat from western Europe who told me that she grew up seeing the United States as a bastion for democracy. She was sad.
BURLESON: Right.
BRENNAN — She doesn’t feel she has the ability because these divisions have been exploited by our enemies, and it really hurts America’s power projection.
BURLESON: Mmm.
BRENNAN
BURLESON: Right.
BRENNAN: They have faith in its integrity. So, I don’t want this conversation to turn people away.
KING: Yes.
RENNAN — From going and exercising their right to vote today.
BURLESON: There is no doubt about it. Thank you, Margaret, Bob, and Jeff. Appreciate you.
