In the newest edition of "The Schmidt Storm", I answer your questions about the possibility of Kamala Harris certifying her own election win, Trump's mission to become America's Caesar, and how the Democrats can win over disappointed MAGA voters:The Warning with Steve Schmidt is a reader-supported publication.
I thought Penny’s question was an excellent one and thank you, Steve, for answering it. I was also very moved by the Trumbull painting of George Washington ceding power.
J.D. Vance, if you can shut your mouth for a minute and try listening, the Father of Our Country had no biological children of his own, just step-children.
But he did care about the country and was invested in its future, just like people today with step-children or no children. Listen for a change. It might do you good.
Thanks, Steve. Love your insight. I prefer the video versions as it's easier for me. Disabled retired veteran of the US Army. I had no bone spurs when I enlisted in 1973 despite being exempt from the draft ( sole surviving son of a 100% disabled WWII veteran) and I did not sit in an air conditioned office issuing press releases.
Your idea of national service for all youth is compelling. "Idle hands are the devil's workshop." With the cost of higher education being out of reach for the masses and with many kids graduating with no sense of direction, a period of serving others just may instill in our young people some purpose and an opportunity to experience "other". Other parts of the country, other races, other viewpoints.
Yes. Yes we do. And he has done and continues to do great things and truly cares about his fellow Americans. He has been a president for all Americans. I’m in a red state, AZ, and the CHIPS act and the infrastructure policies have added THOUSANDS of jobs here and are presently transforming the I17 corridor. Kamala can follow his lead in service to all Americans.
We do need a great President someone who can rise above cynicism and prejudice Right now we have Kamala Harris and the eyes of the world are looking at her and waiting.....
I have always thought that our country should have a 2-year commitment to public service ...paid of course...for a way of getting people to work together for a common cause. Probably, "pie in the sky" but I do think our country needs that commitment ...as the word draft would never fly! Thank you for sharing...makes me happy that Kamala can certify her election...a Democrat retribution!
I've thought the same, Linda. And it's hard to fathom how it would be a tough sell, especially for a group like the Peace Corp. Young people love adventures, especially those they can do together. Two years of paid service doing something wonderful for the world in a faraway land? Damn, *I* might sign up for that, and I'm 65! :) Sometimes the opportunity just needs to be presented. It's a simple idea that would yield profound results.
Mary Ann, what should I say...I am 80...and cannot believe where we are today...I guess people do forget along with so many who are so young that they take it all for granted...It is definitely something Harris should bring up ...later of course...as anything can be construed to make it sound bad by MAGA...after Kamala takes the oath in January...would be a good time to start offering great opportunities for those willing to give 2 years to their...our country...better pay...better free education...tax credits...and these are not socialistic...more realistic! Thank you for your positive reply...Linda
To focus on young people, most of whom have known grandparents, I suggest answering Project 2025 by presenting the written bill that will make Social Security solvent until 2075 for Both gen z and the parents and grandparents they love. Right up there with women’s rights, methinks.
I agree with you, Bess. It would be so easy. Simply raise the income level subject to FICA taxes to the level necessary to fund Social Security and Medicare. As it stands, the tax is regressive, taking a higher percentage of income from the lowest earners.
In fact, remove the cap entirely and the percentage taken in FICA taxes could be lowered.
I am looking for the means and moment gen z takes SS solvency as serious, yanno, like their very lives depend on it. GOP has cast seniors as a burden. Time to nom, nom, nom that lie and bring workers of all ages together.
I believe that, like ordinary Germans following WWII, people dazzled by Trump's "charm," false promises, and racism will come to realize how wrong they were. He is a wannabe Hitler and his followers will suffer disillusionment just as Hitler's "fans"did; many will claim to never have supported him.
We are heading for a much brighter future. Keep the faith.
To be fair, TFG is a fascist, and a wanna be dictator/authoritarian/king. Bringing up H is a non-starter and ends the willingness of people on the other side to even think about listening. Yes, H was a fascist, but not every fascist is like H. Not defending TFG in any way, because he's a colossal POS, but words matter. I would suggest reading, if you're so inclined, 'They Thought They Were Free', by Milton Mayer, as it sheds light into the minds of people living in Germany from 1933 - 1945. Surprised our favorite MAGA and TFG acolyte hasn't hopped on here and jumped up and down about Godwin's Law. He'd actually and finally be right for the first time about your usage. And I'm not defending Felecia either.
Mike, just to be clear, I am expressing my thoughts with the knowledge in mind that I am speaking to people, for the most part, with a similar world view. I believe Trump was inspired by and admired Hitler; it is said that he kept a book of Hitler's speeches on a stand near his bed. And, I do believe that temperamentally and psychologically Hitler's followers and Trump's are quite similar, just as Trump is similar to Hitler in his personality and ambition.
Thanks for the book recommendation; I will definitely look into it. And don't forget that freedom means something entirely different to us than it does to a fascist.
A good response to Kristi Noem and the MAGA Freak Show:
I’m proud that Minnesota’s First Dog is a rescue dog, and I hope Scout—who has been a very good boy—serves as a reminder for Minnesotans that there are a lot of pups waiting to be adopted.
Excellent broadcast, Steve; and I appreciate the answer to Penny's question, as well as the suggestion that if and when elected, Kamala Harris call upon young people and make a call for service to our nation.
Re: VP Harris certifying the election. Does this mean that it overrides any electors that in bad faith do not certify the election when HarrisWalz win? If so, that is wonderful news and will alleviate a lot of anxiety around this topic.
Good question. From what I've read and seen from folks like Marc Elias, the concern is at the individual county and state levels. There should be checks and balances in place, but if multiple layers are corrupt, it makes her certification of all votes nearly impossible. As VP, she would certify the officially submitted slate of electors from each state, exactly like all VPs before her have done. If those are held up by MAGA folks (eg, your "bad faith" actors) not certifying at the county or state level, I don't know how she can certify the vote as there won't be enough for either candidate to get to 270 in the EC. TFG and MAGA will do everything they can to delay and get this to SCOTFG or to the House, where each state gets one vote, regardless of population. More states are controlled by Rs.
That said, the 2022 overhaul of the 1887 Electoral College Act was signed into law by Biden makes this process more challenging, but not impossible. Among the changes:
- The new provisions make clear that the vice president’s responsibilities in the process are merely ceremonial and that the vice president has no say in determining who actually won the election.
- The new legislation also raises the threshold required for members of Congress to object to certifying the electors. Before, only one member of the House and Senate respectively had to object to force a roll call vote on a state’s electors. Under the new rules, one-fifth of each chamber would be required to force a vote on states’ slates of electors.
- The new provisions also ensure only one slate of electors makes it to Congress after Trump and his allies unsuccessfully tried to create alternative slates of electors in states Biden won. Each governor would now be required to sign off on electors, and Congress cannot consider slates submitted by different officials. The bill creates a legal process if any of those electors are challenged by a presidential candidate.
MAGA will still try shenanigans as they've continuously poked the fence for weaknesses, so I'd anticipate much more BS if Harris wins.
Thank you for taking the time to answer in such detail Mike - it all seems so complicated - good thing that Democratic lawyers are paying close attention to this.
Absolutely. Marc Elias and his group at Democracy Docket have done amazing work in the voter right arena. Here's a link to a recent article to what just happened in Georgia that may serve as a road map for the bad faith actors:
This is the kind of concern raised by so many of us. Voter suppression in several ways and casting doubts upon the validity of elections are real and dangerous.
Thank you for that link! Going to continue to closely follow Mark Elias and others that are doing this kind of work. Yes, the voter suppression and threats of MAGA electors is indeed a very real and alarming thing.
Thanks Steve! In Trump World, HONOR is irrelevant. Self dealing, back stabbing and hate are the guiding principles. Donald and his 147 Congressional Objectors exemplify dishonor. History will remember them and their disgrace.
I thought Penny’s question was an excellent one and thank you, Steve, for answering it. I was also very moved by the Trumbull painting of George Washington ceding power.
J.D. Vance, if you can shut your mouth for a minute and try listening, the Father of Our Country had no biological children of his own, just step-children.
But he did care about the country and was invested in its future, just like people today with step-children or no children. Listen for a change. It might do you good.
Thanks, Steve. Love your insight. I prefer the video versions as it's easier for me. Disabled retired veteran of the US Army. I had no bone spurs when I enlisted in 1973 despite being exempt from the draft ( sole surviving son of a 100% disabled WWII veteran) and I did not sit in an air conditioned office issuing press releases.
Please keep holding truth to power.
Thank you for your service, Wayne.
Steve
Your idea of national service for all youth is compelling. "Idle hands are the devil's workshop." With the cost of higher education being out of reach for the masses and with many kids graduating with no sense of direction, a period of serving others just may instill in our young people some purpose and an opportunity to experience "other". Other parts of the country, other races, other viewpoints.
We have a great President.
Yes. Yes we do. And he has done and continues to do great things and truly cares about his fellow Americans. He has been a president for all Americans. I’m in a red state, AZ, and the CHIPS act and the infrastructure policies have added THOUSANDS of jobs here and are presently transforming the I17 corridor. Kamala can follow his lead in service to all Americans.
We do need a great President someone who can rise above cynicism and prejudice Right now we have Kamala Harris and the eyes of the world are looking at her and waiting.....
I have always thought that our country should have a 2-year commitment to public service ...paid of course...for a way of getting people to work together for a common cause. Probably, "pie in the sky" but I do think our country needs that commitment ...as the word draft would never fly! Thank you for sharing...makes me happy that Kamala can certify her election...a Democrat retribution!
I've thought the same, Linda. And it's hard to fathom how it would be a tough sell, especially for a group like the Peace Corp. Young people love adventures, especially those they can do together. Two years of paid service doing something wonderful for the world in a faraway land? Damn, *I* might sign up for that, and I'm 65! :) Sometimes the opportunity just needs to be presented. It's a simple idea that would yield profound results.
Mary Ann, what should I say...I am 80...and cannot believe where we are today...I guess people do forget along with so many who are so young that they take it all for granted...It is definitely something Harris should bring up ...later of course...as anything can be construed to make it sound bad by MAGA...after Kamala takes the oath in January...would be a good time to start offering great opportunities for those willing to give 2 years to their...our country...better pay...better free education...tax credits...and these are not socialistic...more realistic! Thank you for your positive reply...Linda
To focus on young people, most of whom have known grandparents, I suggest answering Project 2025 by presenting the written bill that will make Social Security solvent until 2075 for Both gen z and the parents and grandparents they love. Right up there with women’s rights, methinks.
I agree with you, Bess. It would be so easy. Simply raise the income level subject to FICA taxes to the level necessary to fund Social Security and Medicare. As it stands, the tax is regressive, taking a higher percentage of income from the lowest earners.
In fact, remove the cap entirely and the percentage taken in FICA taxes could be lowered.
I am looking for the means and moment gen z takes SS solvency as serious, yanno, like their very lives depend on it. GOP has cast seniors as a burden. Time to nom, nom, nom that lie and bring workers of all ages together.
I believe that, like ordinary Germans following WWII, people dazzled by Trump's "charm," false promises, and racism will come to realize how wrong they were. He is a wannabe Hitler and his followers will suffer disillusionment just as Hitler's "fans"did; many will claim to never have supported him.
We are heading for a much brighter future. Keep the faith.
To be fair, TFG is a fascist, and a wanna be dictator/authoritarian/king. Bringing up H is a non-starter and ends the willingness of people on the other side to even think about listening. Yes, H was a fascist, but not every fascist is like H. Not defending TFG in any way, because he's a colossal POS, but words matter. I would suggest reading, if you're so inclined, 'They Thought They Were Free', by Milton Mayer, as it sheds light into the minds of people living in Germany from 1933 - 1945. Surprised our favorite MAGA and TFG acolyte hasn't hopped on here and jumped up and down about Godwin's Law. He'd actually and finally be right for the first time about your usage. And I'm not defending Felecia either.
Mike, just to be clear, I am expressing my thoughts with the knowledge in mind that I am speaking to people, for the most part, with a similar world view. I believe Trump was inspired by and admired Hitler; it is said that he kept a book of Hitler's speeches on a stand near his bed. And, I do believe that temperamentally and psychologically Hitler's followers and Trump's are quite similar, just as Trump is similar to Hitler in his personality and ambition.
Thanks for the book recommendation; I will definitely look into it. And don't forget that freedom means something entirely different to us than it does to a fascist.
A good response to Kristi Noem and the MAGA Freak Show:
I’m proud that Minnesota’s First Dog is a rescue dog, and I hope Scout—who has been a very good boy—serves as a reminder for Minnesotans that there are a lot of pups waiting to be adopted.
— Tim Walz
Excellent broadcast, Steve; and I appreciate the answer to Penny's question, as well as the suggestion that if and when elected, Kamala Harris call upon young people and make a call for service to our nation.
Re: VP Harris certifying the election. Does this mean that it overrides any electors that in bad faith do not certify the election when HarrisWalz win? If so, that is wonderful news and will alleviate a lot of anxiety around this topic.
Good question. From what I've read and seen from folks like Marc Elias, the concern is at the individual county and state levels. There should be checks and balances in place, but if multiple layers are corrupt, it makes her certification of all votes nearly impossible. As VP, she would certify the officially submitted slate of electors from each state, exactly like all VPs before her have done. If those are held up by MAGA folks (eg, your "bad faith" actors) not certifying at the county or state level, I don't know how she can certify the vote as there won't be enough for either candidate to get to 270 in the EC. TFG and MAGA will do everything they can to delay and get this to SCOTFG or to the House, where each state gets one vote, regardless of population. More states are controlled by Rs.
That said, the 2022 overhaul of the 1887 Electoral College Act was signed into law by Biden makes this process more challenging, but not impossible. Among the changes:
- The new provisions make clear that the vice president’s responsibilities in the process are merely ceremonial and that the vice president has no say in determining who actually won the election.
- The new legislation also raises the threshold required for members of Congress to object to certifying the electors. Before, only one member of the House and Senate respectively had to object to force a roll call vote on a state’s electors. Under the new rules, one-fifth of each chamber would be required to force a vote on states’ slates of electors.
- The new provisions also ensure only one slate of electors makes it to Congress after Trump and his allies unsuccessfully tried to create alternative slates of electors in states Biden won. Each governor would now be required to sign off on electors, and Congress cannot consider slates submitted by different officials. The bill creates a legal process if any of those electors are challenged by a presidential candidate.
MAGA will still try shenanigans as they've continuously poked the fence for weaknesses, so I'd anticipate much more BS if Harris wins.
Thank you for taking the time to answer in such detail Mike - it all seems so complicated - good thing that Democratic lawyers are paying close attention to this.
Absolutely. Marc Elias and his group at Democracy Docket have done amazing work in the voter right arena. Here's a link to a recent article to what just happened in Georgia that may serve as a road map for the bad faith actors:
https://democracydocket.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=983e6d70ee3d5a11b424b5e02&id=68c4a4caf5&e=80e72c45c9
This is the kind of concern raised by so many of us. Voter suppression in several ways and casting doubts upon the validity of elections are real and dangerous.
Thank you for that link! Going to continue to closely follow Mark Elias and others that are doing this kind of work. Yes, the voter suppression and threats of MAGA electors is indeed a very real and alarming thing.
Thanks Steve! In Trump World, HONOR is irrelevant. Self dealing, back stabbing and hate are the guiding principles. Donald and his 147 Congressional Objectors exemplify dishonor. History will remember them and their disgrace.
https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-TRUMP/LAWMAKERS/xegpbedzdvq/
Thank you for volunteering.