A top House Democrat claims his party “always” accepts the results of an election. But perhaps he is forgetting a few comments and actions from members of his party.
During an appearance on CBS News’ “Face The Nation,” Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) — the chair of the congressional Democratic campaign arm — was asked how concerned he is about the risk of political violence and if his party would accept the results of the 2022 midterms.
“Of course, we’ll accept the results of the elections, always have, always will,” Maloney responded.
He went on, “And we’re very concerned about the integrity of our elections, especially when people are trying to intimidate people with weapons when they’re engaged in these tactics to try to undermine confidence. No, we’re going to accept the results of this election. That’s the American way.”
Watch the video below:
Rep. Sean Maloney, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, says “of course” his party will accept the results of this year’s elections. “That's the American way.” pic.twitter.com/Nc3US3skVh
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 30, 2022
Additionally, Maloney argued, “Let’s not pretend for a minute that both sides have the same amount of accountability for the loss of confidence in our elections.”
“One side has been out there for a couple of years now, doing everything they can to pretend Joe Biden didn’t win fair and square when he did,” he added.
He is obviously referring to the claims by former President Donald Trump and his supporters, including many who are on the ballot this year, that the 2020 presidential election was stolen through widespread fraud.
There has been no evidence to substantiate claims widespread fraud tilted the election results. And ABC News reports election workers have faced an uptick in harassment and threats since 2020.
Trump’s claims about the 2020 election were also behind the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
There should be no question that baselessly undermining confidence in our electoral system is bad. And people threatening or using violence against election workers or elected officials over those claims is despicable.
But let us not forget, contrary to Maloney’s claim, that members of his party have objected to counting electoral votes and raised doubts about other elections.
House Democrats objected to certifying Ohio’s electoral votes in the 2004 election. At the time, it was just the second time lawmakers objected to certifying electoral votes since the current rules were established in 1877. In a report, Democratic House lawmakers insisted there were “numerous, serious election irregularities” that resulted in “a significant disenfranchisement of voters.”
In 2017, several Democrats also tried to object to certifying Trump’s victory — though they lacked the support required to proceed.
And while former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton conceded the 2016 election. She has claimed Trump is “an illegitimate president,” and “knows this wasn’t on the level.” Former President Jimmy Carter insisted, “Trump didn’t actually win the election in 2016. He lost the election, and he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf.”
Meanwhile, Democratic Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams refused to concede the 2018 election. She told The New York Times Magazine in 2019, “I legally acknowledge that Brian Kemp secured a sufficient number of votes under our existing system to become the governor of Georgia. I do not concede that the process was proper, nor do I condone that process.”
Additionally, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) claimed in September Republicans “stole” his opponent’s special election victory from the Democrats.
And looking forward, Clinton insisted “right-wing extremists already have a plan to literally steal the next presidential election.”
To claim Democrats “always” accept election results leaves out all the times they have questioned the results of past elections.
