Election Denialism: A Valid Comparison or Misled Allegation?
The recent political debates have thrown the issue of election denialism into the spotlight once more, with Ron DeSantis taking a firm stance against media and other figures who have questioned the legitimacy of the 2016 election. In his argument, DeSantis relates this to the ongoing denial of Trump's victory, claiming that he is making a valid point by equating the two.
The Russian Interference in the 2016 Election
DeSantis's comparison starts with the clear evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 election. The consensus of the intelligence community firmly asserts that Russia did attempt to interfere, with the ultimate goal of helping Trump. While it may be difficult to quantify the exact impact this interference had on the election, the closeness of the results and strategic leakings of WikiLeaks information certainly couldn't be ignored. At the time, Trump and his team welcomed this public attention, acknowledging that it could influence the outcome positively. However, suggesting that some people now believe this interference makes Trump "illegitimate" is a misinterpretation at best.
The 2020 Election Denialism: A Different Animal
Conversely, the 2020 election denialism is a different beast entirely. Supporters of Trump, as well as fringe groups, have propagated a variety of unfounded conspiracy theories to justify their refusal to accept the election result. Contrary to the 2016 claims of Russian interference, which had some verifiable evidence, the 2020 allegations have been thoroughly debunked. From the '100 million dead voters' to 'Hanging chads,' these claims are nothing more than badly sourced self-concocted narratives, lacking in factual basis.
Left's Misguided Efforts to Question the 2016 Election
The Left, particularly in the form of media, political figures, and the general citizenry, did indeed raise concerns about the 2016 election. There were legitimate concerns about the potential for interference, which became validated by the subsequent revelations. However, the effort to invalidate Trump's victory during the four years following the election was not grounded in same principles of reconciliation and respect as the democratic process demands.
There was no denial of a fair outcome. Hillary Clinton conceded, and the country hoped for a positive trajectory under a new administration. When results did not improve and Trump's actions sidelined crucial progress, Democrats and other critics focused on his incompetence and behavior, which were detrimental to the country. The hope was to correct course through the democratic process, voting Trump out of office in 2020.
DeSantis and His Unfounded Claims
Ron DeSantis's contention that he is making a valid point by equating the two periods of denialism is misleading and unfounded. His claim that the denial of 2016 is the same as the 2020 denialism is a historical and factual error. The 2016 allegations had some basis in reality and were backed by intelligence, unlike the 2020 claims. An attempt to smear his political enemies with extreme rhetoric is unacceptable and contrasts starkly with the principle of good governance.
DeSantis, a public figure, has been accused of engaging in dishonesty and obstruction, reminiscent of the tactics used by his political opponents. The Left has rightly stood against these practices, not only during the 2016 election but throughout their time in the opposition. Accusations of being 'deplorables' and engaging in denial are misplaced, and the criticism directed towards Trump remains justified.