Republicans at all levels of government on Thursday swatted down President Donald Trump's suggestion on Thursday that the November elections be delayed, as Democrats said it smacked of an authoritarian looking to extend his hold on power.
"Never before in the history of the federal elections have we ever not held an election," said House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-CA). "And we should go forward with our election."
"I don't support moving the election date," said Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH). "During wars, pandemics, and other emergencies, Congress has never postponed an election."
"Make no mistake: the election will happen in New Hampshire on November 3rd," Gov. Chris Sununu (R) tweeted.
At the White House, the President said he was worried about delays in counting votes, with an increase in ballots being cast through the mail - Trump backers like talk radio host Erick Erickson said it was not helpful.
The President is single-handedly undermining his re-election with both nutty conspiracies about voting by mail and insane ramblings about delaying the election. A growing portion of his base is frustrated and thinks he's just trying to lose.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) July 30, 2020
Trump suggests delay necessary, claims election will be illegitimate: "No, do I want to see a date change, no. But I don't want to see a crooked election. This will be the most rigged election in history if that happens. " pic.twitter.com/fgABsBL0Gq
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) July 30, 2020
Democrats said it was beyond wrong for the President to even suggest something like that.
"We have never postponed an election," said Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC). "This President is off in never neverland someplace."
"Donald Trump is terrified," said Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA). "He knows he is going to lose to Joe Biden."
"The notion that we should cancel the election in the fall is just clear wrong-headedness," said Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
"Congress sets the date for the general election, not the President," said Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA). "He has zero authority to delay it, and he knows it."
Even on Fox News - usually very supportive of the President, the idea was waved off immediately.
Fox News political editor Chris Stirewalt tells Fox viewers that Trump floating an election delay is a "flagrant expression of his current weakness" and telegraphs his "weak position in the polls and his weak position for re-election." pic.twitter.com/G9VlN5RLOr
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 30, 2020
Democrats also noted the irony of the President expressing concern about delays in counting the votes - as in some states, Republicans have blocked changed to state election laws which would allow officials to start checking absentee and mail-in votes.
Of the big swing states, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin all have laws which prohibit elections officials from doing any work on absentee ballots - like preparing the ballots for counting, or verifying signatures - until Election Day.
That automatically means those three key states could see major delays in counting votes in November.
Other states like Florida and Ohio, allow elections officials to fully vet those ballots, insuring that most are counted immediately on election night.
The President’s election threat is a purposefully-timed distraction,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA).