Ideally, the House could explore the idea of ratifying her as an interim President, perhaps for one year, while a new election were called if it becomes clearer that the results of the 2016 election were compromised.
So here's how it can work:
- The eight Democratic Hamilton electors (who are committed to vote for a unity Republican candidate if one emerges) decide to vote for Senator Susan Collins as a group, giving her at least 8 votes and the third highest total in the Electoral College. They could also welcome Republicans to vote for her as well but it is likely not necessary.
- At least 37 Republican electors would be encouraged to abstain, partially on the basis of emerging evidence of Russian involvement, essentially pushing the final decision to the House of Representatives on January 6. They would rest easy knowing that the worst-case scenario on January 6 would likely be the election of a more moderate Republican.
- Between Dec. 19th and January 6th -- Senator Collins would have to be convinced to agree to be President, if the House selects her.
- In the meantime, between Dec. 19th and January 6th, there would be more time to do the serious investigation into Russian involvement and potential hacking of the election so that the full truth can be discovered. Ideally, the report that Obama has called for on Russian involvement would be released by Jan. 6th so that the House had the maximum information to make their decision.
I believe this is the highest integrity pathway available to protect our democracy. If the inquiries into Russian hacking, interference and possible collusion with the Trump campaign turn up nothing substantial in the intervening weeks, the House could simply elect Donald Trump on January 6.
If enough damaging evidence emerges to suggest that the election was severely compromised or Trump himself was party to it, then the House would have the option of selecting Senator Susan Collins.
The advantage of this strategy is that it does not try to get Republican electors to vote for Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College, which is unlikely, but simply abstain from voting for Donald Trump until investigations of the election can be completed. By doing this, they essentially pass the decision to the House, which would be better informed by that point.
It also only requires Democrats to nominate Senator Collins as the third candidate. Although more votes from Republicans would be welcome, none are needed to secure the third slot as long as there is not large-scale defection to another unity candidate on the Republican side.
It effectively buys time for the serious, bi-partisan investigations into Russia's involvement that are now underway.
Could Senator Susan Collins be the lotus that emerges from the swamp?
(Dinan's post has been reprinted here with permission.)
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