Democrats concede, Republicans don't

Republicans have undermined faith in the system for electoral success.

Back in 2020, Cheri Beasley trailed Paul Newby by less than 500 votes out of more than 5.4 million cast. She followed protocol and asked for a recount. When that process reduced the margin to about 400 votes, she asked for a hand recount of 3% of the precincts. Republicans jeered her, claiming that she was doing the same thing Donald Trump was doing in Washington, questioning the results of the election.

Here’s the difference. When the hand recount showed the margin would likely increase, she graciously conceded, publicly congratulating Newby and wishing him well. Today, her response seems almost quaint.

Four years later, when Justice Allison Riggs defeated Jefferson Griffin, not only did he refuse to concede, he tried to change the rules of the election after the fact. He almost succeeded because Paul Newby and his Republican court sided with Griffin’s anti-democratic claims. A federal judge had to step in to protect democracy from Republicans in North Carolina.

And 25 years ago, Al Gore gave up his fight for the presidency, conceding to George Bush even though the ballots in Florida still hadn’t been counted. Gore said that he was concerned about violence in the streets. Donald Trump sicced a mob on Congress.

Today, we’re watching Phil Berger drag out the process, trying novel procedures to change the outcome of the election. He wants the board of elections to do a hand recount of all the ballots and take a special look at 220 ballots that the board rejected either because nothing was marked or too many candidates were chosen. The state board rejected his request last week, but he’s continuing his claim.

Berger is also challenging the votes of 13 people, citing various irregularities. Using disenfranchisement as a tool to alter elections is a bad precedent.

The problem with Berger’s claims is threefold. First, he essentially gave the board of elections to state Auditor Dave Boliek. The board is full of Republican operatives instead of election professionals, many of whom probably have some connection to Berger, either directly or indirectly.

Second, Boliek campaigned for Berger during the election. He defends it by saying that the governor used to support candidates in races. The difference is that, as stated, Berger gave Boliek his power.

Finally, if the case goes to the Supreme Court, Berger’s son is a justice. I would hope that Berger Jr. would recuse himself, but the case should not go to the court at all. Berger should respect the process. When he’s gone through the allowed recounts, he should gracefully concede.

Unfortunately, I don’t think many Republicans have grace or humility anymore. The party that once insisted that we respect institutions now trashes them. Elections are no exception. On the contrary, they are the main event.

Republicans have been casting doubt on the legitimacy of elections ever since Barack Obama got elected. Much of their base just could not accept that a Black man could be elected president. There must be fraud.

They also couldn’t believe that Donald Trump could possibly lose an election because Fox News and talk radio insisted he was leading by miles. Besides, everybody they knew supported him. Self-awareness is not common among MAGA.

People like Phil Berger exploit these fears and misperceptions for personal advantage. Berger is doing that now. However, the conspiracy theorists who would otherwise be storming the boards of election support his opponent, Sam Page. He might be able to pressure lawyers and bureaucrats but he won’t be able to gin up anger among the base.

Berger would be wise to step down once a hand recount of 3% of the precincts shows that he’s still losing by a handful of votes. He could go out with the grace that his party so badly needs. Going down attacking the system and voters is just not a good look.