The senator from Utah is the SAVE America Act’s most enthusiastic proponent in the upper chamber—and he could soon become our next attorney general. Uh-oh.
Why isn’t Mitt Romney speaking out about his former colleague? Senator Lee is delusional about voting fraud. “Don’t confuse me with the facts!” Seems to be his mantra. He may be too far gone down this particular rabbit hole to ever make a correction.
Romney isn't the only. Why aren't past Rs , like Bush, speaking out about the horrors their party is doing, is threatening? I guess they really don't care about the country they once pretended to care about.
The true number of MAGAs is getting lower and lower. And many of those people are starting to feel real pain. If normal people in places like Minneapolis, LA, etc. are risking their lives, what the hell is their problem?
🎼Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep, it starts when you’re always afraid, step out of line and… Trump/MAGA/oligarchs will take your donations away 🎼
Not just donations. The threats of physical voilence are real. Romney has private security. And the revenge-seeking of Trump's 'justice' department is an ongoing project.
“The election systems we built here in Utah work well because of a core tenant [sic] of the U.S. Constitution: federalism.”
Oh, Senator, with a full staff who should be able to proofread your statements? I think “tenet” is the word you’re looking for here.
Then again, maybe he’s purposely using “tenant” here…as in the idea that federalism has just been renting a spot in the Constitution! I guess that would mean that poor old raggedy federalism could be evicted.
I think Mitt is scared of the MAGA mob. For real. Not sure how much danger he'd actually be in, but he did say in the past that many in Congress wouldn't defy Trump due to fears for their physical safety. He probably was counting himself in their numbers.
Mike Lee is the perfect example of someone who is a douche bag and turd simply because he enjoys being that way.
As evidenced by the sick jokes he posted on his personal X account last year immediately following the horrific and cowardly assassinations of Melissa and Mark Hortman.
I live in Utah. Our strictly Vote By Mail is 1) extremely convenient and secure, 2) has increased voter percentage, and 3) honestly could be a model for the rest of the country ... and it annoys me to know end that Utah does something so well others should take note. Full disclosure, I'm not lds, nor republican.
Here's how it works. You have to show a shit-ton of identification to register, not just a passport but DL (if you have one), birth certificate, at least two bills with your name/address on them, and so on. This registration process confirms you are a Utah resident, that you actually reside in the town you are registering in, and so on. You can't make it past this step until it's verified you are real and valid.
For elections, which is by mail in, we receive a Ballot envelop with our name and a unique number. Inside is the ballot and return envelope. The ballot and return envelop have a unique number and bar code on them.
Every ballot for each person is assigned a unique number. That number is printed on the ballot, return envelope, also included in a bar code on the ballot and envelop. You have to sign the return envelope (hidden once sealed). So, your return envelope and ballot have both a specific number to you as well as a bar code. The return envelope and the ballot must match, you can't switch envelopes. Your signature on the envelope must match that on record.
Therefore, this is extremely secure. If anything is off, the ballot is now "provisional" and set aside for later review. Forget to sign? Provisional. Use a regular envelop? Provisional. Swap return envelopes with your spouse? Provisional. And ... it's likely screwing up like this means your vote is not counted. So, secure!
The only way to "cheat" in Utah is to have somebody sign their envelop but then let you fill out the ballot and mail that in using the associated return envelope. That is, really, no different than a Man telling his Wife how she is to vote when done in person, and this used to happen a lot. To the best of my knowledge Utah has basically ZIP / ZERO / NO problems.
I think that readers of this excellent piece that showcases the hypocrisy and "flip-flops" of formerly respectable Republicans ought to realize that the attraction of the "grift" is a siren's song for far too many on the political right in this country.
I have little doubt that Lee wants the AG job, or any other position that puts him in a position to grift away.
And in defence of Mormons, or any religious group, anyone who subjugates themselves to Trump abandons their faith, without exception.
Not that I had high hopes for Lee (the “conzitushunal skolar,” to borrow from Charles P. Pierce), but why has he gone so bonkers? Craving for power? Elon Musk Always Online Disease? A bang on the head?
What’s awful is, since the Senate protects its own, he’d probably skate through hearings. Will the last responsible Republican please turn out the lights?
I think of "konztitooshunal skolar" every time Mike Lee comes up! (I also can never help but call Politico "Tiger Beat on the Potomac" thanks to Charlie Pierce.)
"Lee’s tactics have made him highly unpopular with his Republican colleagues who see his hyper-online activism as “a self-serving attempt” at juicing his own celebrity."
Now, let's see. Who is it, that is, which chamber has to approve Cabinet heads? And how tight is the Senate at the moment, especially if one of them, say, Senator Lee, for example, is ineligible to vote? Might this just be the bigot too far?
It's not great that guys like Mike Lee think that (maybe) the road to the presidency travels an even more ass backward road than Trump took them down. I like to think they're just driving off into oblivion. Cliff hanger: can the deplorables find their location on the map in time to save themselves? Check back for the next episode.
I had the privilege of meeting Stephen Richer when he came to my office to speak to a group of escrow people while he was recorder. Super funny and smart.
1) SR – welcome to the Bulwark. As a fellow Arizonan, I appreciate what you have done (and what you have endured doing it) to protect our elections.
2) Normally, I could be persuaded that Lee’s descent into madness (not sure what else you would call it) is just him auditioning for AG. But he’s been doing this for some time now, long before any potential AG slot opened up. And, truthfully, I think it would be better if he were just posturing since the other choice is that he really believes the stuff he posts.
3) Sure Lee says really stupid things. And it’s seriously concerning that he might end up having any role in future elections. But the real question is how someone like that could continue to get elected. And I’m not just dunking on the people of Utah. Just look at the Arizona GOP Congressional delegation – we have 6 GOP Representatives, 5 of whom are election deniers, headed (naturally) by Biggs and Gosar. Any chance they won’t win reelection (it’s an open question whether Biggs will win his gubernatorial race, but I’d bet it’s a foregone conclusion he would have won reelection to Congress if he was running in that race)?
Mike Lee was heavily involved in the plot after the 2020 election to have Pence send certification back to the states so that phony state elector slates could be counted and Trump could steal the presidency from Biden. He backed out at the last minute because he realized he'd be culpable if no evidence was shown of election fraud (which of course there wasn't).
Mike Lee is a seriously disturbed person. At one time he was considered a probable pick for the Supreme Court. Now, I think it’s unlikely he could get confirmed. He and his best friend, podcaster and sometime Senator Ted Cruz are despised on both sides of the aisle.
Isaiah - I caught that “best friend“ reference in Richer’s article but thought I misunderstood Lee’s quote. First I’m hearing of Cancun Cruz having a friend?
Why isn’t Mitt Romney speaking out about his former colleague? Senator Lee is delusional about voting fraud. “Don’t confuse me with the facts!” Seems to be his mantra. He may be too far gone down this particular rabbit hole to ever make a correction.
Romney isn't the only. Why aren't past Rs , like Bush, speaking out about the horrors their party is doing, is threatening? I guess they really don't care about the country they once pretended to care about.
They are all afraid of the wrath of MAGA. A bunch of wimps with no real integrity.
AKA snowflakes...
The true number of MAGAs is getting lower and lower. And many of those people are starting to feel real pain. If normal people in places like Minneapolis, LA, etc. are risking their lives, what the hell is their problem?
🎼Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep, it starts when you’re always afraid, step out of line and… Trump/MAGA/oligarchs will take your donations away 🎼
Not just donations. The threats of physical voilence are real. Romney has private security. And the revenge-seeking of Trump's 'justice' department is an ongoing project.
Because Bush believes in the unitary executive, he worked to apply it and argued for sovereign immunity for Pinochet.
Because there’s too much money rolling in.
“The election systems we built here in Utah work well because of a core tenant [sic] of the U.S. Constitution: federalism.”
Oh, Senator, with a full staff who should be able to proofread your statements? I think “tenet” is the word you’re looking for here.
Then again, maybe he’s purposely using “tenant” here…as in the idea that federalism has just been renting a spot in the Constitution! I guess that would mean that poor old raggedy federalism could be evicted.
Great point! 😺😺
He's probably just an unrepentant slum lord.
I think Mitt is scared of the MAGA mob. For real. Not sure how much danger he'd actually be in, but he did say in the past that many in Congress wouldn't defy Trump due to fears for their physical safety. He probably was counting himself in their numbers.
Stephen, great to see your byline! Good stuff, and I hope we see more from you.
Agreed, though next time I want to see a Star Craft reference in the footnotes -
Source: Politico https://share.google/8d06NNxNvF5iAl8Em
oh wow. You're on top of it.
That letter was massively appreciated by folks working in elections at the time, and it was a brave stand. Always mad respect for that.
Plus I also love Star Craft so the 2021 letter is probably permanently recorded in my brain now, though I played more Terran than Zerg
Oh man. Means you might try to carve up my hydras with tanks/M&M. I'll be careful around you!
This has got me itching! Is SC2 still popular?
Yeah there's still a dedicated player base for SC2. Competitive tho! I had to learn to how to have fun even when I lose to shake off ladder anxiety
Mike Lee is the perfect example of someone who is a douche bag and turd simply because he enjoys being that way.
As evidenced by the sick jokes he posted on his personal X account last year immediately following the horrific and cowardly assassinations of Melissa and Mark Hortman.
Mike Lee: no shame, no honor, no class!
His staff is just as bad. When I’d call his office to offer feedback as a constituent, his staff didn’t even pretend to care or to be courteous.
Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me in the least, Sarah. The apple generally doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Agree 100%. And there are zero consequences.
I live in Utah. Our strictly Vote By Mail is 1) extremely convenient and secure, 2) has increased voter percentage, and 3) honestly could be a model for the rest of the country ... and it annoys me to know end that Utah does something so well others should take note. Full disclosure, I'm not lds, nor republican.
Here's how it works. You have to show a shit-ton of identification to register, not just a passport but DL (if you have one), birth certificate, at least two bills with your name/address on them, and so on. This registration process confirms you are a Utah resident, that you actually reside in the town you are registering in, and so on. You can't make it past this step until it's verified you are real and valid.
For elections, which is by mail in, we receive a Ballot envelop with our name and a unique number. Inside is the ballot and return envelope. The ballot and return envelop have a unique number and bar code on them.
Every ballot for each person is assigned a unique number. That number is printed on the ballot, return envelope, also included in a bar code on the ballot and envelop. You have to sign the return envelope (hidden once sealed). So, your return envelope and ballot have both a specific number to you as well as a bar code. The return envelope and the ballot must match, you can't switch envelopes. Your signature on the envelope must match that on record.
Therefore, this is extremely secure. If anything is off, the ballot is now "provisional" and set aside for later review. Forget to sign? Provisional. Use a regular envelop? Provisional. Swap return envelopes with your spouse? Provisional. And ... it's likely screwing up like this means your vote is not counted. So, secure!
The only way to "cheat" in Utah is to have somebody sign their envelop but then let you fill out the ballot and mail that in using the associated return envelope. That is, really, no different than a Man telling his Wife how she is to vote when done in person, and this used to happen a lot. To the best of my knowledge Utah has basically ZIP / ZERO / NO problems.
the median republican voter cannot comprehend what you say because they believes in replacement theory ... full stop.
Are you sure the bar code is printed on the ballot? That would be the end of a secret ballot, wouldn't it?
As a former Utah voter, I’d like to say, loudly and proudly, fuck Mike Lee.
That is all. Now back to waiting for the end of the world…
It’s been postponed for “two weeks.” TACO Tuesday again!
Well done, Mr. Richer! I appreciate your thorough accounting here, as well as your dedication to genuine election integrity.
I think that readers of this excellent piece that showcases the hypocrisy and "flip-flops" of formerly respectable Republicans ought to realize that the attraction of the "grift" is a siren's song for far too many on the political right in this country.
I have little doubt that Lee wants the AG job, or any other position that puts him in a position to grift away.
And in defence of Mormons, or any religious group, anyone who subjugates themselves to Trump abandons their faith, without exception.
This seems bad. Is it too late to get Matt Gaetz?
Not that I had high hopes for Lee (the “conzitushunal skolar,” to borrow from Charles P. Pierce), but why has he gone so bonkers? Craving for power? Elon Musk Always Online Disease? A bang on the head?
What’s awful is, since the Senate protects its own, he’d probably skate through hearings. Will the last responsible Republican please turn out the lights?
I think of "konztitooshunal skolar" every time Mike Lee comes up! (I also can never help but call Politico "Tiger Beat on the Potomac" thanks to Charlie Pierce.)
Ditto!
It's probably just the gay sex tapes, same as Lindsey.
"Lee’s tactics have made him highly unpopular with his Republican colleagues who see his hyper-online activism as “a self-serving attempt” at juicing his own celebrity."
Now, let's see. Who is it, that is, which chamber has to approve Cabinet heads? And how tight is the Senate at the moment, especially if one of them, say, Senator Lee, for example, is ineligible to vote? Might this just be the bigot too far?
It's not great that guys like Mike Lee think that (maybe) the road to the presidency travels an even more ass backward road than Trump took them down. I like to think they're just driving off into oblivion. Cliff hanger: can the deplorables find their location on the map in time to save themselves? Check back for the next episode.
Thank you Stephen Richer for the past and present work you are doing. Hope Bulwark has you again in the feed.
Thanks for fighting, we appreciate u.
I had the privilege of meeting Stephen Richer when he came to my office to speak to a group of escrow people while he was recorder. Super funny and smart.
Thanks Leslie!
A few comments...
1) SR – welcome to the Bulwark. As a fellow Arizonan, I appreciate what you have done (and what you have endured doing it) to protect our elections.
2) Normally, I could be persuaded that Lee’s descent into madness (not sure what else you would call it) is just him auditioning for AG. But he’s been doing this for some time now, long before any potential AG slot opened up. And, truthfully, I think it would be better if he were just posturing since the other choice is that he really believes the stuff he posts.
3) Sure Lee says really stupid things. And it’s seriously concerning that he might end up having any role in future elections. But the real question is how someone like that could continue to get elected. And I’m not just dunking on the people of Utah. Just look at the Arizona GOP Congressional delegation – we have 6 GOP Representatives, 5 of whom are election deniers, headed (naturally) by Biggs and Gosar. Any chance they won’t win reelection (it’s an open question whether Biggs will win his gubernatorial race, but I’d bet it’s a foregone conclusion he would have won reelection to Congress if he was running in that race)?
Thanks Dick!
Mike Lee was heavily involved in the plot after the 2020 election to have Pence send certification back to the states so that phony state elector slates could be counted and Trump could steal the presidency from Biden. He backed out at the last minute because he realized he'd be culpable if no evidence was shown of election fraud (which of course there wasn't).
Mike Lee is a seriously disturbed person. At one time he was considered a probable pick for the Supreme Court. Now, I think it’s unlikely he could get confirmed. He and his best friend, podcaster and sometime Senator Ted Cruz are despised on both sides of the aisle.
Isaiah - I caught that “best friend“ reference in Richer’s article but thought I misunderstood Lee’s quote. First I’m hearing of Cancun Cruz having a friend?