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The Memo: Anti-democratic fears rise as GOP stokes election doubts  | TheHill
Oct 12, 2021 2 mins, 11 secs

Experts are worried about an intensifying erosion of American democracy as Republican politicians, spearheaded by former President TrumpDonald TrumpPennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro enters governor's race GOP lawmakers introduce measure in support of Columbus Day Bannon's subpoena snub sets up big decision for Biden DOJ MORE, stoke doubt about the legitimacy of elections.

“It is very dangerous because it is sowing doubt in our elections process, which is fundamental to a functioning democracy,” said Jennifer McCoy, a political science professor at Georgia State University and an expert on democratization and polarization.

Trump, in his video, declared Babbitt “a truly incredible person” and said that her family had his “unwavering support.”.

House Minority Whip Steve ScaliseStephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Altria - Political crosscurrents persist for Biden, Dems Former Trump cybersecurity official says GOP leaders have 'lost control' of voter base: 'This is a death spiral' Sunday shows - Scalise won't say if election was stolen under questioning from Fox's Chris Wallace MORE (R-La.) repeatedly declined to say whether or not the 2020 election was stolen during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday” over the weekend.

Pressed by anchor Chris WallaceChristopher (Chris) WallaceThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Altria - Political crosscurrents persist for Biden, Dems Former Trump cybersecurity official says GOP leaders have 'lost control' of voter base: 'This is a death spiral' Sunday shows - Scalise won't say if election was stolen under questioning from Fox's Chris Wallace MORE, Scalise said that “a number of states…didn’t follow their state-passed laws that govern the election for President.”.

147 Republicans in Congress voted against certifying last November’s election results, even in the immediate aftermath of the insurrection.

But the issue of election legitimacy is being raised in other races, too.

In an Economist/YouGov poll released last week, 73 percent of Republicans said Biden had not legitimately won the election.

Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, said the breadth of the election skepticism — and the way in which that skepticism is being nurtured — is perilous!

Zelizer gave little credence to the argument sometimes heard from conservatives that Democrats protested election results in 2000, following a highly controversial decision by the Supreme Court, and in 2016 amid allegations of Russian interference in Trump’s victory over Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonHow Democrats can rebuild their 'blue wall' in the Midwest Hillary Clinton says her debut fiction thriller looks at an administration of 'near criminal incompetence' Trust in media nears record low: Gallup MORE.

McCoy said there was no reason to think that the undermining of election legitimacy can be rebutted soon.

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