Among the motives for Trump's "delay the election" tweet, there's probably his giving the finger to

[highplainsdem]

John Lewis on a day when the major networks are giving Lewis the respectful coverage that's his due.

I've seen suggestions that Trump's floating the idea of delaying the election to try to gauge the reaction he'd get.

I've seen suggestions that Trump made this outlandish suggestion to distract from the news about the economy.

But with a president who watches TV obsessively, today was mostly about John Lewis -- a real American hero, someone so loved and admired and universally praised that you just KNOW all the accolades of the past couple of weeks have left Trump eaten up by jealousy. More specifically, today in Trump's TV-watching bubble was about the hours-long media coverage of today's memorial service and tributes, including from three former presidents.

And Trump knew the praise for Lewis would focus on his fight for voting rights.

Trump had already made it clear he wouldn't be paying his respects, in person.

And in his twisted mind he might have thought there'd have been nothing he could do or say today that would more repudiate what Lewis stood for (and steal back some media attention) than to float the idea of postponing the election. Taking away everyone's voting rights.

___



Editing:

See reply 9 below for Jim Clyburn's tweet about this, which was posted hours before this OP, but which I didn't see till this evening.

[niyad]

1. I agree that was one motive. By the way, FOUR former presidents. President Carter sent written

Remarks, which were read at some point after President Clinton spoke.

[highplainsdem]

2. You're right -- four, including Carter's moving statement. But the media attention was on three

former presidents there in person, which was getting all the media attention at the time Trump posted his "delay the election" tweet. Trump has to know none of them would ever mourn, let alone honor, him.

[Thekaspervote]

3. K...I suppose if he thinks getting a public repudiation from McCarthy & Turtle was worth it

They made it very clear the election would go forward on 11/3 as scheduled

[Hoyt]

4. His attempt to mock those who have been spreading that idea. And, people took the bait.

Media and Democrats should have learned by now how to handle trump's BS, just ignore it.

Now, his sad tweet about his call to Cain's widow was a failed attempt to taint Lewis.

[highplainsdem]

5. David Corn tweet about this,

posted just after another tweet about Trump suggesting delaying the election:

Link to tweet

“This John Lewis funeral is going to get all the media attention today. What can I do to stop that and bring it back to me? There must be something.”

[rsdsharp]

6. The bride at ever wedding,

and the corpse at every funeral. That’s how needy Trump is.

[soothsayer]

7. Economy and bounty news too

[malaise]

8. Fuckie Todd just agreed with you

It didn't work - America is finish with the Con - Covid-19 took him down

[highplainsdem]

9. Clyburn: Trump's suggestion today is "the most despicable affront" to Lewis's memory & legacy.

Link to tweet

The President’s suggestion of delaying the election on the day we lay John Lewis to rest is the most despicable affront to his memory & legacy.

Americans will rise up & continue John's fight for unfettered access to the ballot box.

Our voices will not be silenced.