Trump's Team Plans His Departure ...

The President was asked at a press conference this week if he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power after the election. Trump declined to answer, in the affirmative.

No surprise really. This would be an admission of defeat. Instead the President managed a non committal response and a complaint about the election process.

"Well, we're going to have to see what happens," he said. "You know that I've been complaining very strongly about the ballots, and the ballots are a disaster,"

"Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very peaceful transfer, there won't be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation. The ballots are out of control." Without the ballots there would be four more years for Trump.

President Trump refuses to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses. But his team is developing plans for that very outcome. According to Politico, one of the most organized and functional parts of the Trump White House, is the West Wing office, planning the potential presidential transition

As the president rails against mail-in ballots and “Sleepy Joe Biden,” assistant to the president Chris Liddell has spent weeks mapping out a possible handover of power. Senior Republicans offered reassurance ...
“The winner of the November 3rd election will be inaugurated on January 20th,” wrote Senator Majority leader Mitch McConnell. “There will be an orderly transition, just as there has been every four years since 1792.”

Are the Republicans already preparing for defeat? The race to appoint a conservative to the supreme court, ahead of the election is evidence of concern. The move has angered many Democrats who believe a Supreme Court judge should not be nominated until after November election.

In 2016, Republicans didn't let President Obama fill the opening with his pick. This year, Senate Republicans are readying for confirmation hearings in two weeks, with a vote in the full chamber expected before Election Day. So what's the rush ... if you are so sure you have a winner in the White House?