While other Texas Republicans are complaining of voter fraud and other election irregularities, one Texan who has been in similar circumstances is sending a strong signal to his fellow Republicans.
Former President George W. Bush is offering congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
“Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country,” reads a statement from the former president. “The president-elect reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans. I offered him the same thing I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: my prayers for his success, and my pledge to help in any way I can.”
Bush agreed that Trump has a “right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges, and any unresolved issues will be properly adjudicated,” but his message was clearly meant to encourage unity.
“The challenges that face our country will demand the best of President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris — and the best of us all. We must come together for the sake of our families and neighbors, and for our nation and its future” he stated.
Two decades ago, Bush only beat Democrat Al Gore after five weeks of legal battles over recounts and “hanging chad” votes in Florida.
Although the circumstances are very different, President Donald Trump is hoping for a repeat of the 2000 election outcome. The courts have, so far, turned a deaf ear to his unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud and other election irregularities across several battleground states.
While Bush calls for unity and moving forward, several other Texans, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Houston) and Texas GOP Party Chair Allen West, are helping to fan the flames of Trump’s unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
“Today the American Republic is the victim of a grand scheme, and anyone dismissing this is a mindless lemming,” wrote West in his Monday morning message.
Cruz, meanwhile, is making multiple appearances on Fox News.
“At this point, we’ve got numerous states that are very closely and vigorously contested, he said in one interview. “From Pennsylvania to George to New Mexico to Michigan to Wisconsin — in all of those states, there are serious disputes about the vote totals and there is a legal process to resolve those disputes. At this point, we should allow the rule of law to operate.”
Trump’s advisers are believed to be just as divided, with several close advisers, including First Lady Melania Trump, reportedly advising that it is time to concede and others pushing him for additional legal challenges.
Biden has secured 290 electoral votes, according to the Associated Press. He needed 270 to win. Vote tabulation continues in several states.
