Biden begins transition plans as Trump refuses to concede
Arizona judge skeptical of GOP arguments in election case that could delay state certification of ballots
An Arizona state judge said he will issue a written ruling Thursday in the Arizona Republican Party’s lawsuit against Maricopa County, as he expressed skepticism in a case that could delay the state’s certification of ballots.
On Wednesday, the judge heard oral arguments in the Arizona Republican Party’s lawsuit against the recorder of Maricopa County, the most populous county in the state, which alleges the Secretary of State’s manual violated state law because its hand count of a random sampling of ballots was conducted based on polling places, not precincts.
Judge John Hannah expressed skepticism of the arguments made by a lawyer for the party, pointing out that an audit already found no errors. “How is this re-audit that you’re advocating for going to make a difference in the outcome of the election or create any type of tangible difference in the real world?” the judge asked a lawyer for the party, John Wilenchik.
When Wilenchik replied that “if there were to be some hacking of machines, it would be done by precinct,” the judge questioned him, saying, “What evidence is there of that?”
An attorney for the county, Joseph LaRue, said the party waited too long — until Nov. 12 — to file its lawsuit, given that it was aware as early as 2012 of the wording of the Secretary of State’s election procedures manual. “Waiting a few days to file a lawsuit isn't a big deal in most litigation, but it is in election litigation,” LaRue said.
The county’s deadline for certifying ballots is Monday and a delay, LaRue has said, could impact the state’s ability to meet the Electoral College deadline. The state certification deadline is Nov. 30. The Electoral College votes on Dec. 14.
Biden and Harris will meet virtually with National Governors Association tomorrow
https://balobaj916.medium.com/biden-begins-transition-plans-as-trump-refuses-to-concede-f3067423c06b
From CNN's Sarah Mucha
https://beaa33b692.medium.com/biden-begins-transition-plans-as-trump-refuses-to-concede-62fc687e97b8
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will meet virtually with the bipartisan National Governors Association’s executive committee in Wilmington, Delaware, on Thursday.
CNN previously reported that Biden would participate in the call, which is expected to focus on the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden and Harris will deliver remarks after the meeting, according to the transition team.
Lingering divide remains in Senate GOP over whether Biden transition process should begin
From CNN's Manu Raju
Republicans continue to be divided about when the transition period to a Joe Biden presidency should officially begin.
"Let me just say, the transition work should begin," said Sen. Pat Toomey.
Sen. Kevin Cramer said President Trump's legal challenges are a "worthwhile pursuit," but added, "It's certainly likely he's not going to be sworn in as president."
Cramer said he spoke to Trump for a few minutes on Nov. 10, and Trump told him, "If it doesn't work out, we'll see what happens in a few years."
Cramer added that as Trump pursues his legal remedies, "I think GSA (General Services Administration) and whoever else should help facilitate the transition."
When asked if the GSA should sign off on the requisite paperwork, Sen. Ted Cruz, like other Republicans, said, "The legal process needs to conclude first. The results of the election are being contested and we have courts of law to resolve legal and factual issues of that nature."
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, urged the President to allow President-elect Joe Biden to receive classified intelligence briefings on Wednesday, as Trump continues to wage legal challenges in an attempt to delay the certification of election results.
Asked to respond to concerns about whether Biden was being briefed adequately on vaccine efforts by the Trump administration, Graham responded, "you know, the President is contesting the election, and I would urge him to give intel briefings to Biden."
""How much further to go, I don't know. We're going to be fine at the end of the day. This thing will work itself out. It always has and it will here," he added."
He did not say whether he had personally spoken with the President on the matter.
Last week, Graham said he thought Biden should be receiving intelligence briefings. He told CNN he had not expressed his thoughts with the White House but said, "I hope so," when asked if he expects Biden to get the briefings soon.