Trump 2016 Deputy Campaign Chairman Rick Gates available to interview by Zoom or phone
Intro: While the 2020 election results are still being tabulated in key battleground states, it is crucial that Americans understand the current process and what will happen with concrete facts. There is too much “political spin” at the moment and in some cases critical information is not being shared. Helping enlighten us is Rick Gates, who was Donald Trump’s 2016 Deputy Campaign Chairman.
Q&A:
- What outstanding votes are there that are likely favorable to President Trump that have not been counted yet.
Answer: Military ballots have not been counted. While Joe Biden has pulled ahead in vote counts in GA and PA, the military votes typically favor Republican candidates. GA military ballots will be counted after 5:00 pm ET today. Pennsylvania’s deadline is November 10th at 5:00 pm, and the deadline in North Carolina is November 12th.
In Georgia there are almost 9,000 military votes to be counted. In PA and NC there are even more. AZ still has military, provisional and cured ballots to count.
- What about all of the ballots have not been counted in many of the key battleground states?
Answer: Until the ballots have been counted a decision cannot be announced.
- What about state certification of ballots?
Answer: This is an important point. Even after the ballots are counted, the results must be certified by each state. Until the vote tabulations are certified, both campaigns can challenge the results through legal actions. Legal contests are happening now and more will certainly follow.
- The rhetoric that is happening right now is a public relations battle. Perception often is reality. Answer: Yes. Well put. Let’s look at Arizona, for example. The state was called prematurely on election night and look at the serious repercussions. Now Trump may win it when all of the ballots are counted, and it will impact the race.
- How can We the People be assured that our vote is counted and not offset with illegal votes that found their way into the system?
Answer: The most important aspect of winning an election is ensuring the result is protected. Protecting the vote is critical to the credibility of the result. And as much as people don’t usually have lawyers at the top of their most-admired list, in the case of the 2020 elections, Trump needs the best attorneys out there to protect our votes.
6) Just how widespread is voter fraud this cycle?
Answer: There are multiple allegations of election fraud in several states. Just as we are counting all of the ballots, we need to ensure that all ballots are legal. It will take time to investigate allegations of fraud. Where they exist and can be proven they should be acknowledged and dealt with legal and decisively.
- You were Trump’s deputy campaign manager in the 2016 election. Give us your perspective on the 2020 election compared to what you experienced in prior elections.
Answer: The 2020 presidential race is far from over. As someone who worked on the 2000 presidential election recount of George W. Bush vs. Al Gore in Florida, there are many paths for both campaigns to take, and given the razor-thin margins of the results, they will consider them all.
- But what if the race is called for Biden by Associated Press and other major news outlets?
Answer: Regardless of who makes the call or if either candidate claims victory today or in the next few days, this does not make it final. It is important that we ignore the spin and rhetoric from all sides. The American people must have the last word in this presidential race. It’s as if we are in the scene in The Wizard of Oz where the Wicked Witch of the West does skywriting with her broomstick to intimidate and discourage Dorothy from crossing the poppy field to get to the promised land of Oz. In the end, Dorothy prevailed and so must we. CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin 919-437-0001 jerry@specialguest.com
Rick Gates rose through multiple senior roles in Donald Trump’s campaign starting in March 2016, rising to deputy campaign chairman. Following Trump’s successful election, he served as the deputy chairman to the president-elect’s Inaugural Committee, and as a co-founder of the America First Policies Super PAC for the president. Mr. Gates was also part of the 2000 presidential election recount, the last contested election in the U.S.
