President Joe Biden stated on Wednesday that some Republican candidates' vows to not recognize the results of the Nov. 8 elections if they lose pose a threat to democracy. He also said they were influenced by former President Donald Trump.
Biden referenced the hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as evidence that democracy is under threat less than two years after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when he spoke at Washington's Union Station, not far from Capitol Hill.
"Make no mistake, democracy is on the ballot for all of us," Biden said. "The assailant entered the home asking, 'Where's Nancy? Where's Nancy?' Those were the very same words used by the mob when they stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6."
Election deniers, according to Biden, have been emboldened by Trump, who is considering a presidential bid in 2024 at the same time Biden is deciding whether to pursue another four-year term.
"American democracy is under attack" Biden remarked, referring to Trump's refusal to acknowledge the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Biden.
Separately, former President Barack Obama expressed concern about democracy's status.
Speaking late Wednesday at a Democratic event for state candidates in Arizona, Obama reflected on earlier movements to ensure that women, African-Americans, and others who have been marginalized could participate in a democracy that he said was again under threat.
The potential that Republicans may take control of Congress, which would thwart his plan, has Biden and Obama working overtime to campaign for Democrats in the final days before next Tuesday's midterm elections.
According to the majority of midterm predictions, Republicans are almost guaranteed to take control of the House, while the Senate is divided.
Despite the fact that voter fraud is incredibly uncommon in America, many people remain worried. Voter fraud is perceived as a widespread issue by 49% of Americans, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that was released on Monday.
Some 44% believe the U.S. election is rigged, including 28% of Democrats and 62% of Republicans.
Despite these concerns, 67% of respondents, including large majorities of Democrats and Republicans, indicated they were certain their personal ballots would be tallied correctly.
In concluding his 20-minute speech, Biden stated that "the fate of the nation" is in the hands of the people.
"We are the United States of America. There is nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together," he said.
This article is republished from Business Times