General Discussion

The Republicans were the ones who opened that Pandora's box. And the thing about Pandora's box is that it can never be closed, least of all by the very same people who opened it--just because they (one or way or another) happened to get what they fucking want. Now that the box is open, they are going to continue to play that card whether they end up winning elections in the end or not, legitimately or otherwise. Our fear of coming off as "just like the Republicans" in 2020 is forever going to kneecap us in an era where they have no intention of ever playing by the rules again. And they know this.

What the Republicans claimed in 2020 was based on nothing. Absolutely nothing but the excrement that came out of Trump's mouth. Say what you will about the recount effort, but this isn't election denial, and it certainly isn't a conspiracy theory--it's election skepticism. There is at least some actual evidence to point to here outside of, "I said so, therefore it's true."

Also, I really, really don't think the standard Democratic position in response to the 2020 claims was ever that "our elections are fully secure." Only idiots would believe the process is incapable of being compromised. The point was that Trump was lying.

Even if the stakes weren't as high as they are for the country, we really have nothing to lose from trying.