Trump Retreats from 'Postpone Election' Remarks... Success in Publicizing Mail-in Voting? (Comprehensive Report 2)

-32% Growth Rate Announcement Followed by Tweet Highlighting Mail-in Voting Issue
Republicans Also Embarrassed by Sudden Action
Interpreted as Securing Justification for Presidential Election Rejection

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Donald Trump (photo) retracted his call to postpone the presidential election just nine hours after making it. Although it caused a huge backlash that shook Washington politics, it is being evaluated that he succeeded in bringing the issue of mail-in voting, the background of the postponement proposal, into the spotlight. The criticism over the worst-ever economic growth rate announced that day was also overshadowed.

At a press briefing held on the evening of the 30th (local time), President Trump was asked about his tweet mentioning the postponement of the election. He said, "I want the election and the results much more than you do," and added, "Do I want the election schedule to be changed? No. I do not want a fraudulent election." Earlier that day, Trump had tweeted that mail-in voting would be a "rigged election," writing, "Delay the election until people can properly, safely, and securely vote???" which caused great confusion.

President Trump had repeatedly expressed opposition to mail-in voting, arguing that it would be disadvantageous to him as states considered it due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. However, he had failed to create public discourse on the issue. This time, by mentioning the potential for fraudulent votes as a reason for postponing the election, he contributed to revitalizing the atmosphere. After the controversy erupted, he tweeted, "Dishonest media are finally starting to talk about the dangers of mail-in voting," adding, "I am glad."

Although he stepped back from the idea of postponing the election, President Trump still showed his aversion to mail-in voting. He claimed, "I do not want to wait months (for the results) and then have all the ballots disappear."

President Trump's sudden mention of postponing the election caused a major uproar in Washington politics. Republican figures had to step in to "defuse the bomb." According to CNN, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, "In the history of this country, whether in war, recession, or the Civil War, federal elections have never been delayed," emphasizing that the election must be held as scheduled. CNN described it as "the most recent case where the president made a provocative statement and caused trouble for the Republican Party to manage the fallout."

Former U.S. President Barack Obama, delivering a eulogy at Senator John Lewis's funeral, also criticized President Trump, saying, "There are those in power who are desperately trying to undermine mail-in voting and frustrate the people's vote (in the election)."

The Washington Post (WP) called it "President Trump's most dramatic recent attempt to undermine public trust in the election," and CNN reported that it suggested Trump and his supporters might refuse to accept the election results. Observers believe that during the remaining election period, President Trump is using the frame "mail-in voting = fraud and election rigging" to rally his base and secure justification for rejecting the election outcome.

The day's incident is also interpreted as part of President Trump's characteristic "madman strategy." His tweet hinting at postponing the election came right after the announcement of the U.S. second-quarter economic growth rate. The U.S. second-quarter economic growth rate was -32%, the worst figure in 73 years. Some view this as an attempt to divert attention from the growth rate report and, considering the public backlash, to "strike and retreat." The campaign of former Vice President Joe Biden, who will face President Trump in the election, also interpreted the incident as a strategy by Trump to cover up the worst economic growth rate by overshadowing his economic achievements.

On the same day, President Trump visited the American Red Cross headquarters near Washington, D.C., urging COVID-19 survivors to donate plasma to local blood banks. This is interpreted as an effort to stabilize the COVID-19 situation and create a favorable environment for the election.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.