He undermines democracy

In a rare moment of introspection last week, Donald Trump admitted that “too often” he regrets something he’s tweeted out. We’re certain that yesterday morning’s speculation about potentially delaying the November election wasn’t one he’d take back. It was surely calculated to deflect attention from a historically horrible report on cratering GDP.

The election will be held on Nov. 3. The president’s drivel aside, he can’t change the date. Those who can, in Congress, won’t.

But even asinine, empty speculation can do horrible harm. Here, Trump aims to undermine the electorate’s confidence in a free and fair vote. This is devious. It is dangerous. It is reason number five that he must be turned out.

Four years ago, as the underdog, he questioned the integrity of the election and warned darkly that the 2016 vote was “rigged.” The election had been tainted, by Russian meddling. Trying to help Trump.

After Hillary Clinton routed Trump in the popular vote, Trump lied and lied about illegal immigrants voting. Now, he falsely insists mail-in ballots will open the door to mass fraud.

Such subversion of the democratic foundations of the republic put Trump, the worst president, outside the American tradition.

The best president, Lincoln, rejected any delay to the 1864 election amidst the Civil War and months before the vote, made his Cabinet sign a pledge to cooperate should he lose, aiding the new president to save the Union.

Imagine Trump getting his Cabinet to sign a pledge promising to cooperate with the new president to save the Union. Stop laughing.