“Man, this is a really bad 82 seconds for James Craig.” – Ross Jones, WXYZ
This past Saturday, chief “neophyte” James Craig was one of several Republican gubernatorial candidates who descended on Washington Township to display their continued commitment to relitigating past elections.
In an interview, Craig said “I don’t know if I would say I would have certified” the results of the 2020 general election and said he “did not understand the facts” of the election that was decided by 154,000 votes and confirmed and audited more than 250 times across the state. Craig struggled to respond when confronted with basic facts about the 2020 election before making an evasive maneuver to flee from the reporter.
WATCH the full clip here and read the transcript below:
Previously, Craig penned an op-ed validating election conspiracy theorists with his call for “an extensive audit of the election results” on the same day a sizable number of right-wing fanatics descended on Michigan’s statehouse to demand a forensic audit.
The Detroit Dodger has also refused to acknowledge the fact that the Republican-led Senate Oversight Committee released a 55-page report definitively stating that there was “no evidence of widespread or systematic fraud.” Presented by Committee Chair Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), the report additionally referred to the 2020 crusade as “a nationwide conspiracy to steal the election” in which its supporters “place all other statements and actions they make in a position of zero credibility.”
MDP spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite issued the following statement:
“It should come as no surprise that uncertified cop James Craig is once again playing fast and loose with upholding the law by refusing to acknowledge the legitimacy of the 2020 election. Like the rest of this crowded and messy field of election conspiracy theorists, the chief neophyte is showing Michiganders that his sole reason for running is to shoulder this baseless crusade to relitigate the past. Our working families and economy deserve better.”
Transcript:
VAUGHN HILLYARD (MSNBC): If President Trump were standing here right now, would you tell him that you wouldn’t certify Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election in Michigan?
JAMES CRAIG: I don’t know if I would say I would have certified because see, you heard me tell the other-
HILLYARD: Would you have certified it?
CRAIG: Well I would have to understand the facts. And the facts are this: I guess Pence- I don’t have the authority. That’s not my role.
HILLYARD: Sure but every single county clerk, every board of canvassers her certified the election. Do you not take their word?
CRAIG: Well I would want- and I’ve already said, I would call for a forensic audit to understand the issue. So I’m not going to have you try to back me into a corner, but-
HILLYARD: But I think that there’s reason for people to be skeptical. If you were the governor in 2024 of whether you would certify the 2024 election. They’re right to be skeptical?
CRAIG: Absolutely is a reason. Look, here’s what we do know factually. And I deal with facts because I’ve been a cop for 44 years.
HILLYARD: Right and Donald Trump lost by 145,000 votes.* [Note: He actually lost by 154,000 votes.]
CRAIG: Okay. Factually, I think three or four people got charged with fraud. So clearly the process was not pristine. But, the forensic audit is a real key. And I’m going to stand by that. I called for it. I support that. And I deal with facts.
