Jill Stein Casts Herself in 'Bridezilla' Role
Jill Stein makes a perfect casting choice for the outlandish reality television series, “Bridezilla.”
She possesses all the requisite antisocial behavior of a selfish bride-to-be on a mission to pull off a fantasy dream of her own making. Nothing gets in the way of Ms. Stein being demanding or acting oblivious to the effect she’s having on those caught in the crossfire of her recount campaign.
Just ask the good folks in Wisconsin.
Like a compulsive bride, Stein wanted everything to be perfect before the big launch and got a little crazy going before the Wisconsin Electoral Commission. She demanded a recount “by hand,” and she wasn’t going to take “no” for an answer. That kind of attitude can really cost the American taxpayer.
The Green presidential candidate filed a lawsuit against the State of Wisconsin insisting on a “hand recount” and (in this case) expecting everyone else to pick up the tab which would include her attorneys' fees. It was like a scene right out of a “Bridezilla” sequence where the disgusted party guests try to sneak out early, but the bride blocks the entrance screaming: “Bride’s Day, Bride’s Way!” (which actually happened).
Her case was thrown out for complete lack of evidence by Judge Valerie Bailey Rihn. “I follow the law,” Judge Bailey-Rihn said, “That’s who I am…” It’s comforting to watch sanity reign supreme in a situation where the element of farce threatens to rule the day.
Many people find themselves hating the media spectacle of the Stein campaign, but they can’t help themselves from watching it. And Stein is the gift that keeps on giving.
Like a bride taking too long to make a toast, Stein pontificates all over herself and -- in a Fox television interview -- all over viewers assuring them in a well-rehearsed speech that she’s on a campaign to “ensure the integrity of the electoral system” and “give the American people what they asked for.”
That really is the frosting on the cake. If that was the case, Stein would not be launching her recount vote in a state -- Wisconsin -- with nearly the highest electoral rating for integrity in the nation, according to the Pew Election Performance Index. It is such poor form to suggest otherwise. Stein targeted the Badger State -- barking up the wrong tree -- because of the very thin margin of votes in favor of Donald Trump.
None of this matters to Stein. It’s her campaign and she gets to do what she wants: That means more than 2,000 county employees are stuck in the bureaucratic trenches working nights and evenings to satisfy the petition of the Green candidate as we head into the yuletide season. “Many of them will be working 12-hour shifts,” confirmed Mr. Reid Magney, spokesman for the Wisconsin Election Commission. “They will be all consumed by the recount” for nearly two weeks, Magney added. The deadline is December 12.
It’s not very polite to keep mention moneying to the campaign participants, but Stein simply cannot help herself. She keeps moaning about the “exorbitant” fees charged by states where she’s demanding a recount. Her down-payment is $3.5 million in the dairyland state, but it could go higher. Let’s face it -- we’re talking about a big state involving more than 72 county clerks and 1,854 municipal clerks, and hiring additional staff to process the 2,975,313 ballots. It’s not like she’s the one being magnanimous and offering everyone party favors.
Still the party may very well be over for Stein. Michigan refused to move forward with the ballot recount, according to a ruling by U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith. The judge reported that Stein, with less than 1 percent of the vote, fails to qualify as an “aggrieved candidate” under Michigan law. Stein is definitely wearing out her welcome with voters on both sides of the aisle.
Now she’s awaiting the decision from Pennsylvania to determine whether her recount effort will move forward. In the meantime, her team has not produced any evidence of hacking, but Stein takes the liberty of describing the electoral system as “a national disgrace.”
At this juncture, Stein may wish to consider a career move and launch her own reality television series, “Steinzilla.”