The Briefing with Albert Mohler: November 12, 2024
Host: R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
Title: The Briefing with Albert Mohler
Description: Cultural Commentary from a Biblical Perspective
Release Date: November 12, 2024
1. Election Statistics and the 2020 Outlier
Albert Mohler opens the episode by delving into the election statistics of recent presidential cycles. He highlights the significant voter turnout in 2020, which stands out compared to other years:
- Voter Turnout Numbers:
- 2012: 129 million voters
- 2016: 136 million voters
- 2020: 159 million voters
- 2024: 146 million voters
Mohler observes the anomaly of the 2020 election, noting the substantial increase from 2016 to 2020 and the subsequent decrease in 2024.
"The outlier here is the year 2020, when, at least according to official numbers, 159 million Americans voted in the presidential election." [00:30]
He questions the reasons behind the spike in 2020, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the adaptations in voting methods, such as mail-in and early voting.
2. Voter Fraud Allegations and 2020 Election Integrity
Mohler addresses the widespread allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 election, primarily propagated by Donald Trump and his supporters. He scrutinizes the claims, emphasizing the lack of evidence for widespread fraud:
"I am not saying there was voter fraud widespread that would have changed the election. I'm not saying there's even anything intentional here." [08:15]
He points out the irregularities that fueled these suspicions, such as abrupt increases in voter participation and state court decisions in states like Pennsylvania that altered election laws to accommodate more ballots.
3. The 2024 Election and Its Aftermath
Transitioning to the 2024 election, Mohler discusses Donald Trump's decisive victory in both the Electoral College and the popular vote. He contemplates the lingering questions about the 2020 election’s irregularities, despite the clear outcome in 2024 that seemingly quelches many of the earlier doubts.
"Donald Trump winning a very clear, decisive victory in the Electoral College in 2024 and also winning the popular vote. So that basically puts to a stop the urgency of answering this question." [12:40]
Mohler argues for the necessity of further investigation into why 2020 was an outlier, stressing the importance of maintaining the integrity of America's electoral system.
4. The Question of a Female President in America
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to exploring whether America will ever elect a woman president. Mohler reflects on the historical context, referencing Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, the only two women nominated by the major parties, both of whom were defeated:
"In both cases, that woman candidate was defeated in both cases by Donald Trump as the Republican nominee." [16:50]
He analyzes public sentiments towards female candidates, citing a Pew Research survey mentioned in a Raleigh News and Observer column:
"Most Americans say they don't believe the president's gender matters... for the roughly 40% who do think gender makes a difference, they tend to think a woman would perform better." [20:25]
Mohler posits that the first female president of the United States is more likely to emerge from the conservative side of the political spectrum. Drawing parallels with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, he suggests that a conservative woman who embodies strong principles and leadership qualities stands a better chance:
"I think it is more likely that it would be a conservative woman who's eventually elected president of the United States." [27:10]
He emphasizes that ideological alignment and the articulation of compelling principles are critical factors over gender alone.
5. Media Narrative on Women Moving Abroad
Mohler critiques the mainstream media's portrayal of American women relocating abroad, particularly after the Dobbs decision:
"USA Today yesterday ran an article... 'Number of US Women are moving abroad,'... 'Relocating has become more feasible than ever.'" [35:00]
He argues that such narratives exaggerate the extent of this migration, suggesting that the media tends to highlight isolated stories rather than representing a significant trend. Mohler underscores that underlying motivations are often rooted in broader cultural and societal pressures, such as escaping perceived expectations to conform to traditional roles.
"This tells us something about what's going on not only among young people... but in particular how some women are seeing this equation playing out." [38:45]
6. Biblical Worldview and Leadership Roles
Concluding the episode, Mohler reflects on the biblical perspective regarding leadership roles of men and women. While affirming that men are assigned leadership in the home and church, he clarifies that the scripture does not explicitly prohibit women from serving as heads of government or state:
"The Scripture doesn't say that a woman cannot serve as head of government or head of state." [43:30]
He promotes the idea that choosing leaders should be based on their principles and abilities rather than gender, advocating for a system that prioritizes truth and integrity.
"Someone had better ensure... that the numbers are absolutely right and that Americans have confidence in them." [50:00]
Conclusion
Albert Mohler's November 12, 2024 episode of The Briefing offers a comprehensive analysis of recent presidential elections, scrutinizes claims of voter fraud, explores the prospects of a female president through a conservative lens, and critiques media narratives surrounding American women migrating abroad. Throughout the discussion, Mohler interweaves a biblical worldview, emphasizing the importance of truth, integrity, and principled leadership in shaping the nation's future.
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Note: Times cited correspond to segments within the transcript provided and are indicative of the discussion points highlighted in the summary.