When the Fox Guards the Henhouse: A Southern Boy’s Take on “Nonpartisan” Election Analysis

Pull up a chair and pour yourself some sweet tea, folks. We need to have us a little talk about propaganda dressed up in Sunday clothes.

Well now, I just finished reading something that got my blood hotter than a tin roof in August. The Current Georgia published an interview with a fella named David Becker, who they’re calling “nonpartisan” faster than a cat can lick its whiskers. But friends, after chewing on this piece like a hound dog with a bone, I’m here to tell you – calling David Becker nonpartisan is like calling gumbo bland. It just ain’t so.

The “Nonpartisan” Expert Who Picks Sides Faster Than a Referee at a Rigged Rodeo

Let me introduce you to Mr. David Becker, described as the “executive director and founder of the nonpartisan nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research.” Now, that title’s got more shine on it than a new penny, doesn’t it? Sounds official. Sounds neutral. Sounds trustworthy.

But hold your horses.

This is the same David Becker who’s been making the rounds on every left-leaning news outlet from here to Sunday, singing the same tired tune: “Nothing to see here, folks! The 2020 election was perfect! Anyone questioning it is spreading disinformation!”

Now, I’m just a Southern boy who loves his Gumbo, Rice and Gravy, and some properly Smoked Boudin, but even I can smell when something’s fishier than a Louisiana catfish fry.

Let’s Break Down Mr. Becker’s “Nonpartisan” Commentary

Exhibit A: “One of the Great Achievements of American History”

Listen to this whopper: Becker calls the 2020 election “one of the great achievements of American history, not just in Georgia, but nationwide.”

One of the great achievements of American history?

I reckon the Declaration of Independence was a pretty great achievement. The Constitution – now that’s something to write home about. Defeating tyranny in World War II? Putting a man on the moon? Those are achievements, my friends.

But an election conducted during COVID-19, with hastily changed rules, mail-in ballots flying around like confetti at a New Year’s party, and more legal challenges than a lawyer’s convention – that’s “one of the great achievements of American history”?

Bless his heart, but that’s not nonpartisan analysis. That’s cheerleading. And he’s waving pompoms for one side only.

A truly nonpartisan analyst would say: “The 2020 election faced unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic. While officials worked hard under difficult circumstances, the rapid changes to election procedures and the volume of mail-in balloting raised legitimate concerns about election integrity that deserve thorough investigation.”

See the difference? That’s what neutral sounds like. What Becker said sounds like a campaign commercial.

Exhibit B: The FBI Raid is About “Disinformation”

When asked about the FBI seizing 700 boxes of ballots from Fulton County, Becker immediately frames it as something that will “fuel further disinformation and, unfortunately, distrust of our election system.”

Hold on a cotton-picking minute.

The FBI – the actual Federal Bureau of Investigation – thinks there’s enough evidence of potential wrongdoing to get a warrant and haul away 700 boxes of ballots. That’s not Alex Jones with a bullhorn. That’s federal law enforcement with probable cause signed off by a federal judge.

But according to our “nonpartisan” expert, investigating potential election fraud is what causes distrust? Not the potential fraud itself, but the investigation?

That’s like saying the problem isn’t the termites eating your house; it’s the inspector who found them. It makes about as much sense as putting screen doors on a submarine.

A truly nonpartisan response would be: “The FBI’s seizure of ballots indicates they have found sufficient evidence to warrant investigation. This is how our justice system is supposed to work. If there was wrongdoing, it should be uncovered and prosecuted. If there wasn’t, the investigation will confirm that and strengthen public confidence.”

Exhibit C: Prejudging the Investigation Before It’s Even Started

Here’s where Becker really shows his cards. He says:

“I think the end goal is not to use this evidence in any kind of proceeding… Every time anyone has gone into court trying to prove fraud in 2020, they’ve failed.”

Now hold your horses there, partner. The FBI just seized the evidence yesterday, and this fella’s already writing the ending to the story?

That’s not analysis – that’s damage control. He’s trying to poison the well before anyone even tastes the water. He’s essentially telling people, “Don’t pay attention to what they might find. I’m telling you right now it’s nothing.”

How does he know? Did he ride along with the FBI agents? Did he examine all 700 boxes? Or is he just hoping and praying they don’t find what he’s afraid they’ll find?

A truly nonpartisan analyst would say: “We’ll need to wait and see what the investigation reveals. The FBI doesn’t typically seize evidence without cause, so it will be important to see what they’ve found and let the legal process play out.”

Exhibit D: Crystal Ball Gazing About Trump’s Motives

Then Becker pulls out his fortune-teller hat and makes this gem of a statement:

“If you think you’re going to lose an election, that’s when you start seeing disinformation being spread. And now, of course, the president has the full arm, every – every lever of the federal government to assist him.”

So let me get this straight: According to Becker, Trump – who’s president right now – is investigating the 2020 election not because there might actually be evidence of fraud, but because he’s already planning to lose the 2026 midterms and needs an excuse?

That’s some Olympic-level mental gymnastics right there. That takes more twists and turns than a mountain road in Tennessee.

He’s literally suggesting that using federal law enforcement to investigate potential crimes is somehow an abuse of power, but only when it’s investigating something he doesn’t want investigated.

A truly nonpartisan view would be: “Presidents of both parties have used federal resources to investigate potential violations of election law. The DOJ should follow the evidence wherever it leads, regardless of political implications.”

Exhibit E: The “No Crime Was Committed” Declaration

Here’s my favorite line from Mr. “Nonpartisan” Becker:

“It’s very clear there’s no crime that was committed.”

Oh, is it now? It’s “very clear”?

Then why did a federal judge sign a warrant? Why did the FBI show up with trucks to haul away 700 boxes? Are they just bored? Did they run out of crossword puzzles at the office?

You can’t have it both ways, David. Either there’s evidence of potential crimes worth investigating, or the FBI is engaged in a massive abuse of power. If you truly believed “no crime was committed,” you should be outraged at federal overreach.

But you’re not, are you? You’re just hoping this all goes away quietly.

A nonpartisan analyst would note: “The FBI presumably has evidence suggesting potential violations of election law. The investigation will determine whether crimes were committed and, if so, who should be held accountable.”

Let’s Talk About David Becker’s “Nonpartisan” Organization

Now, I did a little digging – you know, the kind of research these mainstream media outlets used to do before they decided their job was telling people what to think instead of what happened.

The Center for Election Innovation and Research, which Becker founded and runs, has some interesting history:

1. Follow the Money: CEIR has received funding from leftist organizations and has been criticized for funneling “Zuckerbucks” (money from Mark Zuckerberg’s foundations) to election offices in Democratic-leaning areas during the 2020 election. Now, I’m no mathematician, but when your “nonpartisan” organization is getting money from folks with a clear political agenda and directing it to areas that benefit one party, that smells about as nonpartisan as a Democratic National Committee meeting.

2. Media Darling of the Left: Becker appears almost exclusively on left-leaning media outlets defending the 2020 election and attacking anyone who questions it. When’s the last time you saw him on a conservative outlet presenting a balanced view? I’ll wait… Still waiting…

3. Litigation Track Record: CEIR has consistently filed briefs opposing election integrity measures and supporting positions favored by Democratic parties. From fighting voter ID laws to opposing efforts to clean up voter rolls, their legal positions align remarkably well with one political party. That’s quite a coincidence for a “nonpartisan” group, wouldn’t you say?

The Real Disinformation

Here’s what really fries my chicken: The actual disinformation isn’t coming from people asking questions about the 2020 election. It’s coming from folks like Becker who are trying to shut down legitimate investigations before they even begin.

Think about it:

– They said: “There’s no evidence of fraud.” But: They fought every audit and investigation tooth and nail.

– They said: “The election was the most secure in history.” But: Rules were changed at the last minute in ways that made verification harder.

– They said: “Anyone questioning the election is spreading disinformation.” But: Now the FBI has seized 700 boxes of ballots.

Something doesn’t add up here, and it ain’t just the voter tallies.

What Should Real Journalism Look Like?

If GPB’s Peter Biello and The Current wanted to do actual journalism instead of providing a platform for partisan talking points, here’s what they should have asked:

1. “Mr. Becker, your organization received funding from partisan sources. How does that affect your claim to be nonpartisan?”

2. “You say every court case alleging fraud has failed. But isn’t it true that most cases were dismissed on procedural grounds rather than examining the evidence? Can you name a case where evidence was actually examined and found wanting?”

3. “If the 2020 election was as perfect as you claim, why are you so concerned about investigating it? Wouldn’t an investigation proving no fraud actually strengthen confidence?”

4. “You’re already saying the FBI won’t find anything. How do you know what they will or won’t find before they’ve completed their investigation?”

5. “Your organization has consistently opposed election integrity measures like voter ID and voter roll cleaning. Why do you oppose common-sense measures that most Americans support?”

But they didn’t ask those questions, did they? Because that would require actual journalism, not stenography for partisan narratives.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for Georgia

Now, I love my adopted home state of Georgia like a fat kid loves cake (and speaking of cake, I could go for some right about now with all this aggravation). But we’ve got a problem here, and it’s bigger than one interview on one radio station.

We’ve got media outlets presenting partisan activists as neutral experts. We’ve got “nonpartisan” organizations that are about as balanced as a see-saw with an elephant on one end. And we’ve got a system where asking questions gets you labeled as spreading “disinformation.”

That’s not the America I know and love. That’s not the South where I was raised. We’re supposed to be the folks who question authority, who don’t trust carpetbaggers, and who can spot a con man selling snake oil from a mile away.

What We Should Demand

As Georgians and Americans, here’s what we should demand:

1. Let the Investigation Proceed: If the FBI found enough evidence to seize 700 boxes of ballots, let them complete their investigation without prejudgment from partisan “experts.”

2. Real Transparency: If election officials have nothing to hide, they should welcome thorough investigation. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, as they say.

3. Honest Media Coverage: Media outlets should present balanced coverage, not give platforms to partisan activists masquerading as neutral experts without challenging their clear biases.

4. Election Integrity Reforms: Whether this investigation finds fraud or not, we should implement common-sense reforms like voter ID, signature verification, and transparent chain of custody for ballots.

A Word About Trust

David Becker keeps talking about “trust” in our election system. But here’s what he doesn’t understand: Trust isn’t demanded; it’s earned.

You don’t build trust by:

– Calling everyone who asks questions a conspiracy theorist

– Presenting partisan activists as neutral experts

– Prejudging investigations before they’re complete

– Fighting transparency at every turn

You build trust by:

– Welcoming scrutiny

– Answering questions honestly

– Letting investigations proceed without interference

– Implementing safeguards that give everyone confidence

The View from My Front Porch

Friends, I’m just a Southern boy who’s been blessed beyond measure by God’s grace, who loves God, his family, his Gumbo, and his country – in that order (okay, sometimes his country might edge out third place, but don’t tell anybody).

I’ve lived long enough to know that when someone tells you “nothing to see here” while fighting tooth and nail to keep you from looking, there’s usually something to see. When someone claims to be nonpartisan but only appears on one side’s media outlets and only supports one side’s positions, they’re about as nonpartisan as a campaign rally.

The truth fears no investigation. If the 2020 election in Georgia was as pristine as Mr. Becker claims, then investigating it will only prove that. And if it wasn’t, then we need to know.

We’re Americans, for crying out loud. We’re supposed to be the folks who question authority, who demand transparency, who don’t just accept what we’re told by “experts” with obvious agendas.

A Note to The Current and GPB

Y’all should be ashamed. You presented a partisan activist as a neutral expert without any pushback, any challenging questions, or any acknowledgment of his clear biases. That’s not journalism – that’s propaganda with better production values.

Georgia deserves better. Your listeners deserve better. Heck, even David Becker deserves better – he deserves to be identified accurately as someone with a clear political agenda rather than being given false credibility as “nonpartisan.”

In Closing

The FBI seizure of 700 boxes of ballots from Fulton County isn’t disinformation – it’s an investigation. The only disinformation I’m seeing is coming from folks like David Becker who are trying to prejudge the results before the evidence is even examined.

I don’t know what the FBI will find in those 700 boxes. Maybe they’ll find evidence of fraud. Maybe they won’t. But I’ll tell you this: I’m a lot more interested in hearing what federal investigators find than what a partisan activist pretending to be neutral thinks before they’ve even looked.

And to The Current and GPB: Next time you want to interview someone about election integrity, maybe find someone who’s actually interested in integrity instead of protecting a predetermined narrative.

As for me, I’m going to keep asking questions, keep demanding transparency, and keep pointing out when the emperor’s got no clothes – even if he’s wearing a fancy “nonpartisan expert” name tag.

Because that’s what we do in the South. We don’t suffer fools gladly, we don’t trust carpetbaggers, and we sure as shooting don’t believe someone’s nonpartisan just because they say so.

Now if you’ll excuse me, all this has got me worked up enough to need a bowl of gumbo and maybe a prayer or two. In that order.

Thank you, Lord, for the truth – and thank you for giving us the wisdom to recognize it when we see it, even when it’s buried under layers of “nonpartisan” nonsense.

Stay blessed, stay vigilant, and for goodness sake, stay skeptical of “experts” who only have one tune to play.

— Dean Burnette

Southern Fried Thoughts

P.S. – Remember that warning I gave about clicking on the Politics tab? Well, you clicked it anyway, didn’t you? Bless your heart. At least you can’t say I didn’t warn you!

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