Mitch McConnell is still the leader of the Senate and if Chuck Schumer were ever cast in a movie, he’d have to be cast as the Gimp in Pulp Fiction with Donald Trump his master. A year ago, Chuck Schumer said an impeachment trial would be a sham if there were no witnesses to call. On Saturday, after a week of hedging on witnesses, a bipartisan group of senators agreed to call witnesses. In fact, 55 senators decided to call witnesses.
Just thought of something kind of funny. Once the Senate moved past Trump's constitutional argument (lack of jurisdiction over a private citizen), his impeachment defense was lack of causality; that is, that nothing he said was sufficient to have caused what happened.
Implicit in this defense, however, is that Trump was too stupid to anticipate what might happen (an insurrection against the government of the United States): a peculiar admission for a POTUS to implicitly make, considering the nuclear codes and all that . . . .
Republicans had better hope Erick is right about that albatross stuff. If Democrats are able to craft an effective message showing the dangerous authoritarian tendencies of this Republican Party, that could be a problem.
What do you get when you cross a Republican Party that doesn't want to convict with a Democrat Party that doesn't want to do the work to shame the Republican Party to convict? Donald Trump 2024 bumper stickers. Oh boy, I can't wait.
"I think over the next four years, prosecutors, civil litigators, and corporate activists are going to bleed every drop of money they can from Donald Trump to ensure he is not viable."
We certainly are a country in which political and personal hatred has become fine and dandy if it's against unpopular people or groups. Imagine saying that about Bernie Sanders or Hilary Clinton. But because it's okay to hate some political enemies it's ho-hum that people would ensure that someone would be peppered with bogus litigations so they would be beggared. That there is no response of being aghast is telling at such a thing plotted against a person who has never been convicted of anything and is not seriously being pursued by the attorney general in a normal U.S. court.
Since the January 6th insurrection was based on the perception that the outcome was fraudulent, I have a question. Do any of you think that a number of votes that were cast for Trump on November 3rd we're done for fear of Kamala Harris?
Pathetic and embarrassing also describes the attempted coup by Trump and his mob on Jan. 6 after months of lying about a stolen election that was not stolen. Mitch McConnell's speech was dead on. People were killed, including a police officer. The Trumped-up mob was also looking to hang Mike Pence and anyone else they could get their hands on. Hopefully there will at least be a mountain of civil suits from the victims families, including the dozens of officers seriously injured by the Trump mob that, incidentally, were the first enemy to breach the Capitol since the British burned it during the War of 1812.
The trial was an extremely interesting event in the history of the United States, and well repaid the time spent in watching in full, which I was able to do on the last day. For this reason I say again that the defence counsel made a perfectly good closing speech which negatives all points of the prosecution, and therefore the jury found the defendant innocent!!!
One of the House managers said that the reason that they did not call witnesses is that they were concerned that it would prolong the trial and would, therefore, cause them to lose Republican votes.
Dems would not be able to control the optics with witnesses. They already got a pretty good lickin' from the video collage of the left supporting their own version of insurrection. They wouldn't be able to cherry-pick like they did the first time around. Can't remember what movie I saw this in, "As a lawyer, never ask a question you don't already know the answer to". This was going to spin away from Dems and their cancel culture supporters. Can't have that. Still gotta work that cancel magic, so make sure the opposition doesn't get a chance at the bully pulpit.
Republicans, we are in a trench war-fare environment. Democrats continually break the law with no consequences. If they are caught they receive almost no punishment, take the FBI lawyer as an example. If we do not take heed, Republicans will never have any wins that last past the Republican office holder. Obama is hated by many, but his actions while in office are lasting till this day. Even Republicans refused to end Obama Care, knowing Obama care was a disaster. But, Republicans FEARED Obama and Dems, why, because they know Dems will use Power, even if it’s illegal. Dems know Republicans will never hold anyone accountable with the law. Dems know that and it’s why they do what they do having lasting change. Accountability is NOT losing Elections, as many think. That is why the Dems are ok with losing seats, that’s temporary. Being charged with crimes, made up or not, sends a message. Republicans are not willing to charge a Democrat with crimes and that is where the greatest weaknesses lies. And yet, the Republicans don’t care, they simply live in fear.
I do have to say, the surprise calling of witnesses and then the decision not to call them seems like a decision by Schumer to get this show over quickly. I would love to know why they bothered to do this in the first place.
Having said that, I think the next 12 months will show the direction the party is taking. If we see a slew of mini Trumps trying to destroy the non Trump wing of the party then I foresee the death of the party as a national movement. They may still rule certain states, but even these states will start to wither.
And why am I not surprised? Because this whole thing was a fraud perpetrated simply to insure that the Democrats wouldn’t have Donald Trump to worry about any more. They legitimately fear Trump and the movement he has created, and which the Republican Party chooses to ignore at its peril. Trump has given the Republicans access to a significant percentage of minority voters they never had before. Add to that the apparent reincarnation of the Reagan Democrats of the 80s, and the outline of a “Big Tent” GOP having the ability to successfully characterize the Democrats as the party of the elites - which it is - can clearly be seen.
As President Biden seems eager to assume the role of King Joseph.of Robinette, ruling more by imperial decree than legislation, and with the Congressional left determined to try to resell the (Un)Affordable Care Act, mount a full bore assault on the Second Amendment, and continue to suck up to the tech oligarchs, the Republicans can hang the “Out of Touch” and “Dangerously Radical” tags - both of which are also true - on the Democrats, and laugh all the way to regaining control of both Houses of Congress next year. And I haven’t even discussed the inevitable disasters which may befall the Bidenauts as they prepare to let the IRS confiscate more of our money and return us to the days of Endless War.
I think you’re missing the bigger picture Erick. But that’s just my opinion. Covid and China are tied together and will drive the narrative through most of the cycle leading to 2022. People will increasingly see the GOP establishment as pretty feckless as it relates to these issues. As we learn more about the origins of Covid, the American people will see Trump as having been right on this issue. The GOP would be smart to no cut and run from Trump in 2022 or it will cost them big time. As for 2024, who knows, but right now I don’t see anyone in the GOP - save for Trump - unseating Biden. Harris perhaps, but not Biden. And that’s pretty sad.
I for one am thoroughly disgusted with most politicians - Democrat, Republican, and otherwise. Only a small handful display good character and non partisan courage.
Just thought of something kind of funny. Once the Senate moved past Trump's constitutional argument (lack of jurisdiction over a private citizen), his impeachment defense was lack of causality; that is, that nothing he said was sufficient to have caused what happened.
Implicit in this defense, however, is that Trump was too stupid to anticipate what might happen (an insurrection against the government of the United States): a peculiar admission for a POTUS to implicitly make, considering the nuclear codes and all that . . . .
Republicans had better hope Erick is right about that albatross stuff. If Democrats are able to craft an effective message showing the dangerous authoritarian tendencies of this Republican Party, that could be a problem.
What do you get when you cross a Republican Party that doesn't want to convict with a Democrat Party that doesn't want to do the work to shame the Republican Party to convict? Donald Trump 2024 bumper stickers. Oh boy, I can't wait.
"I think over the next four years, prosecutors, civil litigators, and corporate activists are going to bleed every drop of money they can from Donald Trump to ensure he is not viable."
We certainly are a country in which political and personal hatred has become fine and dandy if it's against unpopular people or groups. Imagine saying that about Bernie Sanders or Hilary Clinton. But because it's okay to hate some political enemies it's ho-hum that people would ensure that someone would be peppered with bogus litigations so they would be beggared. That there is no response of being aghast is telling at such a thing plotted against a person who has never been convicted of anything and is not seriously being pursued by the attorney general in a normal U.S. court.
Since the January 6th insurrection was based on the perception that the outcome was fraudulent, I have a question. Do any of you think that a number of votes that were cast for Trump on November 3rd we're done for fear of Kamala Harris?
Pathetic and embarrassing also describes the attempted coup by Trump and his mob on Jan. 6 after months of lying about a stolen election that was not stolen. Mitch McConnell's speech was dead on. People were killed, including a police officer. The Trumped-up mob was also looking to hang Mike Pence and anyone else they could get their hands on. Hopefully there will at least be a mountain of civil suits from the victims families, including the dozens of officers seriously injured by the Trump mob that, incidentally, were the first enemy to breach the Capitol since the British burned it during the War of 1812.
The trial was an extremely interesting event in the history of the United States, and well repaid the time spent in watching in full, which I was able to do on the last day. For this reason I say again that the defence counsel made a perfectly good closing speech which negatives all points of the prosecution, and therefore the jury found the defendant innocent!!!
I watched the whole impeachment trial and was disappointed to see the both my senators voted to acquit. I will not be voting for them again.
One of the House managers said that the reason that they did not call witnesses is that they were concerned that it would prolong the trial and would, therefore, cause them to lose Republican votes.
Dems would not be able to control the optics with witnesses. They already got a pretty good lickin' from the video collage of the left supporting their own version of insurrection. They wouldn't be able to cherry-pick like they did the first time around. Can't remember what movie I saw this in, "As a lawyer, never ask a question you don't already know the answer to". This was going to spin away from Dems and their cancel culture supporters. Can't have that. Still gotta work that cancel magic, so make sure the opposition doesn't get a chance at the bully pulpit.
Republicans, we are in a trench war-fare environment. Democrats continually break the law with no consequences. If they are caught they receive almost no punishment, take the FBI lawyer as an example. If we do not take heed, Republicans will never have any wins that last past the Republican office holder. Obama is hated by many, but his actions while in office are lasting till this day. Even Republicans refused to end Obama Care, knowing Obama care was a disaster. But, Republicans FEARED Obama and Dems, why, because they know Dems will use Power, even if it’s illegal. Dems know Republicans will never hold anyone accountable with the law. Dems know that and it’s why they do what they do having lasting change. Accountability is NOT losing Elections, as many think. That is why the Dems are ok with losing seats, that’s temporary. Being charged with crimes, made up or not, sends a message. Republicans are not willing to charge a Democrat with crimes and that is where the greatest weaknesses lies. And yet, the Republicans don’t care, they simply live in fear.
"Schumer's Sham" has a nice ring to it
I do have to say, the surprise calling of witnesses and then the decision not to call them seems like a decision by Schumer to get this show over quickly. I would love to know why they bothered to do this in the first place.
Having said that, I think the next 12 months will show the direction the party is taking. If we see a slew of mini Trumps trying to destroy the non Trump wing of the party then I foresee the death of the party as a national movement. They may still rule certain states, but even these states will start to wither.
And why am I not surprised? Because this whole thing was a fraud perpetrated simply to insure that the Democrats wouldn’t have Donald Trump to worry about any more. They legitimately fear Trump and the movement he has created, and which the Republican Party chooses to ignore at its peril. Trump has given the Republicans access to a significant percentage of minority voters they never had before. Add to that the apparent reincarnation of the Reagan Democrats of the 80s, and the outline of a “Big Tent” GOP having the ability to successfully characterize the Democrats as the party of the elites - which it is - can clearly be seen.
As President Biden seems eager to assume the role of King Joseph.of Robinette, ruling more by imperial decree than legislation, and with the Congressional left determined to try to resell the (Un)Affordable Care Act, mount a full bore assault on the Second Amendment, and continue to suck up to the tech oligarchs, the Republicans can hang the “Out of Touch” and “Dangerously Radical” tags - both of which are also true - on the Democrats, and laugh all the way to regaining control of both Houses of Congress next year. And I haven’t even discussed the inevitable disasters which may befall the Bidenauts as they prepare to let the IRS confiscate more of our money and return us to the days of Endless War.
I think you’re missing the bigger picture Erick. But that’s just my opinion. Covid and China are tied together and will drive the narrative through most of the cycle leading to 2022. People will increasingly see the GOP establishment as pretty feckless as it relates to these issues. As we learn more about the origins of Covid, the American people will see Trump as having been right on this issue. The GOP would be smart to no cut and run from Trump in 2022 or it will cost them big time. As for 2024, who knows, but right now I don’t see anyone in the GOP - save for Trump - unseating Biden. Harris perhaps, but not Biden. And that’s pretty sad.
I for one am thoroughly disgusted with most politicians - Democrat, Republican, and otherwise. Only a small handful display good character and non partisan courage.