Righteous Republicans 2
This is a continuation of the topic Righteous Republicans.
This topic was continued by Righteous Republicans 3.
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1margd
Bill Kristol @BillKristol | 9:24 AM · Nov 1, 2019
Having called around some,
reassured in my judgment that those House Republicans open to voting for impeachment
simply decided to stick with the party yesterday (House resolution on impeachment process), and
to save their dissent for the real vote. No point telegraphing the jail break to the prison guards ahead of time.
Having called around some,
reassured in my judgment that those House Republicans open to voting for impeachment
simply decided to stick with the party yesterday (House resolution on impeachment process), and
to save their dissent for the real vote. No point telegraphing the jail break to the prison guards ahead of time.
2margd
Bill Kristol @BillKristol | 9:24 AM · Nov 1, 2019
Having called around some,
reassured in my judgment that those House Republicans open to voting for impeachment
simply decided to stick with the party yesterday (House resolution on impeachment process), and
to save their dissent for the real vote. No point telegraphing the jail break to the prison guards ahead of time.
Having called around some,
reassured in my judgment that those House Republicans open to voting for impeachment
simply decided to stick with the party yesterday (House resolution on impeachment process), and
to save their dissent for the real vote. No point telegraphing the jail break to the prison guards ahead of time.
3margd
Small stirrings of righteousness:
Republicans break with Trump and Rand Paul on whistleblower unmasking
BURGESS EVERETT and MARIANNE LEVINE | 11/05/2019
"We should follow the law. And I believe the law protects whistleblowers."
Rand Paul demands media to identify whistleblower: 'Do your job and print his name'
...Senior Senate Republicans are worried about the precedent it would set, fearing government sources would be less likely to reveal wrongdoing in future presidencies.
They also have a simpler concern: Not breaking the law.
...Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)...Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.)...Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)...Chuck Grassley, the most senior Senate Republican... who has made whistleblower protections a signature issue...Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah)...Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee...said that he did not share Paul's view that the whistleblower's identity should be made public “but it's also not my view that the whistleblower should be able to answer questions anonymously. The whistleblower should come and answer questions for the Intel Committee” ...
...(in favor of outing whistle blower) Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)...Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)
...Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said...that whistleblowers should be able to come forward but added — in an echo of Trump and his allies — “people ought to be able to face their accusers.”
... “It’s kind of a moot issue. … People can read the transcript themselves,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).
“He’s already been outed. I think we all know who it is,” said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) cryptically...
https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/05/rand-paul-trump-whistleblower-065917
Republicans break with Trump and Rand Paul on whistleblower unmasking
BURGESS EVERETT and MARIANNE LEVINE | 11/05/2019
"We should follow the law. And I believe the law protects whistleblowers."
Rand Paul demands media to identify whistleblower: 'Do your job and print his name'
...Senior Senate Republicans are worried about the precedent it would set, fearing government sources would be less likely to reveal wrongdoing in future presidencies.
They also have a simpler concern: Not breaking the law.
...Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)...Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.)...Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)...Chuck Grassley, the most senior Senate Republican... who has made whistleblower protections a signature issue...Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah)...Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee...said that he did not share Paul's view that the whistleblower's identity should be made public “but it's also not my view that the whistleblower should be able to answer questions anonymously. The whistleblower should come and answer questions for the Intel Committee” ...
...(in favor of outing whistle blower) Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)...Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)
...Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said...that whistleblowers should be able to come forward but added — in an echo of Trump and his allies — “people ought to be able to face their accusers.”
... “It’s kind of a moot issue. … People can read the transcript themselves,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).
“He’s already been outed. I think we all know who it is,” said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) cryptically...
https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/05/rand-paul-trump-whistleblower-065917
4lriley
It is kind of a moot issue who the whistleblower is. As the Republicans use to say a month or two back he/she was just a second hand source. Now that we have numerous first hand sources going after the whistleblowers identity is tantamount to blaming someone for calling 911 after he/she see a crime being committed by the chief of police, mayor or richest guy in town. Sucks to be them but the whistleblower is not really the problem.
52wonderY
'The Case Has Been Made’: Peggy Noonan Argues Trump Clearly Guilty of Muscling ‘Ukraine for Political Gain’
(in the Wall Street Journal)
“Look, the case has been made. Almost everything in the impeachment hearings this week fleshed out and backed up the charge that President Trump muscled Ukraine for political gain,” declared Noonan. “The pending question is what precisely the House and its Democratic majority will decide to include in the articles of impeachment, what statutes or standards they will assert the president violated."
As to impeachment itself, the case has been so clearly made you wonder what exactly the Senate will be left doing,” she continued. “How will they hold a lengthy trial with a case this clear?”
Noonan concluded that Republican senators will most likely “let the people decide,” and added, “In a divided country this is the right call. But they should take seriously the idea of censuring him for abuse of power.”
(in the Wall Street Journal)
“Look, the case has been made. Almost everything in the impeachment hearings this week fleshed out and backed up the charge that President Trump muscled Ukraine for political gain,” declared Noonan. “The pending question is what precisely the House and its Democratic majority will decide to include in the articles of impeachment, what statutes or standards they will assert the president violated."
As to impeachment itself, the case has been so clearly made you wonder what exactly the Senate will be left doing,” she continued. “How will they hold a lengthy trial with a case this clear?”
Noonan concluded that Republican senators will most likely “let the people decide,” and added, “In a divided country this is the right call. But they should take seriously the idea of censuring him for abuse of power.”
62wonderY
in an interview with Reason.com published Friday
Fox's Napolitano sees evidence to 'justify about three or four articles of impeachment against the president'
Fox's Napolitano sees evidence to 'justify about three or four articles of impeachment against the president'
7margd
Barr’s Legal Views Come Under Fire From Conservative-Leaning Lawyers
Katie Benner | Nov. 22, 2019
A speech by Mr. Barr last week, in which he argued that Mr. Trump had never overstepped his authority, so alarmed a group of lawyers that they felt compelled to push back publicly.
Mr. Barr’s view on executive power is a misreading of the unitary executive theory, said Charles Fried, a Checks & Balances member and Harvard Law professor who endorsed the theory while he was solicitor general during the Reagan administration. In Mr. Fried’s reading of the theory, “the executive branch cannot be broken up into fragments.”
While that branch acts as a unified expression of a president’s priorities, with the president firmly at the helm, “it is also clear that the executive branch is subject to law,” Mr. Fried said. “Barr takes that notion and eliminates the ‘under law’ part.”
While Mr. Barr did not use the word “impeachment” in his speech, he laid out a new defense of Mr. Trump that was taken up by Republicans on Capitol Hill...Mr. Trump’s supporters began to argue that he had acted within his rights.
...Mr. Barr has argued that his view of presidential power stems directly from the Constitution. It delineates the responsibilities of the three branches of government, he has said, rather than allowing the legislature and the judiciary to check the powers of the president as two of three co-equal governing powers.
That interpretation of history “has no factual basis,” Checks & Balances wrote in its statement, including the claim that “the founders shared in any respect his vision of an unchecked president, and his assertion that this view was dominant until it came under attack from courts and Congress a few decades ago.”
The group said that the “only imaginable basis” for Mr. Barr’s conclusion that Mr. Trump did not obstruct the Russia investigation “was his legal view that the president is given total control over all investigations by the Constitution.”
Mr. Fried suggested that Mr. Barr’s interpretation of the law set a dangerous precedent. “Conservatism is respect for the rule of law. It is respect for tradition,” he said. “The people who claim they’re conservatives today are demanding loyalty to this completely lawless, ignorant, foul-mouthed president.”
(Stuart Gerson, a Checks & Balances member who was a senior campaign adviser to George Bush and a Justice Department official in his administration.) echoed that sentiment. “It’s important for conservatives to speak up,” he said. “This administration is anything but conservative.”...
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/us/politics/barr-critics.html
Katie Benner | Nov. 22, 2019
A speech by Mr. Barr last week, in which he argued that Mr. Trump had never overstepped his authority, so alarmed a group of lawyers that they felt compelled to push back publicly.
Mr. Barr’s view on executive power is a misreading of the unitary executive theory, said Charles Fried, a Checks & Balances member and Harvard Law professor who endorsed the theory while he was solicitor general during the Reagan administration. In Mr. Fried’s reading of the theory, “the executive branch cannot be broken up into fragments.”
While that branch acts as a unified expression of a president’s priorities, with the president firmly at the helm, “it is also clear that the executive branch is subject to law,” Mr. Fried said. “Barr takes that notion and eliminates the ‘under law’ part.”
While Mr. Barr did not use the word “impeachment” in his speech, he laid out a new defense of Mr. Trump that was taken up by Republicans on Capitol Hill...Mr. Trump’s supporters began to argue that he had acted within his rights.
...Mr. Barr has argued that his view of presidential power stems directly from the Constitution. It delineates the responsibilities of the three branches of government, he has said, rather than allowing the legislature and the judiciary to check the powers of the president as two of three co-equal governing powers.
That interpretation of history “has no factual basis,” Checks & Balances wrote in its statement, including the claim that “the founders shared in any respect his vision of an unchecked president, and his assertion that this view was dominant until it came under attack from courts and Congress a few decades ago.”
The group said that the “only imaginable basis” for Mr. Barr’s conclusion that Mr. Trump did not obstruct the Russia investigation “was his legal view that the president is given total control over all investigations by the Constitution.”
Mr. Fried suggested that Mr. Barr’s interpretation of the law set a dangerous precedent. “Conservatism is respect for the rule of law. It is respect for tradition,” he said. “The people who claim they’re conservatives today are demanding loyalty to this completely lawless, ignorant, foul-mouthed president.”
(Stuart Gerson, a Checks & Balances member who was a senior campaign adviser to George Bush and a Justice Department official in his administration.) echoed that sentiment. “It’s important for conservatives to speak up,” he said. “This administration is anything but conservative.”...
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/us/politics/barr-critics.html
8Limelite
Is anyone keeping track of the righteous and villainous Republicans Trump has either thrown under the bus, or disowned "I really don't know him/her (anymore)"?
How soon before Pompeo gets cast aside, Giuliani, even Barr? In 6 months will Pence even be by his side, or will he have been kicked to the curb in favor of Nikki Haley for a running-mate?
How soon before Pompeo gets cast aside, Giuliani, even Barr? In 6 months will Pence even be by his side, or will he have been kicked to the curb in favor of Nikki Haley for a running-mate?
9Molly3028
GOPers who are afraid of Trump's voters do not belong in our
Founders' DC. They are a disgrace. The ones who claim to
cherish the Founding Documents are particularly deplorable.
Founders' DC. They are a disgrace. The ones who claim to
cherish the Founding Documents are particularly deplorable.
102wonderY
Former GOP senator to Republicans: Trump subjected Ukraine leader to a 'shakedown'
Former GOP Sen. Slade Gorton (Wash.) is urging Republicans to stop dismissing the House's impeachment inquiry into President Trump's dealings with Ukraine as a "partisan witch hunt."
In an op-ed for The New York Times, the former senator calls on Republicans to allow a legitimate investigation into the president unfold, saying that "history demands that we all wrestle with the facts at hand."
The NYT page
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/opinion/my-fellow-republicans-please-follow-t...
Former GOP Sen. Slade Gorton (Wash.) is urging Republicans to stop dismissing the House's impeachment inquiry into President Trump's dealings with Ukraine as a "partisan witch hunt."
In an op-ed for The New York Times, the former senator calls on Republicans to allow a legitimate investigation into the president unfold, saying that "history demands that we all wrestle with the facts at hand."
The NYT page
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/opinion/my-fellow-republicans-please-follow-t...
11margd
ETA: Never mind (six days later)...
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a30065603/john-kennedy-meet-the-press-ukra...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's a start...
Cuomo Prime Time @CuomoPrimeTime | 11/25/2019
"I was wrong," says GOP Sen. John Kennedy,
backtracking after he repeated a debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 US election.
"It was Russia who tried to hack the DNC computer. I’ve seen no indication that Ukraine tried to do it."
https://cnn.it/34mQtJd
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a30065603/john-kennedy-meet-the-press-ukra...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's a start...
Cuomo Prime Time @CuomoPrimeTime | 11/25/2019
"I was wrong," says GOP Sen. John Kennedy,
backtracking after he repeated a debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 US election.
"It was Russia who tried to hack the DNC computer. I’ve seen no indication that Ukraine tried to do it."
https://cnn.it/34mQtJd
122wonderY
Republican Legal Scholar Says Trump Call 'Wasn't Perfect' and President 'Committed Impeachable Offenses Including Bribery'
Republican legal scholar and former Trump staffer took to social media Tuesday to state that he believed that President Donald Trump had committed "impeachable offenses including bribery."
The law expert in question was J.W. Verret, an associate professor of law at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School. The conservative lawyer previously worked for the president as a member of Trump's pre-transition team.
Verret's tweet came in response to Joyce Alene White Vance, another law professor, who commented that the president should elaborate on his claim that "legal experts" reviewed the transcripts of his July phone call with the president of Ukraine and found it " absolutely perfect," The president made the claim during a press conference with reporters in London, where he arrived Tuesday for the annual NATO summit. The scholars Trump referenced in the clip "should be interviewed," Vance wrote. However, she also wrote that she was "certain they don't exist."
While the president's legal scholars may not believe that he committed any impeachable offense in his phone call with Ukraine's president, Verret vehemently disagreed. "The call wasn't perfect," Verret, wrote in the tweet. "He Trump committed impeachable offenses including bribery."
Verret doubled down on his assertion in a phone call with Newsweek, stating that in his opinion, Trump committed offenses other than the bribery he mentioned in his tweet.
"I believe that the president has committed impeachable offenses in his refusal to comply with lawful congressional subpoenas as part of the impeachment inquiry," he said. "And I believe that if the House continues to investigate his tax returns, they may find evidence of tax fraud, and if so, and if the IRS has covered it up, that may be impeachable as well."
Tuesday was not the first time Verret has spoken out about the possible impeachment of the president. On April 22, less than a week after the release of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report that investigated Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, including whether or not Trump's campaign had worked with the Kremlin, he published a tweet that said the report contained enough information to start impeachment proceedings.
The next day, he elaborated on the point with a piece in the Atlantic.
"I called for impeachment the week after the Mueller report was released, because I thought that the Mueller report clearly demonstrated a pattern of nearly a dozen instances of obstruction of justice by the president of the United States," Verret told Newsweek.
For Verret, the Ukraine scandal has only served to reveal more reasons why the president should be sanctioned.
"I think that the evidence is clear," Verret said. "And so I do think he will be impeached."
Republican legal scholar and former Trump staffer took to social media Tuesday to state that he believed that President Donald Trump had committed "impeachable offenses including bribery."
The law expert in question was J.W. Verret, an associate professor of law at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School. The conservative lawyer previously worked for the president as a member of Trump's pre-transition team.
Verret's tweet came in response to Joyce Alene White Vance, another law professor, who commented that the president should elaborate on his claim that "legal experts" reviewed the transcripts of his July phone call with the president of Ukraine and found it " absolutely perfect," The president made the claim during a press conference with reporters in London, where he arrived Tuesday for the annual NATO summit. The scholars Trump referenced in the clip "should be interviewed," Vance wrote. However, she also wrote that she was "certain they don't exist."
While the president's legal scholars may not believe that he committed any impeachable offense in his phone call with Ukraine's president, Verret vehemently disagreed. "The call wasn't perfect," Verret, wrote in the tweet. "He Trump committed impeachable offenses including bribery."
Verret doubled down on his assertion in a phone call with Newsweek, stating that in his opinion, Trump committed offenses other than the bribery he mentioned in his tweet.
"I believe that the president has committed impeachable offenses in his refusal to comply with lawful congressional subpoenas as part of the impeachment inquiry," he said. "And I believe that if the House continues to investigate his tax returns, they may find evidence of tax fraud, and if so, and if the IRS has covered it up, that may be impeachable as well."
Tuesday was not the first time Verret has spoken out about the possible impeachment of the president. On April 22, less than a week after the release of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report that investigated Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, including whether or not Trump's campaign had worked with the Kremlin, he published a tweet that said the report contained enough information to start impeachment proceedings.
The next day, he elaborated on the point with a piece in the Atlantic.
"I called for impeachment the week after the Mueller report was released, because I thought that the Mueller report clearly demonstrated a pattern of nearly a dozen instances of obstruction of justice by the president of the United States," Verret told Newsweek.
For Verret, the Ukraine scandal has only served to reveal more reasons why the president should be sanctioned.
"I think that the evidence is clear," Verret said. "And so I do think he will be impeached."
13Limelite
This cannot pass without comment. Has anyone else been wondering why so many Republicans are fleeing the GOP, either to become "independents," to wash their hands of all parties, or even to convert to "libs" (!) by registering as Democrats?
The 2018 sweeping victories across the country in the mid-terms came on the heels of a Pew study earlier in the spring that
Over the past year, according to a NYT opinion piece, "The Republican Party is Doomed," cites some interesting statistics. The Republican demographic has become unrecognizable to GOP-ers of a generation ago, and the change happened in 2018 and this year.
Evangelicals have gone from making up 26% of the base last year to soaring to 32% in 2019.
Moderates have plummeted from making up 23% to only 16% in 2019.
Secular conservatives fell from 18% to 14% in 2019.
An overall increase in numbers of Evangelicals is only 6%. But the losses in membership of the Moderates and Secular conservatives is 11% of the base -- nearly double the gains. That spells doom for any political party.
To repeat, it's suburban women who represent the greatest exodus.
What I want to underline is the irony. "Righteous" Evangelicals (who embrace ethnic cleansing) are about the only conservatives remaining in the GOP. The "unrighteous" materialist secularists and sinful sirens (who embrace the Me Too Movement) have fled.
So, are there any righteous Republicans in the GOP willing to salvage the remains of what was once Grand but is now, thanks to the Trumpist remains, only "great"?
The 2018 sweeping victories across the country in the mid-terms came on the heels of a Pew study earlier in the spring that
The Pew Research Center published a poll this week confirming what many suspected: Women are leaving the Republican Party in record droves. The study found that today only 23 percent of millennial women identify as Republican, as compared to 36 percent in 2002.https://observer.com/2018/03/republican-midterm-candidates-face-reality-check-wo...
Over the past year, according to a NYT opinion piece, "The Republican Party is Doomed," cites some interesting statistics. The Republican demographic has become unrecognizable to GOP-ers of a generation ago, and the change happened in 2018 and this year.
Evangelicals have gone from making up 26% of the base last year to soaring to 32% in 2019.
Moderates have plummeted from making up 23% to only 16% in 2019.
Secular conservatives fell from 18% to 14% in 2019.
An overall increase in numbers of Evangelicals is only 6%. But the losses in membership of the Moderates and Secular conservatives is 11% of the base -- nearly double the gains. That spells doom for any political party.
To repeat, it's suburban women who represent the greatest exodus.
According to Catalist, a progressive data company, college-educated white women swung Democratic by 10 points from 2016 to 2018, and non-college-educated white women swung Democratic by seven points. A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showed that both groups of white women favored a generic Democrat over Trump by margins of 33 and six points, respectively. The pool of women willing to embrace the Republican brand is shrinking.https://www.thenation.com/article/republican-women-candidates-gender-gap/
What I want to underline is the irony. "Righteous" Evangelicals (who embrace ethnic cleansing) are about the only conservatives remaining in the GOP. The "unrighteous" materialist secularists and sinful sirens (who embrace the Me Too Movement) have fled.
So, are there any righteous Republicans in the GOP willing to salvage the remains of what was once Grand but is now, thanks to the Trumpist remains, only "great"?
14Molly3028
Haley will be a perfect presidential candidate for the modern-day GOP/White Identity Party!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/nikki-haley-mass-murderer-dylann-roof-hi...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/nikki-haley-mass-murderer-dylann-roof-hi...
15alco261
>13 Limelite: Of course, given the Republicans very successful efforts at gerrymandering, I'm afraid this shift is of little concern to them. They don't care and they know they have managed to distort the electoral playing field to the point where they know they will win and do whatever they want. >14 Molly3028: made a comment on another thread about the decline of America under Trump. All I can think of is the fact that at the turn of the 20th Century, England was where we were in 2001 and they were done in by that little 4 year fracas which lasted from 1914-18. In 4 years Trump has managed to destroy a great deal of what America is and is supposed to be about and, frankly, whether he gets another 4 years or not, I think the damage is such that by mid-century the U.S. will be past tense.
17alco261
True, but the Republicans are much better at it...and let's not forget their extremely well crafted moves to guarantee voter suppression. As I said, given what they have done, the changes in demographics, peoples views, etc. don't mean a thing. They can do anything they want and they know it.
19John5918
Senate Republicans defend FBI director after Trump lashes out (Politico)
"I don’t think the president should be dumping on him," says one Republican senator...
"I don’t think the president should be dumping on him," says one Republican senator...
20John5918
Senate committee passes bipartisan bill to stop Trump withdrawing from Nato (Guardian)
Senate foreign relations committee voted unanimously for bill which will now await a slot to go to the Senate
Senate foreign relations committee voted unanimously for bill which will now await a slot to go to the Senate
21margd
Conservative group hits White House with billboard ads: 'What is Trump hiding?'
Marina Pitofsky - 12/12/19 10:35 PM EST
Conservative organization Republicans for the Rule of Law released a new digital billboard campaign Wednesday blasting President Trump and several GOP lawmakers and officials over the ongoing impeachment inquiry.
The ads show an image of President Trump behind Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security adviser John Bolton, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani with tape over all of their mouths, according to copies of the billboards shared with The Hill.
“What Is Trump Hiding?” the ads ask. They will be placed in the congressional districts of House Republicans, including Reps. Greg Walden (Ore.), Mac Thornberry (Texas), Fred Upton (Mich.) Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) John Katko (N.Y.), Martha Roby (Ala.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), Michael McCaul (Texas), Mo Brooks (Ala.) and Paul Mitchell (Mich.) and Francis Rooney (Fla.) according to copies of the advertisements.
...Last month, the organization launched an ad campaign on Fox News citing several witnesses who have appeared before lawmakers, including ambassadors Gordon Sondland and William Taylor. It levels House Democrats’ key allegation against Trump, accusing him of holding up millions in military aid while asking Ukraine for investigations into his political foes, including former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden...
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/474402-conservative-group-hits...
__________________________________________________________________________
What Is Trump Afraid Of?
Republicans for the Rule of Law | Nov 27, 2019
If the president did nothing wrong, what does he have to hide? If they tell the truth, what is he afraid of?
Tell Congress that we need the whole truth: https://p2a.co/ijmdOUJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sldmTBhCiA
Marina Pitofsky - 12/12/19 10:35 PM EST
Conservative organization Republicans for the Rule of Law released a new digital billboard campaign Wednesday blasting President Trump and several GOP lawmakers and officials over the ongoing impeachment inquiry.
The ads show an image of President Trump behind Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security adviser John Bolton, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and President Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani with tape over all of their mouths, according to copies of the billboards shared with The Hill.
“What Is Trump Hiding?” the ads ask. They will be placed in the congressional districts of House Republicans, including Reps. Greg Walden (Ore.), Mac Thornberry (Texas), Fred Upton (Mich.) Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) John Katko (N.Y.), Martha Roby (Ala.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), Michael McCaul (Texas), Mo Brooks (Ala.) and Paul Mitchell (Mich.) and Francis Rooney (Fla.) according to copies of the advertisements.
...Last month, the organization launched an ad campaign on Fox News citing several witnesses who have appeared before lawmakers, including ambassadors Gordon Sondland and William Taylor. It levels House Democrats’ key allegation against Trump, accusing him of holding up millions in military aid while asking Ukraine for investigations into his political foes, including former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden...
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/474402-conservative-group-hits...
__________________________________________________________________________
What Is Trump Afraid Of?
Republicans for the Rule of Law | Nov 27, 2019
If the president did nothing wrong, what does he have to hide? If they tell the truth, what is he afraid of?
Tell Congress that we need the whole truth: https://p2a.co/ijmdOUJ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sldmTBhCiA
222wonderY
GOP state lawmaker hits Trump on 'united' party: 'There are Republicans ALL OVER the country who want you impeached'
Republican Nebraska state Sen. John McCollister knocked a tweet President Trump sent on Monday... “ 'United Republican Party?’ No,” McCollister tweeted. “There are Republicans ALL OVER the country who want you impeached. We don’t fall for some cult of personality.”
“United Republican Party?” No
There are Republicans ALL OVER the country who want you impeached. We don’t fall for some cult of personality. We’ve read the constitution.
If you are one of these Republicans, tell me why and I'll retweet good replies #RepublicansForImpeachment
Republican Nebraska state Sen. John McCollister knocked a tweet President Trump sent on Monday... “ 'United Republican Party?’ No,” McCollister tweeted. “There are Republicans ALL OVER the country who want you impeached. We don’t fall for some cult of personality.”
“United Republican Party?” No
There are Republicans ALL OVER the country who want you impeached. We don’t fall for some cult of personality. We’ve read the constitution.
If you are one of these Republicans, tell me why and I'll retweet good replies #RepublicansForImpeachment
232wonderY
Trump’s subpoena-defying claims legally flawed, ex-GOP lawmakers argue
Twenty former Republican lawmakers, officials and legal experts are urging a federal appeals court to reject President Donald Trump’s claim that his former White House counsel, Don McGahn, can ignore a House subpoena.
The slate of prominent GOP figures is arguing that the country’s founders did not intend for presidents and their advisers to enjoy such untrammeled authority to reject congressional oversight. House Democrats are pushing for McGahn to testify about episodes that special counsel Robert Mueller investigated as potential obstruction of justice.
…
Signed on to the brief are several prominent former lawmakers, including former Sen. Gordon Humphrey (R-N.H.), and ex-Reps. Mickey Edwards (R-Okla.) and Jim Leach (R-Iowa). Former Justice Department official Stuart Gerson and prominent conservative lawyer George Conway are also among those asking the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to endorse Congress’s right to question senior executive branch officials about potential misconduct.
Other signers on the GOP lawyers’ brief include former Reps. Steve Bartlett of Texas, Jack Buechner and Thomas Coleman of Missouri, Bob Inglis of South Carolina, Jim Kolbe of Arizona, Steven Kuykendall of California, Mike Parker of Mississippi, Thomas Petri of Wisconsin, Peter Smith of Vermont and Dick Zimmer of New Jersey. (and former Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.))
The brief also has the support of ex-Federal Election Commission Chairman Trevor Potter, former Justice Department official Jonathan Rose, former Homeland Security official Paul Rosenzweig and George Mason law professor J.W. Verret.
Twenty former Republican lawmakers, officials and legal experts are urging a federal appeals court to reject President Donald Trump’s claim that his former White House counsel, Don McGahn, can ignore a House subpoena.
The slate of prominent GOP figures is arguing that the country’s founders did not intend for presidents and their advisers to enjoy such untrammeled authority to reject congressional oversight. House Democrats are pushing for McGahn to testify about episodes that special counsel Robert Mueller investigated as potential obstruction of justice.
…
Signed on to the brief are several prominent former lawmakers, including former Sen. Gordon Humphrey (R-N.H.), and ex-Reps. Mickey Edwards (R-Okla.) and Jim Leach (R-Iowa). Former Justice Department official Stuart Gerson and prominent conservative lawyer George Conway are also among those asking the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to endorse Congress’s right to question senior executive branch officials about potential misconduct.
Other signers on the GOP lawyers’ brief include former Reps. Steve Bartlett of Texas, Jack Buechner and Thomas Coleman of Missouri, Bob Inglis of South Carolina, Jim Kolbe of Arizona, Steven Kuykendall of California, Mike Parker of Mississippi, Thomas Petri of Wisconsin, Peter Smith of Vermont and Dick Zimmer of New Jersey. (and former Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.))
The brief also has the support of ex-Federal Election Commission Chairman Trevor Potter, former Justice Department official Jonathan Rose, former Homeland Security official Paul Rosenzweig and George Mason law professor J.W. Verret.
25margd
We Are Republicans, and We Want Trump Defeated
George T. Conway III, Steve Schmidt, John Weaver and Rick Wilson | Dec. 17, 2019
The president and his enablers have replaced conservatism with an empty faith led by a bogus prophet.
Patriotism and the survival of our nation in the face of the crimes, corruption and corrosive nature of Donald Trump are a higher calling than mere politics. As Americans, we must stem the damage he and his followers are doing to the rule of law, the Constitution and the American character.
That’s why we are announcing the Lincoln Project ( https://lincolnproject.us/ ), an effort to highlight our country’s story and values, and its people’s sacrifices and obligations. This effort transcends partisanship and is dedicated to nothing less than preservation of the principles that so many have fought for, on battlefields far from home and within their own communities.
This effort asks all Americans of all places, creeds and ways of life to join in the seminal task of our generation: restoring to this nation leadership and governance that respects the rule of law, recognizes the dignity of all people and defends the Constitution and American values at home and abroad.
Over these next 11 months, our efforts will be dedicated to defeating President Trump and Trumpism at the ballot box and to elect those patriots who will hold the line. We do not undertake this task lightly, nor from ideological preference. We have been, and remain, broadly conservative (or classically liberal) in our politics and outlooks. Our many policy differences with national Democrats remain, but our shared fidelity to the Constitution dictates a common effort.
...We look to Lincoln as our guide and inspiration. He understood the necessity of not just saving the Union, but also of knitting the nation back together spiritually as well as politically. But those wounds can be bound up only once the threat has been defeated. So, too, will our country have to knit itself back together after the scourge of Trumpism has been overcome.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/opinion/lincoln-project.html
ETA_____________________________________________________
Trump conservative critics launch PAC to fight reelection
STEVE PEOPLES | 12/17/2019
NEW YORK (AP) — A small group of President Donald Trump’s fiercest conservative critics, including the husband of the president’s own chief adviser, is launching a super PAC designed to fight Trump’s reelection and punish congressional Republicans deemed his “enablers.”
The new organization, known as the Lincoln Project, represents a formal step forward for the so-called Never Trump movement, which has been limited largely to social media commentary and cable news attacks through the first three years of Trump’s presidency. Organizers report fundraising commitments exceeding $1 million to begin, although they hope to raise and spend much more to fund a months-long advertising campaign in a handful of 2020 battleground states to persuade disaffected Republican voters to break from Trump’s GOP.
The mission, as outlined in a website that launched Tuesday coinciding with a New York Times opinion piece, is simple: “Defeat President Trump and Trumpism at the ballot box.”
...the Lincoln Project would pay particular attention to Congress’ impeachment proceedings.
“If he’s not removed by the Senate, he needs to be removed at the ballot box,” he said of Trump. “The people in Congress who are enabling him, either actively or passively, they, too, are violating their oaths of office. ... And they need to be removed, too.”
https://apnews.com/513cab63a1b3317f6342daf888a10763
George T. Conway III, Steve Schmidt, John Weaver and Rick Wilson | Dec. 17, 2019
The president and his enablers have replaced conservatism with an empty faith led by a bogus prophet.
Patriotism and the survival of our nation in the face of the crimes, corruption and corrosive nature of Donald Trump are a higher calling than mere politics. As Americans, we must stem the damage he and his followers are doing to the rule of law, the Constitution and the American character.
That’s why we are announcing the Lincoln Project ( https://lincolnproject.us/ ), an effort to highlight our country’s story and values, and its people’s sacrifices and obligations. This effort transcends partisanship and is dedicated to nothing less than preservation of the principles that so many have fought for, on battlefields far from home and within their own communities.
This effort asks all Americans of all places, creeds and ways of life to join in the seminal task of our generation: restoring to this nation leadership and governance that respects the rule of law, recognizes the dignity of all people and defends the Constitution and American values at home and abroad.
Over these next 11 months, our efforts will be dedicated to defeating President Trump and Trumpism at the ballot box and to elect those patriots who will hold the line. We do not undertake this task lightly, nor from ideological preference. We have been, and remain, broadly conservative (or classically liberal) in our politics and outlooks. Our many policy differences with national Democrats remain, but our shared fidelity to the Constitution dictates a common effort.
...We look to Lincoln as our guide and inspiration. He understood the necessity of not just saving the Union, but also of knitting the nation back together spiritually as well as politically. But those wounds can be bound up only once the threat has been defeated. So, too, will our country have to knit itself back together after the scourge of Trumpism has been overcome.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/opinion/lincoln-project.html
ETA_____________________________________________________
Trump conservative critics launch PAC to fight reelection
STEVE PEOPLES | 12/17/2019
NEW YORK (AP) — A small group of President Donald Trump’s fiercest conservative critics, including the husband of the president’s own chief adviser, is launching a super PAC designed to fight Trump’s reelection and punish congressional Republicans deemed his “enablers.”
The new organization, known as the Lincoln Project, represents a formal step forward for the so-called Never Trump movement, which has been limited largely to social media commentary and cable news attacks through the first three years of Trump’s presidency. Organizers report fundraising commitments exceeding $1 million to begin, although they hope to raise and spend much more to fund a months-long advertising campaign in a handful of 2020 battleground states to persuade disaffected Republican voters to break from Trump’s GOP.
The mission, as outlined in a website that launched Tuesday coinciding with a New York Times opinion piece, is simple: “Defeat President Trump and Trumpism at the ballot box.”
...the Lincoln Project would pay particular attention to Congress’ impeachment proceedings.
“If he’s not removed by the Senate, he needs to be removed at the ballot box,” he said of Trump. “The people in Congress who are enabling him, either actively or passively, they, too, are violating their oaths of office. ... And they need to be removed, too.”
https://apnews.com/513cab63a1b3317f6342daf888a10763
26margd
Bill Kristol @BillKristol | 7:52 AM · Dec 17, 2019:
1. To the handful of conscientious House Republicans, under enormous White House and leadership pressure, nonetheless considering voting yes on one or both articles of impeachment (you know who you are--I'm not going to make your life more difficult by naming you):
2. "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country;
but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
-- Thomas Paine, The Crisis #1, Dec. 23, 1776
1. To the handful of conscientious House Republicans, under enormous White House and leadership pressure, nonetheless considering voting yes on one or both articles of impeachment (you know who you are--I'm not going to make your life more difficult by naming you):
2. "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country;
but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
-- Thomas Paine, The Crisis #1, Dec. 23, 1776
27cpg
>14 Molly3028:
If Nimrata Randhawa is an Asian American White Supremacist, maybe the Census Bureau needs to rethink its racial categories.
If Nimrata Randhawa is an Asian American White Supremacist, maybe the Census Bureau needs to rethink its racial categories.
28Molly3028
RINO better describes GOPers who are Trump cult followers rather
than those who remain true to the Grand Old Party Lincoln
founded.
than those who remain true to the Grand Old Party Lincoln
founded.
29Molly3028
>27 cpg:
As a GOPer, Haley can pretend to be whatever she wants to be.
Her voters won't know the difference. GOPers are chameleons.
As a GOPer, Haley can pretend to be whatever she wants to be.
Her voters won't know the difference. GOPers are chameleons.
30margd
Senators who vote not to remove the president face high likelihood that he will re-offend. They will not have to wait for history's verdict on their vote.
Donald Trump Made His Own Impeachment Inevitable
George T. Conway III | December 18, 2019
The president’s narcissism renders him unable to comply with his duties to the nation.
...senators—especially the Republicans—will face a choice that they should understand goes far beyond politics. They must choose whether to follow the facts, or to follow their fears; to uphold propriety, or to perpetuate partisanship; to champion the truth, or to legitimate lies; to defend the interests of the nation and its Constitution, or the personal interests of one vainglorious man. In short, whether to comply with their solemn oaths, or not.
Should they choose to violate their oaths, history will long remember them for having done so—not simply because of the insurmountable evidence of what Trump has already done, but also because Trump, by his nature, will assuredly do it all again.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/12/house-vote-impeachment-was-ine...
Donald Trump Made His Own Impeachment Inevitable
George T. Conway III | December 18, 2019
The president’s narcissism renders him unable to comply with his duties to the nation.
...senators—especially the Republicans—will face a choice that they should understand goes far beyond politics. They must choose whether to follow the facts, or to follow their fears; to uphold propriety, or to perpetuate partisanship; to champion the truth, or to legitimate lies; to defend the interests of the nation and its Constitution, or the personal interests of one vainglorious man. In short, whether to comply with their solemn oaths, or not.
Should they choose to violate their oaths, history will long remember them for having done so—not simply because of the insurmountable evidence of what Trump has already done, but also because Trump, by his nature, will assuredly do it all again.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/12/house-vote-impeachment-was-ine...
31margd
The Conservative Case for Impeachment — and Removal
‘The most heinous act in which a democratic government can engage is to use its law enforcement machinery for political ends.’
Bret Stephens | Dec. 18, 2019
Several years ago, Laurence Silberman, a senior judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and a man widely admired by conservatives for his wisdom and rectitude, spoke of his experience in the mid-1970s looking into the secret files of F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover.
“Accompanied by only one F.B.I. official, I read virtually all these files in three weekends,” Silberman, who was then President Gerald Ford’s deputy attorney general, recalled in a speech to a judicial conference. “It was the single worst experience of my long governmental service.”
He continued:
“I intend to take to my grave nasty bits of information on various political figures — some still active. As bad as the dirt collection business was, perhaps even worse was the evidence that Hoover had allowed — even offered — the bureau to be used by presidents for nakedly political purposes. I have always thought that the most heinous act in which a democratic government can engage is to use its law enforcement machinery for political ends.” ...
...That conservative pundits claim to be outraged at the F.B.I.’s investigation of the Trump campaign — or the smearing of Carter Page — while being indifferent to Trump’s attempt to investigate Joe Biden — and the smearing of Hunter Biden — marks a fresh low in rhetorical sophistry.
There are people who believe that law, morality, traditions and institutions are at least as important to the preservation of freedom as the will of the people. Such people are called conservative. What Republicans are now doing with their lock step opposition to impeachment — and with their indifference to the behavior that brought impeachment about — is not conservative. It is the abdication of principle to power.
I might think differently about impeachment if Trump had shown any sense of contrition. Or if Republicans had shown any inclination to censure him. But Trump hasn’t, and they haven’t. Whatever the political ramifications of impeachment now, history will judge members of this Congress harshly if they fail to state their revulsion at the president’s behavior in the strongest terms they can. Impeach and convict.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/opinion/trump-impeachment-fbi.html
‘The most heinous act in which a democratic government can engage is to use its law enforcement machinery for political ends.’
Bret Stephens | Dec. 18, 2019
Several years ago, Laurence Silberman, a senior judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and a man widely admired by conservatives for his wisdom and rectitude, spoke of his experience in the mid-1970s looking into the secret files of F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover.
“Accompanied by only one F.B.I. official, I read virtually all these files in three weekends,” Silberman, who was then President Gerald Ford’s deputy attorney general, recalled in a speech to a judicial conference. “It was the single worst experience of my long governmental service.”
He continued:
“I intend to take to my grave nasty bits of information on various political figures — some still active. As bad as the dirt collection business was, perhaps even worse was the evidence that Hoover had allowed — even offered — the bureau to be used by presidents for nakedly political purposes. I have always thought that the most heinous act in which a democratic government can engage is to use its law enforcement machinery for political ends.” ...
...That conservative pundits claim to be outraged at the F.B.I.’s investigation of the Trump campaign — or the smearing of Carter Page — while being indifferent to Trump’s attempt to investigate Joe Biden — and the smearing of Hunter Biden — marks a fresh low in rhetorical sophistry.
There are people who believe that law, morality, traditions and institutions are at least as important to the preservation of freedom as the will of the people. Such people are called conservative. What Republicans are now doing with their lock step opposition to impeachment — and with their indifference to the behavior that brought impeachment about — is not conservative. It is the abdication of principle to power.
I might think differently about impeachment if Trump had shown any sense of contrition. Or if Republicans had shown any inclination to censure him. But Trump hasn’t, and they haven’t. Whatever the political ramifications of impeachment now, history will judge members of this Congress harshly if they fail to state their revulsion at the president’s behavior in the strongest terms they can. Impeach and convict.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/opinion/trump-impeachment-fbi.html
32Limelite
Senator Grassley finding his spine, or is he just better at reading the writing on the wall about McConnell Obstructionism and the outlook for his Party in 2020 elections?
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/475183-grassley-accuses-mcconnell-of-block...
Republicans: Hypocrites on bipartisanship. For it on impeachment, against it on legislation.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (Iowa) on Wednesday accused Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) of blocking progress on his bill to lower drug prices, escalating tensions between two powerful GOP senators.
Asked why more Republican senators have not signed on to his bill to lower drug prices, Grassley told reporters, “Because McConnell’s asked them not to.”
“Leadership doesn’t want it to come up,” he added.
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/475183-grassley-accuses-mcconnell-of-block...
Republicans: Hypocrites on bipartisanship. For it on impeachment, against it on legislation.
33John5918
Schumer: Poll shows even Republicans want impeachment witnesses (MSNBC)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer talks with Rachel Maddow about his hope that he can convince four Republican senators to vote with Democrats on allowing witnesses in Donald Trump's senate impeachment trial, citing a poll showing that even most Republican voters want to hear from them.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer talks with Rachel Maddow about his hope that he can convince four Republican senators to vote with Democrats on allowing witnesses in Donald Trump's senate impeachment trial, citing a poll showing that even most Republican voters want to hear from them.
34Limelite
I'm afraid Sen. Schumer will find that all the righteous Republicans are now missing from the GOP, or are dead. What was the GOP has been hijacked by unrighteous religious bigots who call themselves "evangelicals."
Their response (Billy Graham's son, etc.) to the editorial in Christianity Today earlier this week demonstrates they, too, are as hypocritical as their more secular fellow travelers, so-called Republicans. Little Graham condemned his father's flagship "evangelical" mag as "elitist" and promoting "liberal immorality," of all things(!) -- nervy, considering the man they elected and still back to the WH.
Their response (Billy Graham's son, etc.) to the editorial in Christianity Today earlier this week demonstrates they, too, are as hypocritical as their more secular fellow travelers, so-called Republicans. Little Graham condemned his father's flagship "evangelical" mag as "elitist" and promoting "liberal immorality," of all things(!) -- nervy, considering the man they elected and still back to the WH.
35John5918
Top Trump adviser: Republicans have 'always' relied on voter suppression (Guardian)
One of Donald Trump’s top re-election advisers told influential Republicans in swing state Wisconsin that the party has “traditionally” relied on voter suppression to compete in battleground states, according to an audio recording of a private event. The adviser said later that his remarks referred to frequent and false accusations that Republicans employ such tactics.
But the report emerged just days after news that a conservative group is forcing Wisconsin to purge upwards of 230,000 people from state voter rolls more than a year earlier than planned, a move that would disproportionately affect Democrats before the 2020 election.
And it came as the latest fund-raising totals showed that the Republican National Committee, spurred by aggressive anti-impeachment fundraising, heads into 2020 with more than seven times as much cash on hand as the Democratic National Committee – $63m for the RNC against $8.3m for the DNC...
One of Donald Trump’s top re-election advisers told influential Republicans in swing state Wisconsin that the party has “traditionally” relied on voter suppression to compete in battleground states, according to an audio recording of a private event. The adviser said later that his remarks referred to frequent and false accusations that Republicans employ such tactics.
But the report emerged just days after news that a conservative group is forcing Wisconsin to purge upwards of 230,000 people from state voter rolls more than a year earlier than planned, a move that would disproportionately affect Democrats before the 2020 election.
And it came as the latest fund-raising totals showed that the Republican National Committee, spurred by aggressive anti-impeachment fundraising, heads into 2020 with more than seven times as much cash on hand as the Democratic National Committee – $63m for the RNC against $8.3m for the DNC...
36John5918
Republican ‘disturbed’ by Trump trial comment (The Independent)
A Republican senator has said she was “disturbed” to hear her party leader say there would be “total co-ordination” with the White House during Donald Trump’s impeachment trial...
Ms Murkowski told NBC news affiliate KTUU-TV: “To me it means that we have to take that step back from being hand-in-glove with the defence.
“I heard what leader McConnell had said. I happened to think that has further confused the process.”
The moderate Republican, who remains undecided in how she will vote in the upcoming impeachment proceedings, said there needs to be distance between the White House and the Senate on how the trial should be conducted...
A Republican senator has said she was “disturbed” to hear her party leader say there would be “total co-ordination” with the White House during Donald Trump’s impeachment trial...
Ms Murkowski told NBC news affiliate KTUU-TV: “To me it means that we have to take that step back from being hand-in-glove with the defence.
“I heard what leader McConnell had said. I happened to think that has further confused the process.”
The moderate Republican, who remains undecided in how she will vote in the upcoming impeachment proceedings, said there needs to be distance between the White House and the Senate on how the trial should be conducted...
37margd
Bill Kristol @BillKristol | 9:08 AM · Dec 28, 2019
"The witnesses must testify."
This ad from Republicans for the Rule of Law is up in the states of key GOP senators;
it will run on Fox nationally Monday.
0:26 ( https://twitter.com/BillKristol/status/1210925407198961665 )
"The witnesses must testify."
This ad from Republicans for the Rule of Law is up in the states of key GOP senators;
it will run on Fox nationally Monday.
0:26 ( https://twitter.com/BillKristol/status/1210925407198961665 )
38margd
Utah Republican @SenMikeLee is fired up and upset by Trump administration briefing on the strike that killed general.
Lee says he is joining with Democrats on War Powers Resolution
-Kelly O'Donnell (NBC) @KellyO | 4:39 PM · Jan 8, 2020
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When @SenMikeLee says an Intell briefing was the worst he can recall and
voices anger that the Trump cabinet members tried to stifle debate,
you know Trump’s team is hiding the truth.
-Laurence Tribe @tribelaw | 4:48 PM · Jan 8, 2020
ETA-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIKE LEE calls Soleimani briefing “worst I've seen, at least on a military issue, in 9 years I've served in the Senate,” adds: “What I found so distressing is one of the messages was do not discuss, do not debate appropriateness of further military intervention against Iran.”
0:08 ( https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1215030858668761088 )
-Aaron Rupar @atrupar | 5:01 PM · Jan 8, 2020
ETA-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOP Sen. Mike Lee goes off on the Trump briefing:
"They had to leave after 75 minutes, while they’re in the process of telling us that
we need to be good little boys and girls and run along and not debate this in public.
I find that absolutely insane. I think it’s unacceptable."
1:02 ( https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1215031720937963521 )
-Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin |15:05 PM · Jan 8, 2020
Lee says he is joining with Democrats on War Powers Resolution
-Kelly O'Donnell (NBC) @KellyO | 4:39 PM · Jan 8, 2020
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When @SenMikeLee says an Intell briefing was the worst he can recall and
voices anger that the Trump cabinet members tried to stifle debate,
you know Trump’s team is hiding the truth.
-Laurence Tribe @tribelaw | 4:48 PM · Jan 8, 2020
ETA-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIKE LEE calls Soleimani briefing “worst I've seen, at least on a military issue, in 9 years I've served in the Senate,” adds: “What I found so distressing is one of the messages was do not discuss, do not debate appropriateness of further military intervention against Iran.”
0:08 ( https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1215030858668761088 )
-Aaron Rupar @atrupar | 5:01 PM · Jan 8, 2020
ETA-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOP Sen. Mike Lee goes off on the Trump briefing:
"They had to leave after 75 minutes, while they’re in the process of telling us that
we need to be good little boys and girls and run along and not debate this in public.
I find that absolutely insane. I think it’s unacceptable."
1:02 ( https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1215031720937963521 )
-Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin |15:05 PM · Jan 8, 2020
39Limelite
Smarter than the average Republican is Maneuvering Mike. Since he shares senate duties with Mitch Romney who will probably support impeachment with his vote, Lee is obliged to make noise that sounds like he could be persuaded to almost vote his Constitutional conscience instead of marching lock-step with the rest of McTurtle's Trumpist lemmings.
But that's as far as he'll go before going over the cliff, too.
But that's as far as he'll go before going over the cliff, too.
40Molly3028
GOPers keep showing people here and around the world that they
are proud members of the White Identity Resentments Party
(Cult45).
are proud members of the White Identity Resentments Party
(Cult45).
41margd
Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL)???
I represent more troops than any other member of this body. I buried one of them earlier today at Arlington.
If our servicemembers have the courage to fight and die in these wars, Congress ought to have the courage to vote for or against them.
I’m voting for this resolution.
1:03 ( https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1215398328944545797 )
Gaetz Speaks on House Floor on War Powers Resolution
This resolution offers no criticism of the president. It does articulate our very robust basis for self-defense and our non-delegable duty as members of congress to speak to matters of war and peace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huuStrQOH7o&feature=youtu.be
-Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz | 5:21 PM · Jan 9, 2020
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Let me say right here, right now. Absolutely Donald Trump should release his tax returns." GOP Rep Matt Gaetz
https://twitter.com/funder/status/1215431435160641537
-Scott Dworkin @funder | 7:33 PM · Jan 9, 2020
I represent more troops than any other member of this body. I buried one of them earlier today at Arlington.
If our servicemembers have the courage to fight and die in these wars, Congress ought to have the courage to vote for or against them.
I’m voting for this resolution.
1:03 ( https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1215398328944545797 )
Gaetz Speaks on House Floor on War Powers Resolution
This resolution offers no criticism of the president. It does articulate our very robust basis for self-defense and our non-delegable duty as members of congress to speak to matters of war and peace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huuStrQOH7o&feature=youtu.be
-Rep. Matt Gaetz @RepMattGaetz | 5:21 PM · Jan 9, 2020
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Let me say right here, right now. Absolutely Donald Trump should release his tax returns." GOP Rep Matt Gaetz
https://twitter.com/funder/status/1215431435160641537
-Scott Dworkin @funder | 7:33 PM · Jan 9, 2020
42margd
Cory Gardner - Do Your Job (1:21)
The Lincoln Project •Jan 13, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds77eJz5788
The Lincoln Project •Jan 13, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds77eJz5788
43Limelite
How many shots of bourbon do you figure #1 neo-Fixer, Lickspittle Lindsey, had to swallow this morning before facing the public in light of the Parnas docs and all that first hand direct evidence of Trump's guilt after being forced to back up and redraw his "line in the sand' so many times?
He'd probably like to kick a pile of sand all over those lines he's drawn and make 'em disappear. From our memory, if he could.
He'd probably like to kick a pile of sand all over those lines he's drawn and make 'em disappear. From our memory, if he could.
44margd
Lindsey Graham doesn't like it when the president stonewalls Congress. (0:47)
Republicans for the Rule of Law • Apr 26, 2019
Lindsey Graham doesn't like it when the president stonewalls Congress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw2ZHDdxVUk
Republicans for the Rule of Law • Apr 26, 2019
Lindsey Graham doesn't like it when the president stonewalls Congress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw2ZHDdxVUk
45margd
Jay Nordlinger @jaynordlinger | 9:07 PM · Jan 26, 2020:
If you want to know the state of the Republican party -- and the American Right in general -- consider only this:
They dread testimony by John Bolton. JOHN BOLTON!
A quintessential conservative. I don't like the expression "That says it all," but ...
In the first Reagan term, Bolton worked for USAID. When he left the agency, his colleagues gave him a souvenir: a dummy hand grenade mounted on a little base. On the base were the words "John R. Bolton, Truest Reaganaut." Yup -- still true.
On Election Day 1964, Bolton, age 15, got permission to be absent from school in order to pass out leaflets for Goldwater. That tells you something about his cast of mind (little changed). Like Goldwater, Bolton is not a great one for BS.
______________________________________________
Laurence Tribe @tribelaw | 6:51 AM · Jan 27, 2020
Whom are you gonna believe?
Bolton, whose honesty (as opposed to his ideology) hasn’t been questioned — or
Trump, who lies as often as he breathes?
Quote Tweet
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump | · 8h
I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens.
In fact, he never complained about this at the time of his very public termination.
...
If you want to know the state of the Republican party -- and the American Right in general -- consider only this:
They dread testimony by John Bolton. JOHN BOLTON!
A quintessential conservative. I don't like the expression "That says it all," but ...
In the first Reagan term, Bolton worked for USAID. When he left the agency, his colleagues gave him a souvenir: a dummy hand grenade mounted on a little base. On the base were the words "John R. Bolton, Truest Reaganaut." Yup -- still true.
On Election Day 1964, Bolton, age 15, got permission to be absent from school in order to pass out leaflets for Goldwater. That tells you something about his cast of mind (little changed). Like Goldwater, Bolton is not a great one for BS.
______________________________________________
Laurence Tribe @tribelaw | 6:51 AM · Jan 27, 2020
Whom are you gonna believe?
Bolton, whose honesty (as opposed to his ideology) hasn’t been questioned — or
Trump, who lies as often as he breathes?
Quote Tweet
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump | · 8h
I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens.
In fact, he never complained about this at the time of his very public termination.
...
462wonderY
>45 margd: Perhaps Bolton considers reticence a virtue in some cases, eh?
47margd
I suspect Bolton played this so he could testify, plus cancel any WH attempt to classify (ban) his book?
48Limelite
Lindsey Graham cancelled his presser this AM after the Bolton bombshell. Thank you for sparing us. Think he filled that newly open time slot with a hit of Dutch courage?
Andrew McCarthy, former federal prosecutor and 'til today anti-impeachment Trump supporter turned on his former hero in an editorial published as his regular column in the National Review. https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/01/bolton-blows-up-trump-teams-foolhardy-qui... It's a long-winded whine about Trump's defense team choice of battlefield. But it boils down to one simple fact: Don't argue that facts aren't true. Quid pro quo, is harshly confirmed -- again -- by Bolton Exactly the hand grenade Schiff and the Democrats hoped the Republicans and their sides impeachment managers would do. Ka-BOOM!
Mitt Romney wants to hear from Bolton under oath, testifying in the Senate. Susan Collins says Bolton's bombshell "strengthens the case for witnesses." https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates-bolton-bomb...
Andrew McCarthy, former federal prosecutor and 'til today anti-impeachment Trump supporter turned on his former hero in an editorial published as his regular column in the National Review. https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/01/bolton-blows-up-trump-teams-foolhardy-qui... It's a long-winded whine about Trump's defense team choice of battlefield. But it boils down to one simple fact: Don't argue that facts aren't true. Quid pro quo, is harshly confirmed -- again -- by Bolton Exactly the hand grenade Schiff and the Democrats hoped the Republicans and their sides impeachment managers would do. Ka-BOOM!
Mitt Romney wants to hear from Bolton under oath, testifying in the Senate. Susan Collins says Bolton's bombshell "strengthens the case for witnesses." https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates-bolton-bomb...
50margd
J.W. Verret (Scalia Law School) @JWVerret | 12:24 AM · Jan 29, 2020:
Mental illness in a President is concerning, many indications. Not something to celebrate.
As a Christian I have love for this flawed man, in part because I know I’m flawed. I hope he gets better.
Out of love for the country I do not think he should be President anymore.
( https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1222335747992248322 )
Mental illness in a President is concerning, many indications. Not something to celebrate.
As a Christian I have love for this flawed man, in part because I know I’m flawed. I hope he gets better.
Out of love for the country I do not think he should be President anymore.
( https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1222335747992248322 )
51margd
MARTHA MCSALLY, TRUMP HACK | The Lincoln Project
The Lincoln Project is holding politicians accountable who have failed in their duty to uphold and defend the Constitution
https://lincolnproject.us/news/mcsally-release/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rick Wilson @TheRickWilson | 6:39 PM · Jan 28, 2020:
In case y'all thought we weren't on task today due to your little hissy fit fake temper tantrum, think again.
@ProjectLincoln has a new ad out, and if you think there are prisoners to be taken, you're wrong.
The Lincoln Project is holding politicians accountable who have failed in their duty to uphold and defend the Constitution
https://lincolnproject.us/news/mcsally-release/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rick Wilson @TheRickWilson | 6:39 PM · Jan 28, 2020:
In case y'all thought we weren't on task today due to your little hissy fit fake temper tantrum, think again.
@ProjectLincoln has a new ad out, and if you think there are prisoners to be taken, you're wrong.
52margd
Former Trump Chief of Staff John Kelly tells Sarasota crowd ‘I believe John Bolton’
Zac Anderson | Jan 28, 2020 at 10:56 AM
Asked if Bolton - Trump’s former national security adviser - should testify at Trump’s impeachment trial, Kelly said he supports calling witnesses.
...“If John Bolton says that in the book, I believe John Bolton,” said retired Gen. John Kelly, who served as Trump’s chief of staff for 18 months...“Every single time I was with him ... he always gave the president the unvarnished truth,” Kelly said of Bolton...
https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20200128/former-trump-chief-of-staff-john-kel...
Zac Anderson | Jan 28, 2020 at 10:56 AM
Asked if Bolton - Trump’s former national security adviser - should testify at Trump’s impeachment trial, Kelly said he supports calling witnesses.
...“If John Bolton says that in the book, I believe John Bolton,” said retired Gen. John Kelly, who served as Trump’s chief of staff for 18 months...“Every single time I was with him ... he always gave the president the unvarnished truth,” Kelly said of Bolton...
https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20200128/former-trump-chief-of-staff-john-kel...
53Limelite
I'm old enough to remember when Republicans were opposed to what they perceived to be Executive Branch overreach. Those were the good ol' days.
Appears at least one classical conservative remembers those days, too. Quin Hillyer's Washington Examiner editorial column highlights how the Trump defense team mainstay opposes any restraint on executive power, which completely overturns a basic tenet of traditional conservatism.
Trumpism trumps conservatism these days as today's GOP will stoop at nothing to debase themselves before their bullying con man.
Yah think?
Appears at least one classical conservative remembers those days, too. Quin Hillyer's Washington Examiner editorial column highlights how the Trump defense team mainstay opposes any restraint on executive power, which completely overturns a basic tenet of traditional conservatism.
Trumpism trumps conservatism these days as today's GOP will stoop at nothing to debase themselves before their bullying con man.
It is clear from listening to the case made in the Senate by President Trump’s lawyers that their defense of his conduct relies on a highly expansive assertion of executive power. Their theory of an uber-powerful president is constitutionally bogus and, worse, quite dangerous.https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/in-senate-impeachment-trial-trumps-po...
Yah think?
54margd
Heidi Przybyla @HeidiNBC | 6:43 PM · Jan 31, 2020
Days ago, a number of GOP senators said they were furious at the suggestion Trump might retaliate against them for opposing witnesses.
Quote Tweet
Matt Schlapp @mschlapp · 1h ;
BREAKING: The "extreme conservative" and Junior Senator from the great state of Utah, @SenatorRomney is formally NOT invited to #CPAC2020.
Image ( https://twitter.com/mschlapp/status/1223379382003294208 )
Days ago, a number of GOP senators said they were furious at the suggestion Trump might retaliate against them for opposing witnesses.
Quote Tweet
Matt Schlapp @mschlapp · 1h ;
BREAKING: The "extreme conservative" and Junior Senator from the great state of Utah, @SenatorRomney is formally NOT invited to #CPAC2020.
Image ( https://twitter.com/mschlapp/status/1223379382003294208 )
55lriley
#51--I'm suspicious of people like Wilson. I get that Trump hijacked his party. The democrats need to be wary that people like Wilson drag them more to the right and hijack their party.
#54--Republicans should be very very careful of the petty shit. Romney's got his Utah Senate seat until 2024. He could easily go Independent and start caucusing with the Democrats. If the Dems go 2+ on Senate seats in the 2020 election then and they might very easily do better than that--Mitch McConnell won't be Majority leader anymore and if the Dems win the Presidency then the Dems will have the entire legislative shebang (not that they took advantage of that the last time around). They drove Amash out of their party but it's one thing with a congressman who has to be elected every two years--it's another thing with a Senator that's just been elected to a 6 year term. Morons have to moron though but still it would be extremely foolish of them to go after Romney.
#54--Republicans should be very very careful of the petty shit. Romney's got his Utah Senate seat until 2024. He could easily go Independent and start caucusing with the Democrats. If the Dems go 2+ on Senate seats in the 2020 election then and they might very easily do better than that--Mitch McConnell won't be Majority leader anymore and if the Dems win the Presidency then the Dems will have the entire legislative shebang (not that they took advantage of that the last time around). They drove Amash out of their party but it's one thing with a congressman who has to be elected every two years--it's another thing with a Senator that's just been elected to a 6 year term. Morons have to moron though but still it would be extremely foolish of them to go after Romney.
56margd
Night of the long knives. First victim a former Presidential candidate of theirs. Don't care for his policy but reminder that they once put forth people of principle. Now they push them out. Amash is another.
57lriley
To me Amash particularly and Romney are the only two who went into this as elected Republican members and came out of it not smelling like shit. The others all rolled in it. This isn't to say that I like the politics of either but they both deserve some respect. IMO the Democrats might have added Amash to their impeachment team. I expect Amash is going to be primaried and will probably lose his seat.
Again though Romney has his Senate seat until 2024 and even if he didn't have the GOP imprimatur stamped on his next ticket I'm thinking he'd still be a pretty formidable opponent to take on by anybody. He's pretty popular in his state and I'm happy to see the Republicans fucking around with him because it's really stupid on their part.
Again though Romney has his Senate seat until 2024 and even if he didn't have the GOP imprimatur stamped on his next ticket I'm thinking he'd still be a pretty formidable opponent to take on by anybody. He's pretty popular in his state and I'm happy to see the Republicans fucking around with him because it's really stupid on their part.
58proximity1
>56 margd: & >57 lriley:
LOL! Ha-ha-ha-ha- Ha-ha-ha-ha Ha-ha-ha-ha Ha-ha-ha-ha Ha-ha-ha-ha- Ha-ha-ha-ha- Ha-ha-ha-ha!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Primary" that bitch Pelosi! and that sanctimnious asshole Schiff! ;^)
59margd
The cringing abdication of Senate Republicans
WaPo Editorial Board | Jan. 31, 2020
...Friday in a New York Times report about Mr. Bolton’s unpublished book, which describes how Mr. Trump ordered him last May to tell Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet with his personal lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani. Mr. Giuliani said publicly at the time he wanted to induce Mr. Zelensky to investigate Mr. Biden because it would be “helpful to my client,” Mr. Trump.
AD
That report underlined the cringing shamefulness of the Republican decision to block Mr. Bolton’s testimony — and there will surely be more reminders in the weeks and months ahead. We can hope only that voters who wanted that evidence to be heard in the trial will respond by showing incumbent senators they are a force to be reckoned with, as much as the bully in the White House.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-cringing-abdication-of-senate-republ...
_______________________________________________________________
Susan Collins is between a rock and a hard place, so couldn't win electorally.
But by splitting the baby--voting for witnesses, but not Schumer amendment for Bolton testimony, she once again didn't cover herself with glory. Sad.
WaPo Editorial Board | Jan. 31, 2020
...Friday in a New York Times report about Mr. Bolton’s unpublished book, which describes how Mr. Trump ordered him last May to tell Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet with his personal lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani. Mr. Giuliani said publicly at the time he wanted to induce Mr. Zelensky to investigate Mr. Biden because it would be “helpful to my client,” Mr. Trump.
AD
That report underlined the cringing shamefulness of the Republican decision to block Mr. Bolton’s testimony — and there will surely be more reminders in the weeks and months ahead. We can hope only that voters who wanted that evidence to be heard in the trial will respond by showing incumbent senators they are a force to be reckoned with, as much as the bully in the White House.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-cringing-abdication-of-senate-republ...
_______________________________________________________________
Susan Collins is between a rock and a hard place, so couldn't win electorally.
But by splitting the baby--voting for witnesses, but not Schumer amendment for Bolton testimony, she once again didn't cover herself with glory. Sad.
60lriley
Here comes prox talking to me again. It wasn't so long ago that he made it known that I was forever to be shunned. I took it in stride--all his resentments and gloom is off-putting anyway--but this is about the 4th time he's broken his own pledge. So when he says something am I to take it seriously? In that regard he reminds me so much of his hero who can't keep his word on anything either. When it comes to standards I guess that's too much to expect.
61margd
John Bolton’s Book Is Making Fools of Trump’s Republican Enablers
John Cassidy | January 29, 2020
...Rarely, if ever, has a political blood oath—in this case, a pledge to acquit a crooked President regardless of the evidence against him, and without even bothering to call any witnesses—rebounded so horribly, publicly, and spectacularly.”...
...we are in debt to whoever told the Times about what’s in Bolton’s book.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/john-boltons-book-is-making-fools-...
John Cassidy | January 29, 2020
...Rarely, if ever, has a political blood oath—in this case, a pledge to acquit a crooked President regardless of the evidence against him, and without even bothering to call any witnesses—rebounded so horribly, publicly, and spectacularly.”...
...we are in debt to whoever told the Times about what’s in Bolton’s book.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/john-boltons-book-is-making-fools-...
63lriley
On the subject of John Bolton's career as a National Security Advisor or anything like it---he is wrecked. Poor John will be 76 by the time 2024 comes around. His career in National Security is done. He waited too long to get his information out and when asked should have appeared before the relevant House committees. He outmaneuvered himself trying to play all the right wingy currents and is now another pariah of his chosen party. All his information coming in at the tail end of the impeachment hurt the case for the impeachment--gave republican senators a screwy argument to circle their wagons around. What's in his upcoming to be released book is more or less already known and will come too late to have any positive impact on Trump's being removed. Instead of that Bolton's party has moved on from him. He is now a heretic.......and my opinion is he's always been a war happy ghoul so he and his book can go fuck off. Too little too late--tried to save himself in the eyes of his party. Failed miserably in doing so. Most all of his former friends (like Lindsay Graham) have deserted him (like Lindsay deserted the memory of his bestest buddy McCain---another war happy ghoul) There is no honor among ghouls or thieves. You're in the club or you're not and John is not in the club anymore. Those still in like some of his ex-best friends (like Lindsay) are basking in the glow of the orange blowhard while John Bolton has been thrown out of this republican heaven--discarded like trash--like John McCain moldering in his grave he's dead to them. There's no reason to feel sorry for John though--he can always write more books. 'The vicissitudes of betrayal' would make a nice title. He'll have plenty of free time for that.
65John5918
'My party is a cult': Republican Joe Walsh on his Iowa challenge to Trump (Guardian)
Walsh tweeted on Saturday that Jeff Kaufmann, the Republican chairman in Iowa, “is a Trump tool. Like so many of these GOP state party chairs, he kisses Donald Trump’s ring on a daily basis. And like his master, Jeff Kaufmann will lie all the time”...
“I knew when I did this it was a long shot,” he told the Guardian. “I said at the beginning, I thought it was really, really important that a Republican do this. I’ve been discouraged because I did not see all the mean un-American things the party would do.
“My party is a cult. I’m a conservative Republican; Fox News won’t have me on. Conservative media will ignore me because they’re a cult with Trump. The Republican parties in each state: they are a cult for Trump. I didn’t sufficiently get all of that and that’s made this really hard.”
But the 58-year-old added: “Every time I’m out there talking primarily to Republican voters, because that’s what I’m trying to do, there are a lot of Republicans that get angry at me and we get threats every day and it can get ugly… but I’m always amazed at the number of Republicans who tell me, ‘I like some of the things Trump’s done, Joe, but I’m exhausted with Trump.’ Every day it’s the Donald Trump show. So I think I have an opportunity to do better than people think and I hope I can do that in Iowa”...
Walsh tweeted on Saturday that Jeff Kaufmann, the Republican chairman in Iowa, “is a Trump tool. Like so many of these GOP state party chairs, he kisses Donald Trump’s ring on a daily basis. And like his master, Jeff Kaufmann will lie all the time”...
“I knew when I did this it was a long shot,” he told the Guardian. “I said at the beginning, I thought it was really, really important that a Republican do this. I’ve been discouraged because I did not see all the mean un-American things the party would do.
“My party is a cult. I’m a conservative Republican; Fox News won’t have me on. Conservative media will ignore me because they’re a cult with Trump. The Republican parties in each state: they are a cult for Trump. I didn’t sufficiently get all of that and that’s made this really hard.”
But the 58-year-old added: “Every time I’m out there talking primarily to Republican voters, because that’s what I’m trying to do, there are a lot of Republicans that get angry at me and we get threats every day and it can get ugly… but I’m always amazed at the number of Republicans who tell me, ‘I like some of the things Trump’s done, Joe, but I’m exhausted with Trump.’ Every day it’s the Donald Trump show. So I think I have an opportunity to do better than people think and I hope I can do that in Iowa”...
66Limelite
Let's see how anti-corruption Republican Sen. Susan Collins is. Will she refuse and return the $150,000 funneled to her 1820PAC from a probable money laundering front company, Society of Young Women Scientist and Engineers, in HI as revealed in a Daily Beast investigative piece today?
The scheme looks exactly like the illegal scheme set up by Parnas and Fruman in '18, for which they have been indicted. Yet, it appears the same old corrupt election interference is underway to keep the anti-Constitutionalists in power in 2020.
Why would young female scientists and engineers in HI wants to be involved with an embattled senator from 5,000 miles away in Maine? And where did their "society" suddenly get all that money when no record of doing business exists to have given it time to make a penny?
C'mon, Susan, prove me wrong! Repudiate this fishy business and demonstrate some righteousness. I won't hold my breath.
The scheme looks exactly like the illegal scheme set up by Parnas and Fruman in '18, for which they have been indicted. Yet, it appears the same old corrupt election interference is underway to keep the anti-Constitutionalists in power in 2020.
Why would young female scientists and engineers in HI wants to be involved with an embattled senator from 5,000 miles away in Maine? And where did their "society" suddenly get all that money when no record of doing business exists to have given it time to make a penny?
There is scant public information about the company. It does not appear to have a website or any social media presence. Its listed address is a P.O. box in Honolulu (listed as a “unit” number in 1820’s FEC filings). Google searches turn up no information on the company. And there’s no record of prior political involvement by its sole officer, Jennifer (soon-to-be-on-the?) Lam.https://www.thedailybeast.com/susan-collins-campaign-is-being-helped-by-a-myster...
C'mon, Susan, prove me wrong! Repudiate this fishy business and demonstrate some righteousness. I won't hold my breath.
672wonderY
Too little too late?
James D. Harmon, Jr., Republican and opinion writer
President Trump’s Defenders Are Wrong. He May Have Broken the Law.
I am a Republican and former federal prosecutor who voted for Donald Trump in 2016. But I was deeply dismayed by the way his lawyers defended his misbegotten dealings with Ukraine during the Senate impeachment trial. Unlike Mr. Trump’s supporters, I believe the president might well be guilty of breaking the law.
…
I say all this as a Republican who worked for President Ronald Reagan and voted for Mr. Trump in 2016 because I believed that he would appoint Supreme Court justices who would “say what the law is,” not try to make it. Since then Mr. Trump has done several things that have made me question my choice, including asserting last year that Article II of the Constitution gave him “the right to do whatever I want as president.” That is not the Constitution I know.
James D. Harmon, Jr., Republican and opinion writer
President Trump’s Defenders Are Wrong. He May Have Broken the Law.
I am a Republican and former federal prosecutor who voted for Donald Trump in 2016. But I was deeply dismayed by the way his lawyers defended his misbegotten dealings with Ukraine during the Senate impeachment trial. Unlike Mr. Trump’s supporters, I believe the president might well be guilty of breaking the law.
…
I say all this as a Republican who worked for President Ronald Reagan and voted for Mr. Trump in 2016 because I believed that he would appoint Supreme Court justices who would “say what the law is,” not try to make it. Since then Mr. Trump has done several things that have made me question my choice, including asserting last year that Article II of the Constitution gave him “the right to do whatever I want as president.” That is not the Constitution I know.
69margd
More Rs needed to overturn a likely Presidential veto, but it's a start:
Eight Republicans defy the president and join Dems in pushing forward war powers legislation to limit Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran.
Todd Young
Mike Lee
Lisa Murkowski
Susan Collins
Rand Paul
Bill Cassidy
Jerry Moran
Lamar Alexander
- Manu Raju (CNN) @mkraju | 2:15 PM · Feb 13, 2020
Eight Republicans defy the president and join Dems in pushing forward war powers legislation to limit Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran.
Todd Young
Mike Lee
Lisa Murkowski
Susan Collins
Rand Paul
Bill Cassidy
Jerry Moran
Lamar Alexander
- Manu Raju (CNN) @mkraju | 2:15 PM · Feb 13, 2020
70margd
Republicans owe Vindman a public apology
Michael Gerson | Feb. 17, 2020
...Those who ignore Trump’s actions may think they are staying in the shadows, but they are actually in the hot spotlight of history...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-republicans-have-failed-vindman/2020...
Michael Gerson | Feb. 17, 2020
...Those who ignore Trump’s actions may think they are staying in the shadows, but they are actually in the hot spotlight of history...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-republicans-have-failed-vindman/2020...
71margd
Sounds like A/Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire may hae put country first?
Trump lashed out at acting DNI Maguire over alleged staff disloyalty: report
Zack Budryk - 02/20/20
...Trump decided against nominating Maguire for the post on a permanent basis after learning a member of his staff, Shelby Pierson, gave a classified briefing last Thursday to the House Intelligence Committee regarding election security...
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/483917-trump-lashed-out-at-acting-dn...
ETA__________________________________________________________________
William McRaven: If good men like Joe Maguire can’t speak the truth, we should be deeply afraid
William H. McRaven | Feb. 21, 2020
...in this administration, good men and women don’t last long. Joe was dismissed for doing his job: overseeing the dissemination of intelligence to elected officials who needed that information to do their jobs.
As Americans, we should be frightened — deeply afraid for the future of the nation. When good men and women can’t speak the truth, when facts are inconvenient, when integrity and character no longer matter, when presidential ego and self-preservation are more important than national security — then there is nothing left to stop the triumph of evil.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/william-mcraven-if-good-men-like-joe-mag...
Trump lashed out at acting DNI Maguire over alleged staff disloyalty: report
Zack Budryk - 02/20/20
...Trump decided against nominating Maguire for the post on a permanent basis after learning a member of his staff, Shelby Pierson, gave a classified briefing last Thursday to the House Intelligence Committee regarding election security...
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/483917-trump-lashed-out-at-acting-dn...
ETA__________________________________________________________________
William McRaven: If good men like Joe Maguire can’t speak the truth, we should be deeply afraid
William H. McRaven | Feb. 21, 2020
...in this administration, good men and women don’t last long. Joe was dismissed for doing his job: overseeing the dissemination of intelligence to elected officials who needed that information to do their jobs.
As Americans, we should be frightened — deeply afraid for the future of the nation. When good men and women can’t speak the truth, when facts are inconvenient, when integrity and character no longer matter, when presidential ego and self-preservation are more important than national security — then there is nothing left to stop the triumph of evil.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/william-mcraven-if-good-men-like-joe-mag...
722wonderY
Andrew Sullivan, self-identifies as Conservative, possibly no longer a Republican, writes
Trump’s Presidency Isn’t a Dark Comedy — It’s an Absurd Tragedy
What Trump is doing is openly mocking constitutional constraints on the presidency even as he abuses his office — and has prompted only indifference among Republicans and exhaustion among Democrats.
Look at the precedents that have already been set: A president can now ignore Congress’ power of the purse, by redirecting funds from Congress’ priorities to his own (as in the wall); he can invent a “national emergency” out of nothing and exercise powers that are, at their worst, dictatorial (as Trump did to fund his wall); he can broadly refuse to cooperate with any legitimate congressional inquiries — and defy all congressional subpoenas (as he did with impeachment); he can, reportedly, order illegal acts and promise his subordinates he will subsequently pardon them if they are discovered; he can dangle pardons, obstruct justice, and intimidate witnesses with impunity; he can slander judges and accuse the FBI and CIA of being part of a seditious “deep state.”
He can wage war unilaterally and instantly, without any congressional approval, while lying about the reason (what Iranian imminent attack?) and denying the consequences (the serious injuries that were inflicted on U.S. service members in Iraq); he can stack his Cabinet with many lackeys who never have to undergo Senate hearings — because they’re only ever “acting” Cabinet members; he can threaten media entities (like Amazon) with antitrust actions because of negative coverage; and he can leverage American military aid against Congress’ wishes in order to get a foreign government to smear his potential political opponents and describe it as a “perfect” presidential act. We also know that a president in this polarized deadlock will almost never be subject to a veto override — and that the judiciary is being packed with adherents to untrammeled executive power.
Are we supposed to believe these precedents will not be cited and deployed by every wannabe strongman president in the future? Are we supposed to regard these massive holes below the waterline of the ship of state as no big deal? And with these precedents in his first term, are we supposed to regard what could Trump get away with in a second term as a form of black comedy? I’m sorry but I don’t get the joke.
Trump’s Presidency Isn’t a Dark Comedy — It’s an Absurd Tragedy
What Trump is doing is openly mocking constitutional constraints on the presidency even as he abuses his office — and has prompted only indifference among Republicans and exhaustion among Democrats.
Look at the precedents that have already been set: A president can now ignore Congress’ power of the purse, by redirecting funds from Congress’ priorities to his own (as in the wall); he can invent a “national emergency” out of nothing and exercise powers that are, at their worst, dictatorial (as Trump did to fund his wall); he can broadly refuse to cooperate with any legitimate congressional inquiries — and defy all congressional subpoenas (as he did with impeachment); he can, reportedly, order illegal acts and promise his subordinates he will subsequently pardon them if they are discovered; he can dangle pardons, obstruct justice, and intimidate witnesses with impunity; he can slander judges and accuse the FBI and CIA of being part of a seditious “deep state.”
He can wage war unilaterally and instantly, without any congressional approval, while lying about the reason (what Iranian imminent attack?) and denying the consequences (the serious injuries that were inflicted on U.S. service members in Iraq); he can stack his Cabinet with many lackeys who never have to undergo Senate hearings — because they’re only ever “acting” Cabinet members; he can threaten media entities (like Amazon) with antitrust actions because of negative coverage; and he can leverage American military aid against Congress’ wishes in order to get a foreign government to smear his potential political opponents and describe it as a “perfect” presidential act. We also know that a president in this polarized deadlock will almost never be subject to a veto override — and that the judiciary is being packed with adherents to untrammeled executive power.
Are we supposed to believe these precedents will not be cited and deployed by every wannabe strongman president in the future? Are we supposed to regard these massive holes below the waterline of the ship of state as no big deal? And with these precedents in his first term, are we supposed to regard what could Trump get away with in a second term as a form of black comedy? I’m sorry but I don’t get the joke.
73margd
Romney Says Hunter Biden Probe ‘Appears Political’
Taegan Goddard | March 5, 2020
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) said that a GOP investigation into Hunter Biden and Ukrainian gas company Burisma “appears political,” The Hill reports.
Said Romney: “There’s no question but that the appearance of looking into Burisma and Hunter Biden appears political, and I think people are tired of these kind of political investigations.”
https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/05/romney-says-hunter-biden-probe-appears-poli...
_____________________________________________________________________
ETA :(
Mitt Romney’s vote to clear path for probe into Hunter Biden’s Burisma ties
Ebony Bowden | March 6, 2020
WASHINGTON — Subpoenas into Hunter Biden’s work in Ukraine appear imminent after Sen. Mitt Romney’s office said Friday he would vote in favor of the probe next week, according to a report.
The Homeland Security Committee is gearing up for an investigation into Biden and his father, which could throw a roadblock in front of former veep Joe Biden’s presidential bid just as it gathers momentum.
After criticizing the panel for what he called a politically motivated investigation, Romney will now vote in favor of the subpoena when the committee votes on it next Wednesday, Politico reported Friday.
Romney spokeswoman Liz Johnson said the Utah Republican changed his mind after the committee’s GOP chairman, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, assured him interviews would happen in a closed setting...
https://nypost.com/2020/03/06/mitt-romneys-vote-to-clear-path-for-probe-into-hun...
(margd: among Hunter Biden's positions before Burism was director of UN's World Food Program USA. I see their food deliveries on tv news pretty regularly--in places of war, famine, and other disasters. It's a favorite charity of mine.)
Taegan Goddard | March 5, 2020
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) said that a GOP investigation into Hunter Biden and Ukrainian gas company Burisma “appears political,” The Hill reports.
Said Romney: “There’s no question but that the appearance of looking into Burisma and Hunter Biden appears political, and I think people are tired of these kind of political investigations.”
https://politicalwire.com/2020/03/05/romney-says-hunter-biden-probe-appears-poli...
_____________________________________________________________________
ETA :(
Mitt Romney’s vote to clear path for probe into Hunter Biden’s Burisma ties
Ebony Bowden | March 6, 2020
WASHINGTON — Subpoenas into Hunter Biden’s work in Ukraine appear imminent after Sen. Mitt Romney’s office said Friday he would vote in favor of the probe next week, according to a report.
The Homeland Security Committee is gearing up for an investigation into Biden and his father, which could throw a roadblock in front of former veep Joe Biden’s presidential bid just as it gathers momentum.
After criticizing the panel for what he called a politically motivated investigation, Romney will now vote in favor of the subpoena when the committee votes on it next Wednesday, Politico reported Friday.
Romney spokeswoman Liz Johnson said the Utah Republican changed his mind after the committee’s GOP chairman, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, assured him interviews would happen in a closed setting...
https://nypost.com/2020/03/06/mitt-romneys-vote-to-clear-path-for-probe-into-hun...
(margd: among Hunter Biden's positions before Burism was director of UN's World Food Program USA. I see their food deliveries on tv news pretty regularly--in places of war, famine, and other disasters. It's a favorite charity of mine.)
74Limelite
Let me see if I've got this right, Mitt.
Your ethics are offended if the investigation/questioning happens in public and all America gets to see Republicans make absolute idiots of themselves. Again. (Devin Nunes will have to wear his gas mask on TV! How humiliating for other Republican Congresspeople.)
But principles are satisfied as long as the Republican idiocy is kept secret from the general viewing/voting public. Like the magical underwear faithful Mormons wear is kept secret from unbelievers' eyes because they might find it silly and it's embarrassing enough to a lot of Mormons that many don't wear it anyway. But no one should see or know that, either.
IOKIYR
Your ethics are offended if the investigation/questioning happens in public and all America gets to see Republicans make absolute idiots of themselves. Again. (Devin Nunes will have to wear his gas mask on TV! How humiliating for other Republican Congresspeople.)
But principles are satisfied as long as the Republican idiocy is kept secret from the general viewing/voting public. Like the magical underwear faithful Mormons wear is kept secret from unbelievers' eyes because they might find it silly and it's embarrassing enough to a lot of Mormons that many don't wear it anyway. But no one should see or know that, either.
IOKIYR
75margd
Ohio’s GOP Secretary Of State Pushes Back On Trump’s Attacks On Mail-In Voting
Contrary to Trump’s unfounded comments, Frank LaRose said mail-in voting won’t increase the voter-fraud risk in Ohio.
Ja’han Jones | 4/12/2020
...(Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R)), a veteran state legislator before winning his current office in 2018, was asked by a Dayton Daily News reporter to respond to a Trump tweet on Saturday that asserted, without evidence, that mail-in balloting “substantially increases the risk of crime and VOTER FRAUD!”
LaRose said fraud was not a significant issue for mail-in voting in his state. “I can tell you that’s not the case in Ohio,” LaRose replied. “As I’ve said, we’re fortunate that we’ve been doing vote by mail for a long time. We know how to do it, and we know how to get it done securely.”
Five states currently conduct all elections entirely by mail ― Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington ― and many other states have adopted rules making it easy to do. The issue was spotlighted after actions by Republican legislators and court decisions forced Wisconsin to go forward with in-person voting in its presidential primary and elections for some state and local offices last Tuesday despite the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urging Americans to continue practicing social distancing.
At a White House briefing on Tuesday, Trump called mail-in voting “horrible” and “corrupt.” A reporter noted that Trump, officially a resident of Florida, has been voting by mail. Asked to reconcile that, the president said he voted by mail “because I’m allowed to.
Trump last week also claimed, again without evidence, that mail-in voting benefits Democrats and hurts Republicans. Several studies, including recent data compiled by professors from Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, found no conclusive of significant advantages for Democrats in mail-in voting....
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ohios-republican-secretary-of-state-pushes-back-o...
Contrary to Trump’s unfounded comments, Frank LaRose said mail-in voting won’t increase the voter-fraud risk in Ohio.
Ja’han Jones | 4/12/2020
...(Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R)), a veteran state legislator before winning his current office in 2018, was asked by a Dayton Daily News reporter to respond to a Trump tweet on Saturday that asserted, without evidence, that mail-in balloting “substantially increases the risk of crime and VOTER FRAUD!”
LaRose said fraud was not a significant issue for mail-in voting in his state. “I can tell you that’s not the case in Ohio,” LaRose replied. “As I’ve said, we’re fortunate that we’ve been doing vote by mail for a long time. We know how to do it, and we know how to get it done securely.”
Five states currently conduct all elections entirely by mail ― Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington ― and many other states have adopted rules making it easy to do. The issue was spotlighted after actions by Republican legislators and court decisions forced Wisconsin to go forward with in-person voting in its presidential primary and elections for some state and local offices last Tuesday despite the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urging Americans to continue practicing social distancing.
At a White House briefing on Tuesday, Trump called mail-in voting “horrible” and “corrupt.” A reporter noted that Trump, officially a resident of Florida, has been voting by mail. Asked to reconcile that, the president said he voted by mail “because I’m allowed to.
Trump last week also claimed, again without evidence, that mail-in voting benefits Democrats and hurts Republicans. Several studies, including recent data compiled by professors from Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, found no conclusive of significant advantages for Democrats in mail-in voting....
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ohios-republican-secretary-of-state-pushes-back-o...
76Limelite
Sarah Longwell, Never-Trumper, lifelong Republican
How do we know this? Listen to Donald Trump's own words in characterizing any Republican who opposes him and his "stable genius."
Stunning article that highlights the climate of bigotry and betrayal that dominates what is left of the Republican Party, and one Republican's determination to defeat the cancer that it is eating it alive from within.
hopes now that Biden can be the instrument of Trump’s defeat, enabling a “restoration” of the America she still believes in. Longwell told me that, for the Republican establishment, which has for all intents and purposes fully sold out to Trump, “this is their worst-case scenario.”She has been raising money fighting against Trump's control of her Party since he took office, recognizing that he is a destroyer and not a builder.
How do we know this? Listen to Donald Trump's own words in characterizing any Republican who opposes him and his "stable genius."
To Donald Trump, the members of this small but highly visible resistance (Never Trumpers) are his real enemy, even more than the opposition party. He often tweets his contempt; one day last fall, he described them as politically weakened and “on respirators,” but nonetheless “worse and more dangerous for our country” than the Democrats. Trump concluded with a furious flourish: “Watch out for them, they are human scum!”
Stunning article that highlights the climate of bigotry and betrayal that dominates what is left of the Republican Party, and one Republican's determination to defeat the cancer that it is eating it alive from within.
77margd
ETA: Never mind--Rep. Trey Hollingsworth doesn't belong in any list of honorable Republicans! MY BAD!
(IN) Republican Rep. Trey Hollingsworth says letting more Americans die of the coronavirus is
lesser of two evils compared to the economy tanking
https://cnn.it/2RBg0Kq
Image ( https://twitter.com/CNNPolitics/status/1250202441213186055/photo/1 )
- CNN Politics @CNNPolitics | 7:21 PM · Apr 14, 2020
(IN) Republican Rep. Trey Hollingsworth says letting more Americans die of the coronavirus is
lesser of two evils compared to the economy tanking
https://cnn.it/2RBg0Kq
Image ( https://twitter.com/CNNPolitics/status/1250202441213186055/photo/1 )
- CNN Politics @CNNPolitics | 7:21 PM · Apr 14, 2020
782wonderY
>77 margd: Why did you post that in this thread? Righteousness fail!
80John5918
Never thought I'd use the word "righteous" about Piers Morgan, but...
Piers Morgan says his friend President Trump is 'failing the American people' (CNN)
He returned to CNN for an interview on "Reliable Sources" and said that Trump "is failing the American people" on almost every level.
Morgan was particularly critical of the president's performance at near-daily White House briefings, which he said he has watched "with mounting horror."
"He's turning these briefings into a self-aggrandizing, self-justifying, overly defensive, politically partisan, almost like a rally to him -- almost like what's more important is winning the election in November," Morgan said.
Then he addressed the president directly: "You will win the election in November if you get this right. If you stop making it about yourself and make it about the American people and show that you care about them over yourself, you will win. And, conversely, you will lose the election in November if you continue to make it about yourself, you continue playing silly politics, continue targeting Democrat governors because that suits you for your electoral purposes"...
Piers Morgan says his friend President Trump is 'failing the American people' (CNN)
He returned to CNN for an interview on "Reliable Sources" and said that Trump "is failing the American people" on almost every level.
Morgan was particularly critical of the president's performance at near-daily White House briefings, which he said he has watched "with mounting horror."
"He's turning these briefings into a self-aggrandizing, self-justifying, overly defensive, politically partisan, almost like a rally to him -- almost like what's more important is winning the election in November," Morgan said.
Then he addressed the president directly: "You will win the election in November if you get this right. If you stop making it about yourself and make it about the American people and show that you care about them over yourself, you will win. And, conversely, you will lose the election in November if you continue to make it about yourself, you continue playing silly politics, continue targeting Democrat governors because that suits you for your electoral purposes"...
81margd
@realDonaldTrump's supporters' unwavering trust in him will lead to more chaos, confusion, and illness.
In a crisis, we need leadership to steer the country toward clarity, unity, and healing—not sow more discord, hate, and division.
#COVID #CountryOverParty
1:00 ( https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1253783602451623937 )
- The Lincoln Project @ProjectLincoln | 4:31 PM · Apr 24, 2020
In a crisis, we need leadership to steer the country toward clarity, unity, and healing—not sow more discord, hate, and division.
#COVID #CountryOverParty
1:00 ( https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1253783602451623937 )
- The Lincoln Project @ProjectLincoln | 4:31 PM · Apr 24, 2020
82John5918
British fascism has never thrived but its failure has been useful for the mainstream (Guardian)
Conservatives have seen off the far right by being more pragmatic with their policies...
A lesson for US conservatives, or is the situation there very different?
And a book: Failed Führers by historian Graham Macklin.
Conservatives have seen off the far right by being more pragmatic with their policies...
A lesson for US conservatives, or is the situation there very different?
And a book: Failed Führers by historian Graham Macklin.
83margd
Fellow Rs: It’s not too late to start repudiating this President’s incompetence.
You don’t have to smile & clap for the sinking ship.
It’s too late to save your political career, but speaking up will help us unite the country & move on.
Let’s do it.
- Heath Mayo @HeathMayo | 12:36 AM · May 12, 2020
You don’t have to smile & clap for the sinking ship.
It’s too late to save your political career, but speaking up will help us unite the country & move on.
Let’s do it.
- Heath Mayo @HeathMayo | 12:36 AM · May 12, 2020
84Limelite
Even if one scans the Faux News website, one can't find a single article of laudatory behavior by any Republican official. If the stories aren't anti-Obama (is he running for prez?), then they're unwitting articles that underscore why America is turning away from and against Republicans. If they're not about them, then the stories are misleading lies, like writing a headline that "hundreds" of lawyers are against Barr, when the truth is 2,000 wigned the petition demanding his resignation ovver the deplorable dismissal of the Flynn case.
No wonder even Trump's base is crumbling.
Trump losing badly to Biden with one key voter group.
‘The status quo is Donald Trump’: Swing voters who hate both candidates but voted against Clinton in 2016 are now favoring Biden.
Even conservatives can no longer pretend blindness to Trump's utter failure at everything presidential.
‘Trump’s base may be having some second thoughts’ after ‘absolutely terrifying economic collapse’: conservative.
Senate Republicans want nothing to do with Trump’s ‘Obamagate’ conspiracy obsession: report.
Fox & Friends host turns on Trump: ‘I do actually think Joe Biden is winning in battleground states.’
No wonder Trump's behavior is increasingly unhinged; he must feel besieged on all fronts. None of his distractions and diversions are receiving attention; his lies are being exposed by women reporters and reviled by those on the right; Dr. Fauci is the populist hero and the believed expert on Covid-19 response across the country, in spite of the attention hog president "taking over" pandemic Task Force conferences.
No wonder even Trump's base is crumbling.
Trump losing badly to Biden with one key voter group.
‘The status quo is Donald Trump’: Swing voters who hate both candidates but voted against Clinton in 2016 are now favoring Biden.
Even conservatives can no longer pretend blindness to Trump's utter failure at everything presidential.
‘Trump’s base may be having some second thoughts’ after ‘absolutely terrifying economic collapse’: conservative.
Senate Republicans want nothing to do with Trump’s ‘Obamagate’ conspiracy obsession: report.
Fox & Friends host turns on Trump: ‘I do actually think Joe Biden is winning in battleground states.’
No wonder Trump's behavior is increasingly unhinged; he must feel besieged on all fronts. None of his distractions and diversions are receiving attention; his lies are being exposed by women reporters and reviled by those on the right; Dr. Fauci is the populist hero and the believed expert on Covid-19 response across the country, in spite of the attention hog president "taking over" pandemic Task Force conferences.
85margd
Michael Steele @MichaelSteele | 2:17 PM · May 12, 2020:
I'm sure Mitch is aware that a grown ass black man who happens to be a former president
has agency to speak his mind on how his successor is managing this crisis,
especially since his successor has yet to keep "his mouth shut" about him.
And "classless"?
McConnell: Obama 'should have kept his mouth shut' on Trump's coronavirus response
Jordain Carney - 05/11/20
..."I think President Obama should have kept his mouth shut. You know, we know he doesn't like much this administration is doing. That's understandable. But I think it's a little bit classless frankly to critique an administration that comes after you," McConnell said.
"You had your shot. You were there for eight years. I think the tradition that the Bushes set up of not critiquing the president who comes after you is a good tradition," McConnell added.
...Obama, during a private phone call, characterized the administration's response as an "absolute chaotic disaster" that stemmed from a "what's in it for me" mindset...
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/497239-mcconnell-obama-should-have-kept-his-...
I'm sure Mitch is aware that a grown ass black man who happens to be a former president
has agency to speak his mind on how his successor is managing this crisis,
especially since his successor has yet to keep "his mouth shut" about him.
And "classless"?
McConnell: Obama 'should have kept his mouth shut' on Trump's coronavirus response
Jordain Carney - 05/11/20
..."I think President Obama should have kept his mouth shut. You know, we know he doesn't like much this administration is doing. That's understandable. But I think it's a little bit classless frankly to critique an administration that comes after you," McConnell said.
"You had your shot. You were there for eight years. I think the tradition that the Bushes set up of not critiquing the president who comes after you is a good tradition," McConnell added.
...Obama, during a private phone call, characterized the administration's response as an "absolute chaotic disaster" that stemmed from a "what's in it for me" mindset...
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/497239-mcconnell-obama-should-have-kept-his-...
86Limelite
US Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) having a change of heart, or doing the usual Republican adjustment of values, depending on the polls. Since the most recent poslls of TX show Biden with a slim lead across the state, Cornyn probably feels the tide changing and wants to scramble for high ground in order to avoid being swept away when he's up for re-election.
Once a pro-repeal of Obama Care Republican, who led the charge to dismantle ACA, he's now encouraging folks to sign up!
Once a pro-repeal of Obama Care Republican, who led the charge to dismantle ACA, he's now encouraging folks to sign up!
“The good news is that if you lose your employer-provided coverage … you are eligible to sign up for the Affordable Care Act,” said the Republican senator.
It’s quite a change of tune for Cornyn, who voted to repeal or defund the ACA (or to move forward with bills to do so) here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here.
87John5918
Trumpocalypse review: David Frum bushwhacks a new axis of evil (Guardian)
Frum was a speechwriter to George W Bush and helped coin the phrase “axis of evil”. Now he declares that 21st-century conservatism has “delivered much more harm than good, from the Iraq war to the financial crisis to the Trump presidency”. Yet he remains committed to his Burkean worldview, of individual autonomy fused to social cohesion...
Frum was a speechwriter to George W Bush and helped coin the phrase “axis of evil”. Now he declares that 21st-century conservatism has “delivered much more harm than good, from the Iraq war to the financial crisis to the Trump presidency”. Yet he remains committed to his Burkean worldview, of individual autonomy fused to social cohesion...
88Limelite
ND Gov. Doug Burgum (R) displays the empathy, understanding, and compassion for the people he represents as governor nearly extinct among Republican elected officials and totally absent in their Party (Fearless) Leader.
“We’re all in this together, and there’s only one battle we’re fighting, and that’s the battle of the virus,” Gov. Doug Burgum said at a press briefing Friday.
“I would really love to see in North Dakota that we could just skip this thing that other parts of the nation are going through where they’re trading a divide, either it’s ideological or political or something around mask vs. no mask,” he added. “This is a ... senseless dividing line.”
“I would ask people to dial up your empathy and your understanding,” said the governor. “If someone is wearing a mask, they’re not doing it to represent what political party they’re in, or what candidates they support. They might be doing it because they’ve got a 5-year-old child who’s been going through cancer treatments or have vulnerable adults in their life,” he added, his voice breaking.
“Be North Dakota kind, North Dakota empathetic,” he said.
Burgum said “there should be no mask shaming.”
89Molly3028
Trump did not hijack the Grand Olde Party. Rush Limbaugh
and his ilk led the parade to the transition. Trump decided it
could be to his advantage to spread their vile rhetoric to a
much larger and wider audience via rallies, the media and
Twitter. Now, the country is experiencing the type of
leadership the modern-day GOP cherishes.
and his ilk led the parade to the transition. Trump decided it
could be to his advantage to spread their vile rhetoric to a
much larger and wider audience via rallies, the media and
Twitter. Now, the country is experiencing the type of
leadership the modern-day GOP cherishes.
90margd
Mitt Romney @MittRomney | 9:32 AM · May 27, 2020
I know Joe Scarborough. Joe is a friend of mine. I don't know T.J. Klausutis.
Joe can weather vile, baseless accusations but T.J.? His heart is breaking. Enough already.
I know Joe Scarborough. Joe is a friend of mine. I don't know T.J. Klausutis.
Joe can weather vile, baseless accusations but T.J.? His heart is breaking. Enough already.
91margd
Get Republicans to Vote Against Trump? This Group Will Spend $10 Million to Try
Annie Karni | May 28, 2020
...a new effort called Republican Voters Against Trump is hoping to chip away at Mr. Trump’s support from white, college-educated Republican voters in the suburbs, hoping a more surgical approach will help to elect Joseph R. Biden Jr., his expected Democratic opponent.
The new group is set to begin a $10 million digital and television advertising campaign that will use personal stories of conservative voters giving voice to their deep — and sometimes brand-new — dissatisfaction with the president.
...“What was missing in 2016 was a real concerted effort to take the voices of real people who have deep reservations about Trump, but who identify as Republicans, and allow them to be the messengers,” said Sarah Longwell, a lifelong conservative and a prominent Never Trump Republican.
The new initiative is the brainchild of Ms. Longwell; Bill Kristol, the conservative writer; and Tim Miller, a former top aide to former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida. Together, Ms. Longwell and Mr. Kristol have also worked on an initiative called Republicans for the Rule of Law, which has begun its own ad blitz against Mr. Trump...
The ad campaign, set to blitz the swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina and Arizona through the summer, is primarily aimed at college-educated white voters in suburbs.
Ms. Longwell said her focus groups had shown that there were still persuadable voters out there. “I was surprised by how many people had just decided because of the coronavirus response...They for the first time started watching the press conferences.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/28/us/politics/republican-voters-against-trump.h...
_____________________________________________________________________
Bill Kristol @BillKristol | 7:39 AM · May 28, 2020:
Did you vote for Trump in 2016--but you've become convinced we can't afford a Trump second term?
Did you sit out Clinton-Trump in 2016--but in 2020 you'll vote for Biden?
Tell your story, in your words. Go to https://rvat.org. Upload a video. It's easy. And it's important.
Home - Republican Voters Against Trump
rvat.org
Annie Karni | May 28, 2020
...a new effort called Republican Voters Against Trump is hoping to chip away at Mr. Trump’s support from white, college-educated Republican voters in the suburbs, hoping a more surgical approach will help to elect Joseph R. Biden Jr., his expected Democratic opponent.
The new group is set to begin a $10 million digital and television advertising campaign that will use personal stories of conservative voters giving voice to their deep — and sometimes brand-new — dissatisfaction with the president.
...“What was missing in 2016 was a real concerted effort to take the voices of real people who have deep reservations about Trump, but who identify as Republicans, and allow them to be the messengers,” said Sarah Longwell, a lifelong conservative and a prominent Never Trump Republican.
The new initiative is the brainchild of Ms. Longwell; Bill Kristol, the conservative writer; and Tim Miller, a former top aide to former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida. Together, Ms. Longwell and Mr. Kristol have also worked on an initiative called Republicans for the Rule of Law, which has begun its own ad blitz against Mr. Trump...
The ad campaign, set to blitz the swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina and Arizona through the summer, is primarily aimed at college-educated white voters in suburbs.
Ms. Longwell said her focus groups had shown that there were still persuadable voters out there. “I was surprised by how many people had just decided because of the coronavirus response...They for the first time started watching the press conferences.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/28/us/politics/republican-voters-against-trump.h...
_____________________________________________________________________
Bill Kristol @BillKristol | 7:39 AM · May 28, 2020:
Did you vote for Trump in 2016--but you've become convinced we can't afford a Trump second term?
Did you sit out Clinton-Trump in 2016--but in 2020 you'll vote for Biden?
Tell your story, in your words. Go to https://rvat.org. Upload a video. It's easy. And it's important.
Home - Republican Voters Against Trump
rvat.org
92margd
>91 margd: contd.
Sarah Longwell @SarahLongwell25 | 9:07 PM · May 28, 2020:
Meet Jeanine and Dale from Michigan.
They both voted for Donald Trump in 2016, but won’t vote for him again in 2020.
Let them tell you why. @RVAT2020
00:56 ( https://twitter.com/SarahLongwell25/status/1266174275251245058 )
ETA
Jessica from Georgia ( https://twitter.com/RVAT2020/status/1266027135547867137 )
Jeff from Texas ( https://twitter.com/RVAT2020/status/1266107980031954969 )
etc., no doubt...
Sarah Longwell @SarahLongwell25 | 9:07 PM · May 28, 2020:
Meet Jeanine and Dale from Michigan.
They both voted for Donald Trump in 2016, but won’t vote for him again in 2020.
Let them tell you why. @RVAT2020
00:56 ( https://twitter.com/SarahLongwell25/status/1266174275251245058 )
ETA
Jessica from Georgia ( https://twitter.com/RVAT2020/status/1266027135547867137 )
Jeff from Texas ( https://twitter.com/RVAT2020/status/1266107980031954969 )
etc., no doubt...
93Limelite
I've spent part of the morning and all of the afternoon so far searching the Internet for a Republican elected official condemning Trump's tweet about looting and shooting.
Results: 0
Only two reprimanded him for tweets against a white man in the Scarborough business. Sen. Romney and Rep. Cheney. Romney invoked his "faith." In the George Floyd case, I guess Romney's "faith" failed him when it came to excoriating the president for throwing gasoline on the fire of the racism he (Romney) "deplores."
Results: 0
Only two reprimanded him for tweets against a white man in the Scarborough business. Sen. Romney and Rep. Cheney. Romney invoked his "faith." In the George Floyd case, I guess Romney's "faith" failed him when it came to excoriating the president for throwing gasoline on the fire of the racism he (Romney) "deplores."
94kiparsky
Trying my best:
Apparently it's news that one republican thinks Trump should at least say some words about his flagrant violations of the inspector general laws:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/grassley-says-white-house-response-on-ig...
Good for Grassley, I guess. Sad for the country that this weak tea is the best that the Anarchist Death Cult can show when it comes to respect for law and order.
Apparently it's news that one republican thinks Trump should at least say some words about his flagrant violations of the inspector general laws:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/grassley-says-white-house-response-on-ig...
Good for Grassley, I guess. Sad for the country that this weak tea is the best that the Anarchist Death Cult can show when it comes to respect for law and order.
95margd
Governor Christine Todd Whitman @GovCTW | 3 hours ago, 5 tweets, 3 min read
.@realDonaldTrump, Please stop injecting yourself into crises. Don’t try to tell governors what to do. Instead of calling for calm & for the nation to unite, you were sequestered in the White House basement & silent. Governors and mayors, on the other hand, were actively (1/5)
engaged in trying to bring order to their cities and towns. The #NationalGuard has been deployed across the country and most of the demonstrations were largely peaceful. While you only seem to feel the need for the use of more force, local elected leaders tried to (2/5)
control things in a way that will allow them to build for the future. While you just want to condemn people, real leaders are acknowledging the very real racial issues we are facing. In times like this, real leaders step up, and deal with the immediate problems while (3/5)
acknowledging the need for reform at all levels: police, eduction, housing, economic opportunity & more. This country desperately needs a real leader at the helm to deal with our racial issues, the #coronavirus, all those who are out of work, climate change and the myriad of(4/5)
other issues facing us. We need a leader to plan for the future. You, Mr. #President, are not that leader. In fact, you are making things worse on almost every front. Please, go back to your bunker and let the real leaders solve our problems. (5/5)#leadership #Trump #protests2020
.@realDonaldTrump, Please stop injecting yourself into crises. Don’t try to tell governors what to do. Instead of calling for calm & for the nation to unite, you were sequestered in the White House basement & silent. Governors and mayors, on the other hand, were actively (1/5)
engaged in trying to bring order to their cities and towns. The #NationalGuard has been deployed across the country and most of the demonstrations were largely peaceful. While you only seem to feel the need for the use of more force, local elected leaders tried to (2/5)
control things in a way that will allow them to build for the future. While you just want to condemn people, real leaders are acknowledging the very real racial issues we are facing. In times like this, real leaders step up, and deal with the immediate problems while (3/5)
acknowledging the need for reform at all levels: police, eduction, housing, economic opportunity & more. This country desperately needs a real leader at the helm to deal with our racial issues, the #coronavirus, all those who are out of work, climate change and the myriad of(4/5)
other issues facing us. We need a leader to plan for the future. You, Mr. #President, are not that leader. In fact, you are making things worse on almost every front. Please, go back to your bunker and let the real leaders solve our problems. (5/5)#leadership #Trump #protests2020
96Limelite
Again, in this moment of Trump trying to incite civil war, flashing a Bible after tear-gassing peaceful protestors, and emerging from his bunker long enough to call his Puppet master for a refresher on how to be a dictator, in short fulfilling the role of the Enemy Within, not a peep from Republican elected officials.
Lackeys, lickspittles, sycophants, parasites, grifters, racists, bigots, cowards, and unworthies all.
The Silence of the Lambs maintains among the sheeple.
Lackeys, lickspittles, sycophants, parasites, grifters, racists, bigots, cowards, and unworthies all.
The Silence of the Lambs maintains among the sheeple.
972wonderY
Massachusetts GOP governor rips Trump's 'bitterness, combativeness and self-interest'
Baker, a frequent critic of the President, struck a different tone earlier Monday in a statement praising "the powerful statement" that peaceful protestors made in Boston.
"The murder of George Floyd at the hands of police was a horrible tragedy -- one of countless tragedies to befall people of color across the United States. The vast majority of protesters today did so peacefully, toward a common goal of promoting justice and equality," he said.
"I am deeply thankful for their voices and their positive, forceful message. I also want to express my gratitude to all the police officers and other first responders working to protect the people of Boston from the individuals whose violent actions, looting and property destruction was criminal and cowardly -- and distracted from the powerful statement made today by thousands of Massachusetts residents."
Baker, a frequent critic of the President, struck a different tone earlier Monday in a statement praising "the powerful statement" that peaceful protestors made in Boston.
"The murder of George Floyd at the hands of police was a horrible tragedy -- one of countless tragedies to befall people of color across the United States. The vast majority of protesters today did so peacefully, toward a common goal of promoting justice and equality," he said.
"I am deeply thankful for their voices and their positive, forceful message. I also want to express my gratitude to all the police officers and other first responders working to protect the people of Boston from the individuals whose violent actions, looting and property destruction was criminal and cowardly -- and distracted from the powerful statement made today by thousands of Massachusetts residents."
98margd
Murkowski Endorses Mattis Criticism of Trump, Calling it ‘Necessary and Overdue’
Emily Cochrane | June 4, 2020
The Alaska Republican suggested the former defense secretary’s scathing remarks might serve as a tipping point, prodding other Republicans to go public with longstanding concerns about President Trump.
"I thought General Mattis’s words were true and honest and necessary and overdue,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska...
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/us/politics/murkowski-mattis-trump.html
-----------------------------------------------------------
...Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, called Mattis' statement "stunning and powerful."
Without going into detail about the contents of his statement, Romney called him "an American patriot" and "an individual whose judgment I respect." ...
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/stunning-powerful-overdue-romney-...
Emily Cochrane | June 4, 2020
The Alaska Republican suggested the former defense secretary’s scathing remarks might serve as a tipping point, prodding other Republicans to go public with longstanding concerns about President Trump.
"I thought General Mattis’s words were true and honest and necessary and overdue,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska...
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/us/politics/murkowski-mattis-trump.html
-----------------------------------------------------------
...Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, called Mattis' statement "stunning and powerful."
Without going into detail about the contents of his statement, Romney called him "an American patriot" and "an individual whose judgment I respect." ...
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/stunning-powerful-overdue-romney-...
99margd
ChuckGrassley @ChuckGrassley | 1:49 PM · Jun 4, 2020:
Im placing holds on 2 Trump Admin noms until I get reasons 4firing 2 agency watchdogs as required by law Not 1st time ive raised alarm when admins flout IG protection law Obama did same& got same earfull from me All I want is a reason 4 firing these ppl CHECKS&BALANCES
Im placing holds on 2 Trump Admin noms until I get reasons 4firing 2 agency watchdogs as required by law Not 1st time ive raised alarm when admins flout IG protection law Obama did same& got same earfull from me All I want is a reason 4 firing these ppl CHECKS&BALANCES
1002wonderY
>98 margd: Murkowski shows no spine. Overdue? Did she not have a voice and a platform herself?
101margd
It will be uncomfortable but it's necessary to welcome latecomers to the "Trump's unfit" tent. Murkowski is no Romneys, though--that's for sure!
102lriley
Trump's irate with Murkowski anyway. Says he doesn't care who runs against her--he's going to personally go to Alaska and campaign against her in 2022 which I thought was him getting the cart in front of the horse. I'm kind of thinking (maybe hoping is the better word) that Trump will be in an orange jump suit (matches his skin pallor anyway) in a roughly 6 X 10' cage in 2022 and only ever going out of it one hour a day to the exercise yard. He certainly will have to be kept away from the other inmates--I mean what a trophy his fat ass would make.
Another part of me wonders though how the democrats could fuck up the above dream scenario of mine. Biden pardons him as a show of national unification? (I mean it doesn't seem all that farfetched to me that Joe B would do that) or they only put him away for a year or so in a minimum security country club prison with Wall St. and corporate cheats? IMO anything less than a max security real deal federal prison with the snarling german shepherds and the circular razor wire and towers with guards armed with high powered rifles who are up to snuff on their marksmen testing and shit food morning, noon and night would be unacceptable regarding him. Can't make up my mind whether that prison should be in an extremely cold climate or an extremely hot one--maybe some place with loads of hispanics would be good. He needs that entire experience--that is his only road to any kind of redemption.
Another part of me wonders though how the democrats could fuck up the above dream scenario of mine. Biden pardons him as a show of national unification? (I mean it doesn't seem all that farfetched to me that Joe B would do that) or they only put him away for a year or so in a minimum security country club prison with Wall St. and corporate cheats? IMO anything less than a max security real deal federal prison with the snarling german shepherds and the circular razor wire and towers with guards armed with high powered rifles who are up to snuff on their marksmen testing and shit food morning, noon and night would be unacceptable regarding him. Can't make up my mind whether that prison should be in an extremely cold climate or an extremely hot one--maybe some place with loads of hispanics would be good. He needs that entire experience--that is his only road to any kind of redemption.
103margd
Ana Cabrera (CNN) @AnaCabrera | 11:36 AM · Jun 5, 2020:
Remarkable. Former WH Chief of Staff John Kelly says "I agree" with Mattis - AND -
“I think we need to look harder at who we elect. I think we should look at people that are running for office and put them through the filter: What is their character like? What are their ethics?”
Remarkable. Former WH Chief of Staff John Kelly says "I agree" with Mattis - AND -
“I think we need to look harder at who we elect. I think we should look at people that are running for office and put them through the filter: What is their character like? What are their ethics?”
104lriley
#103--if you really want your jaw to drop--Pat Robertson seems to think that Trump has gone off the deep end and it's over deploying military force on American soil. On his CBN show he described all races as descended from Adam and Eve and more or less that Trump was way out of line in not seeing race hatred for what it was.
105Limelite
>103 margd:
Notice a quite a few former Trumpies scrambling to get on the right side of history, offering similar "come to Jesus" revisions of their public remarks now that it's evident their former Fearless Leader is on the outs. And a good candidate for future prosecution when the Democrats take over Federal government. (However, Biden is the kind who will "draw the veil" and "put it behind us.")
In my book, there's a footnote to just call Kelly another "Johnny-come-lately."
Notice a quite a few former Trumpies scrambling to get on the right side of history, offering similar "come to Jesus" revisions of their public remarks now that it's evident their former Fearless Leader is on the outs. And a good candidate for future prosecution when the Democrats take over Federal government. (However, Biden is the kind who will "draw the veil" and "put it behind us.")
In my book, there's a footnote to just call Kelly another "Johnny-come-lately."
106margd
It's the only way we'll change and grow as a society. Don't want ANYONE hanging around to make later mischief with Trump, should he be capable of it. Steven Miller, Bill Barr need not apply, however!
1072wonderY
Bret Stephens holds some very hard right positions; but he speaks with everyone here:
Donald Trump Is Our National Catastrophe
This spring I taught a seminar (via Zoom, of course) at the University of Chicago on the art of political persuasion. We read Lincoln, Pericles, King, Orwell, Havel and Churchill, among other great practitioners of the art. We ended with a study of Donald Trump’s tweets, as part of a class on demagogy.
If the closing subject was depressing, at least the timing was appropriate.
We are in the midst of an unprecedented national catastrophe. The catastrophe is not the pandemic, or an economic depression, or killer cops, or looted cities, or racial inequities. These are all too precedented. What’s unprecedented is that never before have we been led by a man who so completely inverts the spirit of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address.
With malice toward all; with charity for none: eight words that encapsulate everything this president is, does and stands for.
What does one learn when reading great political speeches and writings? That well-chosen words are the way by which past deeds acquire meaning and future deeds acquire purpose. “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here,” are the only false notes in the Gettysburg Address. The Battle of Gettysburg is etched in national memory less for its military significance than because Lincoln reinvented the goals of the Civil War in that speech — and, in doing so, reimagined the possibilities of America.
Political writing doesn’t just provide meaning and purpose. It also offers determination, hope and instruction.
In “The Power of the Powerless,” written at one of the grimmer moments of Communist tyranny, Václav Havel laid out why the system was so much weaker, and the individual so much stronger, than either side knew. In his “Fight on the beaches” speech after Dunkirk, Winston Churchill told Britons of “a victory inside this deliverance” — a reason, however remote, for resolve and optimism. In “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr., explained why patience was no answer to injustice: “When you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick, brutalize, and even kill your black brothers and sisters with impunity … then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait.”
In a word, great political writing aims to elevate. What, by contrast, does one learn by studying Trump’s utterances?
The purpose of Trump’s presidency is to debase, first by debasing the currency of speech. It’s why he refuses to hire reasonably competent speechwriters to craft reasonably competent speeches. It’s why his communication team has been filled by people like Dan Scavino and Stephanie Grisham and Sarah Sanders.
And it’s why Twitter is his preferred medium of communication. It is speech designed for provocations and put-downs; for making supporters feel smug; for making opponents seethe; for reducing national discourse to the level of grunts and counter-grunts.
That’s a level that suits Trump because it’s the level at which he excels. Anyone who studies Trump’s tweets carefully must come away impressed by the way he has mastered the demagogic arts. He doesn’t lead his base, as most politicians do. He personifies it. He speaks to his followers as if he were them. He cultivates their resentments, demonizes their opponents, validates their hatreds. He glorifies himself so they may bask in the reflection.
Whatever this has achieved for him, or them, it’s a calamity for us. At a moment when disease has left more than 100,000 American families bereft, we have a president incapable of expressing the nation’s heartbreak. At a moment of the most bitter racial grief since the 1960s, we have a president who has bankrupted the moral capital of the office he holds.
And at a moment when many Americans, particularly conservatives, are aghast at the outbursts of looting and rioting that have come in the wake of peaceful protests, we have a president who wants to replace rule of law with rule by the gun. If Trump now faces a revolt by the Pentagon’s civilian and military leadership (both current and former) against his desire to deploy active-duty troops in American cities, it’s because his words continue to drain whatever is left of his credibility as commander in chief.
I write this as someone who doesn’t lay every national problem at Trump’s feet and tries to give him credit when I think it’s due.
Trump is no more responsible for the policing in Minneapolis than Barack Obama was responsible for policing in Ferguson. I doubt the pandemic would have been handled much better by a Hillary Clinton administration, especially considering the catastrophic errors of judgment by people like Bill de Blasio and Andrew Cuomo. And our economic woes are largely the result of a lockdown strategy most avidly embraced by the president’s critics.
But the point here isn’t that Trump is responsible for the nation’s wounds. It’s that he is the reason some of those wounds have festered and why none of them can heal, at least for as long as he remains in office. Until we have a president who can say, as Lincoln did in his first inaugural, “We are not enemies, but friends” — and be believed in the bargain — our national agony will only grow worse.
Donald Trump Is Our National Catastrophe
This spring I taught a seminar (via Zoom, of course) at the University of Chicago on the art of political persuasion. We read Lincoln, Pericles, King, Orwell, Havel and Churchill, among other great practitioners of the art. We ended with a study of Donald Trump’s tweets, as part of a class on demagogy.
If the closing subject was depressing, at least the timing was appropriate.
We are in the midst of an unprecedented national catastrophe. The catastrophe is not the pandemic, or an economic depression, or killer cops, or looted cities, or racial inequities. These are all too precedented. What’s unprecedented is that never before have we been led by a man who so completely inverts the spirit of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address.
With malice toward all; with charity for none: eight words that encapsulate everything this president is, does and stands for.
What does one learn when reading great political speeches and writings? That well-chosen words are the way by which past deeds acquire meaning and future deeds acquire purpose. “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here,” are the only false notes in the Gettysburg Address. The Battle of Gettysburg is etched in national memory less for its military significance than because Lincoln reinvented the goals of the Civil War in that speech — and, in doing so, reimagined the possibilities of America.
Political writing doesn’t just provide meaning and purpose. It also offers determination, hope and instruction.
In “The Power of the Powerless,” written at one of the grimmer moments of Communist tyranny, Václav Havel laid out why the system was so much weaker, and the individual so much stronger, than either side knew. In his “Fight on the beaches” speech after Dunkirk, Winston Churchill told Britons of “a victory inside this deliverance” — a reason, however remote, for resolve and optimism. In “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr., explained why patience was no answer to injustice: “When you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick, brutalize, and even kill your black brothers and sisters with impunity … then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait.”
In a word, great political writing aims to elevate. What, by contrast, does one learn by studying Trump’s utterances?
The purpose of Trump’s presidency is to debase, first by debasing the currency of speech. It’s why he refuses to hire reasonably competent speechwriters to craft reasonably competent speeches. It’s why his communication team has been filled by people like Dan Scavino and Stephanie Grisham and Sarah Sanders.
And it’s why Twitter is his preferred medium of communication. It is speech designed for provocations and put-downs; for making supporters feel smug; for making opponents seethe; for reducing national discourse to the level of grunts and counter-grunts.
That’s a level that suits Trump because it’s the level at which he excels. Anyone who studies Trump’s tweets carefully must come away impressed by the way he has mastered the demagogic arts. He doesn’t lead his base, as most politicians do. He personifies it. He speaks to his followers as if he were them. He cultivates their resentments, demonizes their opponents, validates their hatreds. He glorifies himself so they may bask in the reflection.
Whatever this has achieved for him, or them, it’s a calamity for us. At a moment when disease has left more than 100,000 American families bereft, we have a president incapable of expressing the nation’s heartbreak. At a moment of the most bitter racial grief since the 1960s, we have a president who has bankrupted the moral capital of the office he holds.
And at a moment when many Americans, particularly conservatives, are aghast at the outbursts of looting and rioting that have come in the wake of peaceful protests, we have a president who wants to replace rule of law with rule by the gun. If Trump now faces a revolt by the Pentagon’s civilian and military leadership (both current and former) against his desire to deploy active-duty troops in American cities, it’s because his words continue to drain whatever is left of his credibility as commander in chief.
I write this as someone who doesn’t lay every national problem at Trump’s feet and tries to give him credit when I think it’s due.
Trump is no more responsible for the policing in Minneapolis than Barack Obama was responsible for policing in Ferguson. I doubt the pandemic would have been handled much better by a Hillary Clinton administration, especially considering the catastrophic errors of judgment by people like Bill de Blasio and Andrew Cuomo. And our economic woes are largely the result of a lockdown strategy most avidly embraced by the president’s critics.
But the point here isn’t that Trump is responsible for the nation’s wounds. It’s that he is the reason some of those wounds have festered and why none of them can heal, at least for as long as he remains in office. Until we have a president who can say, as Lincoln did in his first inaugural, “We are not enemies, but friends” — and be believed in the bargain — our national agony will only grow worse.
108margd
I am so impressed by the courageous citizens of Hong Kong, massing by the thousands in the time of COVID against a regime that they know can be ruthless. But I am in awe of those few who first resisted, and paid the price--like the bookshop owner, disappeared.
Would you stand up to an oppressive regime or would you conform? Here’s the science
Nick Chater | October 10, 2019
...Few will fight Gilead after carefully weighing up the consequences – after all, the most likely outcome is failure and obliteration. What drives forward fights against an oppressive society is a rival vision – a vision of equality, liberty and justice, and a sense that these should be defended, whatever the consequences.
https://theconversation.com/would-you-stand-up-to-an-oppressive-regime-or-would-...
Would you stand up to an oppressive regime or would you conform? Here’s the science
Nick Chater | October 10, 2019
...Few will fight Gilead after carefully weighing up the consequences – after all, the most likely outcome is failure and obliteration. What drives forward fights against an oppressive society is a rival vision – a vision of equality, liberty and justice, and a sense that these should be defended, whatever the consequences.
https://theconversation.com/would-you-stand-up-to-an-oppressive-regime-or-would-...
109margd
Vote for Trump? These Republican Leaders Aren’t on the Bandwagon
Jonathan Martin
Former President George W. Bush and Senator Mitt Romney won’t support Mr. Trump’s re-election, and other G.O.P. officials are mulling a vote for Joe Biden.
...Jeb Bush isn’t sure how he’ll vote
...Cindy McCain, the widow of Senator John McCain, is almost certain to support Mr. Biden but is unsure how public to be about it because one of her sons is eying a run for office.
...former Speakers Paul D. Ryan and John A. Boehner won’t say how they will vote
...Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’s blistering criticism of Mr. Trump
...the admission this week by Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska that she is “struggling” with whether to vote for the sitting president of her own party
...William H. McRaven, the retired Navy admiral who directed the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. “President Trump has shown he doesn’t have the qualities necessary to be a good commander in chief.”
...John Kelly, Mr. Trump’s former chief of staff and a retired Marine general, would not say whom he would vote for, though he did allow that he wished “we had some additional choices.”
...Dan Coats, the former Republican senator who was Mr. Trump’s director of national intelligence...“ultimately he remains a loyal Republican but he believes the American people will decide on Nov. 3,” sais (longtime advisor)
...Joseph Maguire, a retired three-star admiral who served as Mr. Trump’s acting intelligence chief,...“Jim Mattis, Mike Mullen and Marty Dempsey are all good friends, and I respect them tremendously...I am in alignment with their views.”
...Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, who both served as secretary of state under George W. Bush, have also so far declined to state their intentions.
...Representative Francis Rooney of Florida (large donor, ambassador)...said he is considering supporting Mr. Biden in part because Mr. Trump is “driving us all crazy” and his handling of the virus led to a death toll that “didn’t have to happen.”
...former Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, who is close to Mr. Coons and in conversation with him about how and when to formalize his support for Mr. Biden.
Former Representative Mark Sanford, who briefly challenged the president in the Republican primary, said last year that he’d support the president if he won the nomination. But now Mr. Sanford believes Mr. Trump is threatening the stability of the country...
(More are thinking about it.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/06/us/politics/trump-biden-republicans-voters.ht...
ETA:
Powell on TV tomorrow. Wait for it...
- Harry Litman @harrylitman | 2:03 AM · Jun 7, 2020
CNN (9am & 12 pm)
https://twitter.com/tcl71tx/status/1269513000538406914/photo/1
Jonathan Martin
Former President George W. Bush and Senator Mitt Romney won’t support Mr. Trump’s re-election, and other G.O.P. officials are mulling a vote for Joe Biden.
...Jeb Bush isn’t sure how he’ll vote
...Cindy McCain, the widow of Senator John McCain, is almost certain to support Mr. Biden but is unsure how public to be about it because one of her sons is eying a run for office.
...former Speakers Paul D. Ryan and John A. Boehner won’t say how they will vote
...Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis’s blistering criticism of Mr. Trump
...the admission this week by Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska that she is “struggling” with whether to vote for the sitting president of her own party
...William H. McRaven, the retired Navy admiral who directed the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. “President Trump has shown he doesn’t have the qualities necessary to be a good commander in chief.”
...John Kelly, Mr. Trump’s former chief of staff and a retired Marine general, would not say whom he would vote for, though he did allow that he wished “we had some additional choices.”
...Dan Coats, the former Republican senator who was Mr. Trump’s director of national intelligence...“ultimately he remains a loyal Republican but he believes the American people will decide on Nov. 3,” sais (longtime advisor)
...Joseph Maguire, a retired three-star admiral who served as Mr. Trump’s acting intelligence chief,...“Jim Mattis, Mike Mullen and Marty Dempsey are all good friends, and I respect them tremendously...I am in alignment with their views.”
...Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, who both served as secretary of state under George W. Bush, have also so far declined to state their intentions.
...Representative Francis Rooney of Florida (large donor, ambassador)...said he is considering supporting Mr. Biden in part because Mr. Trump is “driving us all crazy” and his handling of the virus led to a death toll that “didn’t have to happen.”
...former Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, who is close to Mr. Coons and in conversation with him about how and when to formalize his support for Mr. Biden.
Former Representative Mark Sanford, who briefly challenged the president in the Republican primary, said last year that he’d support the president if he won the nomination. But now Mr. Sanford believes Mr. Trump is threatening the stability of the country...
(More are thinking about it.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/06/us/politics/trump-biden-republicans-voters.ht...
ETA:
Powell on TV tomorrow. Wait for it...
- Harry Litman @harrylitman | 2:03 AM · Jun 7, 2020
CNN (9am & 12 pm)
https://twitter.com/tcl71tx/status/1269513000538406914/photo/1
1102wonderY
From Fox News today
Former Bush, Trump administration officials form pro-Biden super PAC
Longtime Republican operative Matt Borges is on a mission to help Democrat Joe Biden defeat President Trump in November's general election.
Borges – the Ohio GOP chair from 2014-2017 – is teaming up with former officials from the Bush and Trump administrations to launch a super PAC to turn out disaffected Republican voters for the former vice president and presumptive Democratic nominee.
…
Also part of the team setting up The Right Side PAC is Anthony Scaramucci, who was fired after just 10 days as White House communications director and who later became one of the president’s most vocal critics.
Borges said, for now, he and Scaramucci will be the public face of the new group, but that they would be announcing other names in the weeks and months to come. News of the PAC launch was first reported by Axios.
…
Borges noted that “these other groups tend to be overwhelmingly anti-Trump. What we’re looking at is the opportunity to be that voice” to convince disaffected Republicans to vote for Biden.
…
Borges said that he still will be supporting Republicans down-ballot – and he spotlighted that “I wouldn’t be doing this if the alternative was Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren.”
Speaking of Biden, he said as Republicans “we’re fortunately running against somebody who isn’t a radical leftist, who didn’t embrace defunding the police, who didn’t embrace Medicare-for-all.”
Former Bush, Trump administration officials form pro-Biden super PAC
Longtime Republican operative Matt Borges is on a mission to help Democrat Joe Biden defeat President Trump in November's general election.
Borges – the Ohio GOP chair from 2014-2017 – is teaming up with former officials from the Bush and Trump administrations to launch a super PAC to turn out disaffected Republican voters for the former vice president and presumptive Democratic nominee.
…
Also part of the team setting up The Right Side PAC is Anthony Scaramucci, who was fired after just 10 days as White House communications director and who later became one of the president’s most vocal critics.
Borges said, for now, he and Scaramucci will be the public face of the new group, but that they would be announcing other names in the weeks and months to come. News of the PAC launch was first reported by Axios.
…
Borges noted that “these other groups tend to be overwhelmingly anti-Trump. What we’re looking at is the opportunity to be that voice” to convince disaffected Republicans to vote for Biden.
…
Borges said that he still will be supporting Republicans down-ballot – and he spotlighted that “I wouldn’t be doing this if the alternative was Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren.”
Speaking of Biden, he said as Republicans “we’re fortunately running against somebody who isn’t a radical leftist, who didn’t embrace defunding the police, who didn’t embrace Medicare-for-all.”
111John5918
‘Something’s wrong with Donald Trump’: New ad from Republican group that drove president into a fury questions his health (Independent)
Days after he was shown struggling to descend a gentle ramp at the West Point graduation ceremony, Donald Trump has been hit with a new attack ad drawing attention to what it says is evidence of his poor and declining health. The 45-second video comes from the Lincoln Project, a group formed by longtime Republican campaign strategists who view the president’s re-election as a risk to the future of the US...
Days after he was shown struggling to descend a gentle ramp at the West Point graduation ceremony, Donald Trump has been hit with a new attack ad drawing attention to what it says is evidence of his poor and declining health. The 45-second video comes from the Lincoln Project, a group formed by longtime Republican campaign strategists who view the president’s re-election as a risk to the future of the US...
112margd
I know we are all a bit numb to this now, but in the past 24 hours the president of the United States
has accused his predecessor of treason and
declared that the coming election will be illegitimately stolen from him.
This is insane. It's dangerous. It's corrosive. It's literally how Republics die.
- Gregg Nunziata @greggnunziata | 8:00 PM · Jun 22, 2020
Philadelphia lawyer. Partner @manatt (DC). Fmr Senate staffer to @marcorubio @senaterpc (@SenJohnThune ) & @senjudiciary (Chief Noms Counsel). DOJ alum.
has accused his predecessor of treason and
declared that the coming election will be illegitimately stolen from him.
This is insane. It's dangerous. It's corrosive. It's literally how Republics die.
- Gregg Nunziata @greggnunziata | 8:00 PM · Jun 22, 2020
Philadelphia lawyer. Partner @manatt (DC). Fmr Senate staffer to @marcorubio @senaterpc (@SenJohnThune ) & @senjudiciary (Chief Noms Counsel). DOJ alum.
1132wonderY
Steve Schmidt, who ran John McCain's 2008 campaign for president:
"Donald Trump has been the worst president this country has ever had. And I don't say that hyperbolically. He is. But he is a consequential president. And he has brought this country in three short years to a place of weakness that is simply unimaginable if you were pondering where we are today from the day where Barack Obama left office. And there were a lot of us on that day who were deeply skeptical and very worried about what a Trump presidency would be. But this is a moment of unparalleled national humiliation, of weakness.
"When you listen to the President, these are the musings of an imbecile. An idiot. And I don't use those words to name call. I use them because they are the precise words of the English language to describe his behavior. His comportment. His actions. We've never seen a level of incompetence, a level of ineptitude so staggering on a daily basis by anybody in the history of the country whose ever been charged with substantial responsibilities.
"It's just astonishing that this man is president of the United States. The man, the con man, from New York City. Many bankruptcies, failed businesses, a reality show, that branded him as something that he never was. A successful businessman. Well, he's the President of the United States now, and the man who said he would make the country great again. And he's brought death, suffering, and economic collapse on truly an epic scale. And let's be clear. This isn't happening in every country around the world. This place. Our place. Our home. Our country. The United States. We are the epicenter. We are the place where you're the most likely to die from this disease. We're the ones with the most shattered economy. And we are because of the fool that sits in the Oval Office behind the Resolute Desk."
This is the most succinct -- and brutal -- Republican rejection of Donald Trump that you will ever read
"Donald Trump has been the worst president this country has ever had. And I don't say that hyperbolically. He is. But he is a consequential president. And he has brought this country in three short years to a place of weakness that is simply unimaginable if you were pondering where we are today from the day where Barack Obama left office. And there were a lot of us on that day who were deeply skeptical and very worried about what a Trump presidency would be. But this is a moment of unparalleled national humiliation, of weakness.
"When you listen to the President, these are the musings of an imbecile. An idiot. And I don't use those words to name call. I use them because they are the precise words of the English language to describe his behavior. His comportment. His actions. We've never seen a level of incompetence, a level of ineptitude so staggering on a daily basis by anybody in the history of the country whose ever been charged with substantial responsibilities.
"It's just astonishing that this man is president of the United States. The man, the con man, from New York City. Many bankruptcies, failed businesses, a reality show, that branded him as something that he never was. A successful businessman. Well, he's the President of the United States now, and the man who said he would make the country great again. And he's brought death, suffering, and economic collapse on truly an epic scale. And let's be clear. This isn't happening in every country around the world. This place. Our place. Our home. Our country. The United States. We are the epicenter. We are the place where you're the most likely to die from this disease. We're the ones with the most shattered economy. And we are because of the fool that sits in the Oval Office behind the Resolute Desk."
This is the most succinct -- and brutal -- Republican rejection of Donald Trump that you will ever read
114Limelite
Pardon me, but I think the Saturday Night Massacre of Trump in Tulsa was a lot more brutal. I offer this evidence from that night as proof.
115margd
NEW on the latest episode of The Ticket, former GOP presidential candidate
@CarlyFiorina explains why she's voting for Biden.
“I’ve been very clear that I can’t support Donald Trump,” she told me. “And elections are binary choices.”
She Wanted to Be a Republican President. She’s Voting for Biden.
The former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina tells The Ticket that she plans to vote for Joe Biden.
theatlantic.com
-Edward-Isaac Dovere @IsaacDovere | 6:48 AM · Jun 25, 2020
@CarlyFiorina explains why she's voting for Biden.
“I’ve been very clear that I can’t support Donald Trump,” she told me. “And elections are binary choices.”
She Wanted to Be a Republican President. She’s Voting for Biden.
The former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina tells The Ticket that she plans to vote for Joe Biden.
theatlantic.com
-Edward-Isaac Dovere @IsaacDovere | 6:48 AM · Jun 25, 2020
116John5918
'Please for the love of God do not vote for my dad': Republican's daughter voices opposition (Guardian)
It’s not the usual rallying cry one might expect from a political candidate’s child as their father runs for office, but the daughter of a Republican candidate has urged people in Michigan to “please, for the love of God” not vote for her father.
“Tell everyone,” Stephanie Regan wrote in a viral tweet...
It’s not the usual rallying cry one might expect from a political candidate’s child as their father runs for office, but the daughter of a Republican candidate has urged people in Michigan to “please, for the love of God” not vote for her father.
“Tell everyone,” Stephanie Regan wrote in a viral tweet...
117John5918
'We've got to do something': Republican rebels come together to take on Trump (Guardian)
Just like in 2016, a faction of the Republican party has emerged to try to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election.
But unlike the last presidential race, where the effort never truly took off, this time those rebel Republicans have formed better organized groups – and some are even openly backing Trump’s Democratic opponent, Joe Biden.
In 2016, as Trump steamrolled his way through the Republican primary, some Republican lawmakers and operatives tried to mount an effort to stop him. Elected officials and veterans of previous Republican administrations organized letters, endorsed Hillary Clinton, and a few set up meager outside groups to defeat Trump.
That’s happening again – but there are differences. The outside groups are more numerous and better organized, and most importantly, Trump has a governing record on which Republicans can use to decide whether to support him or not...
Just like in 2016, a faction of the Republican party has emerged to try to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election.
But unlike the last presidential race, where the effort never truly took off, this time those rebel Republicans have formed better organized groups – and some are even openly backing Trump’s Democratic opponent, Joe Biden.
In 2016, as Trump steamrolled his way through the Republican primary, some Republican lawmakers and operatives tried to mount an effort to stop him. Elected officials and veterans of previous Republican administrations organized letters, endorsed Hillary Clinton, and a few set up meager outside groups to defeat Trump.
That’s happening again – but there are differences. The outside groups are more numerous and better organized, and most importantly, Trump has a governing record on which Republicans can use to decide whether to support him or not...
118John5918
Frank Sinatra ‘loathed’ Trump, says singer’s daughter after president lauded star (Independent)
Frank Sinatra’s daughter says her father “loathed” Donald Trump after the president paid tribute to him in a speech and suggested his inclusion in a planned monument to American heroes.
Actress and activist Mia Farrow, who was once married to Sinatra, tweeted: “Frank Sinatra would have loathed Donald Trump.”
To which his daughter, Nancy Sinatra, responded: “He actually did loathe him”...
And worth noting perhaps that Neil Young and the Rolling Stones are amongst more recent musicians who have objected to Trump using their music for his rallies.
Frank Sinatra’s daughter says her father “loathed” Donald Trump after the president paid tribute to him in a speech and suggested his inclusion in a planned monument to American heroes.
Actress and activist Mia Farrow, who was once married to Sinatra, tweeted: “Frank Sinatra would have loathed Donald Trump.”
To which his daughter, Nancy Sinatra, responded: “He actually did loathe him”...
And worth noting perhaps that Neil Young and the Rolling Stones are amongst more recent musicians who have objected to Trump using their music for his rallies.
119proximity1
"Righteous Republicans"?
Do you clowns even _hear_ yourselves?
We're in Year-Three+ of Anti-Trump mass political lunacy, the spawn of your pathological sense of righteousness.
Your hyper-righteousness has reduced the nation's political culture to an infantile Sound-bite culture suited to a generation whose only acquaintance with a former world of adult journalism is from haphazard access to film archives.
This is the image you're offering voters as the last four months of a presidential-election-year are consumed in mass-media's "click-bait" :
First, the flag-burning. Then, you get your leaders elected, they take the oaths of office and assume the responsibilities of governing the nation--that's the same nation the prospective citizen-voters of which they've been busy telling "was never great." (emphasis added) That's your "plan".
In a world with no shortage of dangerous and hostile forces, the American public is invited to present to the world's observing publics the image of its electing to national authority the agents of mobs of the spoiled, ignorant and emotionally juvenile.
Do you clowns even _hear_ yourselves?
We're in Year-Three+ of Anti-Trump mass political lunacy, the spawn of your pathological sense of righteousness.
Your hyper-righteousness has reduced the nation's political culture to an infantile Sound-bite culture suited to a generation whose only acquaintance with a former world of adult journalism is from haphazard access to film archives.
This is the image you're offering voters as the last four months of a presidential-election-year are consumed in mass-media's "click-bait" :
"Washington D.C. protesters set fire to flag, chant 'America was never great' "
First, the flag-burning. Then, you get your leaders elected, they take the oaths of office and assume the responsibilities of governing the nation--that's the same nation the prospective citizen-voters of which they've been busy telling "was never great." (emphasis added) That's your "plan".
In a world with no shortage of dangerous and hostile forces, the American public is invited to present to the world's observing publics the image of its electing to national authority the agents of mobs of the spoiled, ignorant and emotionally juvenile.
120kiparsky
>119 proximity1: We're in Year-Three+ of mass political lunacy
well, that much at least is true... but we're working on that...
well, that much at least is true... but we're working on that...
121Limelite
The numbers of lunatic supporters is diminishing at the rate of (I quote Republican assessors) "rats fleeing a sinking ship."
‘Rats jumping off the sinking ship’: Trump’s red meat has ‘unnerved Republicans’ who ‘enabled’ him
Trump is ‘going too far’ in his culture war drumbeat — and it’s scaring voters: GOP analysts
That's one way of putting it. But a more accurate description to explain Trump's polls plummet is that the ship is leaving the rats to drown in their sea of hatred, along with King Rat.
‘Rats jumping off the sinking ship’: Trump’s red meat has ‘unnerved Republicans’ who ‘enabled’ him
Trump is ‘going too far’ in his culture war drumbeat — and it’s scaring voters: GOP analysts
That's one way of putting it. But a more accurate description to explain Trump's polls plummet is that the ship is leaving the rats to drown in their sea of hatred, along with King Rat.
Trump's current approval rating of 38% is just 3 percentage points above his low of 35%, which was registered on four separate occasions in 2017. The most recent rating is a drastic decline from when Trump tied his best mark of 49% in early May.
However, his approval among Republicans has increased from Gallup's previous poll, rising 6 percentage points from 85% to 91%. Approval among Democrats fell from 5% to 2%. In the most recent survey, approval from independents also fell, tied with its lowest point of 33%. https://news.gallup.com/poll/313454/trump-job-approval-rating-steady-lower-level...
122John5918
'Historic corruption': Republicans and Democrats react to Trump's Stone ruling (Guardian)
Including Senator Mitt Romney, Utah, Republican; Senator Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania, Republican; Mark Sanford, Republican; Governor Larry Hogan, Maryland, Republican.
Including Senator Mitt Romney, Utah, Republican; Senator Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania, Republican; Mark Sanford, Republican; Governor Larry Hogan, Maryland, Republican.
123margd
Is the Republican Party a Lost Cause? And if so, should it be?
William Kristol | July 14, 2020
...often the best one can do is to stop planning for a triple-bankshot inside-straight at some point in the unspecified future, and instead simply to fight for an outcome that is right and just in the short term. While at the same time keeping an open mind for the medium and long term...
https://thebulwark.com/can-the-republican-party-be-saved/
William Kristol | July 14, 2020
...often the best one can do is to stop planning for a triple-bankshot inside-straight at some point in the unspecified future, and instead simply to fight for an outcome that is right and just in the short term. While at the same time keeping an open mind for the medium and long term...
https://thebulwark.com/can-the-republican-party-be-saved/
124John5918
>123 margd: a triple-bankshot inside-straight at some point
Absolutely meaningless to anyone who is not familiar with those niche sports played mainly on the north American continent! I suppose a cricketing term would be equally meaningless to someone not from the dozen or so countries that play cricket.
Absolutely meaningless to anyone who is not familiar with those niche sports played mainly on the north American continent! I suppose a cricketing term would be equally meaningless to someone not from the dozen or so countries that play cricket.
125margd
>124 John5918: I just assumed it meant a long shot! ("Long shot" is golf term, I assume?)
"Bankshot" is a pool term apparently:
http://www.poolknowledge.com/trick_shots/triple-side-trick-shots/
"Bankshot" is a pool term apparently:
http://www.poolknowledge.com/trick_shots/triple-side-trick-shots/
126John5918
>125 margd:
Interesting. I have no interest in either pool or golf, so I can't comment. We grew up with billiards and snooker on the green table, and football (that's soccer on your side of the Pond), rugby and cricket on the green field. And darts in the pub!
Interesting. I have no interest in either pool or golf, so I can't comment. We grew up with billiards and snooker on the green table, and football (that's soccer on your side of the Pond), rugby and cricket on the green field. And darts in the pub!
127margd
Fighting alone: I’m a GOP governor. Why didn’t Trump help my state with coronavirus testing?
Larry Hogan | July 16, 2020
...“It was clear that waiting around for the president to run the nation’s response was hopeless; if we delayed any longer, we’d be condemning more of our citizens to suffering and death. So every governor went their own way...”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/07/16/larry-hogan-trump-coronavirus/
Larry Hogan | July 16, 2020
...“It was clear that waiting around for the president to run the nation’s response was hopeless; if we delayed any longer, we’d be condemning more of our citizens to suffering and death. So every governor went their own way...”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/07/16/larry-hogan-trump-coronavirus/
128Limelite
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) attempts to rehab his reputation, using Covid-19 mask wearing as the vehicle. It doesn't go well.
GOP strategist who wrote party’s 2012 autopsy says she hopes the party loses this year.
“My hope is that Trump will lose in November, Republicans will lose the Senate, and the GOP will be forced to rebuild with conservatives focused on the power of ideas,” she said.
Don't we all!
Anti-maskers bombard Marco Rubio with rage after he debunks their conspiracy theories.Of course (R-GA). Look at the state's gov. who just eliminated local mandates for mask wearing throughout the state after a kiss-up meeting with DJT yesterday. Unrighteous Repubs.
(SNIP)
Masks are for criminals and terrorists. pic.twitter.com/kKQHRtm7kz
— Rep. Steven Smith (R-GA) 🇺🇸 (@RepStevenSmith) July 16, 2020
GOP strategist who wrote party’s 2012 autopsy says she hopes the party loses this year.
“My hope is that Trump will lose in November, Republicans will lose the Senate, and the GOP will be forced to rebuild with conservatives focused on the power of ideas,” she said.
Don't we all!
129margd
>128 Limelite: Unrighteous Repubs.
I think of those guys as "unrighteous Repugs" as in Repuglicans... Something else.
I think of those guys as "unrighteous Repugs" as in Repuglicans... Something else.
130Cubby.R.S.
>128 Limelite:
I agree. I hope Conservatives do take over the Republican Party. What is more likely though: A gigantic pendulum as vile as anything. When the Socialist experience collapses the U.S. and the government can no longer control the crowd being appeased, the general population will be duped into choosing the complete opposite. Likely the sicko extremist Right-Wing will consume the thoughts of the easily corrupted base population. I'm not really sure that anything but a stable second-term for Trump will help. Even then there's a chance the sicko extremist Left-Wingers will continue their chaos.
I agree. I hope Conservatives do take over the Republican Party. What is more likely though: A gigantic pendulum as vile as anything. When the Socialist experience collapses the U.S. and the government can no longer control the crowd being appeased, the general population will be duped into choosing the complete opposite. Likely the sicko extremist Right-Wing will consume the thoughts of the easily corrupted base population. I'm not really sure that anything but a stable second-term for Trump will help. Even then there's a chance the sicko extremist Left-Wingers will continue their chaos.
132Cubby.R.S.
>131 John5918:
If Biden would've been capable of winning the election, even though he likely would've been forced to step down by his own party within a year, there is a very strong Socialist element to the Democrat party. It will lead to Socialized Healthcare and government buyout of failing business, and extreme regulations. People are not happy working for big businesses. Self-worth is at an all time low. Another thing; Democratic Socialism and Socialism are essentially the same thing, ask the BERN-man. I'm not sure that you're being very realistic about your disbelief in my comments. Many of your Liberal comrades on this very board would be very happy to see the U.S. move to Socialism.
If Biden would've been capable of winning the election, even though he likely would've been forced to step down by his own party within a year, there is a very strong Socialist element to the Democrat party. It will lead to Socialized Healthcare and government buyout of failing business, and extreme regulations. People are not happy working for big businesses. Self-worth is at an all time low. Another thing; Democratic Socialism and Socialism are essentially the same thing, ask the BERN-man. I'm not sure that you're being very realistic about your disbelief in my comments. Many of your Liberal comrades on this very board would be very happy to see the U.S. move to Socialism.
133John5918
>132 Cubby.R.S.:Many of your Liberal comrades on this very board would be very happy to see the U.S. move to Socialism.
So would I. But the USA is nowhere near that point, and there is little chance of it happening. Your Democrat party showed its true colours when it rejected Sanders, chose Biden and marginalised that group of activist young women. It is not a leftish party at all, and the modest reforms which it has proposed hardly constitute "socialism".
So would I. But the USA is nowhere near that point, and there is little chance of it happening. Your Democrat party showed its true colours when it rejected Sanders, chose Biden and marginalised that group of activist young women. It is not a leftish party at all, and the modest reforms which it has proposed hardly constitute "socialism".
134jjwilson61
>130 Cubby.R.S.: You shouldn't use stable and Trump in the same sentence.
135jjwilson61
>132 Cubby.R.S.: Most countries in the world already have socialist medicine and their economies haven't collapsed.
136Cubby.R.S.
Most? 32 of 190 something, isn't most. Also as discussed in another thread, the U.S. still has the best healthcare and the best doctors. Although waning due to the government and Insurance providers getting into bed during Obamacare and doubling costs, the U.S. is still outperforming those socialized nations. I would ask you this, would you rather buy 20 pounds of bacon at full price or get a nearly rotten hog put in your living room for free? Those countries have serious wait times and little to no options as alternative when things get bleak.
137jjwilson61
It's not worth arguing with you anymore. For every thoughtful post you answer it with a crapload of right-wing slogans.
138Cubby.R.S.
>137 jjwilson61:
Sorry, if I'm correct in what part of the response was upsetting, I do see your point. But I responded to a lot of posts today and did not treat yours fairly. Maybe a few weren't well handled but I put myself in a conversation maybe too vast.
So many claim that Democrats aren't in for Socialism, but an awful lot of people like it. Sorry again.
Sorry, if I'm correct in what part of the response was upsetting, I do see your point. But I responded to a lot of posts today and did not treat yours fairly. Maybe a few weren't well handled but I put myself in a conversation maybe too vast.
So many claim that Democrats aren't in for Socialism, but an awful lot of people like it. Sorry again.
139Limelite
How many righteous Republicans in political office? Total of five. 2 senators; 3 governors.
Sens. Romney and Toomey condemned Trump's corruption over his pardons of convicted criminals, provoked by latest of Stone.
Govs. Justice, Ivey, Hutchinson mandate masks statewide.
Sens. Romney and Toomey condemned Trump's corruption over his pardons of convicted criminals, provoked by latest of Stone.
Govs. Justice, Ivey, Hutchinson mandate masks statewide.
140margd
>140 margd: Consider adding Larry Hogan, R governor of Maryland and chair of the governors' association? He and his Korean-American wife audaciously procured PPE for their state under noses of Trumpian pirates.
Maryland Gov. Hogan defends criticism of Trump’s coronavirus response: ‘He’s his own worst enemy’
Lillian Reed | Jul 17, 2020
https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/bs-md-pol-hogan-gma-coronavirus-2020071...
Maryland Gov. Hogan defends criticism of Trump’s coronavirus response: ‘He’s his own worst enemy’
Lillian Reed | Jul 17, 2020
https://www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/bs-md-pol-hogan-gma-coronavirus-2020071...
141John5918
As Trump Ignores Virus Crisis, Republicans Start to Break Ranks (NYT)
President Trump’s failure to contain the coronavirus outbreak and his refusal to promote clear public-health guidelines have left many senior Republicans despairing that he will ever play a constructive role in addressing the crisis, with some concluding they must work around Mr. Trump and ignore or even contradict his pronouncements.
In recent days, some of the most prominent figures in the G.O.P. outside the White House have broken with Mr. Trump over issues like the value of wearing a mask in public and heeding the advice of health experts like Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, whom the president and other hard-right figures within the administration have subjected to caustic personal criticism.
They appear to be spurred by several overlapping forces, including deteriorating conditions in their own states, Mr. Trump’s seeming indifference to the problem and the approach of a presidential election in which Mr. Trump is badly lagging his Democratic challenger, Joseph R. Biden Jr., in the polls.
Once-reticent Republican governors are now issuing orders on mask-wearing and business restrictions that run counter to Mr. Trump’s demands. Some of those governors have been holding late-night phone calls among themselves to trade ideas and grievances; they have sought out partners in the administration other than the president, including Vice President Mike Pence, who, despite echoing Mr. Trump in public, is seen by governors as far more attentive to the continuing disaster...
President Trump’s failure to contain the coronavirus outbreak and his refusal to promote clear public-health guidelines have left many senior Republicans despairing that he will ever play a constructive role in addressing the crisis, with some concluding they must work around Mr. Trump and ignore or even contradict his pronouncements.
In recent days, some of the most prominent figures in the G.O.P. outside the White House have broken with Mr. Trump over issues like the value of wearing a mask in public and heeding the advice of health experts like Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, whom the president and other hard-right figures within the administration have subjected to caustic personal criticism.
They appear to be spurred by several overlapping forces, including deteriorating conditions in their own states, Mr. Trump’s seeming indifference to the problem and the approach of a presidential election in which Mr. Trump is badly lagging his Democratic challenger, Joseph R. Biden Jr., in the polls.
Once-reticent Republican governors are now issuing orders on mask-wearing and business restrictions that run counter to Mr. Trump’s demands. Some of those governors have been holding late-night phone calls among themselves to trade ideas and grievances; they have sought out partners in the administration other than the president, including Vice President Mike Pence, who, despite echoing Mr. Trump in public, is seen by governors as far more attentive to the continuing disaster...
142margd
BREAKING:
Republican John Kasich is planning to endorse Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention.
- PoliticsVideoChannel @politvidchannel | 9:34 AM · Jul 20, 2020
Republican John Kasich is planning to endorse Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention.
- PoliticsVideoChannel @politvidchannel | 9:34 AM · Jul 20, 2020
143Limelite
Self-righteous Republican Know-Nothing
George Will finally gets off the pot and announces he will vote for Joe Biden -- his first vote for a Democratic presidential candidate.
Whatsamatta, Georgie, grown tired of voting for racists, criminals, Alzheimery actors, broccoli haters, low IQ Alfred E. Newman look-alikes, and treasonous con-men? Finally reached your sickened quota, didja?
Convince me of your righteousness and put your money where your mouth is. Donate big time to Biden's campaign.
George Will finally gets off the pot and announces he will vote for Joe Biden -- his first vote for a Democratic presidential candidate.
Whatsamatta, Georgie, grown tired of voting for racists, criminals, Alzheimery actors, broccoli haters, low IQ Alfred E. Newman look-alikes, and treasonous con-men? Finally reached your sickened quota, didja?
Convince me of your righteousness and put your money where your mouth is. Donate big time to Biden's campaign.
144Limelite
While there's no evidence that he's righteous, at least Defense Secretary Esper has found his 'this far and no further' point.
He's still unable to condemn the beating of peaceful legally protesting military veterans by them and their batons.
Worst of all, his lips remain sealed when it comes to protesting, much less even acknowledging, their unconstitutional deployment by a dictatorial Trump to oppress Amercan citizens exercising their First Amendment rights.
But at this stage in Republican vileness, at least one of them has stepped up to the threshold of issuing a sternly worded letter.
Although the federal law enforcement officers who have been attacking George Floyd protesters in Portland, Oregon are not acting on behalf of the U.S. military, they have been wearing military-like camouflage. And Defense Secretary Mark Esper, according to Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman, is expressing concerns about their attire and believes the American public should be able to distinguish between military troops and police officers.He can't yet reach the low bar of condemning their deployment into a state and city unasked.
He's still unable to condemn the beating of peaceful legally protesting military veterans by them and their batons.
Worst of all, his lips remain sealed when it comes to protesting, much less even acknowledging, their unconstitutional deployment by a dictatorial Trump to oppress Amercan citizens exercising their First Amendment rights.
But at this stage in Republican vileness, at least one of them has stepped up to the threshold of issuing a sternly worded letter.
145John5918
Key Trump campaign donor steps back from supporting president’s 2020 election bid (Independent)
One of Donald Trump‘s top presidential donors from 2016 has taken a step back from supporting his latest election bid.
Robert Mercer, a billionaire hedge-fund manager, donated $15.5m with his wife, Diana, to a number of organisations that supported Mr Trump and his campaign efforts in 2016. The couple also put up another $1m for the inaugural committee.
Not only did Mr Mercer and his family provide needed donations for the campaign, but they also brought Cambridge Analytica, a data company funded by the billionaire, into the fold...
Five people in the same sphere as the Mercer family have told Business Insider it was unlikely the billionaire would re-emerge prior to November with funding for the president.
A Republican Party official close to the Trump campaign, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Business Insider, said the campaign was not expecting to receive financial or any other support from the Mercer family...
One of Donald Trump‘s top presidential donors from 2016 has taken a step back from supporting his latest election bid.
Robert Mercer, a billionaire hedge-fund manager, donated $15.5m with his wife, Diana, to a number of organisations that supported Mr Trump and his campaign efforts in 2016. The couple also put up another $1m for the inaugural committee.
Not only did Mr Mercer and his family provide needed donations for the campaign, but they also brought Cambridge Analytica, a data company funded by the billionaire, into the fold...
Five people in the same sphere as the Mercer family have told Business Insider it was unlikely the billionaire would re-emerge prior to November with funding for the president.
A Republican Party official close to the Trump campaign, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Business Insider, said the campaign was not expecting to receive financial or any other support from the Mercer family...
1462wonderY
>145 John5918: I wouldn't put the Mercers in the Righteous category. Their decision is merely practical, I think. They made an investment in 2016. Whether it paid off as expected or not, their decision to refrain from another investment is purely hard-nose calculation.
Nothing admirable here; move along.
Nothing admirable here; move along.
147John5918
>146 2wonderY:
Agreed. Maybe this isn't the right thread for it. I simply note that this is yet another example of Republicans backing off from Trump, whether out of genuine "righteousness" or simple self-interest.
Agreed. Maybe this isn't the right thread for it. I simply note that this is yet another example of Republicans backing off from Trump, whether out of genuine "righteousness" or simple self-interest.
1492wonderY
Jimmy Tosh, who runs a multi-million dollar hog and grain farm in Tennessee, is a lifelong Republican. He is pro-gun, supports lower taxes and agrees with most of Republican President Donald Trump's agenda.
He is also spending his money to help defeat Trump in November's election.
"I agree with 80% of the things he does; I just cannot stand a liar," Tosh, 70, said of Trump.
The wealthy Republicans who want to oust Trump in November's election
He is also spending his money to help defeat Trump in November's election.
"I agree with 80% of the things he does; I just cannot stand a liar," Tosh, 70, said of Trump.
The wealthy Republicans who want to oust Trump in November's election
150John5918
Republicans to Trump: You can't delay 2020 election (BBC)
Top Republicans have rejected President Donald Trump's suggestion that November's presidential election should be delayed over alleged fraud concerns. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy both dismissed the idea...
Top Republicans have rejected President Donald Trump's suggestion that November's presidential election should be delayed over alleged fraud concerns. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy both dismissed the idea...
1522wonderY
Steven Calabresi calls for Trump to be impeached for suggesting a delayed election; calls it fascist:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/opinion/trump-delay-election-coronavirus.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/opinion/trump-delay-election-coronavirus.html
This topic was continued by Righteous Republicans 3.
