I apologize some more for not writing. I’ve been very ill since I wrote the last post. Doctors think I will be fine, but when is a question. The meds I’m taking are making me dizzy.
Anyway — the issue at hand is that Democrats want a real Senate trial, and Republicans, or the loud ones anyway, do not. Chuck Schumer’s proposal includes calling witnesses not yet heard from, including Mick Mulvaney and Johhn Bolton. Further,
Mr. Schumer also called for the Senate to subpoena documents that could shed light on the events at the heart of the charges against Mr. Trump: his campaign to enlist Ukraine to investigate his political rivals. And he set forth a specific timetable for each side to present its case, modeled on the one used when President Bill Clinton was tried in 1999. Mr. Clinton’s trial lasted about five weeks.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) could, after the House vote on the articles, decline to send over the articles until such rules for a real trial can be agreed upon. Give McConnell, say, 30 days to get this right. While the House makes clear that impeachment is urgent, there is no remedy for a clear and present danger in a farcical non-trial. Pelosi’s time frame could raise pressure on McConnell, further unhinge Trump and give Democrats a chance to get out there, as they have failed so far to do, with a full-blown ad campaign to convince voters of what is at stake.
I don’t know why there should be a 30 day deadline. John Dean — yeah, that John Dean — had a similar idea with no time limit —
Dean, you’ll recall, was Richard Nixon’s White House counsel. Caught up in the early days of the Watergate cover-up, Dean became a whistle-blower — initially to his boss, and eventually to the Senate and the nation, and in the 21st century he has burnished his reputation both as a truth-teller and sage commentator. A frequent analyst of Trump’s foibles, Dean is now promoting an outside-the-box solution to the impeachment quandary.
“Let’s impeach him now and NOT send it to the Senate rather keep investigating in the House, and add such supplemental articles as needed!” Dean wrote on Twitter this weekend. “Just let it hang over his head. If the worst happens and he is reelected, send it to the Senate. But keep investigating!!”
Or, let McConnell know that the articles of impeachment will stay in Nancy Pelosi’s purse until he allows a real trial with witnesses and documents the White House has been withholding.
Some columnists have proposed that there may be enough Republican votes in the Senate to override McConnell and force a real trial, but I am not holding my breath.
Sorry to hear you are still in recovery. Please keep us updated.
As I've said before, (But I have to repeat my ideas – I have so few independent ones.) the objective here is not the unlikely removal of Trump. The main goal is to demonstrate for voters who might be persuaded not to vote for Trump that he's a liability. I hear the phrase "will fire up Trump's base" as if the 41% of cultists can somehow morph into something more powerful or threatening than what they are. They are as stable as any group of people I've ever seen. The numbers (percent) doesn't change and hasn't for years. This group – the 41% – WILL vote for Trump, can't vote twice and isn't getting any bigger (or smaller.) On the other hand, 51% strongly disapprove of Trump – and 57% disapprove.
As 2016 proved, the EC favors Trump, so the national popularity contest won't decide the election. BUT, of the 8% that's undeclared, there's room for either side to move the needle and a few points is critical in the swing states. I don't think Trump can drive his turnout UP but it can go DOWN among conservative non-cultists. A few thousand in swing states who can't vote for a Democrat but decide they can't stomach Trump any more, can decide the election.
Democrats might also threaten to hold the impeachment in a weird lengthy delay until McConnel is voted out so the rules of the trial are fair. That puts the bulls-eye on Moscow Mitch as far as the impeachment progress is concerned. We'd go hunting Mitch personally and nationally in the interests of a real trial (like with witnesses.)
Do take care, Maha,
I'm pleased about three things
– the trial won't be until January. It would otherwise get lost in the noise around the holiday. There may be some memorable performances that stick/grow in the public's mind
– there are only two articles of impeachment, two charges if you will, out of many possible. This means even if Trump squeaks out of these, a repeat of impeachment is possible, with other charges. Investigations are still continuing.
– the effort to get Trump's tax returns is grinding through the courts. Eventually the truth of his sham empire is going to come out.
How to Take Down a Cult Leader. This cuts to what everyone is looking for in the Democratic nominee, whether it’s said this way or not. It’s ostensibly why Bloomberg felt compelled to enter the race.
Feel better, maha!!!!!
Best wishes for your recovery! I hope you only have something like one of the three-day virus things that have gone around here, and leave you tired but whole and improving. Lots of fluids and naps!
Hope you feel better.
I pretty much agree with all the comments; anything I'd say here would just be preaching to the choir.
I will say this: I am liking the withhold sending the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate to leverage McConnell agreeing to fair trial demands. Some call that a hack dems should not do. Even as McConnell has openly collaborated with the White House to rig the trial, and the loudmouth Graham has declared he will not be fair. Then democrats, you need to not be so worried about traditions and play the game as it's being played, lest you end up getting played.
I agree that it might make sense for Pelosi to hold back the indictment until she can get some guarantees from McConnell; but what promises can she extract that he can't break? Dishonor is an event horizon that the Republican party has long since fallen through.
Here's a promise that can help, unless he breaks it; for the trial to be decided by secret ballot. That way Graham and Cruz can turn coat safely.
There is an epidemic of denial virus going though the Trumpanista's, but the Lincoln Project shows not all of the GOP lacks proper mental health defenses. It is a rare good sign in a near plague of bad omens.
Prepare ye all as the solstice is nigh. We will get more daylight. We hope it brings more enlightenment.
I hope you feel better.
Lots of fluids rest and time. We appreciate your being there, so take care.
Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats, AND I DID NOTHING WRONG! A terrible Thing. Read the Transcripts. This should never happen to another President again. Say a PRAYER!
I'm laying prostrate in fervent supplication that justice be done! My prayer is a simple one…May that with was done in the dark be brought to the light.
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