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You are here: Home / Open Threads / What happens next?

What happens next?

by Betty Cracker|  February 5, 20205:12 pm| 96 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Politics

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As you’ve no doubt heard, the Senate acquitted Trump as expected. The only real bright spots in today’s proceedings were that Romney removed the “bipartisan acquittal” talking point the Trump minions have been telegraphing for weeks now by voting “yes” on one article and Democrats stuck together as one. So, what happens next?

I think we have to brace ourselves for a shitty news cycle. Why? Because we have a shitty Beltway media, and it’s all who’s up and who’s down and who won and who lost. The fact that the House Democrats proved their case so convincingly — in the face of unprecedented obstruction! — that no one seriously questions the fact of Trump’s guilt probably won’t figure into the coverage. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m expecting a series of “did the Democrats overreach” bullshit takes.

I think we have to brace ourselves for Trump to act out like the spoiled and demented buffoon that he is. Recall that Trump started aggressively extorting Ukrainian President Zelensky immediately after AG Barr helped him defang the damning Mueller report. Well, this will probably be worse.

All that said, impeachment was the right thing to do. It aired Trump’s extremely smelly laundry in the highest profile way, and it implicated his craven toadies in Congress. It will almost certainly prompt Trump to move on to dazzling new feats of criminality and hubris in public view (and out), all of which the Republican-controlled Senate is now on record as condoning.

So, yeah, it sucks that Senate Republicans minus Mitt violated their oaths and essentially crowned Trump an unaccountable monarch. But we knew it was coming. It’s a dangerous time, but our democracy has been endangered since 1/20/2017. Now, all the cards are on the table in front of the entire world.

We’ll just have to keep fighting like hell to save ourselves. We have no other choice.

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Previous Post: « A Good Word for Mitt
Next Post: Open Thread: Due Respect for Senator Romney »

Reader Interactions

96Comments

  1. 1.

    Baud

    February 5, 2020 at 5:15 pm

    Agree with all of this. Keep on pressing.

  2. 2.

    chopper

    February 5, 2020 at 5:16 pm

    oh, he’s gonna go hog wild all right.

  3. 3.

    trollhattan

    February 5, 2020 at 5:17 pm

    Meanwhile, back in Io-Hampshire, Dems in disarray!

  4. 4.

    download my app in the app store mistermix

    February 5, 2020 at 5:17 pm

    Find something that makes Trump mad, every day.  Nancy covered Tuesday, and now Mitt did us a solid for Wednesday.   I wonder who has the rest of the week?

    When Trump is mad and sputtering on Twitter, we’re winning, as far as I’m concerned.

  5. 5.

    randy khan

    February 5, 2020 at 5:18 pm

    Don’t forget all the takes from people nominally on our side about how Pelosi Did Impeachment Wrong by not having more counts, by not waiting for the courts, by not imprisoning recalcitrant witnesses, by not storming into the Senate chamber to beat McConnell with a walking stick (okay, maybe that’s just my fantasy), etc., etc.

  6. 6.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    February 5, 2020 at 5:20 pm

    Nancy ain’t done yet.

  7. 7.

    Kent

    February 5, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    What happens next?

    The House had better open about 5 more investigations into Trump wrong-doing including continued examination of the Ukraine Affairs which is not yet over as Rudy Giuliani told me on NPR this very morning.  And, of course, hearing from Bolton.

    The GOP House did something like 10 separate investigations on Benghazi which is probably what won them the 2016 election as that is where the whole Emails thing came from.

  8. 8.

    rp

    February 5, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    Is today:

    1. the end
    2. the beginning of the end
    3. the end of the beginning
    4. time to get sh*tfaced
  9. 9.

    Betty Cracker

    February 5, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    @randy khan: Thank you for sharing that walking stick fantasy so that the rest of us can enjoy it too! One thing I’m going to TRY not to do — and I will say right up front that this will probably not last more than 20 minutes — is spend any energy at all finding fault with fellow Democrats. Even the annoying ones who focus exclusively on criticizing fellow Democrats.

  10. 10.

    SPN in CO

    February 5, 2020 at 5:22 pm

    I agree with your take.   Have to keep plodding.   And avoiding too many shiny objects that distract from the goal of bringing electoral accountability to the whole sorry lot of enablers.

  11. 11.

    jl

    February 5, 2020 at 5:23 pm

    Two ideas off the top of my head. The second one is debatable, but I think the cause of justice, apart of political expedience, demands it.

    Push back harder, with ‘frank and vigorous discussions’ (as they say in diplomacy) with the media and constituents. For example, Pelosi could say she tore up the speech because Trump told conscious, outrageous, and dangerous lies all the way through.

    Also, plenty of other things to impeach Trump on. Senate isn’t going to pass anything anyway. Trump will storm out of any honest bipartisan negotiations because someone looked him funny, or some crony told him to do that as a pretext. McConnell will go along. Tell the country that Trump is a danger to democracy, and nothing is going to happen anyway because McConnell is a corrupt Trump toady who will block every constructive bill that gets to him.

  12. 12.

    pat

    February 5, 2020 at 5:24 pm

    I tried to send an email of thanks to Mitt but after some time it seems it didn’t go through because the “Site is Under Maintenance.”

    Sure…  I bet it was really lighting up, and not only with thank-yous.

    Heh.

  13. 13.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    February 5, 2020 at 5:24 pm

    @randy khan:

    storming into the Senate chamber to beat McConnell with a walking stick

    Like that’s ever happened before. //

  14. 14.

    JMG

    February 5, 2020 at 5:25 pm

    All of Trump’s biggest and worst blunders (in the strict political sense of the term, minus morality) have come when he’s in the throes of a sugar rush of a narcissism high. So I expect some such blunder very soon.

  15. 15.

    gene108

    February 5, 2020 at 5:26 pm

    Republicans will overreach. It’s what they do.

    I fully expect Trump to up the emoluments violations, self-dealing, and the rest of his Cabinet to follow suit.

    As far as I’m concerned Republicans picked a fascinating strategy on impeachment, with regards to this election. As much as Democrats are worried about our would be Presidential candidate beating Trump, and are somewhat exhausted by this endless primary season, which has already gone on for one year, we are deep down filled with white hot fury at Trump, and the entire Republican Party.

    I don’t see this acquittal doing anything to calm our rage at them.

    At some point, after we quit sniping at each other over the electability of our preferred presidential primary candidate, we will fully focus out fury on beating Republicans.

    This will only add fuel to our fire.

  16. 16.

    delk

    February 5, 2020 at 5:27 pm

    What happens next? More investigations. Let’s get those financial records out in the open. And make sure that everyday for the rest of his life Trump is reminded that he was impeached.

  17. 17.

    LarrytheRed

    February 5, 2020 at 5:28 pm

    Who thought that direct election of senators was going to make the Senate more accountable? Maybe November will prove me wrong. Hope does spring eternal.

  18. 18.

    waspuppet

    February 5, 2020 at 5:29 pm

    I hope I’m wrong, but I’m expecting a series of “did the Democrats overreach” bullshit takes.

    “A feisty, combative President Trump hit back at his accusers in the predawn hours of Thursday by sending ICE agents to the home of Rep. Adam Schiff, hauling him into a truck and driving away. It isn’t known where the congressman is.

    “Critics say the move was heavy-handed, given that Schiff is an American citizen whose right to remain in the country was not in question. But the president tweeted ‘Article II says I can do whatever I want,’ another statement that has been contested by Democrats.”

  19. 19.

    Uninvited Guest

    February 5, 2020 at 5:30 pm

    Best case scenario, Nancy, Schiff and the others know there’s more coming down the pipe line and they’re going to tie it all to the party that failed to and in all likelihood will continue to refuse to hold this thing accountable.

  20. 20.

    zhena gogolia

    February 5, 2020 at 5:32 pm

    @waspuppet:

    Peter Baker, is that you?

  21. 21.

    dmsilev

    February 5, 2020 at 5:34 pm

    @gene108:

    As far as I’m concerned Republicans picked a fascinating strategy on impeachment, with regards to this election.

    Voting for “no witnesses” is going to be an albatross for a lot of them. Something like 75% of the public thought witnesses should be called and it’s an easy simple thing for a challenger to say “Senator Smith voted for a cover-up”. Especially since we all know that more stuff is going to come out.

  22. 22.

    jharp

    February 5, 2020 at 5:35 pm

    Trump and O. J.  Two peas in a pod.

    Both guilty as fuck and both skate because jurors betrayed the country and didn’t even consider doing their duty.

  23. 23.

    Juju

    February 5, 2020 at 5:35 pm

    Trump is going to do what he does and he will do more stupid, possibly illegal offensive things and his numbers will go back to where they were. He is unfettered by anything now. He’s bound to make an ass out of himself repeatedly. Meanwhile Democrat’s are angry and we need to vote and register more new voters. Don’t panic, work to get him voted out of office and get the house and senate the next president needs.

  24. 24.

    Mary G

    February 5, 2020 at 5:36 pm

    He’s gonna go after the witnesses who obeyed the House subpoenas.

  25. 25.

    Laura Koerber

    February 5, 2020 at 5:36 pm

    @pat: Me too.

  26. 26.

    JPL

    February 5, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    @zhena gogolia: haha   The acquittal was mostly along party lines,   just in case you were interested.

  27. 27.

    pat

    February 5, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    The House has passed a few hundred bills, most of them bipartisan, as far as I know, and they sit on Mitch’s desk gathering dust.

    Might as well use the time to go for more impeachment.  After a week or so to recover, of course.  It must be exhausting.

    And Nancy is not done yet.

  28. 28.

    Juju

    February 5, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    @Mary G: and he will look like the fascist thug he is.

  29. 29.

    Jamie

    February 5, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    @delk: Fuckin’ A.

  30. 30.

    Jager

    February 5, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    @Betty Cracker:

    Off topic. Betty there is a marina in Riviera Beach called Cracker Boy. You ought to stroll in there, introduce yourself and ask for your piece of the action. No problem finding the owner, he’s the only white guy working there.

  31. 31.

    NotMax

    February 5, 2020 at 5:45 pm

    Expect some senators will catch royal hell from their spouses tonight.

  32. 32.

    Kent

    February 5, 2020 at 5:46 pm

    Well, this is certainly blowing coverage of the Iowa Caucuses out of the headlines, to the dismay of the Big B and Little B campaigns.

    So there is that.

  33. 33.

    The Dangerman

    February 5, 2020 at 5:47 pm

    Any day that doesn’t include some variant of  “tax returns, please” or “where are the tax returns, you crass, craven, sniveling motherfucker” is a lost day.

  34. 34.

    Kent

    February 5, 2020 at 5:49 pm

    @NotMax:Expect some senators will catch royal hell from their spouses tonight.

    Oh, I highly doubt that.  You think there are any Washington GOP spouses who aren’t either (1) utterly cynical, or (2) true believers?  I seriously doubt it.  If anyone knows that politics is a game, it is a politician’s spouse.  They would be much more pissed to get crosswise with the DC GOP establishment and lose all the dinner party invites and social events.

  35. 35.

    Felanius Kootea

    February 5, 2020 at 5:52 pm

    When Trump does something criminal tomorrow following his acquittal (just like his call to Zelensky the day after the Mueller testimony) and this time announces it on TV, do you think the Dems will impeach again?  Is there any value in censure, since the GOP will never convict him on impeachment charges but might vote for censure?

  36. 36.

    Jeffro

    February 5, 2020 at 5:52 pm

    Trumpov has continued his downward spiral for the past four years, and every election, he winds up his voters…but he winds ours up even more.

    Personally, I am in a whatever-is-beyond-white-hot rage right now, not at the acquittal but at the sad fact that I was right.  I noted to my TCNJ dad and bro that this was a nice BIPARTISAN guilty verdict, defeated only by a GOP PARTISAN can’t-bring-ourselves-to-honor-our-oaths acquittal, and they…essentially joined the trumpov cult.  I was right that back in 2015 and 2016 and 2017 and 2018 and 2019, I told them that unless they drew a line of some kind, any kind, they would continue to follow trumpov down the spiral and wind up in a place they could never have imagined.

    Mr. “Big Business Conservative”.  Mr. “Libertarian” (aka I live in a fantasy where no one pays taxes)

    So…instead of just saying he did it and was wrong to do it but it doesn’t rise to the level of impeachment, they actually defended trumpov, said the House shouldn’t have gone so quickly/‘bullied’ the Senate (LOL), attacked Schiff, and are praying for a Bernie nomination.

    Which is why I’m about to crank out an op-ed titled “Why the TCNJs love them some Bernie and hate AOC”.  If I’m going to be in a beyond-white-hot rage, it should at least be productive! ;)

  37. 37.

    chopper

    February 5, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    @download my app in the app store mistermix:

    Find something that makes Trump mad, every day.

    so, bitching up and down about iowa, then?

  38. 38.

    chopper

    February 5, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    @rp:

    porque no los quatro, etc etc.

  39. 39.

    janesays

    February 5, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    @jharp: Not gonna dispute O.J.’s obvious guilt, but not sure I would characterize the jurors decision in that case as a “betrayal of the country”. The ramifications for all Americans for Trump’s acquittal are about a gazillion times more significant than the ramifications of O.J.’s acquittal were for all Americans. Put another way – this acquittal is far, far, far worse than O.J. Simpson’s acquittal in terms of the tangible impact it will have on all of our lives.

  40. 40.

    Felanius Kootea

    February 5, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    Amy McGrath has excellent timing.  Just received an email that says she would have voted to convict.  I made a small donation to her campaign.  I know ousting Mitch McConnell is a long shot but I want him to sweat a little this time around.

  41. 41.

    Anya

    February 5, 2020 at 5:57 pm

    I am less despondent about this than I was last night. I’ve donated big to Doug Jones, and sent a thank you email to Romney. His vote shouldn’t be considered “courageous” but in these crazy times, it’s admirable and courageous. If there is any justice, Susan Collins will lose big.

  42. 42.

    SiubhanDuinne

    February 5, 2020 at 5:58 pm

    @pat:  I left a voice mail of thanks at his SLC district office. Identified myself as a Democrat and a non-constituent, but wanted to express my appreciation for Senator Romney’s courage in doing the right thing. I hope he gets a lot of similar messages, and I hope awareness of them somehow seeps through to other potentially persuadable Republicans. You know, for the next time.

  43. 43.

    dm

    February 5, 2020 at 5:59 pm

    More infestigations (typo, but I kinda like it).  What happened in the phone-call between Erodgan and Trump that was followed, a few hours later, with abandoning the Kurds?

    What about Trump business connections in China?

    Subpoena that translator who was in the meeting between Trump and Putin (the one that ended with Trump tearing up the translator’s notes).  What, to the best of their ability to recall, was discussed?

    Pass a few laws that will, for example, expedite lawsuits involving conflicts between Congress and the Executive, so subpoena issues are settled in days and not years.

    Use the Congressional power of the purse to make funding of executive agencies contingent on fast response to Congressional investigations.  If possible, target cabinet members directly.

    Open investigations into the consequences of having so many offices unfilled, or have “acting” officials.  Especially in Defense and DHS.

  44. 44.

    debbie

    February 5, 2020 at 5:59 pm

    I don’t understand how Romney voted for abuse of power but not obstruction.

  45. 45.

    chris

    February 5, 2020 at 5:59 pm

    Mittens done good, I guess. But I hope someone has the temerity to ask him how (the actual fuck!) he could vote guilty on the first article but not guilty on the second.

    “i wanted to hear from the witnesses but… I guess it was okay.

    ETA: Hi, Debbie!

  46. 46.

    Mike in NC

    February 5, 2020 at 5:59 pm

    Just spotted a pickup truck parked in our development flying a giant “Trump 2020 No Bullshit” flag. Wondering if somebody will get to it before I do. We have our fair share of demented bigots and MAGAts.

  47. 47.

    jharp

    February 5, 2020 at 6:02 pm

    @janesays:

    No doubt about it. Trump’s acquittal is far more damaging.

    O. J. was emboldened and continued his crimes.

    I’m all in, betting my entire stack, that Trump does the exact same thing.

    It’s who Trump is. Not a chance in hell of him changing his ways.

  48. 48.

    Fleeting Expletive

    February 5, 2020 at 6:04 pm

    @zhena gogolia: I LOLed.

  49. 49.

    Kelly

    February 5, 2020 at 6:07 pm

    @Mike in NC:

    Just spotted a pickup truck parked in our development flying a giant “Trump 2020 No Bullshit” flag. Wondering if somebody will get to it before I do. We have our fair share of demented bigots and MAGAts.

     

    A mile down the road from me the highway is flanked by 4×8 “Joey Nations for Congress” signs. Joey is a Proud Boy/ Patriot Prayer fella that is emphasizing is political street brawling as a plus. Makes my current Blue Dog Dem Kurt Schrader look just fine.

  50. 50.

    trollhattan

    February 5, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    @Kelly:

    “Vote for our guy or we’ll find somebody worse” is an intriguing strategy.

  51. 51.

    danielx

    February 5, 2020 at 6:14 pm

    @jharp:

    In point of fact he’ll get worse.

  52. 52.

    debbie

    February 5, 2020 at 6:15 pm

    @zhena gogolia:

    Just read your morning post. Thanks, it’s so great to have everything all in one thread.

  53. 53.

    Wapiti

    February 5, 2020 at 6:18 pm

    I hope Schiff can take a day, maybe two, off to relax before subpoenaing Bolton. He’s earned it.

  54. 54.

    Kelly

    February 5, 2020 at 6:18 pm

    @trollhattan: Joey’s running for the R’s. The other  R’s in the primary have 2nd amendment BS as the first thing on their campaign sites. Mayor of Milwaukie, OR is running against Kurt on the D side. I like what he has to say but golly all of those 3 R’s are out and proud RWNJs. We had a one term RWNJ in the seat before Kurt. Bird in the hand man, bird in the hand.

  55. 55.

    Miss Bianca

    February 5, 2020 at 6:19 pm

    @chris: Well, you know, he wanted to send a message, but he didn’t want to go *too* far…//

  56. 56.

    SFAW

    February 5, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    I didn’t have the guts to watch any of the proceedings, because I didn’t want to run the risk of seeing Traitor Turtle and his merry band of traitors, but one of the questions I had hoped a Dem would ask is: “The Other Party’s members have said that ‘yeah, he did it, but it’s not a high-enough crime or misdemeanor, so not going to convict.’ Since they are all of them honorable men, I want to know: Is there any action the Crimer-in-Chief could take that WOULD be a high-enough crime for you to convict? How about if he had a contract killer take out two or three of the Dem candidates — would THAT be enough?”

    OK, so it was two questions. I still want someone to ask the non-Mitt Party of Traitors senators what it would take. Especially Graham, that lying, weaselly SOB.

  57. 57.

    senyordave

    February 5, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    @jharp: I’m all in, betting my entire stack, that Trump does the exact same thing.

    Surely you aren’t saying that Susan Collins is wrong when she says that Trump has learned his lesson?

  58. 58.

    barb 2

    February 5, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    I read the “Republican-controlled Senate is now on record as condoning.” . . . senate as … Russian controlled Senate”.

    After listening to the Republicans repeating the Russian propaganda during the Impeachment hearings — I think my mis-reading was my mind correcting the record. The Republican party is dead. They keep on repeating the lies made up by the Russian crooks and criminals — even when the GOP has been informed about the truth of the Russian hacking. Those suckers have heard the truth from our own Intelligence officers and they choose to follow Trump right over the cliff.

    Nance Malcom’s book was helpful — last chapter he explained how other countries have been coping with the Russian misinformation and lies — schools in Finland etc teach critical thinking. This is the key critical thinking. Everyone who is able to see through the haze of the lies seems to have learned critical thinking skills — or was born as a skeptic (or survived being raised in a cult).

    Trump will be in full combat mode — going to war on all his enemies. This election will be war and he plans to do anything to win. There is no being nice to “them” so that they will play nice during the political campaigns. They will lie, cheat and steal in order to win.

    This is war — and Trump will doing something far worse tomorrow. He doesn’t learn — he keeps on doing what works — and that means lie, cheat and steal. There will be plenty of stupid people who will whine — “everyone is so negative and nasty – I’m not going to vote until everyone is nice..” So we need to focus on the pissed off and scared voters who know we need to get rid of the monsters.

    The Russian controlled Senate. Minus one brave soul.

    Thank you for reminding us of what is going to happen now that Trump has been given the keys.

  59. 59.

    ThresherK

    February 5, 2020 at 6:21 pm

    @Jeffro: “TCNJ”? I am aware of all internet traditions, but if that’s not True Conservative Nut Job, please enlighten me.

    (I like “TPC”, or True Principled Conservative, for all those who can’t say “Republican” because the brand’s name is deep under water.)

  60. 60.

    hitchhiker

    February 5, 2020 at 6:22 pm

    I don’t for one second think that Pelosi would stage that speech-ripping moment just to show her pique. She’s going to be doing a lot of openly contemptuous gestures while she continues to marshall the investigatory power of her majority.

    The Democratic party has no leader for now, except her. It’s very encouraging to see her choose to pick that crown up and set it on her head at a don’t-fuck-with-me angle.

    In the meantime (and I can say this from the luxury of living in one of the bluest counties in the country) the best plan is to let your eyes slide past the outrageous bullshit. It’s there to make you outraged, so why give them the satisfaction? We could write it ourselves. We know what they’re going to be saying. Who cares? The base loves it when we shake our impotent fists at their hero. I say fuck’em.

  61. 61.

    Regine Touchon

    February 5, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    @Anya:

    Thanks for contributing to Doug Jones.  We Alabamians who support him need all the help we can get to get him re-elected.  Please if anyone else feels inclined to donate to him it’s much appreciated.  I belong to a group of women who worked tirelessly in the special election and are hellbent on doing the same in 2020.

  62. 62.

    BethanyAnne

    February 5, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    Now I’m have the audio of Travis in Fallout 4 in my head. Right when I pump him up before the Beantown Brewery fight. “Oooh! Yeah! Let’s take em!”

  63. 63.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    February 5, 2020 at 6:25 pm

    @download my app in the app store mistermix:

    Trump started the POWN the otherside. So be it.

  64. 64.

    joel hanes

    February 5, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    It aired Trump’s extremely smelly laundry in the highest profile way

    Only a small fraction of that laundry, and I’m very much afraid that

    1.  The parts we already know are not the worst parts
    2.  Emboldened, the swine will now cast off what few restraints he might have felt, and lash out in a vengeful fury
    3.  Some of the people who have behaved honorably are about to pay a high price for their integrity
  65. 65.

    Miss Bianca

    February 5, 2020 at 6:30 pm

    @ThresherK: I can’t speak for Jeffro, but I believe TC might stand for “Trump Cultist”.

  66. 66.

    schrodingers_cat

    February 5, 2020 at 6:36 pm

    Whory Woodruff has Kelly Ann ConJob on the Snooze Hour. Was I naive or was NewsHour better with Jim Lehrer at the helm and not so both-sidery, and R enabling.

  67. 67.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    February 5, 2020 at 6:39 pm

    @ThresherK: I believe it’s a Jeffro-ism, Trump Cult Nut Job.

  68. 68.

    TriassicSands

    February 5, 2020 at 6:39 pm

    …and it implicated his craven toadies in Congress.

    Romney’s vote was critical in pointing out Trump’s guilt and the absolute corruption of 52 Republican senators.

    We’ll see how it goes, but his vote — the vote of a former Republican presidential nominee — should make it a little harder to maintain the both sides hyper-partisan claims.

    In the end it was God that got to Romney. If it had just been about partisanship, he might have voted to acquit. But, unlike all the Republican phony Christian senators, Romney seems to have actually believed that taking an oath means something. Oops! You can’t fool God.

    I strongly believe that religion has no place in politics or government. This may be the one time I’m thankful for religion.

    Many “Christians” don’t believe Mormons are Christians. I guess the Christian “God” doesn’t take oaths sworn in His name seriously. Convenient.

  69. 69.

    Shalimar

    February 5, 2020 at 6:39 pm

    @debbie: I don’t understand how Mitt didn’t vote for obstruction either, given that Trump personally called him and tried to persuade him to obstruct any further investigation.

  70. 70.

    opiejeanne

    February 5, 2020 at 6:41 pm

    @randy khan: Yeah, and AOC, bless her heart, giving Nancy Smash side-eye for tearing up that speech last night. Ugh.

  71. 71.

    mad citizen

    February 5, 2020 at 6:44 pm

    Random thought from last night (but not at a keyboard until now), no doubt helped by what I read here all the time.  If trumpov can’t keep anything secret, giving the medal to Limbaugh means Limbaugh is dying quick; and/or, if it’s all projection with trumpov, he really does have dementia, knows it, knows he’ll be declining soon, will not be able to run (or maybe is trying to make it to November), but anyway, the projection is he really would love to give himself the medal of freedom, but can’t.

    I’m with Jeffro, and it bears repeating “Personally, I am in a whatever-is-beyond-white-hot rage right now”  So many crimes, so little time.  He and that party have debased our nation so much.  The stupidity itself is a nonstarter for me.

  72. 72.

    Geminid

    February 5, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    I am all for more investigations by the House. S.D.N.Y. may come up with indictments re the Inauguration. Robert Muellar stated that were still ongoing counterintelligence investigations; these may bear fruit. Barring something really spectacular, like multiple indictments of Trump Organization officials for a couple decades of money laundering, though, I don’t see anything coming out that will change a lot of minds. So voter suppression and election security are now crucial. Even independents who might like some of Trump’s policies are fed up with the crazy instability. I really believe that if there is a fair election the American people will drive the stake into Trump’s black heart.

  73. 73.

    TriassicSands

    February 5, 2020 at 6:49 pm

    @Regine Touchon:

    Because he voted to convict, I’ll send him what I can once the campaign is in full swing. Sadly, my money won’t be the difference between victory and defeat. The one thing we know for sure is that his opponent will be horrendous.

    For me, it’s always a little depressing to look at Progressive Punch’s senate voting stats. Jones’ record is very disappointing, but Sinema’s record is far worse, especially when you take into account the states they represent.

  74. 74.

    Kathleen

    February 5, 2020 at 6:51 pm

    @zhena gogolia: I know! Let’s crowd source HandMag Haberman tweets!

    Also, I want to thank you for the stirring tribute to Adam Schiff. I know it was a labor of love for you and I appreciate your sharing. What a gift!

  75. 75.

    Kathleen

    February 5, 2020 at 6:52 pm

    @pat: Jeffries did a masterful job of pointing that out.

  76. 76.

    TriassicSands

    February 5, 2020 at 6:53 pm

    @mad citizen:

    the projection is he really would love to give himself the medal of freedom, but can’t.

    Ahem, Article II and Mitch McConnell say Trump can do anything he wants to do.

  77. 77.

    randy khan

    February 5, 2020 at 6:54 pm

    @Betty Cracker:

    I’m glad you liked it.  Heck, it wouldn’t even be the first time something like that has happened.

  78. 78.

    Kathleen

    February 5, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    @Regine Touchon: I made a donation today. Thanks for all you’re doing.

  79. 79.

    Anya

    February 5, 2020 at 7:00 pm

    @Regine Touchon: I was making a case to my grandmother to do one of her spring soirée fundraisers for him. She’s only he’ll two political fundraisers, one Obama and one HRC so I don’t know if she’ll do it but she is so contemptuous of Trump and dismayed beyond words at how this  despicable miscreant defiles our country on a daily bases without any check from the republicans. My grandmother is so shocked that only Romney voted against him.

  80. 80.

    Mnemosyne

    February 5, 2020 at 7:04 pm

    @gene108:

    Yep. His psychology as a narcissist REQUIRES that he double down on the exact behavior that someone just tried to reprimand him for. He is literally incapable of NOT doing it.

    So now we get to see the MSM natter about fucking Ukraine as though Schiff and Jeffries and the rest of the Democratic team didn’t just stand up in front of the whole world and prove that it was completely bogus. Ugh. ?

  81. 81.

    TriassicSands

    February 5, 2020 at 7:07 pm

    @Anya:

    His vote shouldn’t be considered “courageous” but in these crazy times, it’s admirable and courageous.

    You’re correct, taking one’s oath seriously and following compelling evidence of guilt should not be considered “courageous.” But that was yesterday, when the president was not a thoroughly corrupt and vengeful authoritarian thug who is aided and abetted by an entire party of corrupt authoritarian thugs (minus one at least temporarily) and a corrupt and partisan SCOTUS majority with an authoritarian thug-supporting right wing agenda.

    Yesterday…all our troubles seemed so far away…

  82. 82.

    Mnemosyne

    February 5, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    @Regine Touchon:

    I donated to his initial campaign and I’m planning to donate to him again when I get paid tomorrow. I’m still on his email list, so I know I have the right link. ?

  83. 83.

    TriassicSands

    February 5, 2020 at 7:14 pm

    @Betty Cracker:

    One thing I’m going to TRY not to do — and I will say right up front that this will probably not last more than 20 minutes — is spend any energy at all finding fault with fellow Democrats.

    Give it 24 hours and then feel free to go after the absolute worst Democratic senator, Krysten Sinema. Her votes to convict surprised me a lot more than Romney’s vote. I figured she’d at least split her votes, just in case she feels the need to switch parties.

  84. 84.

    TriassicSands

    February 5, 2020 at 7:18 pm

    @randy khan:

    …by not storming into the Senate chamber to beat McConnell with a walking stick…

    I will never forgive her for not doing that. It really doesn’t seem like a lot to ask…

    Come to think of it, that might be a reasonable definition of heaven if it were combined with “Groundhog Day.”

  85. 85.

    Mnemosyne

    February 5, 2020 at 7:23 pm

    @TriassicSands:

    I don’t think that Sinema would switch parties until she sees how things play out in November. If the Democrats do manage to get a majority in the Senate, she’s enough of a careerist that she’ll stick with the Democrats so she can be part of the party in power. If the Republicans keep it, she may switch because, again, careerist.

  86. 86.

    Mary G

    February 5, 2020 at 7:25 pm

    @Regine Touchon: I believe that there may well be enough sane people sick of the president’s antics, which will only get worse, in Alabama to get Senator Jones re-elected. I’ve been sending him $5 a month for almost a year now. It won’t make a huge difference, but if I can find the money I’ll increase it after the primaries shake out. Thank you for putting in all the work.

  87. 87.

    TriassicSands

    February 5, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    My remarks about her changing parties were based on her seeing a rightward shift in AZ politics. Since things appear to be headed in the other direction right now, I don’t see her switching. But she is both so conservative and such an opportunist that I don’t believe for a second that she is committed to the Democrats.

    From what I’ve seen, her party is the one that gives her the best chance of winning.

  88. 88.

    Shalimar

    February 5, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    Just heard Biden say “we took a gut punch in Iowa … but this is the first time in my life I’ve been knocked down”

    He seems to have forgotten all the other times he ran for president.

  89. 89.

    Mnemosyne

    February 5, 2020 at 8:05 pm

    @TriassicSands:

    Yes, we agree — Sinema is going to do what she thinks is best for her political career. That’s one of the reasons I’m all in on trying to get Mark Kelly elected as the other AZ senator even though I’m in California. I think that flipping the Senate will help keep her cemented to the Democrats.

  90. 90.

    Mnemosyne

    February 5, 2020 at 8:10 pm

    @Shalimar:

    He was a no-hoper when he ran for president before. Now he’s the presumptive front-runner. That’s a much bigger height to fall from.

  91. 91.

    Jeffro

    February 5, 2020 at 8:23 pm

    @ThresherK: “trump cult nut job”

  92. 92.

    Jeffro

    February 5, 2020 at 8:24 pm

    @Miss Bianca: yup!

  93. 93.

    terraformer

    February 5, 2020 at 8:28 pm

    Just keep hitting it, and hitting it hard.

    “The Republicans have set in stone that the President is above the law, and accountable to no one. Especially not the people, because they let him skate on direct interference with the election that is later this year.”

    I’m under no illusions that the base will react in any sane way, but that kind of language should make a clear line on which one must take a side to stand for anyone who hasn’t yet decided. But then again, so many things should have resulted in that, but didn’t… Is there really an appreciable number of people – i.e., in numbers affecting the election – who haven’t yet decided their feelings for this particular imbecile?

  94. 94.

    Dan B

    February 5, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    As I was waking up this AM my thoughts drifted to who Trump hates most and it occurred to me that his revenge would be chaotic and probably counterproductive to the authoritarian paradise his senior lieutenants eish to achieve, much like the Atomwaffen’s extreme, and extremely obvious, violence would likely derail far right extremist groups attempts to undermine the law and the constitution.  Trump serves as a distrsction from the methodical and strategic dismantling of institutions that Barr and Pompeo are accomplishing.  But if Trump goes too far it could shock enough corporate titans and “good people who just want people to be nice”.  Barr would harass Trumps “enemies” with lawsuits.  Trump would threaten their family members and allies, or have them arrested.

    Do Barr, Pompeo, Stephen Miller, Moscow Mitch, and other Dominionists and authoritarians have enough leverage to overcome our institutions and to reign in Trump and his family?

    Trump’s drugged SOTU seems to indicate they’ve gotten through to his doctors or staff.  Can they stall him until November 4th?

  95. 95.

    J R in WV

    February 5, 2020 at 10:51 pm

    @TriassicSands:

    Give it 24 hours and then feel free to go after the absolute worst Democratic senator, Krysten Sinema.

    You’ve been whacking at Senator Sinema continuously, with nary a shred of presented reason for your hate. You need to give some concrete reasons for your disdain going forward, or you will be talking about pie recipes for the rest of your life.

    And i don’t mean some evaluation from some group on one has ever heard of, with a name out of the funny pages, either. Be specific, list things Sinema has voted for or against that matter in the big picture.

    I have no reason to hate on her… all my friends in AZ think she’s a far better person and Senator than McSally, who, let us not forget, is whom Sinema beat to be in the Senate today.

    What, exactly, is your problem with Sinema, why would you prefer McSally to Sienma? Because I think you are unbalanced here, she seems to be a good Senator to me. I own property in AZ and spend a lot of time out there, and I haven’t heard any good Democrat dump on her like you do… which is why I  think the problem here is you and not her.

    Welcome to the big recipe book of pie!

  96. 96.

    Sally

    February 5, 2020 at 11:18 pm

    @Jeffro: Appropriately, the next heat colour beyond white, is …. blue

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