Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Shut up, hissy kitty!

Democracy cannot function without a free press.

The arc of the moral universe does not bend itself. it is up to us to bend it.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

In after Baud. Damn.

The real work of an opposition party is to hold the people in power accountable.

Lick the third rail, it tastes like chocolate!

We’re watching the self-immolation of the leading world power on a level unprecedented in human history.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

Beware of advice from anyone for whom Democrats are “they” and not “we.”

If rights aren’t universal, they are privilege, not rights.

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

This fight is for everything.

Let me file that under fuck it.

People are weird.

With all due respect and assumptions of good faith, please fuck off into the sun.

We can show the world that autocracy can be defeated.

Hot air and ill-informed banter

Republicans cannot even be trusted with their own money.

Usually wrong but never in doubt

I would try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

You are either for trump or for democracy. Pick one.

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

You don’t get rid of your umbrella while it’s still raining.

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Can it Be?

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I don’t know if I buy this, but interesting if true. Also, fuck the seditionist McCarthy, he needs to resign, and it’s a classic move from him to offer up censure after impeachment is a sure thing in the House.

Reader Interactions

137Comments

  2. 2.

    A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)

    McConnell has only cared about his own power and keeping the Senate. Since the Senate was lost (arguably by Trump), I completely believe he is done with Trump.

    ETA: Yes, and fuck Kevin McCarthy. As the Minority Leader in the House, it is pathetic and disgusting he went ahead and voted to obstruct the certification. Talk about leadership!

  4. 4.

    Ken

    I would guess “gives Rs the chance to purge the President” is the main factor, if McConnell is in fact considering impeachment. Primarily to purge him from the fundraising apparatus, but also to keep him away from the 2024 race.

  6. 6.

    natem

    Said in the last thread, Trump has about seven days to shit the bed even worse, so gaming out McTurtle’s motives (assume the worst, most likely those involving money) is a waste of time. His time as Senate leader is ending soon regardless, fuck him. Let the GOP go on record where they stand with Trump.

  7. 7.

    Jeffro

    the ol’ rope-a-dope is Mitch’s only chance of turning around the donor desertions…trump is pretty obviously insane, maliciously & maniacally so, and a massive weight around The Turtle’s neck if they are to have a prayer of getting funded/winning in 2022 and 2024.

    (or, what formerly Mohagan said ;)

  8. 8.

    CaseyL

    McConnell is an enemy of the United States, now and forever.  Any gestures towards being law-abiding, or bipartisan, have to be interpreted in view of that fact.

    If he’s now “receptive” to impeachment, there is a reason, and the reason has nothing to do with the plain merits of impeachment.

    McConnell is maneuvering for something.

    (And McCarthy?  He should simply be expelled from Congress and stand trial for insurrection.)

  10. 10.

    Elizabelle

    Trump’s not being able to run again (OK, hoovering up cash as a 2024 electoral grift) would benefit Republicans who might be able to divert the MAGA money to their own accounts.

  11. 11.

    West of the Rockies

    Evidently, Piggy Pompeo canceled a trip to Europe after leaders refused to meet with him.  What a burn.  I hope he feels anger and humiliation.

  12. 12.

    HumboldtBlue

    Most of us are on the same page with Ms. Reid I see.

    Keep in mind that Mitch McConnell only cares about two things: personal and Republican power. If Trump is convicted, he can’t run again in 2024 and effectively, neither can GOP annoyances Hawley and Cruz. Mitch already got his tax cuts and judges. He doesn’t need Trump anymore.

  14. 14.

    A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)

    @CaseyL: He’s trying to find a way of getting the stink of Trump’s insurrection off the GOP.  Good luck with that.

  15. 15.

    RSA

    A rawstory link to a tweet by John McCormack:

    “According to a GOP source on conference phone call yesterday, Kevin McCarthy warned members not to verbally attack colleagues who vote for impeachment because it could endanger their lives.”

    Good God.

  16. 16.

    patrick II

    Parler users at the Capitol on Jan 6 are in for some unpleasant news.  Unlike other more sophisticated social media, Parler doesn’t remove metadata from the pictures and videos published to protect its users.

    Data from Parler has been obtained legally by a computer hacker according to this Gizmodo story giving the location within 12 meters of the Parler users posting pictures and videos from the assault.

    The F.B.I. has obtained a copy.

  18. 18.

    p.a.

    Dump tRump, divert MAGA money to their coffers?  They better worry more about diverting MAGA bullets!

    Better them as targets than our side!

  19. 19.

    Bex

    So Trump was “paralyzed” watching TV as the insurrection was taking place.  At least Nero provided musical accompaniment.

  21. 21.

    A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)

    @HumboldtBlue: Joy is a treasure. And OT, I have been surprised and pleased at the evolution of Michael Bechloss from boring “Presidential Historian” MSNBC wheeled out at appropriate times to deliver pablum to a pissed off American citizen tweeting with historical insight. Also, I love the living room that he Zooms from.

  23. 23.

    Anya

    It’s the smart move. Have all of those senators who don’t have to worry about facing the voters in 6-years vote for it. They’e already got their judges and tax cuts so why get rid of Trump for good. But I am not convinced.

  24. 24.

    Elizabelle

    I want to see Hawley and Cruz expelled.  It could happen.  Donor money, that sweet sweet lifeblood to Mitch and the Republicans.

    Throw Josh and Ted to the sharks.  Make a strong statement like that.  (Of course, Missouri and Texas — to a lesser extent — are wired for Republicans.  Both have GOP governors who, I guess, would appoint the interim replacement.)

  25. 25.

    JPL

    Gary Legum

    McConnell is very upset, and also entirely too cowardly and amoral to say it in public, but he’ll happily let Dems do the right thing and get blamed for any resulting unrest.

    It’s easy to support something when you know you won’t get the blame.

  27. 27.

    Elizabelle

    Mitch is learning from the superior Nancy Pelosi how to live in Trump’s head, too.

    Can you imagine the vitriol keeping AF One aloft at this hour?  And Trump with a speech to make?

    He’s almost be primed to explode.

  28. 28.

    dmsilev

    There might be a timing element in McConnell’s thinking: Trump is going to get impeached, probably tomorrow. That’s set in stone. The only question is what will the trial look like. If it starts any time in the next week, McConnell has a lot of power to set up the structure. If he keeps to his original timetable and only brings the Senate back into session right before Biden takes over, Schumer is the one laying out the framework and pace of the trial. McConnell might want to say “well, the House impeached in a day, so we’ll have the trial up and down, just a day and done.” I think the Democrats want something that’s thorough, with real witnesses and lots of testimony, because they’re really not just impeaching Trump, they’re impeaching a wide chunk of the Republican Party by proxy.

  31. 31.

    Brachiator

    @Ken:

    I would guess “gives Rs the chance to purge the President” is the main factor, if McConnell is in fact considering impeachment. Primarily to purge him from the fundraising apparatus, but also to keep him away from the 2024 race.

    Works for me.

    I suspect, though, that the GOP will stick with Trump no matter what. This will be bad for the country, not that Republicans care.

  32. 32.

    Feathers

    @patrick II: I loved the statement that Amazon had preserved Parler’s data so that Parler could use it move to another platform at a later date if they wanted to. I can just picture the call with the FBI. You mean we don’t have to get a warrant for the whole thing now? You are making a mirror copy for your own reasons and we can take our time?  Thanks!

    I think the Parler types are so high on their own bullshit that they don’t realize how much everybody hates them. They have the whole whiny-victimhood thing down, but that fantasy also includes the notion that once they burst forth and reveal their true nature, all will bow down before them. Nope. You are losers. Any way you look at it.

  35. 35.

    MattF

    @debbie: Trump is ‘unchastened’ or ‘unrepentant’ in a purely formal sense, e.g., as ‘black’ is ‘unwhite’. The actual meanings of the words are not involved.

  36. 36.

    Mike in NC

    Rep. Bush (D-MO) introduced legislation to censure and possibly expel the idiots who refused to accept the election results. That includes the weasel McCarthy.

    Hopefully the impeachment vote sails through the House tomorrow. With Democrats holding the House and Senate, President Biden should invoke the 14th Amendment to rid the country of Trump forever.

  37. 37.

    rjm

    @patrick II: Parler users at the Capitol on Jan 6 are in for some unpleasant news.

    Some of those posters look to me like they were in the white house and eob.  I guess it might take a while, but comunications between those folks and the insurrectionists outside are going to be obvious to the FBI

  39. 39.

    HumboldtBlue

    @RSA:

    I’m not gonna track it down now, but one of the freshman GOPers told a reporter that if they didn’t vote to protect Trump the lives of their family would be in danger.

  41. 41.

    patrick II

    @Feathers:

    I personally hate the loss of privacy that comes with the internet. I am not a sophisticated enough user to do much about it,  but at least I am aware that it is there. So many of these people just seem so oblivious. Yeah! Let’s go do sedition — and make sure to get pictures and post them.

  44. 44.

    dmsilev

    @Elizabelle: It’s a reference to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment:

    No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

  48. 48.

    ...now I try to be amused

    Section 3 of the 14th Amendment was targeted at former Confederates. Who knew we’d still have them in 2021?

  50. 50.

    jonas

    It looks like the GOP rep in the district next door, John Katko (NY-24) has stepped up to say he would support impeachment. Quite a contrast to my *other* neighboring rep, Elise Stefanik, who is up to her eyeballs in what is increasingly appearing to be not simply a spontaneous riot, but a coordinated coup attempt. We’ll see who comes out looking better in the history books.

  53. 53.

    RSA

    @dmsilev: I didn’t make the connection, but you’re exactly right.

    @HumboldtBlue:

    I’m not gonna track it down now, but one of the freshman GOPers told a reporter that if they didn’t vote to protect Trump the lives of their family would be in danger.

    Wow.

  55. 55.

    rikyrah

    @A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan):

     

    Also, I love the living room that he Zooms from.

     

    Join the fanclub of that room.

    Folks all over the internet love that room. It’s like my ideal home library.

    Comedian Leslie Jones didn’t think it was an actual room when she first saw it. Once she realized that it was real..

    her response…

     

    ‘ Shyt…….GOALS’…

     

    LOL

     

    It won Room Rater’s best room of the year.

  56. 56.

    West of the Rockies

    @Brachiator:

    Truly, I hope it chaffs Piggy and his wife.  I hope they planned their little tax-payed trip to Europe only to see it fade away.

  59. 59.

    p.a.

    I am dubious abt these corporate announcements shutting off the Rethug money spigots, but maybe MoscowMitch can’t afford to take the chance.  IMUO the corps. would find other routes to fund the fascists.

  62. 62.

    sixthdoctor

    ?.@Liz_Cheney:"There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution. "I will vote to impeach the President."— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) January 12, 2021

  65. 65.

    VeniceRiley

    Now might be a good time for President Biden to offer blue and purple state R senators like Collins interesting administration jobs.

  67. 67.

    Gravenstone

    I’ll start to consider McConnell is serious as soon as expulsion is credibly put on the table. Until then, it’s so much hot air.

  70. 70.

    Mike in NC

    @Elizabelle:

    Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

  73. 73.

    TS (the original)

    @RSA:

    And he needs to be explaining who is doing the threatening and who they support. The politics of trump is deadly – in so many ways.

  76. 76.

    Raoul Paste

    @SiubhanDuinne: There are a lot of stories out there about potential follow-on attacks in DC and elsewhere.

    I hope there is not an urgency  in Biden’s decision to approach Mitch

  79. 79.

    Martin

    @Ksmiami: In part. He’s not dumb. He can see where this is headed. Blaming it on antifa isn’t going to pull this back.

    He surely also got the briefing that more attacks are planned, and if they succeed and he did nothing, that’s it forever and for sure of the GOP. The GOP is dangerously close to being treated as a defacto state sponsor of terrorism, even if they don’t carry the label.

  81. 81.

    dmsilev

    @sixthdoctor: Wow. Only a few GOP Reps have committed to voting for impeachment so far, but Cheney is in the Party leadership and, of course, has her …family heritage .

    The dam has broken.

  82. 82.

    jl

    @…now I try to be amused: @p.a.:

    I think you folks are on the right track, it has to do with big corporate money and billionaire donors. McConnell needs cover for himself and donors to get the big money spigot turned back on asap after a decent interval. Or, the big money funders are serious that they have no more use for Trump or Trumpism, and they are moving on to the next con. They speak and McConnell jumps.

    Maybe we’ll see in the coming months, after watching who the big money decides can get out from under the stench enough to deserve some contributions. Will the insurrectionist Trumpster wing be cut off, or will the money start to drip out again, under some sort of parole for abusing the grift?

    @Martin:  That too, they’ve been frantically A/B testing to see what BS will fly, rather than fall back on them with a stinky splat. Same thing as Trump is doing. Main difference is that Trump’s ability to rehabilitate himself is zero at this point. McConnell is running a desperate retreat to some sort of safety, with disaster control PR that might work with public and big money.

  88. 88.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Elizabelle:

    I hate the fact that nearly every day now I see something Bill Kristol wrote that is spot-on and totally in agreement with my thinking.

  91. 91.

    TS (the original)

    Will any of this give trump the idea that he should resign? or is he just too stupid to see the reality of what he has done?

  92. 92.

    dmsilev

    Here’s Cheney’s full statement:

    On January 6, 2021 a violent mob attacked the United States Capitol to obstruct the process of our democracy and stop the counting of presidential electoral votes. This insurrection caused injury, death and destruction in the most sacred space in our Republic.

    Much more will become clear in coming days and weeks, but what we know now is enough. The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have happened without the President. The President could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence. He did not. There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution.

    I will vote to impeach the President.

  94. 94.

    Chetan Murthy

    @Raoul Paste: I don’t understand it myself:

    1. Yertle already adjourned the Senate until 1/19
    2. This means -no- appointments confirmed before Inauguration
    3. After Warnock & Ossoff are seated, VP Harris [yay] inaugurated, Yertle will no longer be Majority Leader
    4. So what’s the deal here?

    I just don’t follow.

  95. 95.

    jl

    @HumboldtBlue: Not all wrong and deluded people are stupid. When they try to think problems through in good faith, going in the same direction as the less wrong-headed, similar and expected results can occur.

  96. 96.

    LurkerNoLonger

    Just today I’ve been told to fuck Susan Collins and Kevin McCarthy. I really don’t want to fuck either one of them. Maybe they can fuck each other.

  98. 98.

    Punchy

    @Ksmiami: no, it wont.  74-ish million voted IN FAVOR of this very bullshit.   They are almost half the country, and they’ll be voting red — literally — no matter what happens regarding anything anywhere

    ETA: ^half the voting country…

  100. 100.

    A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)

    @patrick II: Pretty amazing they were so clueless. Almost as if they thought the entire country would rise up with them after they led the way, so there were no consequences to be worried about.  Truly delusional from living in their own private MAGA world.

  101. 101.

    Fair Economist

    @sixthdoctor: That’s a hell of a statement, coming from Darth Cheney’s daughter – although we already knew Trump’s coup was a step too far even for Darth Cheney.

    Really not sure what game McConnell is playing. I’m sure he doesn’t want to have to have his caucus vote on impeachment, but that’s out of his hands. Given there will be a vote, it’s in his interest to have his caucus as unified as possible, and it’s not clear whether he’s better off losing the Trumpsters by convicting or losing business support and being tied to Trump by acquitting. Maybe he’s decided his best option now is to cut loose.

    I do wonder if he’s got some procedural shenanigans planned, though – using the impeachment to embed some problematic procedures in Senate rules or some such.

  103. 103.

    jl

    @Chetan Murthy: McConnell is afraid of losing control of the big money and fears more riot and insurrection from Trumpster wing? Either could be extremely damaging to the GOP long con that McConnell wants to keep running. McConnell is smart enough to move quickly once he sizes up the threats?

  104. 104.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    @dmsilev:

    I think the Democrats want something that’s thorough, with real witnesses and lots of testimony, because they’re really not just impeaching Trump, they’re impeaching a wide chunk of the Republican Party by proxy.

    I think you’re wrong, Democrats want Trump gone, never to be able to run again(some Republicans would like the last part too), because he’s an unstable person in a position of great power(not just the football, but as a cult leader).

  106. 106.

    scav

    @Fair Economist: Reading it, I’d bet she’s likely also trying to ring fence responsibility for the incitement to the president — when he clearly had help from other Repubs.

  108. 108.

    Ksmiami

    @Punchy: Disagree- many of those 74 million are nostalgia Republicans like my parents who are now enraged at Trumpkins. The business wing is having a conniption and if there is further violence and chaos, the party will split.

  109. 109.

    Ken

    @HumboldtBlue: I hate the fact that nearly every day now I see something Bill Kristol wrote that is spot-on and totally in agreement with my thinking.

    Trump has ruined everything.

  110. 110.

    A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)

    @Ksmiami: Chaos and armed insurrection in the streets are SO good for business. And Rs are supposed to be the pro-business party.

  111. 111.

    Wapiti

    @dmsilev: I think if McConnell offered a fast vote for conviction (before the 20th) the Dems would take that in a heartbeat. Any witness stuff could come before the public in criminal trial for incitement and insurrection, and the country would be safer.

    The people who would be well and truly screwed would be the GOP House members who abandoned their oaths and voted against impeachment. So… maybe payback to McCarthy for being a dick on the 6th?

  113. 113.

    Fair Economist

    @scav: I certainly expect Liz Cheney to try to protect other Republicans from the backlash against Trump’s attempt to destroy the country. She is in their leadership, after all. But they’re in quite a pickle because if they vote against impeachment there’s not much she can do – a vote against impeachment is a vote to endanger the country. McCarthy must be having an awful day (and few deserve it more.)

  114. 114.

    Elizabelle

    An insurrectionist in Alpharetta, GA, last name of “Georgia” has offed himself after being arrested and charged.  Authorities removed 2 rifles from the home.  53 years old, and an upscale house.

  115. 115.

    Wapiti

    @scav: I think she’s laying down a marker and shivving Cruz and Hawley early in the 2024 race. Cotton’s going to have to vote for conviction if he wants to compete.

  116. 116.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    @Martin: If the Senate convicts someone who’s been impeached, they can add the bar of holding any office of trust.

    Article I, Section 3:

    Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States

  117. 117.

    Delk

    There is a treasure trove of redacted toxicity that is just waiting to be revealed. Go ahead Ivanka, run for office. I dare you.

  119. 119.

    Fair Economist

    Further thoughts – *if* McConnell has decided to cut loose from Trump, he wants as many House Republicans to vote for impeachment as possible – to cut them loose too, and to make it easier on his own members to vote to convict. Hence he would want to get his opinions out before the House vote.

    Guess we’ll see with the House vote tomorrow.

  122. 122.

    Brachiator

    @TS (the original):

    Will any of this give trump the idea that he should resign? or is he just too stupid to see the reality of what he has done?

    He is too stupid, and too willful. His greatest fear is that he will be branded a Loser.

    Which of course, he is.

    Big Loser.

  124. 124.

    Geminid

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: McConnell can fast track a Senate trial if he wants to. He won’t if he can’t deliver the Republican votes to convict. But if he can, I think you’re right. Democratic Senators will take it.

  125. 125.

    RSA

    @wvng:

    Liz Cheney is the leader republicans need. I can’t believe I just wrote that.

    I sometimes browse conservative Web sites, and redstate is up in arms about this. A lot of the commenters also say they’ll never vote Republican again, so… win-win.

  128. 128.

    scav

    @Wapiti: There’ll likely be an interesting little episode of blood-letting in the Repub caucus appearing soon.  Probably enough for an entire series.  Snakes driving busses in a red wedding roller derby mosh pit and who knows what else.

  133. 133.

    wombat probability cloud (previously "Askew")

    @dmsilev: McConnell’s motivations, as unclear as they are at present, can’t be good. Hopefully, he’ll be nowhere near the Articles of Impeachment until after the Dems control the Senate. That’s only a couple of weeks.

  134. 134.

    TS (the original)

    @dmsilev:

    And the media 100% accept such statements from a republican. When a democrat says the same they are being divisive, political and upsetting trump supporters.

  137. 137.

    J R in WV

    @patrick II:

    I personally hate the loss of privacy that comes with the internet. I am not a sophisticated enough user to do much about it, but at least I am aware that it is there.

    I’m a little more sophisticated used, perhaps, and can recommend a couple of things you can do to protect yourself.

    An add on app to your browser called “Ghostery” will block trackers from following your browsing for the benefit of advertising servers, and other trackers as well. uBlock Origin does similar things. Both applications keep ads from being shown on most sites.

    DuckDuckGo Essentials also protects privacy. Be careful when installing these, there are other apps with intentionally VERY similar names that aren’t as effective.

    There are commercial sites that don’t want you to use these ad-blockers and anti-tracking tools… you can temporarily halt the protection to view these sites, be careful to select blocking the function temporarily and only for the site you want to visit.

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