Benghazi!!
It does seem hugely problematic that the jury has already decided what the result will be before the trial. There’s got to be some kind of challenge the D’s can make about their oaths as a Senate juror or something.
Why? Impeachment is a political process. Better be sure the political rewards are worth the political risk.
The oath to be taken by the Senators:
From the Senate Impeachment Rules.
So, yeah, if McConnell (or Graham) take that oath, given what they’ve already said…
I think it’s more a question for John Roberts. As the presiding officer and, in essence, the person seeing to it that the trial is conducted fairly and honestly, he probably could consider evicting or imprisoning any senator who made clear that they intended to faithlessly execute their Constitutional role.
And, I hope, he makes the deliberations and vote secret.
My bold
Ha!
Again, ha!
I’m thinking that he presides in accordance with rules set by the Senate itself.
Besides, if he were to weigh in an a manner than would strongly promote removal, scholars from the Federalist Society would be quick to point out the Constitutional flaws. On the other hand, if he makes a ruling that demands acquittal, legal scholars from Antifas and the Soros/Clinton Conspiracy…
Oh. Hell, no! These are some more of the times that try men’s souls, and their spines as well. If they haven’t enough grit to do what we sent them to do and tell us why they did, they have no legitimate right to an elected position of power. Gutless sacks of sewer soup.
They are gutless. Do you expect some good to come of proving that?
Yes, so unfortunately it’s unlikely that he’ll be able to do anything but sit there and be bored.
Lindsey Graham, 2019:
(bolding mine)
The only difference is that the Senate R’s said their minds out loud. Had they kept their mouths shut, they almost certainly would still be thinking the same thing deep down inside anyway - “No way we’re deposing Trump.”
Yes, but we don’t care about those idiots. Trump is annointed by God and he will get 25% (30%, 35%?) of the vote no matter what. We only need a few percentage points in a few states.
We still have that one bright hope: that Il Douche will fuck it up.
Why is McTurtle gloating so publicly about his absolute commitment to the man he’s supposed to be judging? I think he’s trying to trivialize it, make it insignificant. Pitch it to Darth Shit-for-Brains as too unimportant to get involved in. He’s hoping against experience that “cooperating” means he gets some control, keep it all toned down and dull, dampen any public interest.
Like the old joke about the lawyer whose asshole client has a minor traffic charge and keeps talking his way into bigger and badder trouble.
Punchline is the lawyer saying “You shoulda just paid the two dollars.”
That’s probably one reason McConnell wants a swift Senate trial. To minimize the harm Trump could do.
I can’t help imagining a scenario in which McConnell’s rules are that he and Pelosi arrive in the Senate chamber equipped with long wooden staffs. At the signal, they cast their staffs onto the floor in front of Roberts, at which point they transform into snakes and fight. Whichever snake wins is the side God prefers. Complete vindication all the way to the top, and easy to follow for the home audience. Quick, too.
I mean, let’s face it: evidence, laws, reasoning, due process, debate and not apologia, conclusions instead of faith, honesty instead of loyalty- that shit’s for liberals.
Yes. The point is to make sure that Dem voters are good and pissed at their GOP Senators, and show up and vote against GOP incumbent Senators this coming fall. We want to blow Dem turnout through the roof in November.
And hope that those Dems haven’t already been purged from the voter rolls. :dubious:
No link needed; it’s well known. Tariffs were the key issue of the 19th century; and the 1912 election went to the Ds when a Republican Prez (Taft) and ex-Prez (Roosevelt) ran against each other to split the GOP vote. But ever since then, no incumbent President has ever been defeated unless the economy was in bad shape.
Maybe. But farmers who’ve been hard hit by Trump’s tariffs blame the Dems for their woes! :smack:
I predict signs of a mild recession by the Spring. The Fed will react with QE and big interest rate cuts. Trump will abandon his trade war and call for big stimulus. Dems will be in a dilemma: the stimulus will be irresponsible but the Dems will be the Grinch who stole Christmas if they vote No. The economy will muddle along but with an unprecedented and ever-growing debt bubble; Trump will be re-elected. Then, as concern grows about the debt bubble, expect a world-wide wave of recessions, defaults and devaluations over the next decade.