Year-End Awards Nominations (Round 2)
Well, what with the midweek holiday and all, it's looking like we're only going to have one new column this week. I'll probably post a few re-run columns as well, just for everyone's amusement, but won't be writing a new one until this Friday, when we continue with our annual year-end awards.
Because we got some great suggestions when we first posted this, we thought today it'd be a good idea to solicit some more nominations for the second awards column. So here are the categories for Part 2, and as before if you don't want your login name used (to give credit), then please let me know that in the comments.
Hope everyone has a great Christmas and stays safe in their travels this week. Oh, and go Ravens! Heh. Just had to get that one in there....
City boosterism aside, here are the categories still open for nominations:
Destined For Political Stardom
Destined For Political Oblivion
Best Political Theater
Worst Political Theater
Worst Political Scandal
Most Underreported Story
Most Overreported Story
Biggest Government Waste
Best Government Dollar Spent
Boldest Political Tactic
Best Idea
Worst Idea
Sorry To See You Go
15 Minutes Of Fame
Best Spin
Most Honest Person
Most Overrated
Most Underrated
And, as always, the final category is "Predictions," where you can make wild-eyed predictions about what is going to happen in 2020.
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
JL,
well, anything CAN be a thing of value, if it's possible to establish factually what that value is to the person seeking it. perhaps part of nancy's reluctance to impeach over the mueller charges is that those investigations didn't make clear what value (if any) donald and his campaign attached or were willing to pay to the assistance he received. i.e. what is the person willing to trade in return.
and that is why the quid pro quo may matter. it is clear evidence that an announcement of an investigation into joe biden and hunter biden was worth 391 million dollars in military aid (and a white house visit) to all parties involved.
that's the value.
Now all you have to do is find a spot in election law that says all that. :D
At THAT point, you have a fact..
Did the DNC violate election law when they solicited opposition research from Ukraine???
No??
Why not??
And, as always, the final category is "Predictions," where you can make wild-eyed predictions about what is going to happen in 2020.
My prediction is that 87%+ of all nominations will be in the form of a slam or attack on President Trump.. :D
Did the DNC violate election law when they solicited opposition research from Ukraine???
No??
Did Hillary Clinton violate election law when her campaign solicited opposition research from Ukraine??
No??
Is there ANYONE here who thinks that this faux impeachment coup is going to be ANY kind of net benefit for the Democrat Party??
Anyone at all??
Dow rises nearly 100 points to another record close, Boeing shares lead the gains
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/23/us-futures-point-to-cautiously-higher-open.html
Remember how many of ya'all predicted that the Stock Market would tank if President Trump was elected?? :D
Ahhh the memories of election day 2016... :D
Whatta time.. :D
The disaster of Democrats' faux impeachment coup
6 Reasons Pelosi’s Senate Obstruction Gambit On Impeachment Articles Is A Disaster
https://thefederalist.com/2019/12/19/6-reasons-pelosis-senate-obstruction-gambit-on-impeachment-articles-is-a-disaster/
Let us count the ways.. :D
1) After impeaching Trump for supposed obstruction of House, Pelosi moves to obstruct the Senate
Pelosi said she’ll wait to send over the articles until she finds out how the Senate will conduct the trial, which looks a lot like obstructing the Senate, given that the Constitution clearly states that the Senate has “the sole power to try all [i]mpeachments.” The Constitutional process for impeachment is that the House impeaches and the Senate holds a trial to test the quality of the accusations and the guilt or innocence of the accused. Pelosi apparently wants to control the Senate process from her perch in the House, a power grab that looks a lot like an abuse of power.
What’s crazy about this is that one of the articles of impeachment against the President is that he must be removed from office for the “obstruction of Congress” by asserting his privilege and protecting executive branch communications. If Trump, asserting constitutional privilege as the head of the executive branch, has to be quickly removed from office because he’s not providing a single chamber of Congress what it wants, Pelosi is obstructing the Senate by asserting a privilege to not formally transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, and abusing her power by demanding authority that under the Constitution belongs to the Senate, not the Speaker of the House.
I said it before and I'll say it again.
The GOP has SOLE CONTROL over Senate Impeachment proceedings..
Constitutionally, House Dumbocrats have absolutely NO SAY in the matter... :D
PERIOD... FULL STOP...
5) Refusing to transmit impeachment articles undercuts Democrats’ claim that Trump is an “urgent threat” to America
Democrats’ defense of their shoddy impeachment effort was that they had to rush through things in order to get Trump removed before the 2020 election. They claimed Trump was such an “urgent threat” to American national security and the U.S. constitution that he had to be charged and removed from office post-haste. That was never a particularly strong argument, but Pelosi’s attempt to indefinitely delay any resolution of the impeachment effort she rammed through the House shows it was an argument that her own party didn’t even believe. Delaying the transmission of the articles to the Senate for even a moment, let alone weeks or months, destroys Democrats’ claim about the urgent need for impeachment.
The blatant and utter hypocrisy of Democrats' faux impeachment coup is laid bare for all to see..
After spending MONTHS telling the American people how DIRE of a threat President Trump is, how it can't wait for the election, how he must be removed immediately....
Then, getting right to the CUSP of actually impeaching President Trump, only to pull back and say, "Well, maybe it's not so urgent after all..."
And what's so hilarious is that all the Dumbocrats and all the Trump/America haters swallow that especially noxious load of bullshit, hook line and sinker.. :D
While Dumbocrats play their namby-pamby hoity-toity faux impeachment coup games...
'It hasn't stopped him': Trump racks up wins, even as impeachment grips Washington
by David M. Drucker
| December 23, 2019 03:31 PM
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President Trump enjoyed an extraordinary period of policy successes over the past two weeks, even as Democrats seeking to remove him from office moved articles of impeachment through the House.
As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democrats damaged Trump politically, the two negotiated an update to the North American Free Trade Agreement, allowing the president to tout a previously elusive trade deal after three years of promising he would complete it. And he and House Democrats compromised on $1.4 trillion in spending that funds critical aspects of Trump’s immigration agenda and delivers on his vision for the Space Force, the first new U.S. military service branch in more than 70 years.
The House voted along party lines to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, an action the president had lamented would amount to a black mark on his legacy. A trial in the Senate, presumably in January, awaits. “But it hasn’t stopped him from having two of the best weeks of his presidency,” White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told reporters.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/it-hasnt-stopped-him-trump-rolls-up-wins-even-as-impeachment-grips-washington
... President Trump continues to rack up wins that make this country and Americans' lives better.. :D
Oh sure, Dumbocrats get some residual benefit from the legislative victories.. But even THAT credit comes at a price as it undercuts the overall Dumbocrat message that President Trump is incompetent and must be removed.
If President Trump is really as bad as Dumbocrats say...
WHY ARE THEY WORKING WITH HIM???
So, even when Democrats win... The lose!!!
All courtesy of President Donald J Trump.. :D
"Great day to be an American, isn't it guys.."
-Agent J, MEN IN BLACK III
:D
Former congressman Jason Altmire, a Democrat from western Pennsylvania who now lives near Jacksonville, Florida, said the spate of deal-making that coincided with impeachment was advantageous to both Trump and congressional Democrats. In part to convince voters that impeachment was unwarranted, Trump needed legislative accomplishments. Democrats, especially in swing districts, needed to show constituents that impeaching Trump was not their only priority.
“To the degree they don’t get along on anything, this was mutually beneficial,” Altmire told the Washington Examiner. "Both were able to show that they are continuing to do the American people’s business.”
But Trump may have gotten more out of the deal-making, securing a host of key priorities that could boost his 2020 reelection bid.
The president obtained regular funding for construction of a wall along the Mexican border; won the elimination of unpopular Obamacare taxes, such as one on medical devices; and signed legislation to provide permanent federal funding for historically black colleges and universities.
Trump might yet pay a political price for impeachment. Many Democrats argue the affair will take a toll on the president and his Republican defenders. "The American people will not forget," Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said in a statement. "They will make their voices heard at the ballot box."
But so far, the process has not damaged Trump's political standing.
On Monday, his approval rating in the RealClearPolitics average of recent polls was 44.5%, the upper end of his usual range. It is as though the nation reacted to Trump’s impeachment with a collective shoulder shrug, a reaction some attribute to a country grown numb to Trump scandals. Others believe the charges are not serious enough to warrant removal from office. What's more, there is virtually no chance the Senate musters the 67 votes required to expel Trump from office.
Once again.. If there is anyone here who thinks that this faux impeachment coup is working out for the Democrats..
I would LOVE to hear the reasoning.. :D
The heavy price of Trump hatred
My friends have a house by the water with a deck facing west so they can watch nature create a Monet at dusk as they enjoy a glass of wine.
But they haven’t enjoyed that blissful serenity since 2016 because “we spend 80% of our time worrying about Trump.”
Staunch Democrats, they despised Reagan and the Bushes, especially George W. “and his wars.” But no Republican has got inside their head – posed a real and present danger to their health – like Trump. For them, he’s political sciatica, a piercingly painful condition that won’t go away.
They admit their response goes beyond his policies – though they really hate his judges. They oppose him because “he’s a disgusting human being.”
I personally know dozens of other people who feel the same way and am certain there are tens of millions of others just like them across the country. They want him gone by any means necessary.
That’s their right as private citizens. But, as impeachment dominates the nation, I would hope they might take a step back and recognize how dangerous it is when the pillars of our Republic – the government and the press – share their commitment to remove a duly elected president by hook or crook.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/article238581463.html
How Trump Hatred Damages Media, Democrats... Not to mention Weigantia and 95% of her denizens..
It is my fervent wish for the holidays that all my friends and other selected Weigantians can let go of their hate..
Speaking as someone who recently was pounding on death's door I have to say...
Life is way to short to hate so much...
In any case, that's my holiday wish from me to ya'all.. And I say that knowing full well I have my own hate issues to address as well..
I don't have any "hate issues" and that is not at all what it is about for me, Michale … not even one little bit.
But, I can understand why you would want to chalk it up to that - it's easy.
But, I can understand why you would want to chalk it up to that - it's easy.
And it's what the facts support..
But hay.. OK.. You say it's not hate, I take you at your word..
But you must admit.. Not many here are as enlightened as you...
For MANY here, it IS about hate.. The name-calling the childish insults the personal attacks..
It ALL points to hate..
Concur?
Irregardless, I am going to close down for the night. Still have a bunch of presents to wrap..
Merry Christmas, Liz.. Hope you have a great one.. :D
Merry Christmas to you, as well, Michale - Hope 2020 is ridiculously fun for both of us. :)
All I'm saying, though, is that one doesn't have to harbour hate in their heart to want to see this president removed from office, one way or another, the sooner the better.
And, thanks for your kind words this year.
Michale,
The name-calling the childish insults the personal attacks..
Unfortunately, that has become a fixed hallmark around here.
With all the other blogs out there where that kind of nonsense is the essense, I would have hoped that this place could be a place of refuge from all of that - a kind of Pu'uhonua O Honaunau of Weigantia, for those of us who harbour Hawai'i in our hearts.
Here's hoping "yule" all be back tomorrow!
If President Trump is really as bad as Dumbocrats say...
WHY ARE THEY WORKING WITH HIM???
Because they care about our nation and their constituents enough to work with the idiot!
Unlike Republicans, Democrats don’t view allowing a Republican president to get credit for signing legislation that they support as a failure...they nor their supporters are that ignorant or hate-filled. Republicans spent 8 years opposing any piece of legislation Obama supported, regardless of the consequences to our nation that their opposition caused.
The Republicans did not base their opposition on differing political philosophies or belief that a better alternative existed. In fact, the content of the legislation was not even a consideration for the Republicans; their vote predetermined to oppose any legislation that would be viewed as beneficial to our country and, therefore, would be viewed as an accomplishment for Obama.
You supported the Republicans intentionally voting against the best interests of our country out of spite, and you clearly act shocked that the Democrats are not doing the exact same thing.
So, even when Democrats win... The lose!!!
The only losers are those that think in these divisive ways!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Your nation must be united or your essential republic will vanish from the face of the earth.
It is anything but "naïve" to think that it is only quaint to believe that consensus across party lines is not only possible but imperative for the survival of your republic.
Who among the Democratic candidates for president in 2020 is capable of achieving such a consensus?
Who among the Democratic candidates for president in 2020 is capable of achieving such a consensus?
No one, unless you think that one of the nominees can get the big three news channels to unilaterally disarm & desist. Then you've got the news internet channels, and then talk radio. Then you've got paid campaign advisors, who make money from cleverly sorted data, and also folks like the Russians and their Internet News Agency which is alive and kicking. The Chinese are always around, as are the Koreans.
And then there are the Americans. Did you know that 80% of Republicants back Trump? That Independants, despite what they call themselves, are about half in each camp, and that elections now are usually decided by folks who have little opinion about anything. And right now, thanks to the electoral college, a Wisconsin man with a Christmas Tree farm has more voting power than a hundred New Yorkers or a thousand residents of California.
Of course there are a few divides that pre-date America itself. The racial thing, certainly. The division between rural and city folk was a feature then as now.
And the stone cold truth is, that except for a brief moment during WWII, the country has always been divided somehow. Always.
One thing about the American system that you can hang your hat of hope upon is that it's actually set up for this sort of hand-to-hand combat. That's why we always somehow survive it. You've got to let folks fight it out. Eventually, we'll decide (or more likely, force the issue), and then move on to the next crisis. That's the way things work around here.
Merry Christmas!
Who among the Democratic candidates for president in 2020 is capable of achieving such a consensus?
that question was rhetorical, right?
Now all you have to do is find a spot in election law that says all that. :D
it doesn't have to say "all that." the statute and the legal definition of "thing of value" is broad enough to include the "favor" that donald requested in his phone call. that violation was included in the "abuse of power" article:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/10/us/politics/articles-impeachment-document-pdf.html
do i think he'll be convicted and removed for it? no chance in hades. does it qualify for the constitutional definition of treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors? the framers would have to leave their graves and hear the case themselves to decide that one. but the politics notwithstanding, it's absolutely illegal, and factually proven.
JL
that question was rhetorical, right?
It was, indeed. :)
Balthasar, have I got a movie recommendation for you!
I'm sure you'll get a kick out of Meet John Doe (Gary Cooper).
In fact, I think all of your fellow Americans should see it before this year is done. Seriously!
of course, it was also factually proven that bill clinton lied under oath about his affair, and that's illegal too.
Depends what the meaning of "is" is.
But seriously, I can still see your point. Is it still Christmas? Technically, no. Factually, lots of folks are still off of work until Monday, and some are off until New Year, so...
But the thing about Trump is that what he's already done has hurt the reputation of the U.S. He was caught red-handed (or ham-fisted) trying to get Ukraine involved in the election. He's tried to play it off as a "corruption" issue, but no one believes that Hunter Biden was corrupt, or that it was an issue at all.
What worries me is the interchanges between Trump and Putin. Trump has hidden the texts of those meetings, and refused to allow people to testify. Why? Putin's been feeding Trump bullshit, according to Trump himself. What else does Trump believe that Putin told him?
So sure, Clinton was dinged for that, Bush was clean even as Cheney ran circles around the CIA, and Obama was even cleaner.
Trump is a different sort of guy, an in your face con artist who has his taxes, emoluments, money laundering, sexual assaults, and other deals lined up like planes on a runway, ready to go as soon as the next one is done. It'll never be over.
And what's the appeal for his craven base? Money? Democrats proved that they could bring back the economy. Immigration? C'mon, it wasn't that bad when there were no controls. I just don't get it. After all, once he's out, we still have Pence.
I personally think that support for Trump is a mile wide, but just a quarter of an inch thick. Republicants know that they can't keep this up forever, sooner or later he'll be caught and then sink like a rock. The sensible ones have already stepped away. The rest will be mad because they lost.
And yes, Elizabeth, I have seen "Meet John Doe". It's actually a great film. But don't suppose that that syrupy sentimentalism is real - as some of the people who made that movie discovered when McCarthy hit the scene only a few years later.
it doesn't have to say "all that." the statute and the legal definition of "thing of value" is broad enough to include the "favor" that donald requested in his phone call. that violation was included in the "abuse of power" article:
No, it is not..
At least no one has quoted the exact verbiage that supports the claim..
it's absolutely illegal, and factually proven.
If this were factually accurate then Democrats would have put it in the charge sheet..
They didn't. They made up bullshit charges of crimes that don't exist..
What worries me is the interchanges between Trump and Putin.
And yet, you weren't worried when Obama tried to get a message to Putin secretly that he (Obama) could be more flexible for Putin if Putin would give him (Obama) some space to win the election.
Thereby proving beyond ANY doubt that you don't really mind "interchanges" between a US President and Putin.
You just don't like it when it's President Trump..
I personally think that support for Trump is a mile wide, but just a quarter of an inch thick. Republicants know that they can't keep this up forever, sooner or later he'll be caught and then sink like a rock. The sensible ones have already stepped away. The rest will be mad because they lost.
As opposed to Left Wingers who are hysterically insane with hate because THEY lost?? :D
The problem with all your intellectualizing and psycho-analyzing is that it totally ignores the Left's antics in all of it..
It's completely one sided without a shred of objectivity..
And, because of that, you will ALWAYS be wrong in your conclusions..
The problem with all your intellectualizing and psycho-analyzing is that it totally ignores the Left's antics in all of it..
I should clarify that and say that that is ONE the problems with all your yada yada yada yada..
Another problem with it is it TOTALLY ignores the fact that your predictions have ALWAYS been wrong.
And your predictions have ALWAYS been wrong because they are not supported by fact and reality but rather solely and completely supported by wish-casting..
In other words, you confuse what you WANT to happen with what you think will ACTUALLY happen..
This latest faux impeachment coup is a PERFECT example.. You were against it before you were for it..
Now you are ALL IN with it and it's simply not going the Democrats' way..
But yer stuck with it and are afraid to be critical of the Democrats' incompetent actions..
That's one of the biggest problems with post-HHPTDS Weigantia.. With a couple of exceptions, everyone is afraid to be critical of the Democrat Party and it's actions..
Oh sure. There will be critique of narrow actions of particular groups of the Democrat Party.. DNC etc etc..
But overall, everyone (NEN) is totally gung-ho and enthusiastically on board with everything and anything the Democrat Party says and does.. Even if it's the diametric opposite of what was said/done the day before..
"We're at war with East Asia. We have always been at war with East Asia"
In the here and now, Weigantia is stuck in '1984'...
Guess I am in intellectualizing and psycho-analyzing mode this morning.. :D
I guess it's the euphoria of surviving another christmas.. :D
Russ,
Because they care about our nation and their constituents enough to work with the idiot!
If this were factually accurate, then Democrats would not have spent the last 3 years trying to negate and nullify a free, fair, legal, democratic and Constitutional election..
The actions of the Democrat Party put lie to the claim that they care about our nation..
Because they care about our nation and their constituents enough to work with the idiot!
I would also point out that Democrats (including many of ya'all) are on record as saying that President Trump is "DESTROYING" this country..
And Democrats want to WORK with him?? Democrats want to WORK with a man who is destroying this country??
Seems to me, ya'all can't have it both ways..
Either President Trump is destroying this country and Democrats shouldn't work with him at all..
OR...
Democrats are full of shit when they claim President Trump is destroying this country..
Which is it??
The petty hate and vindictiveness of Trump/America haters..
CBC removes Donald Trump's scene from 'Home Alone 2' broadcast: report
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/cbc-removes-donald-trumps-scene-from-home-alone-2-broadcast
This is exactly what I am talking about...
It's sad...
Trump stock market rally is far outpacing past US presidents
The S&P 500 has returned more than 50% since President Trump was elected, more than double the average market return of presidents three years into their term, according to Bespoke Investment Group.
Historically, years three and four garner the highest market returns for U.S. presidents.
The S&P will have to gain about 6% in 2020 to beat the average presidential return.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/26/trumps-stock-market-rally-is-far-outpacing-past-us-presidents.html
Once again, one has to wonder.
All those people who claimed that, if elected, Donald Trump would destroy Wall Street and the US economy..
How many of them concede how utterly and completely WRONG they were??
The S&P will have to gain about 6% in 2020 to beat the average presidential return.
Paul Hickey, a co-founder of Bespoke Investment Group, crunched the numbers for me, updating calculations that I cited four years ago. Sadly, the forecasters are no more impressive now than they were then.
For every calendar year since 2000, Mr. Hickey compared the annual Wall Street consensus forecast in late December with the actual level of the S&P 500 one year later. He found that, on average:
The median forecast was that the stock index would rise 9.8 percent in the next calendar year. The S&P 500 actually rose 5.5 percent.
The gap between the median forecast and the market return was 4.31 percentage points, an error of almost 45 percent.
The median forecast was that stocks would rise every year for the last 20 years, but they fell in six years. The consensus was wrong about the basic direction of the market 30 percent of the time.
Mr. Hickey found that the forecasts were often off by staggering amounts, especially when an accurate forecast would have mattered most. In 2008, for example, when stocks fell 38.5 percent, the median forecast was typically cheery, calling for an 11.1 percent stock market rise. That Wall Street consensus forecast was wrong by 49.6 percentage points, and it had disastrous consequences for anyone who relied on it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/23/business/retirement/index-fund-investing.html
The Average return of U.S. Presidents? Which ones, and when? Sounds to me as though CNBC is blowing happy smoke up your ass.
Democrats want to WORK with him?? Democrats want to WORK with a man who is destroying this country??
Seems to me, ya'all can't have it both ways..
Always pleased to amaze you when we walk and chew gum at the same time.
It's called responsible government. Oughta try it.
Sounds to me as though CNBC is blowing happy smoke up your ass.
Facts to support??
"We can discard the possibility just because we don't happen to like it."
-Martin Sheen, THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
It's called responsible government. Oughta try it.
So.. Working with an incompetent moron you CLAIM will "destroy" this country...
You call that "responsible government"??
On what planet??? Tatooine??
Sounds to me as though CNBC is blowing happy smoke up your ass.
And yet, YOU quote the NY GRIME?? :D
Funny...
you weren't worried when Obama tried to get a message to Putin secretly that he (Obama) could be more flexible for Putin if Putin would give him (Obama) some space to win the election.
Thereby proving beyond ANY doubt that you don't really mind "interchanges" between a US President and Putin.
Funny, I don't recall that Obama did that secretly. Wasn't it an open mic? Besides, there are records of each and every conversation that he had with Putin. Can Trump say the same? Nope. Not even close.
Working with an incompetent moron you CLAIM will "destroy" this country...You call that "responsible government"?
Yes. Unlike a lot of Republicants, we'd like for there to BE a government when we get it back.
YOU quote the NY GRIME?
Why not? You've quoted NBC.
Funny, I don't recall that Obama did that secretly. Wasn't it an open mic?
Yer right.. Obama TRIED to do it secretly but got caught by an open mic..
Besides, there are records of each and every conversation that he had with Putin.
Wanna bet??
Can Trump say the same? Nope. Not even close.
So?? Presidents have private conversations with world leaders..
"OH MY GOD WHAT A FUCKING NIGHTMARE!!!"
-Marisa Tomeii, MY COUSIN VINNY
The simple fact is, Obama engaged in quid pro quo with Putin to help Obama win an election.
You don't care a single iota about that..
Ergo, you simply hate President Trump and are using any lame excuse to justify it..
"I really hate her. I'll think of a reason later."
-Lee Ann Womack
You have hated Donald Trump since he wiped the floor with Hillary Clinton..
And you nitpick at all these lame "reasons" to justify the hate..
It's really that simple.. :D
@m,
did you actually read the AOI? i'll leave it to CW whether or not he wants a copy-paste of the entire things in his blog, but you can't seriously read the text of the articles and determine that donald's alleged actions are even remotely legal. i'm sure there's some technical reason why the house dems didn't reference specific statutes, but it's not for lack of factually proven illegal actions on the president's part.
JL
Obama TRIED to do it secretly but got caught by an open mic..
In a crowded room. By your estimation, he's not very good at it.
The simple fact is, Obama engaged in quid pro quo with Putin to help Obama win an election.
????!!! C'mon, you don't believe that, and neither does anyone else. Be serious.
Wanna bet? (that there are records of each and every conversation that he had with Putin)
Yep. I'd bet my life on it. Unlike Trump, Obama didn't like being played by a tinpot dictator.
did you actually read the AOI? i'll leave it to CW whether or not he wants a copy-paste of the entire things in his blog, but you can't seriously read the text of the articles and determine that donald's alleged actions are even remotely legal.
Sure I can..
There is no such state or federal law about "abuse of power" or "obstruction of congress"...
If you think President Trump is guilty of "bribery" then why wasn't "bribery" one of the AOI??
Because there are NO FACTS to support the charge..
i'm sure there's some technical reason why the house dems didn't reference specific statutes, but it's not for lack of factually proven illegal actions on the president's part.
And I am sure that democrats didn't actually charge President Trump with those things because the facts did not support those things.
It's much easier for Democrats to rely on rumor, innuendo and bullshit in the court of public opinion..
But when it comes to an official proceeding??
Democrats knew they would fail..
THAT is why they didn't charge President Trump.
And even the charges they DID finally produce they know are bullshit.. Which is why Pelosi is afraid to send them to the Senate..
Your sure.. I'm sure.. Or, more accurate I believe and you believe.
"I doesn't matter what I believe it only matters what I can prove!!"
-Tom Cruise, A FEW GOOD MEN
It doesn't matter what you are sure of, it doesn't matter what Democrats are sure of..
It ONLY matters what Democrats can prove..
And, given the actions of the last couple weeks, it's become apparent that Democrats can't PROVE jack shit..
Irregardless... We'll see who is factually accurate soon enough. :D
President Trump is INNOCENT until proven guilty in a court of law..
So, Democrats can play in the court of public opinion all they want.. It's getting them no where..
In a crowded room. By your estimation, he's not very good at it.
So??? It doesn't matter if he is good at it or not.
It only matters he tried to sneak something by the American people and got caught.
But you don't care because he has a -D after his name..
????!!! C'mon, you don't believe that, and neither does anyone else. Be serious.
It's more blatant than what ya'all accuse President Trump of..
But, as I said.. You don't care because Odumbo has a -D after his name..
Yep. I'd bet my life on it. Unlike Trump, Obama didn't like being played by a tinpot dictator.
"I don't care what Congress says.. I have a pen and I have a phone."
-Barack Obama
Apparently, you are wrong.. AGAIN.. :D
Because there are NO FACTS to support the charge..
that's simply not the case. the fact that donald requested of the president of ukraine to announce investigations into joe and hunter biden, and held up 591 million dollars in military aid to ukraine 90 minutes later, combined with testimony from ambassador sondland and public statements from mick mulvaney and the president himself, would easily support a charge of bribery or extortion, if it were a normal person who took those actions. however, the involvement of the power of the presidency in those actions makes them difficult to fit to any particular statute.
impeachment is just a weird legal animal, derived from 14th century english law, where they didn't have any statutory requirements constraining parliament's ability to check the power of the monarch.
JL
JL,
Look at it logically.
With such a high level of hatred that House Democrats have for President Trump.
Do you HONESTLY believe that if there was even a snowball's chance in hell of proving "bribery" or any other REAL crime... that House Democrats would NOT have availed themselves of the opportunity???
Hell no.. If there was even a SMIDGEN of a chance of actually prevailing in court with bribery et al, Democrats would have jumped in with both feet.
The fact that they DIDN'T is The-Dog-That-Didn't-Bark proof that THEY know their case stinks.
Add to that Pelosi's fear of sending over the AOI to the Senate as is Constitutionally expected??
It's clear that Democrats are realizing how badly they frak'ed everything up..
that's simply not the case.
I am sure you think that..
But the mere fact that Democrats didn't charge proves that there are no facts that will stand up in court..
Put another way..
If what you say is accurate.. If the FACTS do prove this and Democrats fail to charge President Trump??
Well, I guess that says it all about Democrats and their ability to do their duty, eh??
I mean, that's prosecutorial misconduct of the highest order to have the FACTS that prove a crime beyond any doubt and then NOT prosecute... Especially such a "crime" committed by a man who is going to "destroy" this country??
According to you and everyone else, there are so many MANY "good" reasons to prosecute President Trump. According to you and everyone else so many MANY good "facts" to guarantee conviction..
And Democrats are too scared to pull the trigger??
Does that make **ANY** kind of sense to you??
i'll leave it to CW whether or not he wants a copy-paste of the entire things in his blog,
The fact that CW has, to date refused to commentary on impeachment would indicate his thoughts on the subject..
:D
Much like Obama's refusal to back up Joe Biden's claim is a pretty good indication of the validity of Joe's claims.. :D
The fact that CW has, to date refused to commentary on impeachment would indicate his thoughts on the subject..
:D
Of course, that's just my personal opinion on the matter..
But considering how not shy CW has been not to slam down Trump at EVERY opportunity.... If there was even the SLIGHTEST hook to hang the TRUMP IS GOING DOWN!!! hat on.... I am sure it would have been availed of..
Again, my own personal opinion on the matter. Nothing more..
Again.. I ask you to step back and look at things logically and objectively..
House Democrats are ON THE RECORD as saying that President Trump is going to destroy this country..
AND...
According to ya'all, House Democrats ALSO have bona fide indisputable FACTS that PROVE President Trump committed heinous crimes...
And Democrats are HOLDING BACK!!???
There are only 2 possibilities..
Democrats secretly LIKE President Trump and want him to remain in office.
OR
The "facts" you claim are airtight and indisputable are really full of leaks and holes and can be totally decimated by an avid viewer of LAW AND ORDER...
Employing Occam's Razor, it's clear which is the most likely explanation...
@m,
in what way has CW refused to comment on impeachment? he wrote an entire blog post about it on december 10, explaining how the house dems went narrow on the AOI. you'd do well to read it.
JL
here's CW's explanation of the most likely reason why the articles of impeachment are so narrowly constructed, and why they exclude many of the charges levied against the president:
Pelosi may have decided that merely "checking the box" on impeachment was the only thing that really mattered politically, which could be why she chose such a narrow route. Pelosi has always been reluctant to even begin the impeachment process, and resisted doing so until the Ukraine scandal broke. She is possibly the most astute vote-counter in all of Washington, and she could see the writing on the Senate wall long ago.
in what way has CW refused to comment on impeachment? he wrote an entire blog post about it on december 10,
And nothing since..
At that time, things were going very well for Democrats impeachment wise..
Things have taken a very VERY sharp downward turn since then. Momentous things are occurring.. UNPRECEDENTED things are occurring..
And there hasn't been a SINGLE commentary about any of it.
I find that very telling, considering the euphoria that was on display for impeachment prior to the Democrat down turn..
Pelosi may have decided that merely "checking the box" on impeachment was the only thing that really mattered politically, which could be why she chose such a narrow route. Pelosi has always been reluctant to even begin the impeachment process, and resisted doing so until the Ukraine scandal broke. She is possibly the most astute vote-counter in all of Washington, and she could see the writing on the Senate wall long ago.
That indicates that Pelosi believes that not even DEMOCRATS will support real specific charges like bribery, extortion, quid pro quo, etc etc...
I find that hard to believe, since Democrats focus-grouped bribery and found it scored well..
Regardless, you seem to be supporting my case that Democrats themselves don't really believe the bribery, extortion, quid pro quo BS...
Again, I see NO PATH where this ends in ANY WAY, SHAPE or FORM that is beneficial to Democrats...
There is going to come a time, likely very soon, where Democrats will have to shit or get off the pot..
Or maybe they are planning a Cersei-esque plan and their malfeasance, incompetence and criminality will no longer matter...
Ever read Nelson DeMille's WILD FIRE?? :D
That indicates that Pelosi believes that not even DEMOCRATS will support real specific charges like bribery, extortion, quid pro quo, etc etc...
no, it indicates that nancy started from the premise that the senate will acquit no matter what the charges are, and she believes the best political outcome for her caucus will come by giving mitch mcconnell as little as possible to work with.
no, it indicates that nancy started from the premise that the senate will acquit no matter what the charges are, and she believes the best political outcome for her caucus will come by giving mitch mcconnell as little as possible to work with.
Apparently, Pelosi has taken that thought to the extreme and is giving McConnell NOTHING to work with.. :D
As I said.. I don't see a path where this ends in ANY WAY beneficial to Democrats..
Nancy Pelosi has no leverage on impeachment and will fold
After pushing through a quick, partisan impeachment, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a grievous strategic miscalculation.
The California Democrat decided not to forward the two articles of impeachment to the Senate, believing she could pressure the Senate to require witnesses as part of the trial.
Let’s set aside the absurd demands for fairness that House Democrats are making. Their partisan House process was unprecedented and earned bipartisan opposition as the White House was denied due process and leaks and secret hearings were regularly utilized. Democratic requests for fairness now are laughable.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/dec/25/nancy-pelosi-has-no-leverage-on-impeachment-and-wi/
Laughable indeed.... The Senate trial will be as "fair" and "impartial" as the House faux impeachment coup was.. :D
"How bout dat!"
:D
@m,
you have to step outside and look at the same political facts from nancy pelosi's perspective. the house has had this big investigation, with hearings and testimony, culminating in impeachment. she knows that the more substance she sends to the senate, the more news cycles will be dominated by mitch mcconnell trying to take apart every charge piece by piece. by sending him "nothing," she's forced him to either dismiss the charges quickly and have them over with, or call witnesses, or produce documents, none of which would benefit the white house.
JL
Mrs. Pelosi may understand the House, but this unforced error has proven that she does not understand the Senate.
She faces two bad options in the new year. She can fold and gain no concessions from Mr. McConnell or she can effectively prevent the Senate from ever holding a trial. In the latter case, Mr. McConnell may well hold an acquittal vote in the Senate, which would require 51 votes.
Mrs. Pelosi has a weak hand and decided to bluff. Mr. McConnell then called the bluff. In early January, the cards will be turned over and the pot will be awarded.
This was all entirely foreseeable. How did the “brilliant tactician” Pelosi so badly misjudge this situation?
THAT is the question..
Up to that point, Pelosi was doing the logical and rational thing.. Knowing that Democrats would be butchered alive at impeachment, Pelosi let the hysterical Left vent and mewl and just ignored their cries for impeachment..
But then she did a 180... And, apparently, for no good reason... The idea that the Ukraine call was anything but an example of how diplomatic sausage is made is laughable...
It sure as hell wasn't enough to prompt a complete 180 by Pelosi..
I would love to get the REAL story on exactly why Pelosi flipped...
she's forced him to either dismiss the charges quickly and have them over with, or call witnesses, or produce documents, none of which would benefit the white house.
She's forced McConnell to do no such thing..
McConnell could let Pelosi stew and sit on the AOI til 4 Nov 2020 and there ain't a damn thing that Pelosi can do about it..
Public sentiment AND the oh-so crucial Independent/NPA voter will continue to grow against Pelosi, impeachment and Democrats culminating in the GOP taking back the House and discarding this laughable attempt on the trash heap of history where it belongs..
Pelosi has absolutely NO LEVERAGE whatsoever here... She can't force McConnell to do a damn thing..
McConnell is holding 4-Of-A-Kind and all Pelosi has in an Ace-High busted flush...
McConnell could let Pelosi stew and sit on the AOI til 4 Nov 2020 and there ain't a damn thing that Pelosi can do about it..
this is true. but that being the case, the only thing on the record would then be the document i cited earlier, with nothing to rebut the charges. everything i've seen of the process so far suggests that nancy is playing 3D chess and everyone else in washington is playing tic-tac-toe
JL
I am also constrained to point out that Democrats are ALREADY paying a huge political price for this faux impeachment coup..
The impeachment is sucking all the oxygen that would normally be used by the Democrat Primary...
The lack of tangible benefit of this impeachment is already being felt by Democrats..
And, once the trial starts (assuming there is one) 6 Democrat Presidential Candidates will have to leave the campaign trail and sit on their hands for weeks...
Democrats really did NOT think this thru...
this is true. but that being the case, the only thing on the record would then be the document i cited earlier, with nothing to rebut the charges.
Seriously?? President Trump and the GOP will be free to rebut the charges on a DAILY basis..
And Democrats will be left with absolutely NO DEFENSE.. Oh sure, they will whine and cry, "WE HAVE A GREAT CASE!!!"
Which will invariably invite the response, "Yea?? If it's such a great case, why not send it to the Senate??"
And it will go on day after day like that, all the while public opinion will turn against Democrats..
everything i've seen of the process so far suggests that nancy is playing 3D chess and everyone else in washington is playing tic-tac-toe
I am sure you do see that..
But the reality is quite different.. :D
Why do you think media organizations have quit polling impeachment??
Because it's a SURE luser for the Democrat Party.. :D
Why do you think media organizations have quit polling impeachment??
Because it's a SURE luser for the Democrat[ic] Party.. :D
that doesn't seem to be the case.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/public_approval_of_the_impeachment_and_removal_of_president_trump-6957.html
Yea?? It's still .8 against impeaching President Trump..
It's been that way for a couple weeks.
I started posting that link.. Did it a few times, then realized it wasn't changing because the media groups quit polling.. They realized the trend and didn't want to give President Trump any ammunition..
Notice the upward trend for NO IMPEACH and the downward trend for YES IMPEACH...
It's even MORE telling and pronounced when you look at the numbers from INDEPENDENTS/NPAs.. THAT number has actually grown... 5.7 points for NO IMPEACH..
It was at 5.0...
So, you see.. This is *NOT* a winner for Democrats..
And it's only going to get worse the longer Democrats sit on the impeachment they CLAIMED was vitally important to get done as soon as possible..
Democrats really frak'ed it up..
in two months it's gone from 48% to 47% in favor - not exactly a sweeping trend. the anti-impeachment line has risen a bit, from 44% to 48% - i suppose that's cause for you to be hopeful, but i don't see any evidence that polling has ceased on the topic.
The petty hate and vindictiveness of Trump/America haters..
CBC removes Donald Trump's scene from 'Home Alone 2' broadcast: report
The fragile egos, paper-thin skin, and emotional over-reactions of Trumpkins would be tolerable, maybe, if it wasn’t accompanied by the venomous responses to even the smallest slight.
Removing a polarizing political figure from the airing of a family holiday movie is considered an act of “petty hate and vindictiveness”? Come on snowflake, it was a time-filler cameo scene that added nothing significant to the storyline. Please tell me that your cult-like devotion to Trump does not have you now watching movies just because he is in them for a few seconds!??!
Michale,
If you honestly believe that Trump committed no crime, then why are you not demanding that he allow those who had first hand knowledge into the accusations testify to his innocence? Trump’s complete refusal to allow anyone in the government cooperate with the investigations into these matters are not the actions of an innocent man! It’s blatantly clear that Trump is guilty, and unless some unknown testimony or evidence is uncovered he should be removed from office.
You attempt to claim that Biden is the one who is guilty of the crime of using the power of his office for personal gain. You’ve even said that Biden did the same exact thing that we accuse Trump of doing. But then you try to argue that Trump did nothing wrong, even though he supposedly did the exact thing that Biden did that you said was a crime. So which lane are you drunk driving this story in, because it’s a clusterfuch to follow along with!?
Balthasar,
But don't suppose that that syrupy sentimentalism is real …
Well, of course. But, suppose you tell me what you think IS real.
they used to say of george w bush that he thought the same thing thursday as he did tuesday, no matter what happened on wednesday.
donald has done him one better. donald believes the same thing thursday as he did tuesday, and the video of him saying the exact opposite on wednesday, broadcast nationwide on every station, is fake news that never happened.
If you honestly believe that Trump committed no crime, then why are you not demanding that he allow those who had first hand knowledge into the accusations testify to his innocence?
For the same reasons you didn't demand Odumbo let Holder tell all he knew about Fast/Furious..
You attempt to claim that Biden is the one who is guilty of the crime of using the power of his office for personal gain.
I never claimed that as fact.. I simply point out ya'all's hypocrisy in going after President Trump but totally defending Biden's actions.
And Biden CONFESSED his extortion..
they used to say of george w bush that he thought the same thing thursday as he did tuesday, no matter what happened on wednesday.
donald has done him one better. donald believes the same thing thursday as he did tuesday, and the video of him saying the exact opposite on wednesday, broadcast nationwide on every station, is fake news that never happened.
Notice you only pick on Republicans?? The same case could be made for Odumbo but, of course, you ignore that.. :D
Once again, proving it's nothing but the -D and the -R at play here..
https://twt-thumbs.washtimes.com/media/image/2019/12/22/20191223-hunter_s878x691.jpg?b66160a98e0e20eb8c7e536d73c9fea81c25fabc
Tis sad, tis true...
Tis true, tis sad....
Oops
If there were an Obama example i would have used it but there isn't one. The trouble deciding if Clinton changed his mind between Tuesday and Thursday is it depends on the definition of "is."
And Biden CONFESSED his extortion..
You can't possibly be that obtuse, Michale … I guess.