F'dup Chapters in American History(The Trump Years) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Part 29

[DeadPresident]

It depends. Now that most primaries are out of the way, if things start going badly (ie Trump starts acting like Trump), the GOP may act to save themselves. They are already acting as if they may lose the Senate.

I mean, watching the GOP turn on Trump would almost make up for the absurdity of watching him pretend to be a president for the last two years.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

West Virginia hate rally by Trump again?

It was only the second most pro-Trump state after Wyoming in 2016.

No wonder he can't stop soaking up there.

 

[Dr Lee]

.@realDonaldTrump says "#PaulManafort is a good man. I feel sad about that," as he departs from Air Force One. Also says there was no collusion. But president pointedly REFUSES to say a word about #MichaelCohen, his long time lawyer and Mr Fixit. Ignores shouted questions

 

[Sithborg]

He was quite upset about it, too. Of course, he hates it when people are prosecuted for financial crimes that he is guilty of. Rich people should be above that.

 

[godisawesome]

It would have been better to have Manafort found guilty of more charges, but Mueller's probe has been proved to have teeth, and Cohen pleading guilty, and reportedly pleading guilty specifically to committing a crime in coordination with Donald Trump, ratchets everything up a notch.

But here's the real political questions:

1. Can Democrats take the House?
2. Can conspiracy to commit campaign finance violations (+ a possible emoluments argument and obstruction of justice) qualify as a "high crime or misdemeanor?"
3. Can Democrats take the Senate?
4. Can the Democrats find enough Republicans who would vote to expel Trump if the House impeached him?

I've ranked them in terms of likelihood to me. The Democrats are likely to take the House: previous political precedent, Trump's approval rating, and the outlook from the polls suggest they should. They need to combine all possible charges against Trump, in my opinion, and should patiently see if they can find anymore, since we can all see the argument that will be made by the more clever Trumpites. I don't see the Senate falling without good fortune, and the blue wave must be huge and powerful to convince enough GOP Senators to flip. There's probably a handful who feel they could vote against him right now and survive, but you need a total of 67 Senators who would vote to expel him, and I don't think there's enough GOP Senators who would do so.

 

[Raiden]

The judge in the Manafort trial is reported to have asked the Jury to deliberate instead of declaring a mistrial for the other 10 charges. Hopefully he’ll be found guilty in all of them.

 

[MaceB]

Maybe this will lead somewhere, but in the short term, this won't change the views of red hats one bit. Trump will say, "everyone tries to sweep dirt under the rug, this is how politics is done." His followers will be more than satisfied with that answer.

The problem is the same - we need Democrats to regain control of congress to hold Trump accountable. And even then, impeachment is basically numerically impossible. A Democratic congress will at least be able to stymie Trump's policies but not much else. We need the GOP to flip in order to get impeachment.

 

[Sithborg]

The judge in the Manafort trial is reported to have asked the Jury to deliberate instead of declaring a mistrial for the other 10 charges. Hopefully he’ll be found guilty in all of them.

That was earlier. Mistrial on the 10 charges is the official result.

 

[samsnee]

Yeah to me since they couldn’t reach a consensus on half the charges means some are buying into this witch hunt thing.

 

[Marvolo]

Also keep in mind, even if Trump isn't impeached, Trump won't be president indefinitely. If he loses reelection in 2020 or remains in office until 2024. The moment he leaves office the FBI can arrest him and charge him then. Providing of course his crimes dont have a statute of limitation.

Also, American law makers need to drop the nonsense idea that a sitting President is above the law. There is no specific law that says a sitting President can't be charged. From what I've read, this idea is based on inferred understanding and precedent. It's not cold hard law. All it takes is the judicial system growing a damn spine and charging a president. Our country isn't supposed to have an aristocracy, but this idea that Presidents are above the law is exactly that. Aristocratic BS.

And this jury situation is a prime example of why juries for any sort of major financial crimes and complicated matters shouldn't be made up of average americans. They arent remotely qualified to determine the outcome of cases like this. Only qualified people with a background in finances and the law should be on a jury for a case like this.

 

[Sithborg]

So, it looks like the National Enquirer told Cohen to rip up the McDougal agreement, but he didn't. Which the FBI then found when they raided his office.

Ooops.

 

[Dr Lee]

Deleted...

 

[Morg]

and more fun tonight:

HardballChris: Omarosa says she has video tapes. She's going to bring one to #Hardball tonight at 7.

 

[Dr Lee]

Wonder if it's related to what's happened today?

 

[Legendver2]

Are we at this season's finale yet?

 

[Dr Lee]

barely at the end of the first act

 

[Morg]

 

[DeadPresident]

This feels like an orchestrated build up, Manafort and Cohen on the same day, and others now adding to the dogpile?

 

[squeekness]

Also keep in mind, even if Trump isn't impeached, Trump won't be president indefinitely. If he loses reelection in 2020 or remains in office until 2024. The moment he leaves office the FBI can arrest him and charge him then. Providing of course his crimes dont have a statute of limitation.

Also, American law makers need to drop the nonsense idea that a sitting President is above the law. There is no specific law that says a sitting President can't be charged. From what I've read, this idea is based on inferred understanding and precedent. It's not cold hard law. All it takes is the judicial system growing a damn spine and charging a president. Our country isn't supposed to have an aristocracy, but this idea that Presidents are above the law is exactly that. Aristocratic BS.

And this jury situation is a prime example of why juries for any sort of major financial crimes and complicated matters shouldn't be made up of average americans. They arent remotely qualified to determine the outcome of cases like this. Only qualified people with a background in finances and the law should be on a jury for a case like this.

I agree with all of this.

 

[squeekness]

 

[Dr Lee]

They're playing Nessun Dorma at Trump's ego stroker

 

[Dr Lee]

Looks like things are about to kick off at the rally.... everyone on their feet

 

[terry78]

A wounded animal always fights.

 

[Dr Lee]

here we go

EDIT - or not

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

CNN - Rep. Duncan Hunter and his wife indicted in use of campaign funds for personal expenses

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/21/politics/duncan-hunter-campaign-charges/index.html

Rep. Hunter was the second Congressman to endorse Trump's candidacy for President after Rep. Chris Collins...who was also recently indicted.