GRASPING AT STRAWS

“ President ” Donald Trump ’ s legal team really is taking the “ abuse of power isn ’ t a crime ” tack as his defense .
As we in the south say , bless their hearts .
But when you don ’ t really have a defense , it ’ s better than “ I got nothing.
” According to CNN , Senate Republicans are “ quickly buying into ” this foolishness .
Alan Dershowitz , accused sexual assaulter and Trump team member , appeared on This Week , arguing that the articles of impeachment fail to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another on Trump ’ s legal team , said on Fox and Friends : “ Never in our history has there been an impeachment of a President without even an allegation that a crime was committed.
” Really ?
Though Nixon was involved in a burglary , which is certainly a crime , he was ultimately impeached for abuse of power by targeting his political foes with tax audits .
What makes things different this time ?
Lisa Kern Griffin , a Duke University professor , spoke with Sean Illing of Vox about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Although the Constitution expressly cites bribery as grounds for impeachment , it does not require that any criminal offense be committed in order for impeachment to occur.
” As Vox and every other outlet are reporting , Trump and his team think legal scholars and Democrats are “ mistaken.
” No , the mistake lies in the failure to read the Constitution , which most legal scholars can recite in their sleep .
Trump and his “ dream team ” ( more like a nightmare ) likely can ’ t even spell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the case when it involves Donald Trump , they ’ re just making this up as they go along , and Republican Senators are all too happy to grasp at any straw Trump extends .
Trump ’ s staunchest ally Lindsey Graham appeared on Fox News Sunday , saying : “ It ’ s the first impeachment in history where there ’ s no allegation of a crime by the president.
” Bullshit , Lindsey , and you know it .
Graham was one of the main senators pushing the Clinton impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a crime .
It is amazing how quickly Republicans forget .
Others who were involved in earlier impeachments beg to differ .
John Dean is quoted by HuffPost as saying that “ Donald Trump ’ s impeachment defense is an unconvincing ‘ scorched earth ’ strategy.
” Dean said , “ It ’ s not legally sophisticated .
It obviously plays to the base.
” Perhaps that means they had to keep it at a fifth grade reading level for Trump fans .
The most interesting comment from Dean , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is “ more compelling ” than the case against Nixon , which tells us a lot .
Dean was Nixon ’ s White House counsel and does indeed know of which he speaks .
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out .
Hopefully , Dick Durbin ’ s assessment becomes truth : “ The Senate itself is on trial .
.
.
and the jury is the American people.
” We are watching you Republicans .
A guilty verdict from us in the 2020 election sends you packing @ @ @

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“President” Donald Trump’s legal team really is taking the “abuse of power isn’t a crime” tack as his defense. As we in the south say, bless their hearts. But when you don’t really have a defense, it’s better than “I got nothing.” According to CNN, Senate Republicans are “quickly buying into” this foolishness.
Alan Dershowitz, accused sexual assaulter and Trump team member, appeared on This Week, arguing that the articles of impeachment fail to meet the constitutional standard. Robert Ray, another on Trump’s legal team, said on Fox and Friends: “Never in our history has there been an impeachment of a President without even an allegation that a crime was committed.”
Really? Though Nixon was involved in a burglary, which is certainly a crime, he was ultimately impeached for abuse of power by targeting his political foes with tax audits. What makes things different this time? Lisa Kern Griffin, a Duke University professor, spoke with Sean Illing of Vox about this issue.
According to Griffin, “Although the Constitution expressly cites bribery as grounds for impeachment, it does not require that any criminal offense be committed in order for impeachment to occur.” As Vox and every other outlet are reporting, Trump and his team think legal scholars and Democrats are “mistaken.” No, the mistake lies in the failure to read the Constitution, which most legal scholars can recite in their sleep. Trump and his “dream team” (more like a nightmare) likely can’t even spell “Constitution.”
As seems to always be the case when it involves Donald Trump, they’re just making this up as they go along, and Republican Senators are all too happy to grasp at any straw Trump extends. Trump’s staunchest ally Lindsey Graham appeared on Fox News Sunday, saying: “It’s the first impeachment in history where there’s no allegation of a crime by the president.” Bullshit, Lindsey, and you know it. Graham was one of the main senators pushing the Clinton impeachment, which did not involve the commission of a crime. It is amazing how quickly Republicans forget. Others who were involved in earlier impeachments beg to differ.
John Dean is quoted by HuffPost as saying that “Donald Trump’s impeachment defense is an unconvincing ‘scorched earth’ strategy.” Dean said, “It’s not legally sophisticated. It obviously plays to the base.” Perhaps that means they had to keep it at a fifth grade reading level for Trump fans. The most interesting comment from Dean, however, is that he believes the case against Trump is “more compelling” than the case against Nixon, which tells us a lot. Dean was Nixon’s White House counsel and does indeed know of which he speaks. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Hopefully, Dick Durbin’s assessment becomes truth: “The Senate itself is on trial . . . and the jury is the American people.” We are watching you Republicans. A guilty verdict from us in the 2020 election sends you packing for good.
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palmerreport--2020-01-21--Donald Trump goes berserk and runs for the hills as his impeachment trial begins

Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial is officially beginning , so naturally , he ’ s running off to the other side of the world .
No , he ’ s not fleeing to Moscow to try to avoid prosecution ; that might come later .
For now , Trump is running off to a conference of billionaires in Davos , where he ’ s going to do what he ’ s done there every year since illegitimately taking office : he ’ s going to try to get attendees to line his own personal pockets .
The thing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have much grasp of what the party line is supposed to be for his Davos visit .
For that matter , Trump doesn ’ t appear to know that Earth is the only known planet with life on it .
That ’ s the best we ’ ve been able to parse what Trump tweeted last night , when he decided that the entire universe is now involved in his hyperbolic bragging : Heading to Davos , Switzerland , to meet with World and Business Leaders and bring Good Policy and additional Hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States of America !
We are now NUMBER ONE in the Universe , by FAR !
!
That ’ s right , Donald Trump is now certain that “ we ” ( the United States ?
his Republican Party ?
his motherland of Russia ? )
are now number one in the entire universe .
Wait , are there nations that we ’ re now competing with on Mars , or Alpha Centauri ?
Is Vulcan now involved ?
Trump is so desperate to brag about his imaginary accomplishments , everything he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile back in the real world , poll numbers in favor of Trump ’ s ouster are indeed the highest in the universe .

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Donald Trump’s impeachment trial is officially beginning, so naturally, he’s running off to the other side of the world. No, he’s not fleeing to Moscow to try to avoid prosecution; that might come later. For now, Trump is running off to a conference of billionaires in Davos, where he’s going to do what he’s done there every year since illegitimately taking office: he’s going to try to get attendees to line his own personal pockets.
The thing is, Trump doesn’t seem to have much grasp of what the party line is supposed to be for his Davos visit. For that matter, Trump doesn’t appear to know that Earth is the only known planet with life on it. That’s the best we’ve been able to parse what Trump tweeted last night, when he decided that the entire universe is now involved in his hyperbolic bragging:
Heading to Davos, Switzerland, to meet with World and Business Leaders and bring Good Policy and additional Hundreds of Billions of Dollars back to the United States of America! We are now NUMBER ONE in the Universe, by FAR!!
That’s right, Donald Trump is now certain that “we” (the United States? his Republican Party? his motherland of Russia?) are now number one in the entire universe. Wait, are there nations that we’re now competing with on Mars, or Alpha Centauri? Is Vulcan now involved? Trump is so desperate to brag about his imaginary accomplishments, everything he says turns into an instant punchline. Meanwhile back in the real world, poll numbers in favor of Trump’s ouster are indeed the highest in the universe.
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palmerreport--2020-01-22--GOP Senator caught in severe breach of rules during Senate impeachment trial proceedings

The rules of an impeachment trial couldn ’ t be much more clear .
Like any jury , the Senators of both parties must sit in silence in the Senate chamber for the entirety of the trial proceedings .
They literally need permission to get up and use the bathroom , and Chief Justice John Roberts can have them arrested if they don ’ t ask permission first .
So how does one explain a Senator doing an interview while the trial was in session ?
Senators are allowed to speak with the media during breaks in the trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate Democrats , appeared to catch Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn giving an interview on Fox News when she was supposed to be in the Senate chamber for the trial .
Check out his tweet below : MSNBC ’ s Nick Ramsey also confirmed that Blackburn was indeed on Fox News while trial proceedings were in sessions .
This is serious business .
The sanctity of the Senate jury is taken so seriously , Senators aren ’ t even allowed to have their phones with them during the trial , and must place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and out of the chamber .
If Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn really was on Fox News while the impeachment trial proceedings were going on , then John Roberts must take punitive action against her .

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The rules of an impeachment trial couldn’t be much more clear. Like any jury, the Senators of both parties must sit in silence in the Senate chamber for the entirety of the trial proceedings. They literally need permission to get up and use the bathroom, and Chief Justice John Roberts can have them arrested if they don’t ask permission first. So how does one explain a Senator doing an interview while the trial was in session?
Senators are allowed to speak with the media during breaks in the trial. But Justin Goodman, Communications Director for the Senate Democrats, appeared to catch Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn giving an interview on Fox News when she was supposed to be in the Senate chamber for the trial. Check out his tweet below:
It appears Republican Senator Marcia Blackburn was just caught doing a live interview on Fox News instead of sitting in the Senate chamber. pic.twitter.com/kGFtqimo0r — Justin Goodman (@JustinPGoodman) January 22, 2020
MSNBC’s Nick Ramsey also confirmed that Blackburn was indeed on Fox News while trial proceedings were in sessions. This is serious business. The sanctity of the Senate jury is taken so seriously, Senators aren’t even allowed to have their phones with them during the trial, and must place them in lockboxes on their way in and out of the chamber. If Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn really was on Fox News while the impeachment trial proceedings were going on, then John Roberts must take punitive action against her.
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palmerreport--2020-01-22--Nothing is going Donald Trump’s way right now

It ’ s nearly midnight and the first day of Donald Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial is still going on , with the procedural votes still playing out along party lines .
While today has been a series of frustrating , farcical , and cringe-worthy moments , one thing is clear : none of it is going Donald Trump ’ s way .
Donald Trump spent months insisting on Twitter that if the House dared to impeach him , he ’ d make them pay for it during the Senate impeachment trial .
He vowed that everyone from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his impeachers Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff , would be forced to testify as witnesses during the trial .
Trump believed , or wanted us to believe , that he could use his Senate trial to exact revenge on everyone who had ever dared to oppose him .
Trump has also spent the past few weeks demanding that the Republican Senate simply dismiss the charges against him , instead of even holding a trial .
It ’ s not clear how Trump planned to have the charges dismissed without a trial and force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he wasn ’ t going to have .
But after today , it ’ s abundantly clear that none of what Trump demanded or promised is going to happen .
Will there be witnesses against Donald Trump , or will there be no witnesses at all ?
You ’ d have to ask the holdout Republican Senators who are waiting to see how the media narrative about the trial plays out over the next week , before deciding whether to force Mitch McConnell to call the likes of John Bolton .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate impeachment trial subpoenas sent to Trump ’ s enemies .
Nor will there be any magic dismissal of the charges .
Trump isn ’ t getting any of what he wanted .

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It’s nearly midnight and the first day of Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial is still going on, with the procedural votes still playing out along party lines. While today has been a series of frustrating, farcical, and cringe-worthy moments, one thing is clear: none of it is going Donald Trump’s way.
Donald Trump spent months insisting on Twitter that if the House dared to impeach him, he’d make them pay for it during the Senate impeachment trial. He vowed that everyone from his victims Joe and Hunter Biden, to his impeachers Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, would be forced to testify as witnesses during the trial. Trump believed, or wanted us to believe, that he could use his Senate trial to exact revenge on everyone who had ever dared to oppose him.
Trump has also spent the past few weeks demanding that the Republican Senate simply dismiss the charges against him, instead of even holding a trial. It’s not clear how Trump planned to have the charges dismissed without a trial and force his enemies to testify during the trial that he wasn’t going to have. But after today, it’s abundantly clear that none of what Trump demanded or promised is going to happen.
Will there be witnesses against Donald Trump, or will there be no witnesses at all? You’d have to ask the holdout Republican Senators who are waiting to see how the media narrative about the trial plays out over the next week, before deciding whether to force Mitch McConnell to call the likes of John Bolton. But there obviously won’t be any Senate impeachment trial subpoenas sent to Trump’s enemies. Nor will there be any magic dismissal of the charges. Trump isn’t getting any of what he wanted.
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palmerreport--2020-01-22--The Democrats have won the first day of Donald Trump’s impeachment trial

As Donald Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial has dragged on today , the House Democrats running the prosecution haven ’ t managed to get a single one of their measures passed .
Thus far they haven ’ t managed to get a single witness called .
And they don ’ t appear to be anywhere close to convincing the Republican Senate to convict and remove Trump .
All that said , the Democrats have won the first day of the trial , in a big way .
The Democrats have already scared Susan Collins into pushing Mitch McConnell into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until midnight each night .
The Democrats have already figured out how to work around McConnell ’ s restrictions on new evidence by simply introducing it during their arguments today .
McConnell hasn ’ t found a way to stop them .
Chief Justice John Roberts has shown no interest in stopping them .
McConnell isn ’ t in control of this trial , and that ’ s half the battle .
The Democrats have also won every head to head argument .
White House Counsel Pat Cipollone , a shadowy figure who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s secret weapon during this trial , has turned out to be as much of a babbling buffoon as any of Trump ’ s other lawyers .
In contrast , Adam Schiff , Val Demings , Hakeem Jeffries , and the other Democratic House impeachment managers have been making compelling cases all day long that Trump is guilty in his Ukraine scandal , and that Senate Republicans are guilty of trying to gift him a sham trial .
Keep mind what the win-loss parameters are here .
No one is expecting twenty Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump .
Barring some unexpected earth-shattering event , that ’ s not even on the table .
Sure , Trump will be acquitted .
But this will only be a “ win ” for him if he can somehow use the trial to give a major boost to his current 40 % approval rating .
As things stand , he ’ s not even in contention for 2020 .
If he comes out of this trial with his approval rating the same or lower than it is now , then he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things are going today , the Democrats have won this day – and it ’ s not even close .

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As Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial has dragged on today, the House Democrats running the prosecution haven’t managed to get a single one of their measures passed. Thus far they haven’t managed to get a single witness called. And they don’t appear to be anywhere close to convincing the Republican Senate to convict and remove Trump. All that said, the Democrats have won the first day of the trial, in a big way.
The Democrats have already scared Susan Collins into pushing Mitch McConnell into dropping his plan to hold impeachment hearings until midnight each night. The Democrats have already figured out how to work around McConnell’s restrictions on new evidence by simply introducing it during their arguments today. McConnell hasn’t found a way to stop them. Chief Justice John Roberts has shown no interest in stopping them. McConnell isn’t in control of this trial, and that’s half the battle.
The Democrats have also won every head to head argument. White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, a shadowy figure who was supposed to be Donald Trump’s secret weapon during this trial, has turned out to be as much of a babbling buffoon as any of Trump’s other lawyers. In contrast, Adam Schiff, Val Demings, Hakeem Jeffries, and the other Democratic House impeachment managers have been making compelling cases all day long that Trump is guilty in his Ukraine scandal, and that Senate Republicans are guilty of trying to gift him a sham trial.
Keep mind what the win-loss parameters are here. No one is expecting twenty Republican Senators to vote to convict and remove Donald Trump. Barring some unexpected earth-shattering event, that’s not even on the table. Sure, Trump will be acquitted. But this will only be a “win” for him if he can somehow use the trial to give a major boost to his current 40% approval rating. As things stand, he’s not even in contention for 2020. If he comes out of this trial with his approval rating the same or lower than it is now, then he’s lost the trial. The way things are going today, the Democrats have won this day – and it’s not even close.
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palmerreport--2020-01-22--No, Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell aren’t “getting away” with anything

There ’ s a persistent narrative among the fatalists out there that Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell are “ getting away ” with it all .
It ’ s true that the two of them have managed to do a whole lot of corrupt damage to the nation and to democracy .
But the reality is that they haven ’ t gotten away with it – and more to the point , they haven ’ t even pulled off most of what they ’ ve tried to pull off .
That was clearly on display today .
Remember when Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t even be allowed to introduce new evidence during the Senate impeachment trial ?
The Democratic impeachment managers spent all day today using their floor time to introduce new evidence .
They even managed to work Lev Parnas ’ recent interview with Rachel Maddow in there .
Remember when McConnell tried to make us think that the trial wouldn ’ t even be televised ?
It ’ s certainly on TV .
Remember yesterday when McConnell insisted that the trial would run until midnight each night ?
His own nervous GOP Senate caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But , ” the fatalists say , “ didn ’ t Trump and McConnell get away with installing Brett Kavanaugh ?
” Well , no , they didn ’ t .
By confirming him against the will of the public , Trump and the Senate Republicans contributed significantly to the Blue Wave in 2018 , which handed the House solidly to the Democrats ( the Senate wasn ’ t mathematically in play in 2018 ) .
It ’ s why Trump got impeached , and it ’ s why Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t want .
The Republicans are in disarray right now because they ’ re ( correctly ) afraid that this trial could cause them to lose their Senate majority .
Was that an acceptable tradeoff for the Resistance ?
Of course not .
The only acceptable place for Kavanaugh would be prison .
But the point is that in politics , each side eventually gets a turn .
The Republicans used their turn to put a deranged rapist on the Supreme Court .
It cost them the House , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now it may cost them the Senate .
Fair or not , this is how politics works .
Trump and McConnell haven ’ t gotten away with anything .
McConnell is in danger of losing the Senate , and Trump is in danger of losing the election .
If Trump loses , he ’ ll go to prison .
Does anyone really think that is what “ winning ” and “ getting away with it all ” look like ?

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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There’s a persistent narrative among the fatalists out there that Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell are “getting away” with it all. It’s true that the two of them have managed to do a whole lot of corrupt damage to the nation and to democracy. But the reality is that they haven’t gotten away with it – and more to the point, they haven’t even pulled off most of what they’ve tried to pull off. That was clearly on display today.
Remember when Mitch McConnell promised that the Democrats wouldn’t even be allowed to introduce new evidence during the Senate impeachment trial? The Democratic impeachment managers spent all day today using their floor time to introduce new evidence. They even managed to work Lev Parnas’ recent interview with Rachel Maddow in there. Remember when McConnell tried to make us think that the trial wouldn’t even be televised? It’s certainly on TV. Remember yesterday when McConnell insisted that the trial would run until midnight each night? His own nervous GOP Senate caucus shot him down on that one today.
“But,” the fatalists say, “didn’t Trump and McConnell get away with installing Brett Kavanaugh?” Well, no, they didn’t. By confirming him against the will of the public, Trump and the Senate Republicans contributed significantly to the Blue Wave in 2018, which handed the House solidly to the Democrats (the Senate wasn’t mathematically in play in 2018). It’s why Trump got impeached, and it’s why Senate Republicans are now stuck with an impeachment trial they don’t want. The Republicans are in disarray right now because they’re (correctly) afraid that this trial could cause them to lose their Senate majority.
Was that an acceptable tradeoff for the Resistance? Of course not. The only acceptable place for Kavanaugh would be prison. But the point is that in politics, each side eventually gets a turn. The Republicans used their turn to put a deranged rapist on the Supreme Court. It cost them the House, it cost them Trump getting impeached, and now it may cost them the Senate. Fair or not, this is how politics works. Trump and McConnell haven’t gotten away with anything. McConnell is in danger of losing the Senate, and Trump is in danger of losing the election. If Trump loses, he’ll go to prison. Does anyone really think that is what “winning” and “getting away with it all” look like?
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palmerreport--2020-01-22--Nancy Pelosi is still holding all the Senate impeachment trial cards. Now she has to play them right

Nancy Pelosi is still holding all the Senate impeachment trial cards. Now she has to play them right.

Today we saw Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell back down from his plan to hold twelve-hour-per-day impeachment trial sessions , just one day after he claimed he had the votes for it , making clear that he was lying about having the votes .
It ’ s the latest reminder that McConnell isn ’ t holding any of the cards when it comes to this trial .
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is still holding all the cards – but now she has to play them right .
Holdout Republican Senators like Mitt Romney , Joni Ernst , Susan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murkowski can ’ t be trusted to do the right thing , but they can be trusted to selfishly do whatever they think is in their own personal best interests .
They ’ re clearly nervous about how to proceed with the trial , for fear voters might punish them personally for how it plays out .
Without them , McConnell doesn ’ t have a majority .
So once the trial gets fully underway , those holdout GOP Senators will look at how the wind is blowing , and they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be called .
They ’ re collectively driving the impeachment trial train , each with one hand tepidly on the wheel , all of them waiting for media reaction and poll numbers before deciding which way to steer things .
This is where Nancy Pelosi comes in .
If the holdout Republican Senators force Mitch McConnell to call witnesses like John Bolton and Lev Parnas , then Nancy Pelosi doesn ’ t have to do anything .
But if those witnesses aren ’ t called , then Pelosi will have to decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can reopen House impeachment hearings and have those witnesses testify during the Senate trial .
Or she can wait for the GOP Senate to stake itself to an acquittal , and then one-up them by reopening hearings on new articles of impeachment .
Pelosi has all the cards .
How will she play them ?
We don ’ t know , but neither do the Republican Senators .

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Today we saw Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell back down from his plan to hold twelve-hour-per-day impeachment trial sessions, just one day after he claimed he had the votes for it, making clear that he was lying about having the votes. It’s the latest reminder that McConnell isn’t holding any of the cards when it comes to this trial. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is still holding all the cards – but now she has to play them right.
Holdout Republican Senators like Mitt Romney, Joni Ernst, Susan Collins, Cory Gardner, and Lisa Murkowski can’t be trusted to do the right thing, but they can be trusted to selfishly do whatever they think is in their own personal best interests. They’re clearly nervous about how to proceed with the trial, for fear voters might punish them personally for how it plays out. Without them, McConnell doesn’t have a majority.
So once the trial gets fully underway, those holdout GOP Senators will look at how the wind is blowing, and they’ll decide whether or not to force witnesses to be called. They’re collectively driving the impeachment trial train, each with one hand tepidly on the wheel, all of them waiting for media reaction and poll numbers before deciding which way to steer things. This is where Nancy Pelosi comes in.
If the holdout Republican Senators force Mitch McConnell to call witnesses like John Bolton and Lev Parnas, then Nancy Pelosi doesn’t have to do anything. But if those witnesses aren’t called, then Pelosi will have to decide how to play her cards. She can reopen House impeachment hearings and have those witnesses testify during the Senate trial. Or she can wait for the GOP Senate to stake itself to an acquittal, and then one-up them by reopening hearings on new articles of impeachment. Pelosi has all the cards. How will she play them? We don’t know, but neither do the Republican Senators.
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palmerreport--2020-01-23--Donald Trump has no idea what he’s doing

Much of the focus this week is on Donald Trump ’ s impeachment and the troubling lack of patriotism on behalf of the Republican senators when it comes to rightfully punishing Trump for conspiring with a foreign power to interfere in our elections yet again .
Perhaps this is why he ’ s decided to consistently embarrass himself at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland this week .
It ’ s not just the press conference where he decided to ridicule House Democrats , or the part where he decided to pick a fight with a 17-year-old girl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science behind climate change .
Instead , he decided to once again bring his Iran debacle back into the spotlight – something that if he were wise , he ’ d try to bury as thoroughly as possible leading up to the election .
It turns out that when Iran retaliated by striking American missile bases , eleven U.S. servicemen were hospitalized for concussion-like symptoms , injuries sustained during the attacks .
This is in direct contradiction to Donald Trump ’ s claim that no soldiers were harmed .
Pressed on why he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , aside from the obvious reason that it would put him in an even less favorable light for putting the lives of these troops in danger , Trump decided to argue that traumatic brain injuries aren ’ t all that bad .
This is far from the first time that Trump has disparaged U.S. troops .
In this case , he referred reporters to the Department of Defense when pressed for an answer .
During the 2016 campaign , Donald Trump implied that some soldiers were simply not tough enough to handle post-traumatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infamous jabs at the Gold Star Khan family or John McCain .
Each time it comes to the surface , it shows how truly incapable Trump is of leadership – particularly of the United States Armed Forces .

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Much of the focus this week is on Donald Trump’s impeachment and the troubling lack of patriotism on behalf of the Republican senators when it comes to rightfully punishing Trump for conspiring with a foreign power to interfere in our elections yet again. Perhaps this is why he’s decided to consistently embarrass himself at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week. It’s not just the press conference where he decided to ridicule House Democrats, or the part where he decided to pick a fight with a 17-year-old girl despite her much stronger command of the science behind climate change.
Instead, he decided to once again bring his Iran debacle back into the spotlight – something that if he were wise, he’d try to bury as thoroughly as possible leading up to the election. It turns out that when Iran retaliated by striking American missile bases, eleven U.S. servicemen were hospitalized for concussion-like symptoms, injuries sustained during the attacks.
This is in direct contradiction to Donald Trump’s claim that no soldiers were harmed. Pressed on why he didn’t bring this up sooner, aside from the obvious reason that it would put him in an even less favorable light for putting the lives of these troops in danger, Trump decided to argue that traumatic brain injuries aren’t all that bad. This is far from the first time that Trump has disparaged U.S. troops. In this case, he referred reporters to the Department of Defense when pressed for an answer.
During the 2016 campaign, Donald Trump implied that some soldiers were simply not tough enough to handle post-traumatic stress disorder, not to mention his infamous jabs at the Gold Star Khan family or John McCain. Each time it comes to the surface, it shows how truly incapable Trump is of leadership – particularly of the United States Armed Forces.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-23--Mike Pompeo hits the panic button

Mike Pompeo hits the panic button

The night before Donald Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial kicked off , Mitch McConnell was forced by his own Republican caucus to quietly revise his own deranged trial rules .
It ’ s clear that some Senate Republicans are nervous enough about voter blowback that they ’ re already trying to cover their backsides .
They ’ re not nervous enough to vote to call any witnesses – not yet anyway – but the Trump regime is now making clear it ’ s worried about which way the wind might blow on that front .
Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now officially headed to Ukraine next week , while Trump is being put through an impeachment trial for having tried to extort Ukraine into helping him rig the 2020 election .
This is according to BuzzFeed News , which says that Pompeo is going to Ukraine in the hope that “ no bad surprises would come from Kyiv during the Trump Senate trial.
” This is the equivalent of a bank robber returning to the scene of the crime in order to look for evidence he fears he left behind .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you might be able to suppress the evidence before the police can find it and use it to track you down .
But just by going there , you ’ re increasing the odds of getting busted .
Or in Mike Pompeo ’ s case , he ’ s returning to the scene of the crime , knowing that he and Donald Trump will get hit with negative and potentially damaging headlines .
The media won ’ t be able to resist talking up the fact that Trump ’ s guy is over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ ll make Trump look even guiltier .
But Trump and Pompeo are so afraid of more dirt coming out of Ukraine during the trial , they ’ re willing to accept the risk of looking guilty by having Pompeo travel there .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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The night before Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial kicked off, Mitch McConnell was forced by his own Republican caucus to quietly revise his own deranged trial rules. It’s clear that some Senate Republicans are nervous enough about voter blowback that they’re already trying to cover their backsides. They’re not nervous enough to vote to call any witnesses – not yet anyway – but the Trump regime is now making clear it’s worried about which way the wind might blow on that front.
Donald Trump’s complicit Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is now officially headed to Ukraine next week, while Trump is being put through an impeachment trial for having tried to extort Ukraine into helping him rig the 2020 election. This is according to BuzzFeed News, which says that Pompeo is going to Ukraine in the hope that “no bad surprises would come from Kyiv during the Trump Senate trial.”
This is the equivalent of a bank robber returning to the scene of the crime in order to look for evidence he fears he left behind. It’s a panic move. Sure, you might be able to suppress the evidence before the police can find it and use it to track you down. But just by going there, you’re increasing the odds of getting busted.
Or in Mike Pompeo’s case, he’s returning to the scene of the crime, knowing that he and Donald Trump will get hit with negative and potentially damaging headlines. The media won’t be able to resist talking up the fact that Trump’s guy is over there in Ukraine during the trial. It’ll make Trump look even guiltier. But Trump and Pompeo are so afraid of more dirt coming out of Ukraine during the trial, they’re willing to accept the risk of looking guilty by having Pompeo travel there.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-23--Here’s how to guarantee that Donald Trump loses in 2020

There ’ s a difficulty in relying on cable news for political analysis .
Eighty percent of the pundits on television – even if they lean your direction politically – are going out of their way to say controversial things just to try to startle you into staying tuned in .
It creates the illusion that the current political landscape is overly dramatic and overly complex , and that it ’ ll all fall to pieces if you look away from your TV even for a moment .
But if you ask any political operative who isn ’ t busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll find that the landscape is actually pretty straightforward .
Everyone in politics will tell you the same thing : Donald Trump ’ s current approval rating average , which is a smidge over 40 % ( we don ’ t include Rasmussen in our average ) , gives him roughly zero chance of winning in 2020 .
That doesn ’ t mean he ’ s going to lose ; far from it .
What it does mean is that if Trump can ’ t improve his numbers before November , he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the election , he ’ ll have a decent chance of winning .
If he gains ten points , he ’ ll have a strong chance of winning .
The 2020 election is truly as straightforward as that , and everything else is just noise .
Every event that happens between now and November , including his current impeachment trial , has to be viewed through a lens of how it ’ ll impact Trump ’ s approval rating .
Cable news once again threatens to overcomplicate this by reporting each new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only poll – particularly if it ’ s an outlier that ’ s wildly off from the polling averages – while pretending the averages don ’ t exist .
But if you look at the averages , you ’ ll see that Trump ’ s approval hasn ’ t really moved by any appreciable amount in two years .
This means that of all the stunts Trump has pulled to try to boost his approval rating – conspiring with Ukraine , attacking Iran , the DOJ Inspector General report , and so on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
This is important , because the clock is ticking .
He has ten months left to find a way to significantly boost his approval rating , which sounds like a lot of time until you consider that he ’ s spent the past couple years trying and failing to boost it by even an inch .
So if you want to guarantee that Donald Trump loses , you just have to make sure that his approval rating remains as awful as it currently is .
That means continuing to work on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online circle who are on the fence about him .
Make sure they don ’ t get sucked in by his latest stunt .
Make sure they remain committed to showing up and voting against him .
And make sure the fervent anti-Trump people in your circle also remain motivated to keep leaning on the fence sitters in their circles .
If you consistently do this , Donald Trump will lose .
On the other hand , if you get discouraged by Trump ’ s next stunt , or by the media ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump is winning , and you allow that discouragement to prevent you from putting in the necessary work before November , Trump could win .
It really comes down to you .
Let ’ s work hard and work smart , and put and end to this nonsense in November .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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There’s a difficulty in relying on cable news for political analysis. Eighty percent of the pundits on television – even if they lean your direction politically – are going out of their way to say controversial things just to try to startle you into staying tuned in. It creates the illusion that the current political landscape is overly dramatic and overly complex, and that it’ll all fall to pieces if you look away from your TV even for a moment.
But if you ask any political operative who isn’t busy mugging for the camera, you’ll find that the landscape is actually pretty straightforward. Everyone in politics will tell you the same thing: Donald Trump’s current approval rating average, which is a smidge over 40% (we don’t include Rasmussen in our average), gives him roughly zero chance of winning in 2020. That doesn’t mean he’s going to lose; far from it. What it does mean is that if Trump can’t improve his numbers before November, he will lose. If Trump gains five points before the election, he’ll have a decent chance of winning. If he gains ten points, he’ll have a strong chance of winning.
The 2020 election is truly as straightforward as that, and everything else is just noise. Every event that happens between now and November, including his current impeachment trial, has to be viewed through a lens of how it’ll impact Trump’s approval rating. Cable news once again threatens to overcomplicate this by reporting each new individual poll as if it were the only poll – particularly if it’s an outlier that’s wildly off from the polling averages – while pretending the averages don’t exist. But if you look at the averages, you’ll see that Trump’s approval hasn’t really moved by any appreciable amount in two years.
This means that of all the stunts Trump has pulled to try to boost his approval rating – conspiring with Ukraine, attacking Iran, the DOJ Inspector General report, and so on – none of them have succeeded at all. This is important, because the clock is ticking. He has ten months left to find a way to significantly boost his approval rating, which sounds like a lot of time until you consider that he’s spent the past couple years trying and failing to boost it by even an inch.
So if you want to guarantee that Donald Trump loses, you just have to make sure that his approval rating remains as awful as it currently is. That means continuing to work on the people in your personal circle and online circle who are on the fence about him. Make sure they don’t get sucked in by his latest stunt. Make sure they remain committed to showing up and voting against him. And make sure the fervent anti-Trump people in your circle also remain motivated to keep leaning on the fence sitters in their circles.
If you consistently do this, Donald Trump will lose. On the other hand, if you get discouraged by Trump’s next stunt, or by the media’s next ratings-driven cycle of periodically insisting that Trump is winning, and you allow that discouragement to prevent you from putting in the necessary work before November, Trump could win. It really comes down to you. Let’s work hard and work smart, and put and end to this nonsense in November.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-23--“The worst speech I’ve ever heard in my life”

Even as the Senate continued to hold Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial today , Trump was on the other side of the world , trying to corruptly use the office of the presidency to convince international billionaires to line his personal pockets .
Trump ’ s speech at Davos today was… well , less than good .
In fact one world political figure is flat out calling it the worst speech he ’ s ever heard .
We ’ ve already documented how Donald Trump used his speech to very stupidly brag that his administration is illegally withholding evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it harder for Republican Senators to stick to the script of not subpoenaing any evidence or witnesses .
Trump also appeared to claim that the wheel was invented in the United States , which would require a time machine , as most historians agree that the wheel was invented about five or six thousand years ago .
Then again , Trump did recently claim that there were airports in the time of the Revolutionary War , so it ’ s fair to conclude that in his ongoing cognitive decline , he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Trump ’ s Davos speech today was just astoundingly bad .
In fact Robert Habeck , the joint leader of Germany ’ s Green Party , ended up saying this about the speech : “ Only self-praise , ignorance , disregard for everyone , no perception of global problems .
It was the worst speech I ’ ve ever heard in my life.
” In other words , Donald Trump is even more of a pathetic punchline on the world stage than ever .
Considering he ’ s just been impeached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it , Trump isn ’ t doing any better back home .
So much for Trump ’ s presidency reinventing the wheel .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Even as the Senate continued to hold Donald Trump’s impeachment trial today, Trump was on the other side of the world, trying to corruptly use the office of the presidency to convince international billionaires to line his personal pockets. Trump’s speech at Davos today was… well, less than good. In fact one world political figure is flat out calling it the worst speech he’s ever heard.
We’ve already documented how Donald Trump used his speech to very stupidly brag that his administration is illegally withholding evidence of his guilt, as this makes it harder for Republican Senators to stick to the script of not subpoenaing any evidence or witnesses. Trump also appeared to claim that the wheel was invented in the United States, which would require a time machine, as most historians agree that the wheel was invented about five or six thousand years ago.
Then again, Trump did recently claim that there were airports in the time of the Revolutionary War, so it’s fair to conclude that in his ongoing cognitive decline, he’s lost all sense of space and time. But Trump’s Davos speech today was just astoundingly bad. In fact Robert Habeck, the joint leader of Germany’s Green Party, ended up saying this about the speech: “Only self-praise, ignorance, disregard for everyone, no perception of global problems. It was the worst speech I’ve ever heard in my life.”
In other words, Donald Trump is even more of a pathetic punchline on the world stage than ever. Considering he’s just been impeached and he’s currently on trial for it, Trump isn’t doing any better back home. So much for Trump’s presidency reinventing the wheel.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-23--How Mitch McConnell just psyched everyone out into thinking he won

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lost pretty badly on the first day of the Senate impeachment trial .
He didn ’ t lose nearly as badly as he theoretically could have , but he nonetheless lost the day , and there ’ s reason to expect it might get even uglier for him next week .
But because McConnell is skilled at manipulating the media , he managed to get the media and the Resistance to believe that he somehow got his way yesterday .
On Monday , Mitch McConnell announced what the rules were going to be for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had the votes .
But by Tuesday he had revised those rules to be notably less rigged in Donald Trump ’ s favor ( though still rigged of course ) .
It was obvious that McConnell ’ s own Senate Republican caucus had forced him to water down the rules overnight , or else he wouldn ’ t have changed them .
In turn this means he was lying about having had the votes to begin with .
McConnell staked himself to something and couldn ’ t deliver .
His own Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial went on , we saw those same Republican Senators vote to table every Democratic amendment to McConnell ’ s rules .
Well duh .
Even if the holdout Republican Senators do decide to call witnesses , they weren ’ t going to stake themselves to it yet .
They ’ re waiting to see the public ’ s reaction to the trial , and then next week they ’ ll decide whether to cover their backsides by forcing McConnell to call witnesses .
Nonetheless , the media and the public came away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impression that Mitch McConnell somehow won the day .
Really ?
His own Republican Senators forced him to change his trial rules .
They ’ re already nervously whittling away at McConnell ’ s control over this trial .
But because the TV cameras captured those same Republican Senators opting not to support any of the Democratic amendments ( for now ) , everyone seemed to think McConnell somehow gained something yesterday .
That simply did not happen .
And yet McConnell psyched everyone into thinking that the day went radically differently than @ @ @

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lost pretty badly on the first day of the Senate impeachment trial. He didn’t lose nearly as badly as he theoretically could have, but he nonetheless lost the day, and there’s reason to expect it might get even uglier for him next week. But because McConnell is skilled at manipulating the media, he managed to get the media and the Resistance to believe that he somehow got his way yesterday.
On Monday, Mitch McConnell announced what the rules were going to be for the impeachment trial, and he announced that he had the votes. But by Tuesday he had revised those rules to be notably less rigged in Donald Trump’s favor (though still rigged of course). It was obvious that McConnell’s own Senate Republican caucus had forced him to water down the rules overnight, or else he wouldn’t have changed them. In turn this means he was lying about having had the votes to begin with.
McConnell staked himself to something and couldn’t deliver. His own Republican caucus humiliated him. But as the trial went on, we saw those same Republican Senators vote to table every Democratic amendment to McConnell’s rules. Well duh. Even if the holdout Republican Senators do decide to call witnesses, they weren’t going to stake themselves to it yet. They’re waiting to see the public’s reaction to the trial, and then next week they’ll decide whether to cover their backsides by forcing McConnell to call witnesses.
Nonetheless, the media and the public came away from yesterday’s proceedings with the impression that Mitch McConnell somehow won the day. Really? His own Republican Senators forced him to change his trial rules. They’re already nervously whittling away at McConnell’s control over this trial. But because the TV cameras captured those same Republican Senators opting not to support any of the Democratic amendments (for now), everyone seemed to think McConnell somehow gained something yesterday. That simply did not happen. And yet McConnell psyched everyone into thinking that the day went radically differently than it did.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-23--This is just embarrassing

This is just embarrassing

We all knew going in that the Senate trial of “ president ” Donald Trump would be neither fair nor non-partisan .
We did not , however , know how inept Trump ’ s lawyers would be .
Pat Cipollone spent a mere three minutes of his allotted hour to utter the tired , worn out mantra of “ Trump has done absolutely nothing wrong , ” according to Yahoo News .
Then , Adam Schiff lit into his own eloquent , historically based opening argument , which Yahoo reports made Republican Senators visibly nervous .
Why would they be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re nervous because they know they ’ re nothing more than a bunch of partisan hacks .
As if that ’ s not bad enough , Cipollone returned to the podium to , once again , utter the lie that Trump ’ s team was not allowed to participate in the House impeachment depositions .
Obviously , they belong to the school of “ if you tell a lie long enough and loudly enough , everyone will believe it.
” Don ’ t count on it .
Most Americans are smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through this sham .
Rather than arguing the merits of their case , Trump ’ s impeachment managers spent their allotted time attacking Democrats .
In all fairness , it ’ s tough to argue merits when there are none .
To display their complete ineptness and lack of preparation , Washington Post shared a lengthy , nonsensical quote from Jay Sekulow about “ lawyer lawsuits , ” whatever that is .
According to the Post , Sekulow completely misunderstood Val Demings , who referred to “ FOIA lawsuits ” in her portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House stood by Sekulow ’ s glaring error .
Thank you , “ president ” Trump , for your continued dumbing down of your followers .
Where this trial is headed is clear to everyone : Trump will be acquitted .
The Economist makes the comment that “ this time the trial looks likely to be swift and partisan.
” The outlet makes note of a man standing outside of the proceedings with a sign : “ God is watching.
” He most certainly is , and so are we .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the republicans ’ faces .
That ’ s a good thing , as our government will certainly be better off without them .
The Economist points once again to Sekulow ’ s lies that Trump “ was denied the right to cross-examine witnesses ” during the House inquiry , which is patently untrue .
They declined to participate .
He went on to say that “ Republicans were denied access to a secure room where Mr. Schiff held a hearing , ” another falsehood as 100 Republicans were allowed inside the hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sekulow reused the lie that Adam Schiff “ manufactured a false version ” of Trump ’ s July 25 phone call .
This lie has been debunked so many times that it ’ s tiresome .
Lie long enough and loudly enough , and everyone will begin to believe you .
Not .
The current impeachment process will go down as America ’ s shame .
It is not enough that we have had to endure a hatemongering , lying , criminal “ presidency.
” We must also deal with his lying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now going to result in what Republicans want .
Sure , Trump will remain in office to do more damage , but everyone knows in their hearts that this process will not clear Trump , just as the Mueller report didn ’ t exonerate Trump .
He can cry “ acquittal ” all he wants , but he will not be acquitted .
He can merely claim yet another instance of government-sponsored coverup for a completely useless , inept embarrassment of a “ president .
”

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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We all knew going in that the Senate trial of “president” Donald Trump would be neither fair nor non-partisan. We did not, however, know how inept Trump’s lawyers would be. Pat Cipollone spent a mere three minutes of his allotted hour to utter the tired, worn out mantra of “Trump has done absolutely nothing wrong,” according to Yahoo News. Then, Adam Schiff lit into his own eloquent, historically based opening argument, which Yahoo reports made Republican Senators visibly nervous. Why would they be nervous since Trump did nothing wrong? They’re nervous because they know they’re nothing more than a bunch of partisan hacks.
As if that’s not bad enough, Cipollone returned to the podium to, once again, utter the lie that Trump’s team was not allowed to participate in the House impeachment depositions. Obviously, they belong to the school of “if you tell a lie long enough and loudly enough, everyone will believe it.” Don’t count on it. Most Americans are smart, capable people who can see right through this sham.
Rather than arguing the merits of their case, Trump’s impeachment managers spent their allotted time attacking Democrats. In all fairness, it’s tough to argue merits when there are none. To display their complete ineptness and lack of preparation, Washington Post shared a lengthy, nonsensical quote from Jay Sekulow about “lawyer lawsuits,” whatever that is. According to the Post, Sekulow completely misunderstood Val Demings, who referred to “FOIA lawsuits” in her portion of the case. Nonetheless, the White House stood by Sekulow’s glaring error. Thank you, “president” Trump, for your continued dumbing down of your followers.
Where this trial is headed is clear to everyone: Trump will be acquitted. The Economist makes the comment that “this time the trial looks likely to be swift and partisan.” The outlet makes note of a man standing outside of the proceedings with a sign: “God is watching.” He most certainly is, and so are we. This event is going to blow up royally in the republicans’ faces. That’s a good thing, as our government will certainly be better off without them. The Economist points once again to Sekulow’s lies that Trump “was denied the right to cross-examine witnesses” during the House inquiry, which is patently untrue. They declined to participate. He went on to say that “Republicans were denied access to a secure room where Mr. Schiff held a hearing,” another falsehood as 100 Republicans were allowed inside the hearing. Then, the final insult, Sekulow reused the lie that Adam Schiff “manufactured a false version” of Trump’s July 25 phone call. This lie has been debunked so many times that it’s tiresome. Lie long enough and loudly enough, and everyone will begin to believe you. Not.
The current impeachment process will go down as America’s shame. It is not enough that we have had to endure a hatemongering, lying, criminal “presidency.” We must also deal with his lying, criminal colleagues. This sham process is now going to result in what Republicans want. Sure, Trump will remain in office to do more damage, but everyone knows in their hearts that this process will not clear Trump, just as the Mueller report didn’t exonerate Trump. He can cry “acquittal” all he wants, but he will not be acquitted. He can merely claim yet another instance of government-sponsored coverup for a completely useless, inept embarrassment of a “president.”
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-23--Turns out Donald Trump is even more afraid than we thought

When Donald Trump assassinated Iranian leader Qasem Soleimani , Iran responded in the most careful way possible .
It launched missiles into an empty portion of a U.S. occupied military base in Iran , making a big enough spectacle to look strong in the eyes of its own people , but making sure not to harm anyone so Trump wouldn ’ t have an excuse to go to war .
Now it turns out Iran ’ s plan didn ’ t exactly play out to script .
The Pentagon is finally acknowledging that as a result of the Iranian missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for concussion symptoms .
In other words , Iran unwittingly handed Trump a thin excuse to go to war if he really wanted to – and Trump took a pass .
Moreover , Trump is now going out of his way to downplay it .
When Trump spoke in Davos today , he asserted that the injuries to the U.S. soldiers were merely “ headaches ” and “ not very serious.
” This is the latest reminder of just how ignorant and lacking in compassion Trump is .
But it also confirms something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down these injuries because he ’ s trying to play down any pro-war sentiment that might emerge in the United States as a result of these injuries to U.S. soldiers .
In other words , Donald Trump is really , really , really afraid of war .
The minute he saw that his conflict with Iran wasn ’ t going to boost his crappy approval rating , he bailed on it .
As Palmer Report has pointed out for some time , Trump ’ s actions in office have consistently made clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than any modern president .
It ’ s not that he ’ s opposed to war , like some presidents have been ; he ’ s afraid of it .
You ’ d have to ask him why .
But America ’ s enemies can smell the fear on him .
It ’ s part of why other nations are able to walk all over him .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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When Donald Trump assassinated Iranian leader Qasem Soleimani, Iran responded in the most careful way possible. It launched missiles into an empty portion of a U.S. occupied military base in Iran, making a big enough spectacle to look strong in the eyes of its own people, but making sure not to harm anyone so Trump wouldn’t have an excuse to go to war.
Now it turns out Iran’s plan didn’t exactly play out to script. The Pentagon is finally acknowledging that as a result of the Iranian missile attack, eleven U.S. soldiers were treated for concussion symptoms. In other words, Iran unwittingly handed Trump a thin excuse to go to war if he really wanted to – and Trump took a pass. Moreover, Trump is now going out of his way to downplay it.
When Trump spoke in Davos today, he asserted that the injuries to the U.S. soldiers were merely “headaches” and “not very serious.” This is the latest reminder of just how ignorant and lacking in compassion Trump is. But it also confirms something else. Trump is trying to play down these injuries because he’s trying to play down any pro-war sentiment that might emerge in the United States as a result of these injuries to U.S. soldiers.
In other words, Donald Trump is really, really, really afraid of war. The minute he saw that his conflict with Iran wasn’t going to boost his crappy approval rating, he bailed on it. As Palmer Report has pointed out for some time, Trump’s actions in office have consistently made clear that he’s more afraid of war than any modern president. It’s not that he’s opposed to war, like some presidents have been; he’s afraid of it. You’d have to ask him why. But America’s enemies can smell the fear on him. It’s part of why other nations are able to walk all over him.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-23--Oh boy this is weird

Oh boy this is weird

Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial lawyer Jay Sekulow has been with him for a long time , but he hasn ’ t been heard from all that frequently .
That ’ s probably because he ’ s absolutely terrible at all of this .
He ’ s best known for going on Fox News a couple years ago and talking himself into such a self-contradictory corner , a visibly stunned Chris Wallace could only bring himself to say “ Oh boy this is weird.
” Considering that Donald Trump can ’ t find anyone with even a smidgeon of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense team ( Dershowitz , Starr and Bondi are what ’ s beneath the bottom of the barrel ) , it perhaps shouldn ’ t be surprising that Trump is resorting to sending Jay Sekulow out there as part of the team , despite his incompetence .
It wasn ’ t surprising either that when the House managers said something about FOIA lawsuits , Sekulow thought they said “ lawyer lawsuits ” and went off the deep end accordingly .
Even if Sekulow didn ’ t fully hear the phrase clearly , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place that any politically astute person ’ s mind would go , within the context of making evidence against Trump public .
For Sekulow ’ s mind to skip over “ FOIA lawsuits ” and go straight to “ lawyer lawsuits , ” it suggests that he has less familiarity with what ’ s going on here than the average politically astute viewer watching at home .
What ’ s fascinating is that the Trump White House is now insisting Jay Sekulow didn ’ t hear it wrong , and that the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Daily Kos is pointing out that the Trump regime is going as far as referring to an imaginary transcript .
Of course these are the kinds of nonsense battles that Donald Trump cares about .
His narcissism won ’ t allow his people to admit that his lawyer heard something wrong , or even to just quietly let the whole thing go .
This is not , as they say , a winning strategy .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald Trump’s impeachment trial lawyer Jay Sekulow has been with him for a long time, but he hasn’t been heard from all that frequently. That’s probably because he’s absolutely terrible at all of this. He’s best known for going on Fox News a couple years ago and talking himself into such a self-contradictory corner, a visibly stunned Chris Wallace could only bring himself to say “Oh boy this is weird.”
Considering that Donald Trump can’t find anyone with even a smidgeon of respectability to be on his impeachment trial defense team (Dershowitz, Starr and Bondi are what’s beneath the bottom of the barrel), it perhaps shouldn’t be surprising that Trump is resorting to sending Jay Sekulow out there as part of the team, despite his incompetence. It wasn’t surprising either that when the House managers said something about FOIA lawsuits, Sekulow thought they said “lawyer lawsuits” and went off the deep end accordingly.
Even if Sekulow didn’t fully hear the phrase clearly, “FOIA lawsuits” is still the first place that any politically astute person’s mind would go, within the context of making evidence against Trump public. For Sekulow’s mind to skip over “FOIA lawsuits” and go straight to “lawyer lawsuits,” it suggests that he has less familiarity with what’s going on here than the average politically astute viewer watching at home.
What’s fascinating is that the Trump White House is now insisting Jay Sekulow didn’t hear it wrong, and that the House managers really did say “lawyer lawsuits.” Daily Kos is pointing out that the Trump regime is going as far as referring to an imaginary transcript. Of course these are the kinds of nonsense battles that Donald Trump cares about. His narcissism won’t allow his people to admit that his lawyer heard something wrong, or even to just quietly let the whole thing go. This is not, as they say, a winning strategy.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


CLOWN SHOW

If you accept the premise that the Republican Senate isn ’ t going to convict and remove Donald Trump no matter how this impeachment trial goes , then the best possible outcome for the Resistance is that nonpartisan Americans watching at home see the trial as a Republican-orchestrated farce .
Then they ’ ll presume that Trump is guilty , and they ’ ll be eager to punish him – and his Republican Party – in November .
If only for the sanctity of democracy , you may not want to actively root for the impeachment trial to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate Republicans have decided to give us a clown show , and so we might as well accept the reality that it ’ ll increase the odds of Donald Trump ’ s downfall in November .
It ’ s only day two , and the GOP is already treating the trial with such open disdain , Michael McAuliff of New York Daily News says he counted twenty-one Republican Senators missing from their seats during trial presentations today .
Yes , Mitch McConnell made a point of not allowing the TV cameras to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But still , reporters in the room are noticing , and they ’ re reporting it .
If these antics keep up , this is going to become a prevailing media narrative about how the Republican Senators aren ’ t taking this seriously .
Donald Trump mistakenly thinks that this kind of open disdain for the impeachment process helps him , because he ’ s still only able to think in terms of what will impress his existing base , even though his base alone isn ’ t even close to being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top in 2020 .
We can only presume the Republican Senators are openly mocking the trial so they can score points with Trump .
But that ’ s fine , because it ’ ll cost Trump and the Republicans with the voters in the middle in 2020 .
If they want to turn this trial into a clown show , it ’ s to their detriment .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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If you accept the premise that the Republican Senate isn’t going to convict and remove Donald Trump no matter how this impeachment trial goes, then the best possible outcome for the Resistance is that nonpartisan Americans watching at home see the trial as a Republican-orchestrated farce. Then they’ll presume that Trump is guilty, and they’ll be eager to punish him – and his Republican Party – in November.
If only for the sanctity of democracy, you may not want to actively root for the impeachment trial to be a clown show. But it turns out the Senate Republicans have decided to give us a clown show, and so we might as well accept the reality that it’ll increase the odds of Donald Trump’s downfall in November. It’s only day two, and the GOP is already treating the trial with such open disdain, Michael McAuliff of New York Daily News says he counted twenty-one Republican Senators missing from their seats during trial presentations today.
Yes, Mitch McConnell made a point of not allowing the TV cameras to show the area where the Senators sit. But still, reporters in the room are noticing, and they’re reporting it. If these antics keep up, this is going to become a prevailing media narrative about how the Republican Senators aren’t taking this seriously.
Donald Trump mistakenly thinks that this kind of open disdain for the impeachment process helps him, because he’s still only able to think in terms of what will impress his existing base, even though his base alone isn’t even close to being large enough to put him over the top in 2020. We can only presume the Republican Senators are openly mocking the trial so they can score points with Trump. But that’s fine, because it’ll cost Trump and the Republicans with the voters in the middle in 2020. If they want to turn this trial into a clown show, it’s to their detriment.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-22--Donald Trump is losing his impeachment trial in the only way that matters

We ’ re definitely past the hair-pulling-out stage of impeachment .
Donald Trump ’ s guilt could not be more brutally obvious .
But the Senate will never see it this way .
So , to quote an infamous shill , “ Get over it.
” Know that the Senate is rigged , not just because the Republicans – and we mean ALL of them – are corrupt , but because they ’ ve taken so much dirty money that they don ’ t dare break ranks .
Even the most imperiled of them will vote to acquit Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a gross perversion of our Democracy and the Republic .
But pulling your hair out and screaming into the wind won ’ t fix this perfect storm that is now assaulting us .
Do yourself a favor and remind yourself again : the Senate won ’ t convict because they don ’ t dare .
Trump is merely the rampaging symptom of this problem .
He came along just in time to save the dying Republican party , and all of the facts and appealing to the morals and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short of breaking the Republican ’ s impervious blockade .
They need power above all and they know they can ’ t get it legitimately .
Their reason for being is only to maintain power .
Not to do their job , not to protect the country , not even to protect their progeny .
None of them will take down Trump because they know they will lose everything if he goes .
What the House Managers are doing is having the trial with evidence in the court of public opinion .
Believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest impact .
The facts of this case are damning and the impending result – the making of a dictator – is terrifying .
But there are still things which are good and true in this process .
What ’ s good and true is the evidence that is coming in by the boatload from FOIA requests .
The FBI now says it has managed to unlock Lev Parnas ’ phone .
Make no mistake , his phone is going to be kryptonite to tons of Republicans .
After all , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo op with Parnas ?
Phone calls and voting are the powerful solutions here .
The Republican party will not survive a vote to acquit in the Senate .
The public is overwhelmingly clamoring for documents and witnesses .
Corruption will forever taint the Republican name if McConnell shuts this trial down .
Yes , these are the days that try our patience .
But as we found from Fiona Hill and others like her , there are still patriots at work behind the scenes .
Perhaps a Republican or two will stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold your breath .
They are caught in a trap of their own making .
Regardless , Trump will die in prison for his crimes .
Count on that .
Icebergs are enormous and the part that you can ’ t see is the part that takes you to the bottom .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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We’re definitely past the hair-pulling-out stage of impeachment. Donald Trump’s guilt could not be more brutally obvious. But the Senate will never see it this way. So, to quote an infamous shill, “Get over it.” Know that the Senate is rigged, not just because the Republicans – and we mean ALL of them – are corrupt, but because they’ve taken so much dirty money that they don’t dare break ranks. Even the most imperiled of them will vote to acquit Trump. Yes, it’s disgusting. It’s a gross perversion of our Democracy and the Republic. But pulling your hair out and screaming into the wind won’t fix this perfect storm that is now assaulting us.
Do yourself a favor and remind yourself again: the Senate won’t convict because they don’t dare. Trump is merely the rampaging symptom of this problem. He came along just in time to save the dying Republican party, and all of the facts and appealing to the morals and the better angels of our nature will fall short of breaking the Republican’s impervious blockade. They need power above all and they know they can’t get it legitimately. Their reason for being is only to maintain power. Not to do their job, not to protect the country, not even to protect their progeny. None of them will take down Trump because they know they will lose everything if he goes.
What the House Managers are doing is having the trial with evidence in the court of public opinion. Believe it or not, this is having the biggest impact. The facts of this case are damning and the impending result – the making of a dictator – is terrifying. But there are still things which are good and true in this process. What’s good and true is the evidence that is coming in by the boatload from FOIA requests. The FBI now says it has managed to unlock Lev Parnas’ phone. Make no mistake, his phone is going to be kryptonite to tons of Republicans. After all, which of them didn’t get a photo op with Parnas?
Phone calls and voting are the powerful solutions here. The Republican party will not survive a vote to acquit in the Senate. The public is overwhelmingly clamoring for documents and witnesses. Corruption will forever taint the Republican name if McConnell shuts this trial down. Yes, these are the days that try our patience. But as we found from Fiona Hill and others like her, there are still patriots at work behind the scenes. Perhaps a Republican or two will stand up for fairness. Don’t hold your breath. They are caught in a trap of their own making. Regardless, Trump will die in prison for his crimes. Count on that. Icebergs are enormous and the part that you can’t see is the part that takes you to the bottom.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-22--Donald Trump just screwed up and blew a gaping hole in his own impeachment trial strategy

Yesterday we saw that certain Republican Senators are already very nervous about the possibility of voters punishing them for gifting Donald Trump a sham impeachment trial .
They ’ ve already forced Mitch McConnell to revise his trial schedule .
They ’ re not yet ready to force McConnell to call witnesses .
But it ’ s clear that if the wind blows a certain way , they ’ ll go that route in the hope of protecting their own backsides .
Accordingly , the very best thing Donald Trump could do right now is to keep quiet about it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead he decided to open his mouth today , and he said the dumbest thing possible .
During his Davos speech , Trump said this about the impeachment trial evidence : “ We have all the material .
They don ’ t have the material.
” No really , he said that .
He just publicly bragged that he and his administration are withholding evidence that incriminates him .
If you ’ ve been paying close attention to the impeachment saga over the past few months , you already knew this .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with the details of impeachment on a daily basis , and may not even be aware that Trump and his people have illegally defied subpoenas and refused to turn over evidence .
Now Trump just fed the mainstream media a fresh narrative about how he ’ s not only withholding evidence of his guilt , he ’ s bragging that he ’ s withholding it .
Donald Trump , the world ’ s most clueless negotiator , may be under the impression that this kind of taunting somehow strengthens his position .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ media to impress upon the public that Trump is illegally withholding evidence that incriminates him .
This should drive poll numbers in favor of conviction , and in favor of witnesses , even higher .
This places more pressure on the already-nervous Republican Senators to call witnesses .
We still don ’ t know what the odds are of that happening , but Trump just stupidly increased those odds .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Yesterday we saw that certain Republican Senators are already very nervous about the possibility of voters punishing them for gifting Donald Trump a sham impeachment trial. They’ve already forced Mitch McConnell to revise his trial schedule. They’re not yet ready to force McConnell to call witnesses. But it’s clear that if the wind blows a certain way, they’ll go that route in the hope of protecting their own backsides.
Accordingly, the very best thing Donald Trump could do right now is to keep quiet about it, and hope he gets lucky. Instead he decided to open his mouth today, and he said the dumbest thing possible. During his Davos speech, Trump said this about the impeachment trial evidence: “We have all the material. They don’t have the material.” No really, he said that. He just publicly bragged that he and his administration are withholding evidence that incriminates him.
If you’ve been paying close attention to the impeachment saga over the past few months, you already knew this. But most Americans haven’t been keeping up with the details of impeachment on a daily basis, and may not even be aware that Trump and his people have illegally defied subpoenas and refused to turn over evidence. Now Trump just fed the mainstream media a fresh narrative about how he’s not only withholding evidence of his guilt, he’s bragging that he’s withholding it.
Donald Trump, the world’s most clueless negotiator, may be under the impression that this kind of taunting somehow strengthens his position. Instead, it’ll prompt the media to impress upon the public that Trump is illegally withholding evidence that incriminates him. This should drive poll numbers in favor of conviction, and in favor of witnesses, even higher. This places more pressure on the already-nervous Republican Senators to call witnesses. We still don’t know what the odds are of that happening, but Trump just stupidly increased those odds.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-22--Chief Justice John Roberts isn’t very good at this impeachment thing

Donald J. Trump , IMPOTUS the Third , is in Davos giving the “ perfect ” press conference before returning home to Washington , D.C. , where the Feckless GOP Cluster aka the impeachment trial has begun .
Tuesday witnessed a thirteen-hour debate that ended with Mitch “ the Con ” McConnell getting a watered down version of what he wanted , for now .
Through the long day and into the night , Chief Justice John Roberts read things and mostly did what “ presiding ” was meant to be – a lot of doing nothing .
But late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Counsel Pat Cipollone profusely lied on the Senate floor and was called out for his bullshit by both House Managers Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler , Roberts did a version of Trump ’ s “ good people on both sides , ” except he found bad actors on both sides .
Roberts admonished : “ I think it is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House managers and president ’ s counsel in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world ’ s greatest deliberative body .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are.
” Roberts , ever the historian , must have missed the last few years of the Senate , where there has not been much deliberating in the Senate in the five years and counting that the Con has been Senate Majority Leader .
The exchange that appears to have provoked Roberts to “ admonish ” both sides began with Nadler , calling out the bullshit : “ So far , I ’ m sad to say I see a lot of senators voting for a cover-up , voting to deny witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a treacherous vote.
” Cipollone , no friend of the truth and obviously not acting on behalf of his employer the United States , but as a mouthpiece of his president , responded : “ The only one who should be embarrassed , Mr. Nadler , is you .
For the way you addressed this body .
This is the United States Senate .
You ’ re not in charge here.
” It is hard to accept this admonishment in this body , the same one that on the very floor where impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hijacked the Supreme Court through denying President Obama his nomination of Merrick Garland .
Nadler and Schiff appeared to recognize where they were at , calling out the political machinations and power play taking place every day in that “ august ” place .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald J. Trump, IMPOTUS the Third, is in Davos giving the “perfect” press conference before returning home to Washington, D.C., where the Feckless GOP Cluster aka the impeachment trial has begun. Tuesday witnessed a thirteen-hour debate that ended with Mitch “the Con” McConnell getting a watered down version of what he wanted, for now. Through the long day and into the night, Chief Justice John Roberts read things and mostly did what “presiding” was meant to be – a lot of doing nothing. But late in the proceedings, after White House Counsel Pat Cipollone profusely lied on the Senate floor and was called out for his bullshit by both House Managers Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler, Roberts did a version of Trump’s “good people on both sides,” except he found bad actors on both sides.
Roberts admonished: “I think it is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House managers and president’s counsel in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world’s greatest deliberative body. Those addressing the Senate should remember where they are.”
Roberts, ever the historian, must have missed the last few years of the Senate, where there has not been much deliberating in the Senate in the five years and counting that the Con has been Senate Majority Leader. The exchange that appears to have provoked Roberts to “admonish” both sides began with Nadler, calling out the bullshit: “So far, I’m sad to say I see a lot of senators voting for a cover-up, voting to deny witnesses, an absolutely indefensible vote, obviously a treacherous vote.”
Cipollone, no friend of the truth and obviously not acting on behalf of his employer the United States, but as a mouthpiece of his president, responded:
“The only one who should be embarrassed, Mr. Nadler, is you. For the way you addressed this body. This is the United States Senate. You’re not in charge here.”
It is hard to accept this admonishment in this body, the same one that on the very floor where impeachment is being conducted McConnell and other Republicans hijacked the Supreme Court through denying President Obama his nomination of Merrick Garland. Nadler and Schiff appeared to recognize where they were at, calling out the political machinations and power play taking place every day in that “august” place.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-22--Susan Collins is cornered

Susan Collins is cornered

Things are definitely not going Susan Collins ’ way .
Sure , she flip flopped on impeachment any number of times between now and last week to appease Donald Trump , but being that she ’ s the least popular senator in America right now , she ’ s taking heat however she sways – even if it means a little extra political convenience .
While a number of unpopular senators constantly get re-elected ( look at Ted Cruz , for example ) , Collins ’ problem isn ’ t so much that her popularity is going down the drain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also losing her basic support .
A few of the die-hard Trumpers might reward her for voting for Brett Kavanaugh , but that vote may have cost her in the long-run , and not just because it has the potential to scare off more moderate leaning independents .
As recently as 2017 , Sen. Collins has earned praise from Planned Parenthood , particularly when she voted against repealing Obamacare – a move that earned her the coveted Barry Goldwater Award , an award typically given to pro-choice Republicans who refuse to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s healthcare .
She even received their endorsement in 2002 when she ran for re-election and has been hailed as an “ outspoken champion for women ’ s health.
” The vote for Kavanaugh , based on a shaky reassurance that he would recognize Roe v. Wade as established law , was enough for Planned Parenthood to instead endorse Collins ’ well-funded Democratic opponent , Sara Gideon .
They ’ re hardly the first organization to switch their support either , with the League of Conservation Voters abandoning Collins due to her consistently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins ’ campaign decided to defend her by saying that it was in fact Planned Parenthood that has gotten too radical for Collins .
This may have handed Democrats a winning strategy in Maine – making them focus the campaign yet again on healthcare .
As for Collins ’ latest drop in support , expect her to suddenly be a bit less open to what Mitch McConnell has to say .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Things are definitely not going Susan Collins’ way. Sure, she flip flopped on impeachment any number of times between now and last week to appease Donald Trump, but being that she’s the least popular senator in America right now, she’s taking heat however she sways – even if it means a little extra political convenience. While a number of unpopular senators constantly get re-elected (look at Ted Cruz, for example), Collins’ problem isn’t so much that her popularity is going down the drain by the day, but that she’s also losing her basic support.
A few of the die-hard Trumpers might reward her for voting for Brett Kavanaugh, but that vote may have cost her in the long-run, and not just because it has the potential to scare off more moderate leaning independents. As recently as 2017, Sen. Collins has earned praise from Planned Parenthood, particularly when she voted against repealing Obamacare – a move that earned her the coveted Barry Goldwater Award, an award typically given to pro-choice Republicans who refuse to toe the party line on women’s healthcare. She even received their endorsement in 2002 when she ran for re-election and has been hailed as an “outspoken champion for women’s health.”
The vote for Kavanaugh, based on a shaky reassurance that he would recognize Roe v. Wade as established law, was enough for Planned Parenthood to instead endorse Collins’ well-funded Democratic opponent, Sara Gideon. They’re hardly the first organization to switch their support either, with the League of Conservation Voters abandoning Collins due to her consistently pro-Trump voting record.
A spokesman for Collins’ campaign decided to defend her by saying that it was in fact Planned Parenthood that has gotten too radical for Collins. This may have handed Democrats a winning strategy in Maine – making them focus the campaign yet again on healthcare. As for Collins’ latest drop in support, expect her to suddenly be a bit less open to what Mitch McConnell has to say.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.