politicususa--2020-01-29--Trump’s Lawyers Had No Idea That Bolton’s Book Would Be Bad News

The White House and Trump never bothered to tell the president ’ s impeachment lawyers that John Bolton ’ s book was bad for Trump .
President Trump ’ s attorney Patrick Philbin said no one had notified him or the White House legal team on whether the forthcoming book from former national security adviser John Bolton would cause problems for Trump .
“ No , no one from inside of the White House or outside of the White House told us that the publication of the book would be problematic for the President .
I think that we assumed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not expect that he was going to be saying a lot of nice things about the President , but nobody told us anything like that , ” Philbin said .
Trump didn ’ t tell his lawyers that bad news was coming and they should prepare a proper defense to address it at his impeachment trial .
The White House has had a copy of the book for months , but nobody cared enough apparently to read it and understand that it contained big problems for Donald Trump .
Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one .
They don ’ t dispute the facts with counterevidence .
There is no theory to justify Trump ’ s actions , outside of a false belief that Article II gives the president unlimited power .
Their argument was so weak that the president ’ s defense team didn ’ t use their full 24 hours to make their case .
Donald Trump has a history of ignoring , not paying , and lying to his lawyers .
He didn ’ t provide his counsel with important information , which is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The White House and Trump never bothered to tell the president’s impeachment lawyers that John Bolton’s book was bad for Trump.
CNN reported:
President Trump’s attorney Patrick Philbin said no one had notified him or the White House legal team on whether the forthcoming book from former national security adviser John Bolton would cause problems for Trump.
“No, no one from inside of the White House or outside of the White House told us that the publication of the book would be problematic for the President. I think that we assumed that Mr. Bolton was disgruntled and we did not expect that he was going to be saying a lot of nice things about the President, but nobody told us anything like that,” Philbin said.
Trump didn’t tell his lawyers that bad news was coming and they should prepare a proper defense to address it at his impeachment trial. The White House has had a copy of the book for months, but nobody cared enough apparently to read it and understand that it contained big problems for Donald Trump.
Trump’s defense has been a mess from day one. They don’t dispute the facts with counterevidence. There is no theory to justify Trump’s actions, outside of a false belief that Article II gives the president unlimited power. Their argument was so weak that the president’s defense team didn’t use their full 24 hours to make their case.
Donald Trump has a history of ignoring, not paying, and lying to his lawyers. He didn’t provide his counsel with important information, which is why his defense has been a trainwreck.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-29--Adam Schiff Just Destroyed Ted Cruz And Lindsey Graham With One Answer

Sens .
Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham got taken to school by Adam Schiff when they asked a hypothetical question equating Obama and Trump .
Cruz and Graham asked , “ In Mr. Schiff ’ s hypothetical if President Obama had evidence that Mitt Romney ’ s son was being paid $ 1 million per year by a corrupt Russian company and Mitt Romney had acted to benefit that company , would Obama have authority to ask that that potential corruption be investigated ?
” First of all , the hypothetical is a bit off because it presumes that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corruptly or there was evidence he was acting corruptly with respect to his son .
But nonetheless , let ’ s take your hypothetical on its terms .
Would it have been impeachable if Barack Obama had tried to get Medvedev to do an investigation of Mitt Romney whether it was justified or unjustified ?
The reality is for a president to withhold military aid from an ally or in the hypothetical to withhold it to benefit an adversary , to target their political opponent is wrong and corrupt .
Period .
End @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a president to rationalize that conduct , rationalize jeopardy it is nation ’ s security for his benefit because he believes his opponent should be investigated by a foreign power that is impeachable .
If you have a legitimate reason to think that any U.S .
Person has committed an offense there are legitimate ways to have an investigation conducted .
There are legitimate ways to have the justice department conduct an investigation .
I would suggest to you that for a president to turn to his Justice Department and say , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taints whatever investigation they do .
Presidents should not be in the business of asking even their own Justice Department to investigate their rivals .
The Justice Department ought to have some Independence from the political desires of the president and one of the deeply troubling circumstances of the current presidency is you do have a president of the United States speaking quite openly , urging his Justice Department to investigate his perceived enemies .
That should not take place either .
But under no circumstances do you go outside of your own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign power to investigate your rival whether you think there ’ s cause or you don ’ t think there ’ s cause .
And you certainly don ’ t invite that foreign power to try to influence an election to your benefit .
It ’ s remarkable to me that we even have to have this conversation .
I can ’ t imagine any circumstance where that ’ s justified .
And I can ’ t imagine any circumstance where we would want to say the President Of The United States can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign help in an election , can help him cheat and that ’ s okay .
Because that will dramatically lower the bar for what we have a right to expect in the president of the United States and that is they ’ re acting in our interest .
And the more accurate parallel , senator , would be if Barack Obama said I don ’ t even need you , Russia , to do the investigation .
I just want you to announce it .
Because that betrays the fact there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t even need the investigation done .
He just wanted it announced .
And there is no legitimate explanation for that except he wanted their help in cheating the next election .
Graham and Cruz were trying to box Schiff in with a question that implied that Trump ’ s impeachment is partisan .
Instead , they got too cute by half and ended up completely getting wrecked by Schiff , and get a very pointed civics lesson on why no president should be given a free pass to blackmail a foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Even the hypotheticals are crashing and burning for Trump ’ s biggest defenders .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sens. Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham got taken to school by Adam Schiff when they asked a hypothetical question equating Obama and Trump.
Cruz and Graham asked, “In Mr. Schiff’s hypothetical if President Obama had evidence that Mitt Romney’s son was being paid $1 million per year by a corrupt Russian company and Mitt Romney had acted to benefit that company, would Obama have authority to ask that that potential corruption be investigated?”
Shiff answered:
First of all, the hypothetical is a bit off because it presumes that in that hypothetical that President Obama was acting corruptly or there was evidence he was acting corruptly with respect to his son. But nonetheless, let’s take your hypothetical on its terms.
Would it have been impeachable if Barack Obama had tried to get Medvedev to do an investigation of Mitt Romney whether it was justified or unjustified? The reality is for a president to withhold military aid from an ally or in the hypothetical to withhold it to benefit an adversary, to target their political opponent is wrong and corrupt. Period. End of story.
And if you allow a president to rationalize that conduct, rationalize jeopardy it is nation’s security for his benefit because he believes his opponent should be investigated by a foreign power that is impeachable. If you have a legitimate reason to think that any U.S. Person has committed an offense there are legitimate ways to have an investigation conducted. There are legitimate ways to have the justice department conduct an investigation. I would suggest to you that for a president to turn to his Justice Department and say, I want you to investigate my political rival taints whatever investigation they do. Presidents should not be in the business of asking even their own Justice Department to investigate their rivals.
Video clip of Schiff:
Adam Schiff just destroys Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz when they try to come up with a hypothetical question equating Obama to Trump. #ImpeachmentTrial pic.twitter.com/lcOrjhuQnR — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 29, 2020
The Justice Department ought to have some Independence from the political desires of the president and one of the deeply troubling circumstances of the current presidency is you do have a president of the United States speaking quite openly, urging his Justice Department to investigate his perceived enemies. That should not take place either. But under no circumstances do you go outside of your own legitimate law enforcement process to ask a foreign power to investigate your rival whether you think there’s cause or you don’t think there’s cause. And you certainly don’t invite that foreign power to try to influence an election to your benefit. It’s remarkable to me that we even have to have this conversation.
I can’t imagine any circumstance where that’s justified. And I can’t imagine any circumstance where we would want to say the President Of The United States can target his rival, can solicit elicit foreign help in an election, can help him cheat and that’s okay. Because that will dramatically lower the bar for what we have a right to expect in the president of the United States and that is they’re acting in our interest.
….
And the more accurate parallel, senator, would be if Barack Obama said I don’t even need you, Russia, to do the investigation. I just want you to announce it. Because that betrays the fact there was no legitimate basis because the president didn’t even need the investigation done. He just wanted it announced. And there is no legitimate explanation for that except he wanted their help in cheating the next election.
Graham and Cruz were trying to box Schiff in with a question that implied that Trump’s impeachment is partisan. Instead, they got too cute by half and ended up completely getting wrecked by Schiff, and get a very pointed civics lesson on why no president should be given a free pass to blackmail a foreign government into helping him cheat in an election.
Even the hypotheticals are crashing and burning for Trump’s biggest defenders.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-01-29--GOP Sen. Cory Gardner Just Lost His Seat By Saying No To Witnesses

Sen. Cory Gardner is already trailing his Democratic challenger John Hickenlooper , and he may have lost his seat when he came out against impeachment trial witnesses .
Colorado Politics reported on a statement that Gardner provided to them : “ I do not believe we need to hear from an 18th witness , ” the Colorado Republican told Colorado Politics in a statement .
“ I have approached every aspect of this grave constitutional duty with the respect and attention required by law , and have reached this decision after carefully weighing the House managers and defense arguments and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which included well over 100 hours of testimony from 17 witnesses.
” Gardner was already facing an uphill battle to keep his seat , as he is being challenged by popular former Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper .
Polling is scant in Colorado at this time , but an August poll showed Hickenlooper leading Gardner by 13 points .
Colorado is getting more Democratic by the year , so it is likely that the odds were already against Gardner keeping his seat , but any chance that he had of winning likely vanished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell ’ s Ukraine cover-up for Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Cory Gardner is already trailing his Democratic challenger John Hickenlooper, and he may have lost his seat when he came out against impeachment trial witnesses.
Colorado Politics reported on a statement that Gardner provided to them:
“I do not believe we need to hear from an 18th witness,” the Colorado Republican told Colorado Politics in a statement. “I have approached every aspect of this grave constitutional duty with the respect and attention required by law, and have reached this decision after carefully weighing the House managers and defense arguments and closely reviewing the evidence from the House, which included well over 100 hours of testimony from 17 witnesses.”
Gardner was already facing an uphill battle to keep his seat, as he is being challenged by popular former Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper. Polling is scant in Colorado at this time, but an August poll showed Hickenlooper leading Gardner by 13 points.
Colorado is getting more Democratic by the year, so it is likely that the odds were already against Gardner keeping his seat, but any chance that he had of winning likely vanished when he decided to go all-in on Mitch McConnell’s Ukraine cover-up for Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-29--Trump White House Threatens Bolton Not to Publish His Book

This is threatening a potential witness .
And nothing new for the gangster mob in the White House .
For all of President Trump ’ s wailing about no one listening to his side and ongoing vitriol aimed at Democrats , it is once again a Republican who is causing problems for Trump .
This Republican is Trump ’ s former National Security Adviser , John Bolton , who has written a book that was leaked to the press in which he says that Trump specifically withheld aid to Ukraine on the condition that they announce a bogus investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is threatening Bolton that he can ’ t publish his book as is .
So much for Republicans wanting the truth out there : 2/ Invoking “ federal law and the nondisclosure agreements ” Bolton signed , NSC says his manuscript “ appears to contain significant amounts of classified information ” including at the TOP SECRET level 3/ which per Exec Order 13526 “ reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave harm to the national security ” of U.S. …NSC says without that info deleted “ the manuscript may not be published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk , but the problem with this defense is that he was impeached partly for threatening our national security with his abuse of power .
And so national security issues will naturally come into play .
Jennifer Ruben pointed out that there is no enforceable NDA for a government employee .
Republicans don ’ t want to hear from their own party members who served Trump , and that should be the big tell to those who don ’ t follow these proceedings closely that something is rotten in the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took on the Republican argument against witnesses like Bolton on Wednesday during a press conference , “ But the Republican argument is wrong .
It won ’ t take too long .
If my Republican colleagues vote with us to subpoena relevant witnesses and documents , there ’ s no reason for a protracted trial .
The four sets of documents we ’ ve requested have already been collected .
They ’ re sitting in boxes at the White House , the State Department , OMB , and the Pentagon .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton has already said he ’ d testify .
There ’ s no reason for delays if the Senate summons Bolton , Mulvaney , Blair and Duffey.
” A legitimate trial would , of course , require witnesses with first-hand knowledge of the issue , as Bolton has , and a legitimate political party would want to protect their own country and the people ’ s right to free elections .
That is not what the Republican Party is doing , as the GOP-led Senate stains its reputation for a generation cheerleading for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever had .

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This is threatening a potential witness. And nothing new for the gangster mob in the White House.
For all of President Trump’s wailing about no one listening to his side and ongoing vitriol aimed at Democrats, it is once again a Republican who is causing problems for Trump. This Republican is Trump’s former National Security Adviser, John Bolton, who has written a book that was leaked to the press in which he says that Trump specifically withheld aid to Ukraine on the condition that they announce a bogus investigation into Biden.
And now the White House is threatening Bolton that he can’t publish his book as is. So much for Republicans wanting the truth out there:
WH letter to Bolton warning him against publication of his book as it is right now pic.twitter.com/dsICaKQuJe — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 29, 2020
Tapper added:
2/ Invoking “federal law and the nondisclosure agreements” Bolton signed, NSC says his manuscript “appears to contain significant amounts of classified information” including at the TOP SECRET level 3/ which per Exec Order 13526 “reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave harm to the national security” of U.S. …NSC says without that info deleted “the manuscript may not be published”
Trump is claiming national security is at risk, but the problem with this defense is that he was impeached partly for threatening our national security with his abuse of power. And so national security issues will naturally come into play.
Jennifer Ruben pointed out that there is no enforceable NDA for a government employee.
BTW, there is no
enforceable NDA for a govt employee. If it is classified he can be prosecuted (yay, right!) but there is no civil liability/NDA nor is there an injunction on speech (See Pentagon papers). Bolton is a VERY good lawyer and knows all this. — Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) January 29, 2020
Republicans don’t want to hear from their own party members who served Trump, and that should be the big tell to those who don’t follow these proceedings closely that something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Senator Schumer (D-NY) took on the Republican argument against witnesses like Bolton on Wednesday during a press conference, “But the Republican argument is wrong. It won’t take too long. If my Republican colleagues vote with us to subpoena relevant witnesses and documents, there’s no reason for a protracted trial. The four sets of documents we’ve requested have already been collected. They’re sitting in boxes at the White House, the State Department, OMB, and the Pentagon. They’re ours for the asking. Mr. Bolton has already said he’d testify. There’s no reason for delays if the Senate summons Bolton, Mulvaney, Blair and Duffey.”
A legitimate trial would, of course, require witnesses with first-hand knowledge of the issue, as Bolton has, and a legitimate political party would want to protect their own country and the people’s right to free elections.
That is not what the Republican Party is doing, as the GOP-led Senate stains its reputation for a generation cheerleading for the most corrupt president this nation has ever had.


politicususa--2020-01-29--Trump Moves To Cut Medicaid As His Deficit Is Projected to Hit $1 Trillion

You probably remember when Donald Trump promised as a candidate that he wouldn ’ t cut Medicare , Medicaid or Social Security .
Mercurial Trump has changed his mind now that he ’ s sent the deficit running toward the $ 1 trillion dollar mark .
Now is the time to cut Medicaid and really stick it to the poor to pay for his $ 1.5 trillion in tax cuts that mainly help the rich .
“ I ’ m not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican and I ’ m not going to cut Medicare or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cut to reality , Trump is going to “ let ” the states to make cuts to Medicaid , he ’ s just going to name those ( life-ending for some people ) cuts something happy like “ Healthy Adult Opportunity ” : A few days ago while at Davos , Trump again signaled a willingness to cut Medicare , Social Security and Medicaid , or as the media and Republicans call them , “ entitlements.
” Because Trump talks out of both sides of his mouth , what he puts down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budgets also made cuts to the social safety net , with 2020 cutting $ 1.5 trillion from Medicaid , $ 845 billion from Medicare and $ 25 billion from Social Security .
Of course the money is there , it ’ s just going to defense spending , with an $ 861 billion increase .
The CBO points out , “ Projected deficits rise from 4.6 percent of gross domestic product ( GDP ) in 2020 to 5.4 percent in 2030 .
Other than a six-year period during and immediately after World War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century has not exceeded 4.0 percent for more than five consecutive years .
And during the past 50 years , deficits have averaged 1.5 percent of GDP when the economy was relatively strong ( as it is now ) .
” The CBO ’ s warning about the deficit hitting $ 1 trillion in 2020 is often blamed on the growth of social safety net programs .
For some reason , we never take the human factor into account in our budgets or how to actually make America greater than it is by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s always the same story of helping the top 1 % while dark money , gerrymandering , and epistemic closure allow Republicans to continue their lack of accountability for their plunder .
This is the Republican never-ending cycle of cutting taxes for the rich and then using the resulting deficit as a reason to cut from the people , and then blaming their deficit on the next Democratic president who has to dig us out of the economic ditch created by the empty trickle down promises , only to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so and then quickly replaced by yet another spoiled Republican brat who puts everything on daddy ’ s credit card .
Senator Dianne Feinstein ( D-CA ) busted Trump on his promises that the tax cuts would pay for themselves .
In a statement sent to PoliticusUSA , the Democrat also pointed out that Trump has grown the deficit “ from $ 587 billion to more than $ 1 trillion , and it ’ s expected to average $ 1.3 trillion annually for at least the next decade.
” All of that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 years with his Super Negotiating Skills that landed us in hot water with North Korea , China , and Iran .
It isn ’ t as if Trump had to dig us out of an economic downswing – he inherited the booming Obama economy , which made history for private sector job growth year after year .
Just three years in and Trump and his rich cronies have plundered the coffers for themselves and are coming for life-saving healthcare and the small bits of security people paid into their entire working lives @

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You probably remember when Donald Trump promised as a candidate that he wouldn’t cut Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security. Mercurial Trump has changed his mind now that he’s sent the deficit running toward the $1 trillion dollar mark. Now is the time to cut Medicaid and really stick it to the poor to pay for his $1.5 trillion in tax cuts that mainly help the rich.
“I’m not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican and I’m not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid,” candidate Trump promised.
Cut to reality, Trump is going to “let” the states to make cuts to Medicaid, he’s just going to name those (life-ending for some people) cuts something happy like “Healthy Adult Opportunity”:
SCOOP: Trump’s Medicaid block grants are now called “Healthy Adult Opportunity,” will let states limit patients’ benefits and available drugs.https://t.co/HoasIaXb43 with @rachel_roubein pic.twitter.com/8DR4xDpVoj — Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) January 29, 2020
A few days ago while at Davos, Trump again signaled a willingness to cut Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, or as the media and Republicans call them, “entitlements.”
Because Trump talks out of both sides of his mouth, what he puts down on paper is indisputable and his last several budgets also made cuts to the social safety net, with 2020 cutting $1.5 trillion from Medicaid, $845 billion from Medicare and $25 billion from Social Security. Of course the money is there, it’s just going to defense spending, with an $861 billion increase.
The CBO points out, “Projected deficits rise from 4.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020 to 5.4 percent in 2030. Other than a six-year period during and immediately after World War II, the deficit over the past century has not exceeded 4.0 percent for more than five consecutive years. And during the past 50 years, deficits have averaged 1.5 percent of GDP when the economy was relatively strong (as it is now).”
The CBO’s warning about the deficit hitting $1 trillion in 2020 is often blamed on the growth of social safety net programs. For some reason, we never take the human factor into account in our budgets or how to actually make America greater than it is by investing in education and healthcare. Instead, it’s always the same story of helping the top 1% while dark money, gerrymandering, and epistemic closure allow Republicans to continue their lack of accountability for their plunder.
This is the Republican never-ending cycle of cutting taxes for the rich and then using the resulting deficit as a reason to cut from the people, and then blaming their deficit on the next Democratic president who has to dig us out of the economic ditch created by the empty trickle down promises, only to be blamed for any stimulus needed to do so and then quickly replaced by yet another spoiled Republican brat who puts everything on daddy’s credit card.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) busted Trump on his promises that the tax cuts would pay for themselves. In a statement sent to PoliticusUSA, the Democrat also pointed out that Trump has grown the deficit “from $587 billion to more than $1 trillion, and it’s expected to average $1.3 trillion annually for at least the next decade.”
All of that even though Trump promised to eliminate debt in 8 years with his Super Negotiating Skills that landed us in hot water with North Korea, China, and Iran.
It isn’t as if Trump had to dig us out of an economic downswing – he inherited the booming Obama economy, which made history for private sector job growth year after year. Just three years in and Trump and his rich cronies have plundered the coffers for themselves and are coming for life-saving healthcare and the small bits of security people paid into their entire working lives.


politicususa--2020-01-29--John Bolton Tipped Off House Chairman On Yovanovitch Firing

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Eliot Engel said that John Bolton implied to him in September that he needed to investigate the firing of Marie Yovanovitch .
President Trump is wrong that John Bolton didn ’ t say anything about the Trump-Ukraine Scandal at the time the President fired him .
He said something to me .
On September 19 , shortly after Ambassador Bolton ’ s departure as national security advisor , my staff reached out to him at my request .
I ’ ve known Ambassador Bolton for years ; we have a cordial and respectful relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his service .
I also wanted to ask if he would talk to the Foreign Affairs Committee , as former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson did , to aid our general oversight efforts of U.S. foreign policy .
He and I spoke by telephone on September 23 .
On that call , Ambassador Bolton suggested to me—unprompted—that the committee look into the recall of Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch .
He strongly implied that something improper had occurred around her removal as our top diplomat in Kyiv .
At the time , I said nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but because this detail was relevant to the Foreign Affairs , Intelligence , and Oversight Committees ’ investigation into this matter , I informed my investigative colleagues .
It was one of the reasons we wished to hear from Ambassador Bolton , under oath , in a formal setting .
Ambassador Bolton has made clear over the last few months that he has more to say on this issue .
And now that the President has called his credibility into question , it ’ s important to set the record straight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all people , John Bolton is now the target of right-wing ire .
It underscores just how important it is that the Senate subpoena Ambassador Bolton as a witness .
Bolton has been sounding the alarm on Trump ’ s illegal activities involving Ukraine for months .
Whether one agrees or disagrees with Bolton in terms of policy , it is clear that he is the rare Trump administration official who placed the good of the country and national security ahead of Trump ’ s scheme to extort Ukraine and rig the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans want the impeachment trial over right now because every day is bringing a new revelation that confirms the guilt of Donald Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Eliot Engel said that John Bolton implied to him in September that he needed to investigate the firing of Marie Yovanovitch.
Chairman Engel said in a statement:
President Trump is wrong that John Bolton didn’t say anything about the Trump-Ukraine Scandal at the time the President fired him. He said something to me.
On September 19, shortly after Ambassador Bolton’s departure as national security advisor, my staff reached out to him at my request. I’ve known Ambassador Bolton for years; we have a cordial and respectful relationship and I wanted to thank him for his service. I also wanted to ask if he would talk to the Foreign Affairs Committee, as former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson did, to aid our general oversight efforts of U.S. foreign policy.
He and I spoke by telephone on September 23. On that call, Ambassador Bolton suggested to me—unprompted—that the committee look into the recall of Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch. He strongly implied that something improper had occurred around her removal as our top diplomat in Kyiv.
At the time, I said nothing publicly about what was a private conversation, but because this detail was relevant to the Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, and Oversight Committees’ investigation into this matter, I informed my investigative colleagues. It was one of the reasons we wished to hear from Ambassador Bolton, under oath, in a formal setting.
Ambassador Bolton has made clear over the last few months that he has more to say on this issue. And now that the President has called his credibility into question, it’s important to set the record straight.
It’s telling that, of all people, John Bolton is now the target of right-wing ire. It underscores just how important it is that the Senate subpoena Ambassador Bolton as a witness.
Bolton has been sounding the alarm on Trump’s illegal activities involving Ukraine for months. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Bolton in terms of policy, it is clear that he is the rare Trump administration official who placed the good of the country and national security ahead of Trump’s scheme to extort Ukraine and rig the 2020 election.
Mitch McConnell and other Senate Republicans want the impeachment trial over right now because every day is bringing a new revelation that confirms the guilt of Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-30--Trump’s New Border Wall Just Fell Over In California

The wind knocked down Trump ’ s new section of border wall that he claimed would stop immigrants from getting into the United States .
Newly installed panels from the US border wall fell over in high winds Wednesday , landing on trees on the Mexican side of the border .
Agent Carlos Pitones of the Customs and Border Protection sector in El Centro , California , told CNN that the sections that gave way had recently been set in a new concrete foundation in Calexico , California .
The concrete had not yet cured , according to Pitones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withstand the windy conditions .
The National Weather Service reports that winds in the area gusted as high as 37 mph Wednesday .
The wall was knocked down , not by hurricane-force winds .
All it took was a fairly stiff breeze .
Most of the country has faced wind gusts of more than 37 mph at some point during the 2019-2020 winter .
Trump ’ s border wall has faced other problems .
People have been going to the hardware store and sawing through his wall in minutes along the Texas/Mexico border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wall is working , but just like every other Trump project , the wall is bad idea that is destined to fall down .
Trump only promised to build a wall .
He didn ’ t say anything about it staying up .

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The wind knocked down Trump’s new section of border wall that he claimed would stop immigrants from getting into the United States.
CNN reported:
Newly installed panels from the US border wall fell over in high winds Wednesday, landing on trees on the Mexican side of the border.
….
Agent Carlos Pitones of the Customs and Border Protection sector in El Centro, California, told CNN that the sections that gave way had recently been set in a new concrete foundation in Calexico, California. The concrete had not yet cured, according to Pitones, and the wall panels were unable to withstand the windy conditions.
The National Weather Service reports that winds in the area gusted as high as 37 mph Wednesday.
The wall was knocked down, not by hurricane-force winds. All it took was a fairly stiff breeze. Most of the country has faced wind gusts of more than 37 mph at some point during the 2019-2020 winter.
Trump’s border wall has faced other problems. People have been going to the hardware store and sawing through his wall in minutes along the Texas/Mexico border.
The president has convinced himself that the wall is working, but just like every other Trump project, the wall is bad idea that is destined to fall down.
Trump only promised to build a wall. He didn’t say anything about it staying up.


politicususa--2020-01-30--Mitt Romney Sends Trump Lawyer Reeling With One Simple Question

Mitt Romney asked Trump ’ s lawyer when did Trump first request the hold on Ukraine , and what was his reason why ?
Trump ’ s defense had no answer .
Romney asked , “ On what specific date did Trump first order the hold on aid to Ukraine , and did he give a reason at that time ?
” This was Trump lawyer , Patrick Philbin ’ s response in part : I don ’ t think that there is evidence in the record of a specific date , the specific date , but there is testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and elsewhere were aware of a hold as of July 3rd and there is evidence in the record of the president ’ s rationales from even earlier than that time .
There is an email from June 24th that has been publicly released .
It was publicly released in response to a FOIA request that is from one dod staffer up to the chief of staff in DOD — excuse me , sorry , from the chief of staff down to a staffer in DOD , relating on the subject line , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a meeting with POTUS , president of the United States , explaining questions that had been asked about the Ukraine assistance , which were specifically , what was the funding used for ?
I.e .
did it go to U.S. Firms ?
Who funded it ?
And what do other Nato members spend to support Ukraine ?
So , from the very beginning in June , the president had expressed his concern about burden sharing , what other NATO members do .
Trump ’ s lawyers don ’ t have answers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s response made the argument for calling more witnesses .
Mick Mulvaney could answer the question on when the hold was requested , and even better , the White House has the documented paper trail on when and why the hold was requested .
The Senators ’ questions have illustrated why documents and witnesses must be subpoenaed .
Trump is hiding information that the American people must have on the Ukraine scandal .
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Mitt Romney asked Trump’s lawyer when did Trump first request the hold on Ukraine, and what was his reason why? Trump’s defense had no answer.
Romney asked, “On what specific date did Trump first order the hold on aid to Ukraine, and did he give a reason at that time?”
This was Trump lawyer, Patrick Philbin’s response in part:
I don’t think that there is evidence in the record of a specific date, the specific date, but there is testimony in the record that individuals at OMB and elsewhere were aware of a hold as of July 3rd and there is evidence in the record of the president’s rationales from even earlier than that time.
There is an email from June 24th that has been publicly released. It was publicly released in response to a FOIA request that is from one dod staffer up to the chief of staff in DOD — excuse me, sorry, from the chief of staff down to a staffer in DOD, relating on the subject line, “POTUS follow-up.” It’s follow-up from a meeting with POTUS, president of the United States, explaining questions that had been asked about the Ukraine assistance, which were specifically, what was the funding used for? I.e. did it go to U.S. Firms? Who funded it? And what do other Nato members spend to support Ukraine? So, from the very beginning in June, the president had expressed his concern about burden sharing, what other NATO members do.
Video:
Mitt Romney asks, "On what specific date did Trump first order the hold on aid to Ukraine, and did he give a reason at that time?" Trump's lawyer responds by falling apart. pic.twitter.com/hg3c6eZ2Hc — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 30, 2020
Trump’s lawyers don’t have answers for the most basic questions, and Philbin’s response made the argument for calling more witnesses. Mick Mulvaney could answer the question on when the hold was requested, and even better, the White House has the documented paper trail on when and why the hold was requested.
The Senators’ questions have illustrated why documents and witnesses must be subpoenaed. Trump is hiding information that the American people must have on the Ukraine scandal.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-30--Trump’s Lawyers Panic Over Witnesses And Threaten The Whistleblower

Trump ’ s lawyers are in a panic over potential witnesses being called and are threatening the Bidens and the whistleblower .
It would take a long time just to get through those motions .
But there have been 17 witnesses .
We ’ re talking about , now , additional witnesses .
That the managers have put forward and that democratic leader Schumer has discussed .
He ’ s discussed four witnesses in particular as if this body would — if it were to grant witnesses , would say , yes , you get those four witnesses .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s counsel gets what ?
Whatever I want .
That ’ s what he said ?
Whatever I want ?
Here ’ s what I want .
I want Adam Schiff .
I want Hunter Biden .
I want Joe Biden .
I want — I want the whistle-blower .
I want — I want to also understand there may be additional people within the House Intelligence Committee that have had conversations with that whistle-blower .
If I get anybody we want — by the way , if we get anybody we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very long time .
Sekulow ’ s argument is that we can ’ t have witnesses , because it would make the impeachment trial last for a really long time .
Forget the truth about the president ’ s actions , or the oath that was taken , let ’ s get this thing over with .
The threat to the whistleblower and the Bidens was a move to try to get Democrats to back off .
Trump ’ s lawyers are making an argument borders on pathetic .
The lawyers for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American citizens on the Senate floor , as they are terrified that an impeachment trial that was supposed to be a sham has gotten away from them .
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Trump’s lawyers are in a panic over potential witnesses being called and are threatening the Bidens and the whistleblower.
Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow said:
It would take a long time just to get through those motions. But there have been 17 witnesses. We’re talking about, now, additional witnesses. That the managers have put forward and that democratic leader Schumer has discussed. He’s discussed four witnesses in particular as if this body would — if it were to grant witnesses, would say, yes, you get those four witnesses.
And the White House and the president’s counsel gets what? Whatever I want. That’s what he said? Whatever I want? Here’s what I want. I want Adam Schiff. I want Hunter Biden. I want Joe Biden. I want — I want the whistle-blower. I want — I want to also understand there may be additional people within the House Intelligence Committee that have had conversations with that whistle-blower. If I get anybody we want — by the way, if we get anybody we want, we will be here for a very long time.
Video:
Trump's lawyers are now threatening the whistleblower, as total panic is clearly beginning to set it. #ImpeachmentTrial pic.twitter.com/HKkAVa1wkt — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 30, 2020
Sekulow’s argument is that we can’t have witnesses, because it would make the impeachment trial last for a really long time. Forget the truth about the president’s actions, or the oath that was taken, let’s get this thing over with.
The threat to the whistleblower and the Bidens was a move to try to get Democrats to back off.
Trump’s lawyers are making an argument borders on pathetic. The lawyers for the President Of The United States are threatening American citizens on the Senate floor, as they are terrified that an impeachment trial that was supposed to be a sham has gotten away from them.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-30--Ted Cruz Threatens Democrats If They Call Bolton To Testify

Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) threatened Democrats with retaliation if they dare to call John Bolton to testify at @ @ @ @ @ .
Cruz ’ s comments are proof that Senate Republicans are living in a bubble @ @ @ @ @ t understand that Hunter Biden is not related to the scandal at all , while @ @ @ @ @ damage to Trump with his testimony .
The threat to call Hunter Biden shouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ unlike Donald Trump , Hunter Biden did not break the law .
Republicans are scared @ @ @ @ @ because they are desperately trying to prevent John Bolton from testifying .
Some Senate Democrats @ @ @ @ @ Bolton for Biden swap .
If Ted Cruz thinks that he is threatening Democrats , @ @ @ @ @ more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) threatened Democrats with retaliation if they dare to call John Bolton to testify at Trump’s impeachment trial.
Cruz said:
.@tedcruz just now in the Senate: “If we call John Bolton, I promise you, we are calling Hunter Biden.” — Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) January 30, 2020
Cruz’s comments are proof that Senate Republicans are living in a bubble, and they don’t understand that Hunter Biden is not related to the scandal at all, while John Bolton can do grave damage to Trump with his testimony.
The threat to call Hunter Biden shouldn’t scare Democrats because, unlike Donald Trump, Hunter Biden did not break the law.
Republicans are scared. They are threatening Democrats because they are desperately trying to prevent John Bolton from testifying. Some Senate Democrats were already talking about a Bolton for Biden swap. If Ted Cruz thinks that he is threatening Democrats, he is mistaken.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-30--Trump Targets The Disabled With New Rule To Take Away Social Security Disability Benefits

Trump is proposing a new rule that would force those on Social Security Disability to go through more paperwork and red tape or lose their benefits .
Trump Is Trying To Take Away Social Security Disability Benefits Under Trump , the Social Security Administration is proposing a large increase in the number and frequency of reviews of Social Security Disability Insurance ( SSDI ) and Supplemental Security Income ( SSI ) beneficiaries .
The review process involves time and paperwork to determine ongoing eligibility .
If a recipient can ’ t complete the paperwork , they will lose their benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only source of income for millions of disabled Americans .
Democrats Urge The Social Security Administration To Abandon The Rule Change In a letter provided to PoliticusUSA : House and Senate Democrats wrote to the Social Security Administration : We urge you to immediately withdraw the Social Security Administration ’ s harmful and unjustified proposed rule to subject Social Security and Supplemental Security Income ( SSI ) disability beneficiaries to more frequent continuing disability reviews ( CDRs ) .
This unwarranted proposal would deprive many people with disabilities of the Social Security , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are eligible for and rely on for survival .
The Social Security Administration ( SSA ) should instead use its limited resources to restore strong customer service to the American people , reversing the long waiting times , backlogs , and other service problems that have become common across the agency in recent years .
There is no need for the rule change .
The purpose is to make it more difficult for persons with disabilities to keep their benefits .
Trump ’ s tax cuts have blown a massive hole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close by slashing the social safety net and harming the most vulnerable Americans .
During the 2016 campaign , Trump promised to protect Social Security and Medicare .
Instead , he is declaring war on the programs to pay for his tax cuts for the wealthy .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump is proposing a new rule that would force those on Social Security Disability to go through more paperwork and red tape or lose their benefits.
Trump Is Trying To Take Away Social Security Disability Benefits
Under Trump, the Social Security Administration is proposing a large increase in the number and frequency of reviews of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries.
The review process involves time and paperwork to determine ongoing eligibility. If a recipient can’t complete the paperwork, they will lose their benefits, which in most cases are the only source of income for millions of disabled Americans.
Democrats Urge The Social Security Administration To Abandon The Rule Change
In a letter provided to PoliticusUSA: House and Senate Democrats wrote to the Social Security Administration:
We urge you to immediately withdraw the Social Security Administration’s harmful and unjustified proposed rule to subject Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability beneficiaries to more frequent continuing disability reviews (CDRs).
This unwarranted proposal would deprive many people with disabilities of the Social Security, SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits that they are eligible for and rely on for survival. The Social Security Administration (SSA) should instead use its limited resources to restore strong customer service to the American people, reversing the long waiting times, backlogs, and other service problems that have become common across the agency in recent years.
There is no need for the rule change. The purpose is to make it more difficult for persons with disabilities to keep their benefits. Trump’s tax cuts have blown a massive hole in the deficit that he is trying to close by slashing the social safety net and harming the most vulnerable Americans.
During the 2016 campaign, Trump promised to protect Social Security and Medicare. Instead, he is declaring war on the programs to pay for his tax cuts for the wealthy.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-30--Adam Schiff Just Called Out Trump On The Senate Floor For Pushing Russian Propaganda

Adam Schiff called out Trump for pushing Russian propaganda during the question and answer session of the impeachment trial .
If Secretary Pompeo was correct and you can ’ t use your own intelligence agencies , you sure shouldn ’ t be able to use the Russian ones or the Ukrainian ones .
And here , you know , we have the president on that phone call pushing out this Russian propaganda .
This Russian intelligence service propaganda , Crowdstrike .
The server .
As if there was just one server and it was whisked away to Ukraine .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Made for you in the Kremlin conspiracy theory that undermines our own intelligence agencies but suit the political interests of the president and his legal agent Rudy Giuliani is out there peddling this fiction .
The president himself is out there promoting this fiction standing side by side with Vladimir Putin .
But you ’ re absolutely right .
It would be a monumental abuse of power and it is a monumental abuse of power .
Chairman Schiff was correct .
Trump is pushing Russian propaganda .
The president believes Russian propaganda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment trial is exposing the willingness of Republican Senators to turn a blind eye to any Trump crime .
Republicans should be demanding documents and witnesses .
Instead , they are scheming ways to end this trial as soon as possible .
Donald Trump is pushing Russian propaganda and Senate Republicans are doing nothing to stop him .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Adam Schiff called out Trump for pushing Russian propaganda during the question and answer session of the impeachment trial.
Schiff said:
If Secretary Pompeo was correct and you can’t use your own intelligence agencies, you sure shouldn’t be able to use the Russian ones or the Ukrainian ones. And here, you know, we have the president on that phone call pushing out this Russian propaganda.
This Russian intelligence service propaganda, Crowdstrike. The server. As if there was just one server and it was whisked away to Ukraine. The Ukrainians hacked the server, not Russians. Made for you in the Kremlin conspiracy theory that undermines our own intelligence agencies but suit the political interests of the president and his legal agent Rudy Giuliani is out there peddling this fiction. The president himself is out there promoting this fiction standing side by side with Vladimir Putin. But you’re absolutely right. It would be a monumental abuse of power and it is a monumental abuse of power.
Video:
As Republican Senators can't decide whether or not to allow witnesses and documents, Adam Schiff tells them that Trump is pushing Russian propaganda. #ImpeachmentTrial pic.twitter.com/leZgCvjAHk — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 30, 2020
Chairman Schiff was correct. Trump is pushing Russian propaganda. The president believes Russian propaganda over the US intelligence community.
The impeachment trial is exposing the willingness of Republican Senators to turn a blind eye to any Trump crime. Republicans should be demanding documents and witnesses. Instead, they are scheming ways to end this trial as soon as possible.
Donald Trump is pushing Russian propaganda and Senate Republicans are doing nothing to stop him.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-30--Data Reveals A Moderate Democrat Is The Best Chance To Beat Trump

The Economist crunched data from various studies and found that a moderate would be the party ’ s best chance to defeat Donald Trump in November .
This research suggests , then , that Mr Biden could perform better than his competitors against Mr Trump .
He is more moderate than Mr Sanders , so both more likely to attract swing voters and less likely to motivate Republicans to vote against him .
His strength with both black and racially conservative white voters could make a big difference in swing states .
Recent polling from the New York Times and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electorate would vote for Mr Biden—but not for Elizabeth Warren—against Mr Trump .
His advantage is evident in polls .
According to The Economist ’ s analysis of publicly released polling data , Mr Biden performs better against Mr Trump than his competitors , nationwide and in swing states .
Although polls of the general election conducted this early before a contest are not perfect , they are still helpful .
Mr Biden is not faultless .
He is uninspiring on the stump and in debates .
His Washington ties may inspire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His candidacy would also represent a safety-first strategy for the Democrats at a time when many in the party desperately want to push a much more progressive economic , racial and social agenda .
Yet for all that he still appears to be the Democrats ’ best option in a contest against Mr Trump .
Trump is attacking Biden because he is the Democrat who poses the biggest threat Joe Biden is the example used in the article , but the same principle applies to all of the moderate Democrat .
Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political extremist isn ’ t to navigate to the opposite extreme .
Trump has abandoned the political middle , and it would be a foolish mistake for Democrats to believe that they could nominate any of their candidates and beat Trump .
If Trump runs against someone on the far left , he will wrap himself in patriotism , and paint his opponent as the extremist .
Election Day turnout will be smaller because people in the middle will stay home instead of choosing between a candidate on the right , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election helps Trump and the Republican Party .
A moderate can beat Trump with a promise to end the crazy and bring the presidency and the nation back to normal .
Beating an incumbent president is difficult , but according to the research , a moderate gives Democrats their best chance to win in 2020 .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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The Economist crunched data from various studies and found that a moderate would be the party’s best chance to defeat Donald Trump in November.
Via The Economist:
This research suggests, then, that Mr Biden could perform better than his competitors against Mr Trump. He is more moderate than Mr Sanders, so both more likely to attract swing voters and less likely to motivate Republicans to vote against him. His strength with both black and racially conservative white voters could make a big difference in swing states. Recent polling from the New York Times and Siena College suggests that 6% of the electorate would vote for Mr Biden—but not for Elizabeth Warren—against Mr Trump.
His advantage is evident in polls. According to The Economist’s analysis of publicly released polling data, Mr Biden performs better against Mr Trump than his competitors, nationwide and in swing states. Although polls of the general election conducted this early before a contest are not perfect, they are still helpful.
Mr Biden is not faultless. He is uninspiring on the stump and in debates. His Washington ties may inspire resentment from voters skeptical of elites. His candidacy would also represent a safety-first strategy for the Democrats at a time when many in the party desperately want to push a much more progressive economic, racial and social agenda. Yet for all that he still appears to be the Democrats’ best option in a contest against Mr Trump.
Trump is attacking Biden because he is the Democrat who poses the biggest threat
Joe Biden is the example used in the article, but the same principle applies to all of the moderate Democrat. Trump is extreme. The formula for beating a political extremist isn’t to navigate to the opposite extreme.
Trump has abandoned the political middle, and it would be a foolish mistake for Democrats to believe that they could nominate any of their candidates and beat Trump. If Trump runs against someone on the far left, he will wrap himself in patriotism, and paint his opponent as the extremist.
Election Day turnout will be smaller because people in the middle will stay home instead of choosing between a candidate on the right, and a candidate on the left. A base election helps Trump and the Republican Party.
A moderate can beat Trump with a promise to end the crazy and bring the presidency and the nation back to normal. Beating an incumbent president is difficult, but according to the research, a moderate gives Democrats their best chance to win in 2020.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-30--Joe Biden Lights Up The Heartland As He Blasts Putin Puppet Trump Before Iowa Rally

Joe Biden is rolling through Iowa and lighting up Trump as a Putin Puppet before the president ’ s rally in the Hawkeye State .
Biden said : Health care .
Climate .
Guns .
National Security .
All these issues and more are on the ballot .
But something else is on the ballot .
Something even more important .
Character is on the ballot .
America ’ s character .
I don ’ t believe we ’ re the dark , angry nation we see in Donald Trump ’ s tweets .
I don ’ t believe we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of their mothers ’ arms .
I don ’ t believe we ’ re a nation that builds walls and whips up hysteria over immigrant invasions .
I don ’ t believe we ’ re a nation that embraces white supremacists and hate groups .
I don ’ t believe we ’ re a nation that defers to Vladimir Putin .
Anyone who tells you that they know who is going to win Iowa is lying .
Biden , Sanders , Warren , or Buttigieg all of have a chance to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Bernie Sanders and the experience of running in 2016 should help him on Monday , but the Democratic primary is so much more than Iowa and New Hampshire .
Biden is the only candidate who is making a consistent argument on the issue that voters care most about , and that is beating Donald Trump .
Trump is coming to Iowa in an effort to upstage the Iowa caucus , but Biden met him at the door with a stinging attack on a president who appeals to the worst in the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Putin .

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Joe Biden is rolling through Iowa and lighting up Trump as a Putin Puppet before the president’s rally in the Hawkeye State.
Joe Biden Takes On Trump In Iowa
Biden said:
Health care. Climate. Guns. National Security. All these issues and more are on the ballot.
But something else is on the ballot. Something even more important. Character is on the ballot. America’s character.
I don’t believe we’re the dark, angry nation we see in Donald Trump’s tweets.
I don’t believe we’re a nation that rips babies out of their mothers’ arms.
I don’t believe we’re a nation that builds walls and whips up hysteria over immigrant invasions.
I don’t believe we’re a nation that embraces white supremacists and hate groups.
I don’t believe we’re a nation that defers to Vladimir Putin.
Video:
.@JoeBiden in Waukee ahead of @realDonaldTrump’s Des Moines visit: “The character of the nation is on the ballot. I do not believe we’re the dark, angry nation that Donald Trump sees in his tweets in the middle of the night.” pic.twitter.com/77NvN2vJ7b — Iowa Starting Line (@IAStartingLine) January 30, 2020
Anyone who tells you that they know who is going to win Iowa is lying. Biden, Sanders, Warren, or Buttigieg all of have a chance to win on Monday night. Iowa is built for Bernie Sanders and the experience of running in 2016 should help him on Monday, but the Democratic primary is so much more than Iowa and New Hampshire.
Biden is the only candidate who is making a consistent argument on the issue that voters care most about, and that is beating Donald Trump.
Trump is coming to Iowa in an effort to upstage the Iowa caucus, but Biden met him at the door with a stinging attack on a president who appeals to the worst in the American nature and acts like he is owned by Putin.


politicususa--2020-01-30--Trump’s Lawyers Are Threatening Republican Senators On Witnesses

Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) said that Trump ’ s lawyers are threatening Republican Senators on the witness vote .
I believe Senate Republicans and the president ’ s team are worried about the vote .
Yesterday Mr. Sekulow said that if the senate elects to subpoena witnesses and documents , the president ’ s team will force all sorts of manner of delay , to take the managers to court , assert privilege , drag it on forever .
It was a shocking admission from Mr. Sekulow , revealing how concerned the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Of course , his argument isn ’ t true .
There ’ s no reason for endless delays .
The documents are compiled .
One key witness has already said he ’ d testify .
We ’ d expect the others to comply if subpoenaed and questions of privilege can be sorted out right here in the senate .
Mr. Sekulow ’ s argument was nothing more than a threat , a shakedown .
He told Senators to their faces that the president ’ s team will do whatever it possibly can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It reminds you of something the president would do or say , and it should offend my Republican colleagues just as much as it offends us Democrats .
The Threat To Delay The Trial Is A Bluff Sekulow ’ s threat was a sign of a legal team with no defense strategy .
Trump ’ s lawyers have been threatening Senators with the prospect of a long impeachment trial , but the threat is a bluff because it is Trump who is being harmed by this trial .
Trump ’ s reelection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Trump who is worried about a long trial .
The vulnerable Republican Senators who buy into this threat can ’ t kiss their seats goodbye in the fall .
The best chance that endangered Republican incumbents have is to allow witnesses , and then vote for acquittal .
Republicans in tight reelection races who vote to block witnesses are potentially voting themselves out of the Senate in November .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that Trump’s lawyers are threatening Republican Senators on the witness vote.
Trump’s Lawyers Threaten Republican Senators Ahead of Witness Vote
Leader Schumer said:
I believe Senate Republicans and the president’s team are worried about the vote. Yesterday Mr. Sekulow said that if the senate elects to subpoena witnesses and documents, the president’s team will force all sorts of manner of delay, to take the managers to court, assert privilege, drag it on forever. It was a shocking admission from Mr. Sekulow, revealing how concerned the president’s team are, how afraid they are. Of course, his argument isn’t true.
There’s no reason for endless delays. The documents are compiled. One key witness has already said he’d testify. We’d expect the others to comply if subpoenaed and questions of privilege can be sorted out right here in the senate. Mr. Sekulow’s argument was nothing more than a threat, a shakedown. He told Senators to their faces that the president’s team will do whatever it possibly can to prevent them from seeing the truth. It reminds you of something the president would do or say, and it should offend my Republican colleagues just as much as it offends us Democrats.
Video:
Schumer says Republicans and Trump are worried about the witness vote and accuses Trump's lawyers of threatening Republican Senators. #impeachmentTrial pic.twitter.com/wSyVv7G7Ia — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 30, 2020
The Threat To Delay The Trial Is A Bluff
Sekulow’s threat was a sign of a legal team with no defense strategy. Trump’s lawyers have been threatening Senators with the prospect of a long impeachment trial, but the threat is a bluff because it is Trump who is being harmed by this trial. Trump’s reelection has been derailed by impeachment. It’s Trump who is worried about a long trial.
The vulnerable Republican Senators who buy into this threat can’t kiss their seats goodbye in the fall. The best chance that endangered Republican incumbents have is to allow witnesses, and then vote for acquittal.
Republicans in tight reelection races who vote to block witnesses are potentially voting themselves out of the Senate in November.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-05--Several Democrats Walked Out On Trump’s State Of The Union

According to Rachel Maddow , several Democrats got up and walked out while Trump was still talking during the State Of The Union .
Maddow said , “ So I understand — I was just told right as we were bringing you on that you were among the several democratic lawmakers who actually walked out of the president ’ s speech before it was done tonight.
” Rep. Rashida Tlaib ( D-MI ) told Maddow , “ I think , you know , even the mention of Brett Kavanaugh for me is a trigger , just as a woman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know , rightfully was accused and having an incredibly strong woman come before the public and the world and tell her story of sexual assault by this person that was appointed to the Supreme Court is just — I couldn ’ t stand still and not do anything about it , and I needed to walk away from that.
” Trump snubbed Pelosi .
Speaker Pelosi tore up Trump ’ s speech .
The president turned the State Of The Union into a really bad reality TV show , and the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is an impeached president hung in the air as the great unspoken subtext of it all .
Democrats had every right to walk out as Trump was trying to offend them with a State Of The Union that was propaganda disguised as an address to the nation .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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According to Rachel Maddow, several Democrats got up and walked out while Trump was still talking during the State Of The Union.
Maddow said, “So I understand — I was just told right as we were bringing you on that you were among the several democratic lawmakers who actually walked out of the president’s speech before it was done tonight.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) told Maddow, “I think, you know, even the mention of Brett Kavanaugh for me is a trigger, just as a woman in America, the fact that he, you know, rightfully was accused and having an incredibly strong woman come before the public and the world and tell her story of sexual assault by this person that was appointed to the Supreme Court is just — I couldn’t stand still and not do anything about it, and I needed to walk away from that.”
Video:
Several Democrats walked out on Trump's #SOTU pic.twitter.com/2lvSRBBw5k — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 5, 2020
Trump snubbed Pelosi. Speaker Pelosi tore up Trump’s speech. The president turned the State Of The Union into a really bad reality TV show, and the entire night was undertaken as the fact that Trump is an impeached president hung in the air as the great unspoken subtext of it all.
Democrats had every right to walk out as Trump was trying to offend them with a State Of The Union that was propaganda disguised as an address to the nation.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-02-05--Nancy Pelosi Rips Up Trump’s Speech At The End Of The SOTU

Speaker Pelosi made it clear how she felt about Trump ’ s State Of The Union speech as she stood up and ripped up her copy of the speech after he finished .
As The New York Times noted , Pelosi responded to Trump ’ s snub : Then Ms. Pelosi dealt Mr. Trump a slight of her own by omitting the customary laudatory words in her introduction of the president .
Normally , she would have said , “ I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the president of the United States.
” Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress , the president of the United States.
” Pelosi made it perfectly clear how she felt about Trump ’ s reality TV fiasco of an address by ripping it up after he finished talking : Trump ’ s speech was a bizarre waste of time .
It was half fantasy about how he corrected all the wrongs of Barack Obama , and half reality TV show as Trump gave the presidential Medal Of Freedom to Rush Limbaugh on the spot and brought out a deployed soldier to surprise his wife .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was beneath the presidency , and Pelosi likely spoke for the majority of the nation when she ripped up those pages .

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Speaker Pelosi made it clear how she felt about Trump’s State Of The Union speech as she stood up and ripped up her copy of the speech after he finished.
As The New York Times noted, Pelosi responded to Trump’s snub:
Then Ms. Pelosi dealt Mr. Trump a slight of her own by omitting the customary laudatory words in her introduction of the president. Normally, she would have said, “I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the president of the United States.” Instead, she said simply, “Members of Congress, the president of the United States.”
Pelosi made it perfectly clear how she felt about Trump’s reality TV fiasco of an address by ripping it up after he finished talking:
Nancy Pelosi rips up Trump's speech at the end of the #SOTU pic.twitter.com/yBL0EYo7iZ — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 5, 2020
Trump’s speech was a bizarre waste of time. It was half fantasy about how he corrected all the wrongs of Barack Obama, and half reality TV show as Trump gave the presidential Medal Of Freedom to Rush Limbaugh on the spot and brought out a deployed soldier to surprise his wife.
The whole fiasco was a sad joke that was beneath the presidency, and Pelosi likely spoke for the majority of the nation when she ripped up those pages.


politicususa--2020-02-05--Trump’s State Of The Union Was A Disgraceful Reality TV Farce

Trump made several false statements and spun a tale of blue-collar boom and rescuing the country from Obama that revealed much about his broken mind .
Trump was meant with groans when he claimed that he reversed Obama ’ s failed policies : Trump claimed that America is undergoing a manufacturing renaissance , “ Likewise , we are restoring our Nation ’ s manufacturing might , even though predictions were that this could never be done .
After losing 60,000 factories under the previous two administrations , America has now gained 12,000 new factories under my Administration , with thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned or built .
We have created over half a million new manufacturing jobs .
Companies are not leaving ; they are coming back .
Everybody wants to be where the action is , and the United States of America is , indeed , where the action is.
” This is what Trump ’ s manufacturing renaissance looks like : Trump claimed that he has the lowest average unemployment rate in the history of the country , “ Incredibly , the average unemployment rate under my Administration is lower than any administration in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we had not reversed the failed economic policies of the previous administration , the world would not now be witness to America ’ s great economic success.
” What Trump left out was that the statistic only goes back to Eisenhower : Trump attacked socialism .
Trump claimed that his healthcare plans are better and cheaper than Obamacare .
( They aren ’ t ) .
According to Trump , everything is great , and things have never been better in the history of the country .
Trump ’ s State Of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only separated from one of his fact-free rallies by a lack of lock her up chants .
Trump ’ s State Of The Union was a fantasy .
It was not close to reality and never got close to admitting the problems that currently exist in the economy and the country .
Trump gave Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom because of the State Of The Union is now a reality TV show : Trump later trotted out a deployed soldier to surprise his wife as he is pulling out every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : A president that has no policies or vision for the country pulled reality TV stunts to distract from the fact that he is living in a right-wing bubble , and his entire speech was a voyage into a broken mind .

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Trump made several false statements and spun a tale of blue-collar boom and rescuing the country from Obama that revealed much about his broken mind.
Trump was meant with groans when he claimed that he reversed Obama’s failed policies:
Trump met with nos and groans as he claims that the economy is growing because he reversed Obama's "failed policies." pic.twitter.com/BevlfgyZEa — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 5, 2020
Trump claimed that America is undergoing a manufacturing renaissance, “Likewise, we are restoring our Nation’s manufacturing might, even though predictions were that this could never be done. After losing 60,000 factories under the previous two administrations, America has now gained 12,000 new factories under my Administration, with thousands upon thousands of plants and factories being planned or built. We have created over half a million new manufacturing jobs. Companies are not leaving; they are coming back. Everybody wants to be where the action is, and the United States of America is, indeed, where the action is.”
This is what Trump’s manufacturing renaissance looks like:
Snapshot of Trump’s “manufacturing renaissance”: the sector’s share of the economy is now the smallest in 72 years of data. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/Vn2ShIzLTG — Steven Rattner (@SteveRattner) February 5, 2020
Trump claimed that he has the lowest average unemployment rate in the history of the country, “Incredibly, the average unemployment rate under my Administration is lower than any administration in the history of our country. If we had not reversed the failed economic policies of the previous administration, the world would not now be witness to America’s great economic success.”
What Trump left out was that the statistic only goes back to Eisenhower:
Trump is correct that he has the lowest average monthly unemployment rate on record, through this point in a presidential term, but the record goes back to the Eisenhower administration, not the history of the country. pic.twitter.com/Z3NWT1WzEs — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) February 5, 2020
Trump attacked socialism. Trump claimed that his healthcare plans are better and cheaper than Obamacare. (They aren’t).
According to Trump, everything is great, and things have never been better in the history of the country. Trump’s State Of The Union was a rambling tall tale that was only separated from one of his fact-free rallies by a lack of lock her up chants.
Trump’s State Of The Union was a fantasy. It was not close to reality and never got close to admitting the problems that currently exist in the economy and the country.
Trump gave Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom because of the State Of The Union is now a reality TV show:
Trump announces he is giving Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Melania Trump gives to him on the spot as the #SOTU is now a sideshow. pic.twitter.com/ZmKTsF6Ec7 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 5, 2020
Trump later trotted out a deployed soldier to surprise his wife as he is pulling out every gimmick to distract from his failed presidency:
Trump is now trotting out deployed soldiers to surprise their wives as the #SOTU is now a total farce. Trump is one step away from going full Oprah and telling everyone to look under their seats. pic.twitter.com/u2fJowkE6M — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 5, 2020
A president that has no policies or vision for the country pulled reality TV stunts to distract from the fact that he is living in a right-wing bubble, and his entire speech was a voyage into a broken mind.


politicususa--2020-02-05--Trump Struggles With Reading And Attacks Obama For Handing Him A Strong Economy During SOTU

Donald Trump may not have been in front of a MAGA rally crowd on Tuesday night when he delivered his State of the Union address , but his behavior and remarks were as troubling as ever .
In a couple of instances , Trump was clearly struggling with the simple act of reading the teleprompter .
At one point , as Vox ’ s Aaron Rupar pointed out , he had difficulty with the word “ Americans.
” Not long after that struggle , Trump misspoke when talking about trade , saying , “ It ’ s been many , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on trade , ” instead of “ unfairly.
” Aside from Trump ’ s less-than-sharp reading skills , the president was also met with groans and gasps when he had the nerve to attack former president Barack Obama , the man who handed him the economy that he ’ s now bragging about .
“ If we hadn ’ t reversed the failed economic policies of the previous administration , the world would not now be witnessing this great economic success , ” Trump said .
This despite the fact that Obama prevented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry and laid the foundation for the economy that Trump inherited .
In other words , Trump is doing what he ’ s done his entire life : inherit something , slap his name on it and brag about having created it all by himself .
At the end of the day , what the country saw on Tuesday night during the State of the Union was more of the same : a president losing his mental grip and gaslighting the country as his Republican puppets cheer on .

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Donald Trump may not have been in front of a MAGA rally crowd on Tuesday night when he delivered his State of the Union address, but his behavior and remarks were as troubling as ever.
In a couple of instances, Trump was clearly struggling with the simple act of reading the teleprompter.
At one point, as Vox’s Aaron Rupar pointed out, he had difficulty with the word “Americans.”
Trump encounters some trouble reading the word “Americans” pic.twitter.com/WaVN8G4HhU — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 5, 2020
Not long after that struggle, Trump misspoke when talking about trade, saying, “It’s been many, many years that we were treated fairly on trade,” instead of “unfairly.”
“It’s been many years that we’ve been fairly on trade” — Trump meant to say the opposite pic.twitter.com/cWLNmxkIuV — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 5, 2020
Trump attacked Obama for handing him a good economy
Aside from Trump’s less-than-sharp reading skills, the president was also met with groans and gasps when he had the nerve to attack former president Barack Obama, the man who handed him the economy that he’s now bragging about.
“If we hadn’t reversed the failed economic policies of the previous administration, the world would not now be witnessing this great economic success,” Trump said.
This despite the fact that Obama prevented another Great Depression, saved the auto industry and laid the foundation for the economy that Trump inherited.
In other words, Trump is doing what he’s done his entire life: inherit something, slap his name on it and brag about having created it all by himself.
Video:
Gasps in the chamber as Trump attacks the Obama administration’s economic policy, even though the previous president stopped a depression, saved the auto industry and laid the foundation for the economy Trump inherited. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/NARFIkYQ4E — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) February 5, 2020
At the end of the day, what the country saw on Tuesday night during the State of the Union was more of the same: a president losing his mental grip and gaslighting the country as his Republican puppets cheer on.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-05--Trump Refuses To Shake Speaker Pelosi’s Hand At SOTU

Donald Trump refused to shake the hand of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi after he handed her a copy @ @ @ @ @ is the clip : This is Donald Trump .
In any situation , even the @ @ @ @ @ he will be small and petty .
Trump is seething over impeachment , and he @ @ @ @ @ ’ t acquited before the State Of The Union .
Trump intentionally snubbed Pelosi , @ @ @ @ @ an impeached president thanks to the Speaker standing up and defending the law and the @ @

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Donald Trump refused to shake the hand of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi after he handed her a copy of his speech.
Here is the clip:
Trump refuses to shake Pelosi's hand at #SOTU pic.twitter.com/2E9wXrHFva — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 5, 2020
This is Donald Trump. In any situation, even the State Of The Union, he will be small and petty. Trump is seething over impeachment, and he is fuming that he wasn’t acquited before the State Of The Union.
Trump intentionally snubbed Pelosi, but he will always be an impeached president thanks to the Speaker standing up and defending the law and the Constitution.


politicususa--2020-02-05--Susan Collins’ Challenger Calls Her A Trump-McConnell Puppet After Acquittal Announcement

Susan Collins ’ Democratic opponent is already making the vulnerable Republican senator pay for announcing she will vote to acquit Donald Trump in the Senate impeachment trial .
In a statement following Collins ’ announcement , Sara Gideon – the Democratic House speaker in Maine – said she would have voted to convict Trump for abusing his power .
“ Based on the information included as part of the impeachment trial , I believe an abuse of power occurred and I would vote to remove the President , ” Gideon said .
“ Senator Collins had many opportunities to demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but instead she repeatedly blocked that testimony , ” she added .
“ Her decision to acquit despite the case against the President and without hearing more of the facts again reveals her commitment to standing with Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump.
” Collins has no business being in the U.S. Senate As PoliticusUSA ’ s Jason Easley wrote earlier on Tuesday , Susan Collins began to write her political obituary when she voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court .
It ’ s been a year and a half since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Maine and across the country have not forgotten .
They increasingly recognize that Collins isn ’ t the sensible moderate that she pretends to be .
Instead , she has repeatedly fallen in line behind the most corrupt and incompetent president in U.S. history while being busted for her own dark money corruption .
Susan Collins ’ announcement that she ’ ll vote to acquit Donald Trump isn ’ t all that surprising to folks who have been paying attention , but it should be the final nail in her political coffin @

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Susan Collins’ Democratic opponent is already making the vulnerable Republican senator pay for announcing she will vote to acquit Donald Trump in the Senate impeachment trial.
In a statement following Collins’ announcement, Sara Gideon – the Democratic House speaker in Maine – said she would have voted to convict Trump for abusing his power.
“Based on the information included as part of the impeachment trial, I believe an abuse of power occurred and I would vote to remove the President,” Gideon said.
“Senator Collins had many opportunities to demand witnesses be included in this trial, but instead she repeatedly blocked that testimony,” she added. “Her decision to acquit despite the case against the President and without hearing more of the facts again reveals her commitment to standing with Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump.”
The full statement via Gideon’s Twitter account:
This was not the process that Mainers and Americans deserved, and Senator Collins was complicit in letting that happen. Read my full statement: pic.twitter.com/lENlJGFw0u — Sara Gideon (@SaraGideon) February 4, 2020
Collins has no business being in the U.S. Senate
As PoliticusUSA’s Jason Easley wrote earlier on Tuesday, Susan Collins began to write her political obituary when she voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
It’s been a year and a half since that vote took place, but people in Maine and across the country have not forgotten. They increasingly recognize that Collins isn’t the sensible moderate that she pretends to be.
Instead, she has repeatedly fallen in line behind the most corrupt and incompetent president in U.S. history while being busted for her own dark money corruption.
Susan Collins’ announcement that she’ll vote to acquit Donald Trump isn’t all that surprising to folks who have been paying attention, but it should be the final nail in her political coffin.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-02-06--Republican Senators Acquitted Trump Because They’re Afraid Of Him

Sen. Sherrod Brown ( D-OH ) said that his Republican colleagues voted to acquit Trump because they are afraid of what he might do to them .
Sen. Brown wrote in The New York Times : For the stay-in-office-at-all-cost representatives and senators , fear is the motivator .
They are afraid that Mr. Trump might give them a nickname like “ Low Energy Jeb ” and “ Lyin ’ Ted , ” or that he might tweet about their disloyalty .
Or — worst of all — that he might come to their state to campaign against them in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will the mouthpieces on talk radio go after me ?
” “ Will the Twitter trolls turn their followers against me ?
” My colleagues know they all just might .
There ’ s an old Russian proverb : The tallest blade of grass is the first cut by the scythe .
In private , many of my colleagues agree that the president is reckless and unfit .
They admit his lies .
And they acknowledge what he did was wrong .
They know this president has done things Richard Nixon never did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence is likely to come out .
History does not look kindly on those who cower at times when courage is required .
The Republicans from the safe red states will keep their seats , some Republican incumbents will lose in the fall due to this vote , but the Senate has been changed forever .
A body that was once a role model for those seeking democracy around the world was too afraid of a potentially senile delusional tweeter to protect the country and the Constitution .
The moment that Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark day for American democracy that is going to linger for years to come .

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Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said that his Republican colleagues voted to acquit Trump because they are afraid of what he might do to them.
Sen. Brown wrote in The New York Times:
For the stay-in-office-at-all-cost representatives and senators, fear is the motivator. They are afraid that Mr. Trump might give them a nickname like “Low Energy Jeb” and “Lyin’ Ted,” or that he might tweet about their disloyalty. Or — worst of all — that he might come to their state to campaign against them in the Republican primary. They worry:
“Will the hosts on Fox attack me?”
“Will the mouthpieces on talk radio go after me?”
“Will the Twitter trolls turn their followers against me?”
My colleagues know they all just might. There’s an old Russian proverb: The tallest blade of grass is the first cut by the scythe. In private, many of my colleagues agree that the president is reckless and unfit. They admit his lies. And they acknowledge what he did was wrong. They know this president has done things Richard Nixon never did. And they know that more damning evidence is likely to come out.
History does not look kindly on those who cower at times when courage is required. The Republicans from the safe red states will keep their seats, some Republican incumbents will lose in the fall due to this vote, but the Senate has been changed forever.
A body that was once a role model for those seeking democracy around the world was too afraid of a potentially senile delusional tweeter to protect the country and the Constitution.
The moment that Senate Republicans gave in to their fears was a dark day for American democracy that is going to linger for years to come.


politicususa--2020-02-05--52 Republican Traitors Betray Their Country By Acquitting Trump

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his caucus of Trump criminal accomplices betrayed their country when the acquitted a guilty president .
Before the votes , Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said , “ For a foreign country to attempt such a thing on its own is contemptible .
For an American president to deliberately solicit such a thing—to blackmail a foreign country into helping him win an election—is unforgivable .
Does this rise to the level of an impeachable offense ?
Of course it does .
Of course it does.
” On Article I , Republicans fell into line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a party-line vote 52-48 .
On Article II , 53 Republicans voted for Trump acquittal as Romney voted not guilty .
Mitch McConnell rigged a sham trial that did not allow documents or witnesses .
McConnell was open about working with Trump to make sure that he was acquitted .
Republicans can ’ t claim that they made their decisions based on the evidence because they didn ’ t allow any additional evidence to admitted outside of the House record .
The actions of Senate Republicans in acquitting Donald Trump will stain each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election day and beyond , but more importantly , they have participated in allowing Trump to erode impeachment and degrade the power of the Senate .
The Republican Senators who voted to acquit Trump for their own partisan reasons have committed a crime against the Constitution and their country .
The sham impeachment trial has revealed the Republican Party for what it really is .
The GOP is a corrupt and broken party with no values that has sold itself out to Donald Trump .
Americans have gotten to see for themselves what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romney was the only Republican with the courage to stand up for his country .
The vote was bipartisan to remove Trump , but it wasn ’ t enough .
Voters will have the chance to render a verdict on Trump at the ballot box , but this election should not be about just about Trump , but the need to remove a party that rotted with corruption from the Legislative Branch in November .
The McConnell led treasonous betrayal of a nation will not be forgotten .

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his caucus of Trump criminal accomplices betrayed their country when the acquitted a guilty president.
Before the votes, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said, “For a foreign country to attempt such a thing on its own is contemptible. For an American president to deliberately solicit such a thing—to blackmail a foreign country into helping him win an election—is unforgivable. Does this rise to the level of an impeachable offense? Of course it does. Of course it does.”
On Article I, Republicans fell into line with the scheme and acquitted Trump by a party-line vote 52-48. On Article II, 53 Republicans voted for Trump acquittal as Romney voted not guilty.
Mitch McConnell rigged a sham trial that did not allow documents or witnesses. McConnell was open about working with Trump to make sure that he was acquitted. Republicans can’t claim that they made their decisions based on the evidence because they didn’t allow any additional evidence to admitted outside of the House record.
The actions of Senate Republicans in acquitting Donald Trump will stain each of their legacies and follow them into election day and beyond, but more importantly, they have participated in allowing Trump to erode impeachment and degrade the power of the Senate.
The Republican Senators who voted to acquit Trump for their own partisan reasons have committed a crime against the Constitution and their country.
The sham impeachment trial has revealed the Republican Party for what it really is. The GOP is a corrupt and broken party with no values that has sold itself out to Donald Trump. Americans have gotten to see for themselves what the Republican Party really is.
Mitt Romney was the only Republican with the courage to stand up for his country.
The vote was bipartisan to remove Trump, but it wasn’t enough.
Voters will have the chance to render a verdict on Trump at the ballot box, but this election should not be about just about Trump, but the need to remove a party that rotted with corruption from the Legislative Branch in November.
The McConnell led treasonous betrayal of a nation will not be forgotten.


politicususa--2020-02-05--Nicolle Wallace: Romney’s Vote To Convict Trump Stains The GOP As Corrupt

MSNBC ’ s Nicolle Wallace said Mitt Romney ’ s decision to vote to convict Donald Trump would have long-lasting ramifications in staining the GOP as blind and corrupt .
Wallace said on MSNBC : Maybe I ’ m fussy with the abuse of congress and power thing .
Maybe colluding with Russia and obstructing the Mueller probe — you know , Romney stood there and I think made every critic of this president who ’ s disgusted by the flagrant abuse of power , these aren ’ t accidental abuses of power feel seen and feel heard .
Romney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be reaching for the ghost of John McCain .
I ’ ll let the family of senator John McCain decide whether he touched it but I think that what Mitt Romney today has ramifications in terms of staining not just the Trump presidency but today ’ s GOP as corrupt , as blind and as willfully denying the truth that ’ s about to be laid bare in John Bolton ’ s book on March 17th .
Romney ’ s vote will be historic , and by not going along with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the corruption of his own party .
Mitt Romney isn ’ t John McCain , but his vote is a vote that is McCainesque .
Trump can ’ t do anything to Romney .
Trump is so disliked in Utah that Romney ’ s vote for conviction will only make him even more popular .
One Republican showed guts , and in the process , he exposed his entire party .

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MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace said Mitt Romney’s decision to vote to convict Donald Trump would have long-lasting ramifications in staining the GOP as blind and corrupt.
Wallace said on MSNBC:
Maybe I’m fussy with the abuse of congress and power thing. Maybe colluding with Russia and obstructing the Mueller probe — you know, Romney stood there and I think made every critic of this president who’s disgusted by the flagrant abuse of power, these aren’t accidental abuses of power feel seen and feel heard. Romney stood in the well and he seemed to be reaching for the ghost of John McCain.
I’ll let the family of senator John McCain decide whether he touched it but I think that what Mitt Romney today has ramifications in terms of staining not just the Trump presidency but today’s GOP as corrupt, as blind and as willfully denying the truth that’s about to be laid bare in John Bolton’s book on March 17th.
Video:
Nicolle Wallace says Romney's decision to vote to convict Trump stains Trump but it also stains the GOP as blind and corrupt. pic.twitter.com/rUo0y5exgf — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) February 5, 2020
Romney’s vote will be historic, and by not going along with the Trump sheep, he will be exposing the corruption of his own party. Mitt Romney isn’t John McCain, but his vote is a vote that is McCainesque. Trump can’t do anything to Romney. Trump is so disliked in Utah that Romney’s vote for conviction will only make him even more popular.
Video of Romney:
Mitt Romney is the first Senator in history to vote to remove a president from his/her own party. pic.twitter.com/XqbgsS8YZt — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) February 5, 2020
One Republican showed guts, and in the process, he exposed his entire party.