Bill Barr and company can move heaven and Earth to rewrite history in their pathetic attempts at a shakedown and cover-up, but it won't change the fact that AIVD -- General Intelligence and Security Service of the Netherlands -- have film of the GRU/Russia hacking the United States, and they informed US just like Australia did because, of course, that's how it works with our allies.

SPOT ON! I cannot remember if it was the Guardian or the LA Times that ran a multi-part report on Christopher Steele and the dossier, but I remember being blown away at the number of foreign intelligence agencies that they had verified had alerted the US of Russia’s focus on Trump in the months leading up to our election. They reported countless conversations naming Trump or his campaign staff in recorded conversations of high ranking Russian officials.

Personally, I think Christopher Steele deserves a medal for his work. He put himself at great risk professionally — and his and his families’ wellbeing — by coming forward and wanting to make sure our intelligence agencies were made aware of what he had uncovered. Yes, much of what he uncovered had been reported by other agencies; but he felt it was his duty as a world citizen to bring it forward because he feared Russia had an asset in Trump. That took a lot of courage!

Well said.

When you open up the gates and let down the drawbridge, that is a pretty weak defense. It could work, but if I were Trump, I'd prefer to try something else.

So you're saying you're not an inveterate liar and a criminal? I had a feeling you weren't. :)

Mike
98

The MAJORITY of Weigantians believe that President Trump is going to be re-elected..

The MAJORITY of Weigantians believe that President Trump is going to be impeached .

They're seriously using taxpayers' dollars in order to purchase dezinformatsiya -- disinformation -- that will disparage Joe Biden while at the same time attempting to rewrite history/the Mueller Report. So Lindsey Graham's contribution to this farce is a letter to Australia attempting to promote the right-wingnut conspiracy theory that Alexander Downer was an anti-Trump agent who played an orchestrated role along with a myriad of global entities in starting the Russia inquiry. In other words, pure unadulterated dumbshit bollocks!

Senator Lindsey Graham has controversially suggested that Mr Downer, the former high commissioner to the United Kingdom, was "directed" to seek a meeting with Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos.

He wrote that "US intelligence communities" accepted "information from an Australian diplomat who was also directed to contact [Mr] Papadopoulos and relay information … to the Federal Bureau of Investigation".

That meeting, in a London wine bar, helped spark the Mueller inquiry into Russian election interference, which was repeatedly denounced as a "witch hunt" by the US President and his supporters.

Donald Trump's supporters often cite a conspiracy theory that the intelligence services of several countries, including Australia, had a secret plan to derail Mr Trump's election, and the origins of the Mueller inquiry are now the subject of a Department of Justice investigation under Mr Trump's Attorney-General William Barr.

In a letter to Senator Graham, published on Twitter, Mr Hockey pledged Australia's continued support for the Justice Department investigation but rejected the senator's characterisation of Mr Downer's role.
...

Mr Morrison said Mr Downer had acted appropriately in his deals as high commissioner.

"We've got nothing to hide, we're not the subject of this investigation nor are we a party to it."

After the May 2016 meeting, Mr Downer said Mr Papadopoulos was confident that Mr Trump would win the upcoming presidential election, because the Russians might use damaging material they had on his rival Hillary Clinton.

Mr Downer sent this information in a cable back to Canberra, and Australia later passed it on to US intelligence agencies when it became known that the FBI suspected that the Russians had hacked Mrs Clinton's emails.

Mr Downer has rejected claims he was part of a conspiracy to discredit Mr Trump.

"This sort of idea that there is a kind of a ASIS-ASIO-MI6-MI5-FBI-CIA-Ukrainian Government conspiracy to bring down the Trump administration, that this is treason, that I should be in Guantanamo Bay … I mean it's a little bit sad that people take that kind of thought seriously," he told the ABC's Russia If You're Listening podcast.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/donald-trump-mueller-inquiry-alexander-downer-conspiracy-theory/11573476

Buying into this entire line of bollocks requires a person to believe so much bullshit that it's certifiably insane.

Repeating for effect:

This sort of idea that there is a kind of a ASIS-ASIO-MI6-MI5-FBI-CIA-Ukrainian Government conspiracy to bring down the Trump administration, that this is treason, that I should be in Guantanamo Bay … I mean it's a little bit sad that people take that kind of thought seriously. ~ Alexander Downer

Bill Barr and company can move heaven and Earth to rewrite history in their pathetic attempts at a shakedown and cover-up, but it won't change the fact that AIVD -- General Intelligence and Security Service of the Netherlands -- have film of the GRU/Russia hacking the United States, and they informed US just like Australia did because, of course, that's how it works with our allies.

Yep!

Ukraine’s President mentions that his country is looking forward to purchasing more weapons from the US to defend itself from Russian aggression, and Trump responds that he has a favor that he needs them to take care of for him, THOUGH! That is a crime.

Yes, sir.

Hey, Russ, it's like we discussed last week, these bozos are abusing their power by travelling the globe and using taxpayers' dollars trying desperately to enlist multiple foreign entities to disparage Joe Biden while at the same time trying to rewrite the Mueller report in order to "clear" themselves... and want to hear something really funny, Russ?

Australia told Lindsey Graham to "pound sand" -- of course, in as "diplomatic" a way as is possible:

In your letter you made mention of the role of an Australian diplomat. We reject your characterization of his role.

As you have requested, we will work closely with the Attorney General to resolve any misunderstandings in this matter."

https://twitter.com/JoeHockey/status/1179699937623379969

continued ...

Forget what you heard on Perry Mason. On second thought, if you are old enough to remember Perry Mason, you have probably already forgotten what you heard.

https://www.cbs.com/shows/perry_mason/

Of course, there are streaming reruns as an age "cover"... *wink*

No one, especially Trump, thought he would be elected, so I am just asking as a “what if they were removed” to be cautious.

Yes, sir... that's what I figured. :)

If they were both removed — seeing how Trump appears that he plans on throwing anyone he can under the bus to save himself — then Nancy Pelosi becomes President. But I see what you are saying — there would separate impeachment hearings so that if Trump is removed, Pence would have time to select his own VP before his impeachment hearing begins. The only way they both are out at the same time would be due to a tragedy.

Or a general election wherein they were on the ballot together and lost via the electoral college count as outlined in the US Constitution, which wouldn't be such a tragedy, in my opinion.

Here’s another question for you: if tragedy struck and the designated survivor is a Cabinet member who is a lifelong Democrat that a Republican President chose for his Cabinet, would President Survivor still be considered as representing the Republican Party since he was designated by the President to take the office — or would they just NEVER allow a member of the opposing party to be the designated survivor? Again, this is a “but if they DID” kind of question.

Wow! Good question. Politicians designate their Party via a multitude of Federal Forms. If President Survivor was a Democrat on paper, the tragedy wouldn't change the Party designation. Looking at a list of the past designated survivors shows that not so much happening:

https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/StateUnionCabinet.pdf

So I think you're correct that the Party holding the White House isn't going to choose outside their Party... at least not anytime soon. :)

Trump has refused to kowtow to Democrat or partisan norms...

Newsflash for you, Mike: What you are flippantly referring to as "Democrat or partisan norms" are laws indubitably contained within the United States Constitution.

THAT'S WHAT AMERICANS HIRED HIM TO DO...

The only reason he was "hired" by a minority of voters is because of those very laws contained in the United States Constitution regarding the electoral college.

To give a big mighty FRAK YOU to the establishment..

The "establishment" isn't "Democrat or partisan." It's the Constitution of the United States.

And THAT is what President Trump is doing.

Trump is breaking laws contained within the Constitution and Federal Statute, and that is impeachable as defined in that very same Constitution.

And THAT is why he will AGAIN, defeat this Democrat coup attempt..

Impeachment is not a coup; it too is contained within the laws of the United States Constitution that unfortunately made a criminal and con artist the leader of this country, and you can wallpaper this forum with your misinformation, outright lies, and conspiracy theory bullshit until your cow comes home, but there is no amount of your repetitive spew that will change that fact. Full stop.

And, as usual, you have NO FACTS to support this claim..

You thought he would be elected. You are the biggest NO ONE I have ever encountered. These are both FACTS!

Here's the flaw:

Rudy Giuliani is one of Trump's personal lawyers. Giuliani's lawyer job is to keep his client out of legal trouble. Trump gives him another job...roving ambassador, operating outside of formal diplomatic channels...stretching the law to the breaking point. In this role, Giuliani is operating as Trump's fixer, not as a lawyer. Client Attorney privilege does not apply when your lawyer is helping you conduct a criminal enterprise(See Michael Cohen). Asking Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden can be construed as an abuse of power. Asking the Ukrainians to exchange judicial services for weapons can be construed as bribery. Bribery is an explicit impeachable offense.

When you open up the gates and let down the drawbridge, that is a pretty weak defense. It could work, but if I were Trump, I'd prefer to try something else.

In your haste to prove hypocrisy under every rock and to attribute everything to whether there is a 'D' or 'R' involved, you have obliterated the facts to the point where you believe there is more than one set of facts. Which is preposterous on its face.

As such, your credibility here is not, how shall I put it, not what it could be.

With regard to Biden and Trump, there is only one fact to consider: vice president Biden followed all of the ethics rules and norms and was completely transparent with regard to Hunter Biden's role in the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

I know this to be true because several people in whom my trust is well placed have said this is true.

President Trump, on the other hand, has not followed these rules and norms.

It's simple..

Democrats **HAVE NO FACTS** to support impeachment..

NONE....

If they did, ya'all would be answering each and every one of my comments with FACTS...

But ya'all have none.

And, so the FACTS always win out...

At least, here in Weigantia..

Trump/America haters are scumbags.. Pure and simple..

THIS is what Democrats are all about.. :eyeroll:

As I said it would..

Now that it's been PROVEN that the "whistle blower" is nothing but a Democrat plant, coached by Schiff-head with absolutely NO CORROBORATING WITNESSES...

NOW the focus turns to Biden and his son..

Who could have POSSIBLY predicted this!??

Oh... Wait. :D

Oh wow!! Who could have POSSIBLY predicted this!!???

The "Whistle Blower" was a Democrat plant.. Coached by Schiff-head.. His entire claim is suspect and has NO FACTS to support it..

THAT is what ya'all are basing IMPEACHMENT on!!???

BBBBBWWWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH

Shirley, you jest... :D

Facts to support??

No one here said Boo when Hillary solicited the Ukraine or the British or the Russians..

Why is it a problem only when it's done by a person with a -R after their name???

Did you look under your keyboard??

Nope. You post such a volume of cut-and-paste blather that a majority of us don't read most of it. So even if what you said just then was that 2+2=4, we still don't know that what you said was true, because we don't know that that's what you said.

Then that's on ya'all, not me..

But I will be happy to clarify..

The MAJORITY of Weigantians believe that President Trump is going to be re-elected..

Hope this helps.. :D

Since the late 1700’s, any elected official in this country that uses the power of their office for personal gain was considered in violation of our laws. Hiring a professional investigator to look for dirt is not an issue; trying to get a foreign government to dig up dirt for you is abuse of authority.

Once again.. you have NO FACTS to support that claim.

NONE.. ZERO.. ZILCH.. NADA... NOTHING..

And, as usual, you have NO FACTS to support this claim..

Get real, since when was "Trying to dig up dirt on someone" against any law??

Since the late 1700’s, any elected official in this country that uses the power of their office for personal gain was considered in violation of our laws. Hiring a professional investigator to look for dirt is not an issue; trying to get a foreign government to dig up dirt for you is abuse of authority. If the foreign country refuses to help you, why should they expect that you would continue to provide them the same amount of aid that you have in the past?

Ukraine’s President mentions that his country is looking forward to purchasing more weapons from the US to defend itself from Russian aggression, and Trump responds that he has a favor that he needs them to take care of for him, THOUGH! That is a crime.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD3my03ioio

Do you want me to answer that? :)

Is the Whistleblower Complaint HEARSAY? - Real Law Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xGluGlQgdA

Quick summary: How Team Trump shyster lawyers are weaponizing a legal term of art in order to deceive the public. Yes, the semi-transcript is hearsay, but hearsay is not what most people think is. Hearsay is not necessarily weak evidence and is routinely admissible as evidence if certain tests are met.

Forget what you heard on Perry Mason. On second thought, if you are old enough to remember Perry Mason, you have probably already forgotten what you heard.

Trying to dig up dirt on opponents (oppo research) is perfectly lawful -- provided it's done in lawful ways. Soliciting the aid of a foreign entity in a US political campaign is illegal, even if the activity solicited is something that would be ok for a US entity to do.

It should read, ”Trump has refused to kowtow to democratic norms...

There, now it is correct.

If anyone is impeached (removal? not happening) -- regardless of position held within our government -- their successor or the requisite person/legislative body should be allowed to replace them with another person of their choosing.

It should be no one's goal -- whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent -- to impeach Trump and Pence simultaneously. Full stop.

No one, especially Trump, thought he would be elected, so I am just asking as a “what if they were removed” to be cautious. If they were both removed — seeing how Trump appears that he plans on throwing anyone he can under the bus to save himself — then Nancy Pelosi becomes President. But I see what you are saying — there would separate impeachment hearings so that if Trump is removed, Pence would have time to select his own VP before his impeachment hearing begins. The only way they both are out at the same time would be due to a tragedy.

We move the #2 person to the #1 position, but we don’t move the #3 to the #2 position anymore.

Here’s another question for you: if tragedy struck and the designated survivor is a Cabinet member who is a lifelong Democrat that a Republican President chose for his Cabinet, would President Survivor still be considered as representing the Republican Party since he was designated by the President to take the office — or would they just NEVER allow a member of the opposing party to be the designated survivor? Again, this is a “but if they DID” kind of question.

They released a letter by some 24 yr old (supposedly) idiot claiming he was scarred on his back by EW during some S&M - within minutes the same photo of this guy's scarred back was found on Instagram from 4 yrs ago on which he explained he scarred his back taking down a swingset or something like that.

Twitter's been having a great time with the whole thing - supporters' responses boil down to: if she did it good for her! But no one believes it.

(And actually, I think it might just increase her appeal among the rather large cohort of Repub men who seem to like being subservient to dominatrixes.)

Good times.

TRANSLATION:

Trump has refused to kowtow to Democrat or partisan norms...

Newsflash for ya'all??

THAT'S WHAT AMERICANS HIRED HIM TO DO...

To give a big mighty FRAK YOU to the establishment..

And THAT is what President Trump is doing.

And THAT is why he will AGAIN, defeat this Democrat coup attempt..

And THAT is why he will win by a landslide re-election...

Ya'all can't hang with the big dogs.. So the big dogs are passing ya'all by.. :D

OK, poker night.. See ya'all in the AM.. :D

Susan Hennessey
@Susan_Hennessey
All presidents and vice presidents and cabinet members have family and friends whose jobs might be impacted by policy. That's why we ask them to observe transparent ethics processes and norms. That is what Biden did. That is what Trump doesn't do.

To begin with, we ask that presidents and vice presidents divest from personal business holdings. That is what Biden did. That is what Trump didn't do.

Then we ask that presidents and vice presidents disclose tax returns and financial records to ensure transparency. That is what Biden did. That is what Trump refuses to do.

Then we ask presidents and vice presidents to observe the laws and norms against nepotism in government, by not hiring their family members. Biden observed those norms and laws. Trump refuses to do so.

Even when presidents & VPs divest from personal conflicts, disclose finances & avoid nepotism, sometimes questions still arise. Some things they can't recuse from & will impact their own financial interests or family/friends. Things like tax cuts, foreign policy, military action.

And so we expect them to observe the norms of process in order to bolster legitimacy. By working through places like State Department, relying on interagency recommendations. It creates reassurance that decisions are being made in the national interest and not personal interest.

What Trump has done is refused to divest from his business, refused to disclose tax returns and financial documents, handed his children government jobs, and then circumvented regular process in the face of opposition from the executive branch and Congress.

Because Biden observed all ethics rules and norms, and was acting on behalf of the US with international support—a position reached through robust and transparent process—we can have confidence in his actions, even in situations in which someone identifies a possible conflict.

This is why past presidents and vice presidents have voluntarily observed these rules (at least most of them and usually). Because they know they may need it to preserve political legitimacy. But Trump doesn't care about legitimacy. He is openly unethical and self-interested.

I have a LOT more facts against Biden than ya'all have against Trump in the Ukraine fiasco..

Start with Biden's OWN words how extorted Ukraine to fade the heat from Hunter Biden, apparently AGAINST the wishes of Obama..

Where is Obama to defend Joe?? For that matter, where is HUNTER to defend his dad??

Don't you think it's rather ODD that BOTH OF THEM are silent right when Joe Biden needs them most??

Obama and Hunter are in full CYA mode... They have thrown their VP and their father under the bus..

THAT should tell you something..

What I don't understand is why Chris continues to allow your lies about Biden to fill these comments sections.

Funny thing is, there are NO FACTS to dispute the claim..

But there are PLENTY of facts to SUPPORT the claim..

Starting with Biden's support of China...

And, don't ask me to provide proof of something that didn't happen. You should know by now that I don't play asinine games like that.

I know.. NO ONE here is into "FACTS"... Not even the "reality based" forum...

It's all about "truth".. Democrat "truth"....

As I said.. The Weigantia of 10 years ago would be APPALLED at the Weigantia of the here and now..

Enlighten me... Blathy did a piss poor job. What justifies impeachment... Or whatever this is called..

and still bad for the united states.

Apparently, Democrats don't CARE that it's bad for the United States..

Apparently, Democrats don't even CARE that it's bad for DEMOCRATS...

As I said... They wiped out their ENTIRE agenda. They won't be able to do ANYTHING until at LEAST 2025...

Explain to me the logic of that??

That is a wholly false statement by President Trump and you are not doing this site any favours by continuously repeating these false claims.

And, don't ask me to provide proof of something that didn't happen. You should know by now that I don't play asinine games like that.

The president said a “breaking news” alert had “me holding my breath because I know it’s going to be about me. They’re always about me.” We both laughed.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/trump-optimistic-impeachment-michael-goodwin

Democrats LOSE again!!!

IN a CALIFORNIA COURT of all places!!! WOW!!

:D

I gotta ask....

Still think this faux impeachment is "obvious and simple"??

If so, I have to ask..

Why is there not a single solitary FACT to support any impeachable offense???

I mean, even if you take Blathy's BS (TRUMP MADE A PHONE CALL!!!!! AAARRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!) and claim it was criminal (It's not, as Hillary proved beyond ANY doubt) the fact is, it's NOT impeachable...

So, WHERE are the FACTS to prove impeachment is justified "simple" and "obvious"???

We don't even have a real impeachment anyways..

It's nothing but a coup...

With NO FACTS to support ANY claim..

Funny how that is, eh? :D

Biden's campaign is still in free fall...

Guess the link helps, eh? :D

Russ is agreeing with me that Biden is NOT going to be the nominee..

Since Biden is out of the race (according to Russ) then Russ won't mind if President Trump enlists China's aid to investigate the Bidens..

BBBWWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Once again..

Russ..

Lose-Lose

Courtesy of Michale.. :D

Even Hunter Biden has gone into hiding in a non-extradition country..

And further, no one can answer why Democrats abandoned their agenda for one last desperate roll of the dice..

Democrats put ALL their chips on this coup...

Democrats are going to lose and lose YYUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGELLEEEEEYYYYYY

Can you imagine how stupid Trump will look if Warren wins the nomination and Trump is impeached for trying to dig up dirt on someone he isn’t even running against? Biggest idiot to ever steal an election!

Thank you for proving that President Trump was not interested in the election, but more so interested in Justice.. :D

You make a good Trump supporter.. :D

Get real, since when was "Trying to dig up dirt on someone" against any law?? Isn't that the main undertaking of most politicians?

Give them a break.. They have been demoralized and decimated since Nov of 2016..

Give them their delusions.. :D

That's equivalent to saying it's against the law for farmers to plant seeds, or it's against the law for carpenters to saw wood, or it's against the law for tailors to sew fabric!!

Yep.. And THEN some..

But it's all they have...

It's going to be VERY interesting to see how they react when this LATEST coup falls apart..

Wonder what their new delusion will be..

Alison Krause

Sometimes I think I can still touch type. I am often wrong.

Can you imagine how stupid Trump will look if Warren wins the nomination and Trump is impeached for trying to dig up dirt on someone he isn’t even running against? Biggest idiot to ever steal an election!

Endorsed. Just when I think Trump couldn't look any more stupid than he already does, he lowers the bar yet another rung. At this point, he's digging a hole in order to lower the bar. Poor Donald cannot stop digging; it's like somebody informed him there's a treasure chest and a trophy and handed him a map and a shovel.

Here’s a question: if Trump & Pence both are impeached and Nancy becomes the President after the Republicans’ nominate Trump but before the general election, what then? Would it be Democrats vs. whoever runs as independents for the presidency?

If anyone is impeached (removal? not happening) -- regardless of position held within our government -- their successor or the requisite person/legislative body should be allowed to replace them with another person of their choosing.

It should be no one's goal -- whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent -- to impeach Trump and Pence simultaneously. Full stop.

I do my best to simply ignore them..

Narrator: Fact check: False. You troll harder and bombard the board with conspiracy theory bullshit ad nauseam replete with insults hurled endlessly toward posters individually and collectively as a group.

And that seems to be the problem. They are like recalcitrant children.. The act out and when you ignore them they simply get worse and worse until they do something that simply CAN'T be ignored..

Narrator: Fact check: True. This was demonstrated not too long ago and thereafter recently memorialized on a Mike!(TM) game card:

*Mike!(TM)***Mike!(TM)***Mike!(TM)***Mike!(TM)*

In early August 2019, who became unhinged and started spewing asinine conspiracy theories and then doxxed "neilm" for his awesome gift to this forum of yet another very helpful tool to erase the spamming of the board troll in the same manner as Charles Brown Esquire's legendary and award winning TamperMonkey(TM) script that was designed for the same purpose?

*Mike!(TM)***Mike!(TM)***Mike!(TM)***Mike!(TM)*

Many of these children grow up and are the same way. In extreme cases, they fall victim to suicide because they can't get the attention they crave..

Narrator: On the other hand, some of them become forum trolls who bombard all the other posters with shit-storms off spamming posts... to the point where multiple scripts and links are created by the group and for the group that are specifically designed to filter and/or expunge completely the ever-increasing spamming and trolling in obvious search of the constant attention the troll is so obviously seeking.

I'm not going to be ignored, Dan! ~ Glenn Close, Fatal Attraction

OTOH, Blotus is becoming so unhinged and so much stuff is coming out the Biden angle in all this may get lost in the larger impeachment story.

I know, right!? Witness Trump's completely unhinged meltdown during the presser yesterday wherein he raged ad nauseam about what he calls the "fake news" and "witch hunt" etc.

Then in response to another question, Trump gleefully holds up an article from "The New York Times" as his so-called "proof" of how he's nothing more than a victim of Adam Schiff.

How is the followup question from every member of journalism who attended that press corps not as follows:

So with all due respect, Mr. President, you've just spent a substantial amount of time claiming that you're a victim of "fake news" and the "lame stream media" and now you're waving a copy of an article from "The New York Times" to defend yourself. So I have a few questions:

* Are you completely unaware that the so-called exculpatory evidence you're waving around is what you routinely refer to as "fake news"?

* Do you believe all Americans are gullible enough to continue to buy into this routine of yours or those who are commonly referred to as your "base"?

Trump and the MAGA cult minions need to "pick a lane." It's either "fake news" or it isn't. It's the height of ignorance to go on a half-hour rant whining like a little bitch about being a victim of a "witch hunt" and "fake news" and then whip it out as exculpatory evidence.

Non-serious, ad nauseum.

My career was stalled and involved too much commuting, too many meetings, too much proposal wrtiing and too little joy. Taking part time work in order manage home care of my parents made sense for them and preserved their estate for me and my two brothers. Not easy, but a no brainer. It's worked this way in my immediate family for at leatst 3 generations the eldest son is point man. Brothers provide cover. Now that the mission is over, I can cut loose and be crazy.

I hope things work out the same for you.

As violinist, me want Alison Krause. :)

Get real, since when was "Trying to dig up dirt on someone" against any law?? Isn't that the main undertaking of most politicians?

That's equivalent to saying it's against the law for farmers to plant seeds, or it's against the law for carpenters to saw wood, or it's against the law for tailors to sew fabric!!

Well, I think that would be the sign that Republican John Kaisich (sp?) has been waiting for to catch the nomination.

And, in that case, Biden had better win the nomination if Democrats as a whole wish to win the White House.

Republicans might want to rethink canceling their primary!

Here’s a question: if Trump & Pence both are impeached and Nancy becomes the President after the Republicans’ nominate Trump but before the general election, what then? Would it be Democrats vs. whoever runs as independents for the presidency?

My last 10 working years have been all about full-time lowly manager in retail, no less, at work and full time at home with mom, actually 24/7 with mom, and I'm not done yet.

I'm glad to hear your retirement plan is secure. I retired 2 yrs ago and have never been happier. My last 10 working years were mild to moderate to pure hell.

LETTER: McCaul Rejects Democrats’ Limitation of Republican Involvement in Volker Testimony Tomorrow
https://gop-foreignaffairs.house.gov/press-release/letter-mccaul-rejects-democrats-limitation-of-republican-involvement-in-volker-testimony-tomorrow/

How about from the OFFICIAL US GOVERNMENT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES???

Again, the question MUST be asked..

What are Democrats afraid of that they have to forbid the GOP from asking questions??

You asking me to be brief and succinct would be like me asking you to be hateful, hurtful and/or nasty..

In Weigantia, it's just not who we are.. :D

And yet, CW and many others have quoted Fox News when it suited there purpose.

Funny how that is, eh?

But awww right.. aww right..

I would be willing to entertain ANY facts you have that dispute the claims in the afore mentioned report..

I'll be here all day.. :D

In this case, one lovely sentence would have served the purpose well.

What are Democrats trying to hide???

This is another instance where the Weigantia of old would NEVER have supported such a move by Democrats..

NEVER....

Just another indication as to the depth of HHPTDS that is a plague around here.. :(

You know you can't believe everything you hear or read on FoxNews, don't you? Especially nonsense like that!

GOP demands 'equal playing field' ahead of former Ukraine envoy Volker's scheduled testimony
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-kurt-volker-dems-schiff-forbid-foreign-affairs-committee-republicans-questions-equal-representation

Schiff-head has decreed that the GOP is not allowed to question today's witness in any way, shape or form..

I KNOW there has to be SOME (a few) amongst you who finds that totally unacceptable...

What are Democrats afraid of??

The facts!??

They should be...

Where is the "whistle blower"???

What are Democrats afraid of...???

I'm sure it sticks in Geithner's craw just as much if not more than in yours!

She's probably right about the need for more tools in the tool box and Geithner would be the first one to agree with that. But she was and is still dead wrong about the GLOBAL giant AIG and the American bankruptcy solution. That and she showed total disrespect for the treasury secretary who virtually single-handedly saved the American economy, not to mention my own retirement savings plan. Ahem.

I'd have been very happy if you had just stopped at "Your efforts are truly appreciated, Liz."

Because, then you would have gone a long way toward making these comment sections better.

You mean you want me to be succinct and brief instead of loquacious and verbose??

I said THEY would have to change.. :D

The AIG bonuses still sticks in my craw. AIG made good on its debt, but it was a bad precedent. I think Warren was right. The economic rule book in the USA needs some serious rewriting and the playing field needs to be leveled.

I'd have been very happy if you had just stopped at "Your efforts are truly appreciated, Liz."

Because, then you would have gone a long way toward making these comment sections better.

Sigh.
:-(

It's also a disqualifier for any hope they may have of being involved in a Biden administration, should Democrats be successful in 2021.

Senator Booker had a wonderful response to a question about the accusations against Biden and his son and whether he would ban the kids - he didn't answer that and went into a full-throttled defense of Biden.

Your efforts are truly appreciated, Liz..

These are haters.. They will spew their hatred because they cannot help themselves..

I do my best to simply ignore them..

And that seems to be the problem. They are like recalcitrant children.. The act out and when you ignore them they simply get worse and worse until they do something that simply CAN'T be ignored..

Many of these children grow up and are the same way. In extreme cases, they fall victim to suicide because they can't get the attention they crave..

Oh sure, we have our break throughs.. Sometimes they become so abhorred by the actions they take a step back, see what is happening and say "This is ridiculous" and make peace.. We saw that recently..

But there are those who are so ensnared with their hate, they can't escape from it..

I honestly don't believe the solution is within our grasp.. We are like a small self-contained society here. And every society has it's trouble makers along with the good people of the group and those who don't want to get involved..

Unfortunately, for our little society, the trouble makers and those who choose not to get involved far outnumber the good of the ground..

So, it appears that the solution will have to be an imposed solution...

OTOH, we might get lucky. The trouble makers might get bored and leave.. They might have a horrendous accident that knocks some sense into them and become a totally different person.. In the extreme case, they might actually get disgusted with their own hate and make peace..

It could happen. :D

Meanwhile, we just press on.. :D

You will have to post your note to me here as I have no time to scroll through a 100 plus comment thread to find it.

Fair enough. Normally I don't like to pollute current threads with old business..

But for you??? :D

Good point..

So, basically, these candidates would violate the constitutional rights of their own KIDS..

If they are willing to violate their KIDS' rights in such an heinous, illegal and unconstitutional manner...???

What does that say about what they will do to the rights of everyday Americans??

You will have to post your note to me here as I have no time to scroll through a 100 plus comment thread to find it.

Democrats have made impeachment the SOLE topic of discussion nationwide... Oh sure, lip service might be paid to another topic here or there.. But it will be unnoticable because of impeachment..

For all intents and purposes, Impeachment is all. All is impeachment..

24/7 Impeachment Impeachment Impeachment Impeachment
Impeachment Impeachment Impeachment Impeachment Impeachment Impeachment Impeachment Impeachment 24/7

Then... ***BAAAAM***

Impeachment is over... President Trump remains in office.. Totally exonerated....

Figure this is around Jan 2020...

Now, I ask ya... What is going to be the topic of discussion for the next 10 months??

HOW DEMOCRATS LOST IMPEACHMENT!!!

HOW PRESIDENT TRUMP ROYALLY WIPED THE FLOOR WITH DEMOCRATS!!!

THAT is going to be the topic of conversation in the run up to Nov 2020...

Just when you thought Democrats could not scroo the pooch ANY MORE... They surprise ya... :D

When we come out on the other side of this, with President Trump still firmly in office (a virtual certainty says Official Weigantia), Democrats are going to have to run on their "record"...

And the ONLY "record" the Democrats are going to have is one failed coup after another..

Ya gotta just laugh at the irony.. :D

The ONLY record that Democrats have is one failed coup after another.. :D

Now, remind me.. WHO here thinks this coup is a good idea?? :D

Democrats have thrown their entire agenda away..

Gun control?? Whoop... Out the window..

Health Care?? Biff... Not gonna do it..

Infrastructure?? Slap... Gone in 60 seconds..

Immigration Baam... See ya wouldn't want to be ya

Democrats have thrown away EVERYTHING they claimed to have held dear...

NOW, the Democrats have replaced all of that with one single overriding agenda..

Nullifying a free, fair, legal, demoratic and Constitutional election....

In other words, a coup...

And, let's be factually accurate here...

This faux impeachment.. This coup ALSO serves the needs of Russia and Putin..

This is undeniable..

So, it is UNDENIABLE that Democrats are serving the needs of Russia and Putin..

"These are the facts of the case. And they are undisputed."
-Captain Smilin' Jack Ross, A FEW GOOD MEN

I hope you can understand how frustrating it is to read a sentence like the one above, similarly read all over the media and blogosphere, that leaves out the all important part about saying that the mudslinging has no basis in reality.

As long as Obama doesn't set the record straight (if, indeed, the record is not ALREADY straight.. You have to concede the possibility) Biden will continue to suffer..

Hell, even if Obama does set the record straight, there will still be tens of millions of Americans who will have doubts..

If Joe hasn't already, he is very VERY close to the rubicon..

In deference to you, I promise to restrict (or at least direct) my gloating when (if) Biden closes his campaign..

It's no secret that I think the RCP rolling average is not very precise, but My eyeball tells me there is a pretty clear signal over the last 2 weeks:

Biden down,

Thank you for your acknowledgement of my predictive capabilities.. :D

It's appreciated.. :D heh

I downgrade Trump from unhinged to deranged. He's all fury, facts can go to hell.

And what FACTS do Democrats have??

Not a single fact that supports impeachment..

Funny how that is always the case with you Democrats, eh? :D

My tablet is having spacing issues tonight.

Oh sure.. Blame it on the tablet.. :eyeroll:

hehehehe

I think his core will be satisfied he is durable enough to handle the
Presidency. Resiliency is a helpful attribute in any stressful job.

But you and I BOTH know that Bernie needs to satisfy much MUCH more than his base..

How could you forget this fact???

Bernie is done..

It's that simple..

I have to disagree, Liz..

By ceding the field of battle to President Trump, it gives credence to President Trump's claims..

And it also lends credence to the FACTS that are being revealed...

If Joe is not seen fighting back against these alleged lies, then people will begin to wonder if there is any truth to them..

I think the reason Joe Biden is being silent is Joe pissed off Obama by revealing how diplomatic sausage is made.. To respond to the critics and President Trump with MORE reality of how sausage is made, Biden runs the risk of irrevocably damaging Obama's legacy, even more so than it is..

Personally, I don't think Joe owes Barry ANY loyalty whatsoever. Obama has shown no loyalty to Joe..

But you know how Joe is.. Loyal to a fault...

Unknown.. Perhaps Obama is doing Joe a FAVOR by remaining silent.. :D In that Obama might deserve the MIDOTW award.. :D

The possibility must be considered

It's hard, when the president is literally tweeting "BULLSHIT," to focus on anything else going on in the world of politics.

Awwwwww Did that bad language from that bad man upset da widdle snowflakes sensibilities?? :D J/K (a widdle) :D

Funny how no one had any problem with Beto spewing FUCK this and FUCK that all over the place.. :^/

Oh, yea.. That's right..

"Well... er.. uh... THAT'S different!!"
-Weigantian Response

Of course, it's different. Beto has a -D after his name..

But today I'm going to ignore the impeachment circus

Here's betting you are the ONLY one who will.. :D hehehehe

Joe Biden is beginning to falter amidst all the mud Trump has been throwing,

While it's nice to see you confirm what I have been saying for the past week :D let's be factually accurate..

Joe Biden's demise is more based on the FACTS coming out more than President Trump's slinging o the mud..

Unless you want to claim that President Trump is telling the facts and Americans listen to what President Trump has to say..

Hmmmmmm is THAT what you are saying?? :D

How much each of these events will impact the race is still somewhat up in the air, but we should at least be able to see some indication before the next debate is held.

Bernie is done.. If he can't handle a primary without blowing a gasket, he will certainly mortally vapor-lock in the General against President Trump..

Bernie is done.. There is no Bernie..

Pete Buttigieg is now in fourth place, as Kamala Harris continues to slide.

As I am wont to do (much more often than anyone else here :D) I admit I was wrong..

I had called Harris for the win...

Who knew she would be so incompetent??

Andrew Yang is also enjoying a modest rise in the polls, while Beto O'Rourke and Cory Booker have fallen back. The three used to be tightly grouped in the polls, but increasingly Yang is pulling away from the other two to stand alone in sixth place, and Yang just turned in an impressive $10 million fundraising quarter.

Wouldn't that be the shitz if Yang was the winner.. :D

Trump vs Yang Combat for the ages.. :D

But the big news in the polls is Warren's rise, of course. Warren is now routinely besting Biden in standalone national polls, which is a new development in the race.

Who could have POSSIBLY predicted that!!?? :D

Oh.. Wait.. :D

What Biden really needs at this point is a big vote of confidence from his former boss, Barack Obama. Now, Obama has been scrupulously staying on the sidelines throughout the primary process, which was to be expected.

Not "scrupulously" but by and large, it has been factually accurate...

But backing Biden up on what he did in Ukraine wouldn't be favoritism at all, it would merely be setting the record straight to fight back against the Republican smears.

Do you have any facts to support this??

Maybe Obama knows something about Ukraine that you do not.. Maybe Obama chewed Biden a new one over Hunter Biden's criminal activity in Ukraine.. Maybe Obama is royally PISSED OFF that Biden bragged about how the sausage was made in 2018. Maybe Obama is doing Biden a FAVOR by not getting involved..

You really have to consider that fact if you want to claim the reality mantle..

I'm just sayin'...

Obama needs to indicate that Biden's actions towards the Ukrainian prosecutor were part of Obama's official foreign policy, and not some sort of "freelancing" by Biden.

The longer Obama doesn't get involved, the more likely it is that Ukraine WAS some freelancing op by Biden..

Again, you MUST consider the possibility if you want to take the reality-based hill.. :D

But the more time that goes by without such a show of support from Obama, the worse it is going to get for Biden, as people's doubts increase.

Can you concede that the more time that goes by without Obama speaking out, the more likely it is that there is a VERY GOOD REASON Obama is staying silent?? That MAYBE Obama speaking the FACTS of the situation might make things WORSE for Biden..

Can you concede that possibility?? Can any one???

Excellent commentary, CW.. :D

The lingering question of Bernie Toast or No Toast is simple to answer. While Bernie won't lose his base, it's clear that the American public will see Bernie as too frail to continue..

If his heart can't take the Primary, there is NO WAY he should be running in the General..

NOW, let's get to impeachment.. :D

First, to Liz.. I know you don't like reading past commentaries.. But I left a note for you in yesterday's PROGRAM NOTE, I would like you to see.. If you want to respond there or here, max nichts.. :D

But I just wanted to make you aware it was there..