In a statement, Alexander acknowledged that it was “inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation. When elected officials inappropriately interfere with such investigations, it undermines the principle of equal justice under the law. But the Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year’s ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate.”
Alexander declared that there is “no need for more evidence to conclude that the president withheld United States aid, at least in part, to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens; the House managers have proved this with what they call a ‘mountain of overwhelming evidence.'” He concluded that there is “no need for more evidence to prove something that has already been proven and that does not meet the United States Constitution’s high bar for an impeachable offense.”
Resting the case for his re-election, the president said: “Look, you know: I can make the speech really short. All I have to do is say is, ‘Hello Iowa, you have no choice: you have to vote for me. Otherwise, everything that you’ve built in your entire life will be gone. Goodbye Iowa, have a good day.’ Instead, I work my ass off up here, OK?”
The crowd lapped it up. After Trump had left the stage and as people filtered out, Frank Sinatra’s My Way filled the emptying arena.
May I summarize Alexander’s announcement? Dems proved their case; Trump did it; we won’t remove him for it; the voters can decide to remove or keep him; and I’m washing my hands of this. He’s the voters’ problem now.
Moving on. Now about that wall. This is HILARIOUS. First the wind, now the water. Border patrol has to leave gates open in the summer to keep flooding from knocking the wall over in the desert. Immigrants can just walk through.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/politics/ayanna-pressley-state-of-the-union-response-working-families-party/index.html
I may listen to the Dem (and other) responses to the SOTU, but I’m darned sure not listening to Trumpsky lie for even a second. If anything interesting happens (like God striking him dead from a heart attack in front of his GOOPER cronies and those who can tolerate watching), I’ll find out about it the next day.
When Trumpsky’s ad airs during the Super Bowl, I intend to go flush the toilet. I see a flush during his ad is a vote against him, and, for DEMOCRACY.
Go, Chiefs!
BiD, you may start something there with that flushing away every time he has a say during the game. bet that would break a lot of municipal sewer facilities. better to flush the sh*t down the drain than cover it up – modern plumbing vs GOP litter boxes
When trumpty dumpty’s Super Bowl ad comes on… I will stand and give him the one finger salute!
Of course Lamar voted against calling witnesses. All this “will he or won’t he” was nothing but a ruse with a forgone conclusion. The reps just wanted to make it look like they were thinking about a fair trial for all the morons in this land to believe it.
I want Jimmy Garoppolo to win… I want Patrick Mahomes to win. We are going to a SB party where I’ll relax and be happy no matter who wins.
For those who are supporting John Delay for president (all two of you) he is no longer pursuing that dream. A blink of the eyes for those who did not even know he was a candidate (the rest of the population of the world). That he is from Maryland does not phase me, he could have been running from Montana for all I care.
I pet Bailey Warren. He is an almost 2 year old Golden Retriever. He is campaigning through Iowa to become First Dog. The most important issues he wants addressed are more Milkbones and getting rid of student debt.
President Trump’s impeachment trial is keeping senators running for president off the campaign trail for the second week in a row. But Senator Elizabeth Warren has found a creative way to engage voters in her absence: her dog Bailey.
With just a few days until the Democratic caucuses, the golden retriever pup has become the face of Warren’s campaign, lining up for selfies in her place.
[…]
“Bailey is happy to be here,” Mann said to a crowd of supporters on Wednesday. “Of course, Bailey is happy to be everywhere, as long as there are people who are willing to pet him. But he particularly likes cold weather and snow, so he is really happy.”
Amy truly is a candidate who could unify. Female, Midwest, experienced Senator and not ancient probably good for two administrations. Put a POC male on the ticket and you pretty well grab every demographic in the Democratic party.
I’ve got a good feeling about Amy, too. I think the DNC will do what it can, jacking with rules and requirements, to keep Bloomberg out. I told someone (a Repug) that I supported Warren and they said they just couldn’t get past “the Indian thing.” Wow. Maybe humans do need a good die-off. Well, it would help the climate crisis.
And White House Chief Lying Counsel Pat Cipollone was there!
NYT:
Trump Told Bolton to Help His Ukraine Pressure Campaign, Book Says
The president asked his national security adviser last spring in front of other senior advisers to pave the way for a meeting between Rudolph Giuliani and Ukraine’s new leader.
Tell your friend that Liz took the DNA test and it showd she has Native American heritage. Not to mention that every white person in the midwest says they have Native American blood, just like every white person out east says they’re descended from royalty. It’s a “thing”.
I told her, but of course, nothing matters to his base.
I wonder what do-good-er took matters into his own hands at Mar-A-Ego? At the trial, they should use the defense that as it was in the best interest of the American people, they must acquit.
Just a few more hours, at most, to entertain the fantasy that Republican Senators that Trump belittled and subdued, like Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, will take today’s vote as an opportunity to exact their revenge.
My fantasy is a little darker. I envision all of the Russian-backed, Trumpsky team at a nice restaurant in Wuhan. In the kitchen, someone just coughed on their food.
Cipollone may have some ‘splainin’ to do. If Bolton’s book is to be believed he has arguably lied in the Senate – in a tribunal presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, knowing that he was lying. Lawyers lose their licenses for less.
I like Liz but I was for Amy at the beginning and then I went to Liz but you know….
Once in love with Amy…..
Actually my first choice was Sherrod Brown. I think he made the right choice but he would have been great. Sort of a better version of Ed Rendell.
“[House impeachment managers proved Trump did what was charged] if you have 8 witnesses to a hit-and-run, you don’t need 9” -Lamar Alexander (R-TN) from NPR interview
According to an unpublished book manuscript cited by the Times, Bolton alleged that Trump directed him to call Zelensky, who had recently won election as president of Ukraine, to ensure he would meet with Trump personal lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani, who was planning a trip to Ukraine to discuss the investigations that the president sought.
“I never instructed John Bolton to set up a meeting for Rudy Giuliani, one of the greatest corruption fighters in America and by far the greatest mayor in the history of N.Y.C., to meet with President Zelensky,” Trump said in a statement. “That meeting never happened.”
Bolton wrote that he never made the call, according to the Times.
I’m not sure why, but for some reason I trust Bolton more than Trump on this one.
so far one of the biggest losers in the trial is Pam Bondi– she looked and sounded like a stupid gooper and proved she got where she was by being VERY nice to SFB
The other is the president’s lawyer who is going to lose his license for being a big fat liar
Craig, you’re a role-model; you are obligated to watch just as if you had children and grandchildren. Put it this way, those of us who stick around will be the first to know at what point our chief justice has heard enough and becomes a Supreme.
NPR reporting that GOP Senators drinking milk, eating candy, and playing with fidget spinners. Old men acting like children in the halls of the “World’s Greatest Deliberative Body”.
I remember being at a Navy school for nine months where we had to march in a company to and from lunch. They had grown men whose job it was to hide in bushes to apprehend those who attempted to amble back solo or in small groups.
Still waiting for SFB to completely go off the rails and just mumble horse apples for two hours and most of the “media”, all the grifters and cult say what a great speech it was. While sane people point out the guy can no longer even speak in words, even first grader words.
I think if the senate continues to act like sloppy sycophants to SFB — it could be a wonderful opportunity to take back the senate and if god forbid SFB should win – the house could impeach him on Bolton’s testimony and the senate could toss him out.
The question they are voting on is actually, do you stand for TRUTH, JUSTICE & DEMOCRACY? The Repugz day they don’t stand for it. They stand with Trumpsky/Poo-tin.
THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THAT’S WHY THEY WERE AFRAID OF WITNESS TESTIMONY. WE ALL KNOW IT!!! THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DIED TODAY. MOSCOW MITCH DUG THE GRAVE AND ALL BUT TWO SENATORS THREW DIRT ON IT.
Memphis, while by no means a Minnesota or a Moose Jaw, has a really bitter frozen-sleety cold from which gloves and pea coats offer small to no protection.
This whole thing was rigged from the very start. There was never going to be 4 republican Senators voting yes. There was never going to be 3 making for a tie… and the question of who would break it. The only question was which 2 would they pick to vote yes and make it look like it wasn’t unanimous. Yup… this whole thing was a farce.
RR – I was wondering which one of the group of six greedy old perverts in tough relections would be the chosen one to “go against the leadership”? That they chose collins is interesting. It looks like they decided that Gardner was not worth the cost and have tossed him off the republican clown car. For some reason moscow mitch thinks that Maine is ready to fall for the football again by letting pearl clutching Collins (who votes straight SFB) pretend to be in the middle.
Trump “brown shirts” intimidated Alexander, who feared the “cult” of Trump supporters back home who targeted Corker. Harassment of families, loss of standing in local communities, estranged relationships, etc.
trump may cancel the election. He can do it, y’know.
As long as it’s for the good of the country, he’s omnipotent.
Fear not, he’ll choke on a McD and no one will Heimlich him, because he doesn’t like to be touched.
“…in a tribunal presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, knowing that he was lying. Lawyers lose their licenses for less”
pogo, and he didn’t even get a blow job for his effort. what a loser.
from the week:
read the senator’s statement and press release in full:
https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&id=AA7E4960-6788-43A9-AF03-5DC456A0D448
IMpotus last night in Iowa:
“It’s a happy period because we call this ‘impeachment-lite'”
more from the guardian about the rally:
May I summarize Alexander’s announcement? Dems proved their case; Trump did it; we won’t remove him for it; the voters can decide to remove or keep him; and I’m washing my hands of this. He’s the voters’ problem now.
Moving on. Now about that wall. This is HILARIOUS. First the wind, now the water. Border patrol has to leave gates open in the summer to keep flooding from knocking the wall over in the desert. Immigrants can just walk through.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/uk/european-union-brexit-intl-gbr/index.html
And, on the other side of the pond…Brexit.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/politics/ayanna-pressley-state-of-the-union-response-working-families-party/index.html
I may listen to the Dem (and other) responses to the SOTU, but I’m darned sure not listening to Trumpsky lie for even a second. If anything interesting happens (like God striking him dead from a heart attack in front of his GOOPER cronies and those who can tolerate watching), I’ll find out about it the next day.
When Trumpsky’s ad airs during the Super Bowl, I intend to go flush the toilet. I see a flush during his ad is a vote against him, and, for DEMOCRACY.
Go, Chiefs!
BiD, you may start something there with that flushing away every time he has a say during the game. bet that would break a lot of municipal sewer facilities. better to flush the sh*t down the drain than cover it up – modern plumbing vs GOP litter boxes
.
When trumpty dumpty’s Super Bowl ad comes on… I will stand and give him the one finger salute!
Of course Lamar voted against calling witnesses. All this “will he or won’t he” was nothing but a ruse with a forgone conclusion. The reps just wanted to make it look like they were thinking about a fair trial for all the morons in this land to believe it.
I want Jimmy Garoppolo to win… I want Patrick Mahomes to win. We are going to a SB party where I’ll relax and be happy no matter who wins.
https://www.salon.com/2020/01/29/trumps-legal-team-gave-thousands-in-contributions-to-republican-senators-ahead-of-impeachment-trial/
The only problem with “remember in November” is that no one paid attention in the first place (besides nerds like us).
For those who are supporting John Delay for president (all two of you) he is no longer pursuing that dream. A blink of the eyes for those who did not even know he was a candidate (the rest of the population of the world). That he is from Maryland does not phase me, he could have been running from Montana for all I care.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elizabeth-warren-dog-bailey-campaigns-iowa-caucus-impeachment-trial/
bet more people line up to get a selfie with bailey than they do with other candidate surrogates
I’m wondering if in the end this thing comes down to Bernie vs Bloomberg, if Biden is perceived loser in Iowa and NH. Others seem to be falling away.
It’s Amy
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/politics/taylor-swift-documentary-marsha-blackburn/index.html
I hope TSwift is invoked with get-out-the-vote. Her base is bigger than Trumpsky’s and most are old enough to vote now.
KGC & Me
Amy truly is a candidate who could unify. Female, Midwest, experienced Senator and not ancient probably good for two administrations. Put a POC male on the ticket and you pretty well grab every demographic in the Democratic party.
Amy is the anti-Trump, for sure.
I’m (still) with Liz. All you fair-weather friends can go pound sand. One stinkin’ poll and you completely switch philosophies. grrr.
I’ve got a good feeling about Amy, too. I think the DNC will do what it can, jacking with rules and requirements, to keep Bloomberg out. I told someone (a Repug) that I supported Warren and they said they just couldn’t get past “the Indian thing.” Wow. Maybe humans do need a good die-off. Well, it would help the climate crisis.
And White House Chief Lying Counsel Pat Cipollone was there!
NYT:
Trump Told Bolton to Help His Ukraine Pressure Campaign, Book Says
The president asked his national security adviser last spring in front of other senior advisers to pave the way for a meeting between Rudolph Giuliani and Ukraine’s new leader.
Tell your friend that Liz took the DNA test and it showd she has Native American heritage. Not to mention that every white person in the midwest says they have Native American blood, just like every white person out east says they’re descended from royalty. It’s a “thing”.
I told her, but of course, nothing matters to his base.
I wonder what do-good-er took matters into his own hands at Mar-A-Ego? At the trial, they should use the defense that as it was in the best interest of the American people, they must acquit.
Just a few more hours, at most, to entertain the fantasy that Republican Senators that Trump belittled and subdued, like Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, will take today’s vote as an opportunity to exact their revenge.
Like i said, fantasy.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/politics/michael-bloomberg-trump-golf-ad/index.html
But, God bless Mike Bloomberg for poking at SFB’s giant ego.
My fantasy is a little darker. I envision all of the Russian-backed, Trumpsky team at a nice restaurant in Wuhan. In the kitchen, someone just coughed on their food.
Cipollone may have some ‘splainin’ to do. If Bolton’s book is to be believed he has arguably lied in the Senate – in a tribunal presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, knowing that he was lying. Lawyers lose their licenses for less.
I like Liz but I was for Amy at the beginning and then I went to Liz but you know….
Once in love with Amy…..
Actually my first choice was Sherrod Brown. I think he made the right choice but he would have been great. Sort of a better version of Ed Rendell.
“[House impeachment managers proved Trump did what was charged] if you have 8 witnesses to a hit-and-run, you don’t need 9” -Lamar Alexander (R-TN) from NPR interview
uh, apparently your colleagues need 9, Lamar
Yes, i remember, KGC. i keep a notebook.
Do you wear an eyeshade and use a pen and ink well?
ok ill try to shut-up today
From Wapo’s continuing coverage:
I’m not sure why, but for some reason I trust Bolton more than Trump on this one.
NPR reporting Murkowski is a “no” vote on witnesses
so far one of the biggest losers in the trial is Pam Bondi– she looked and sounded like a stupid gooper and proved she got where she was by being VERY nice to SFB
The other is the president’s lawyer who is going to lose his license for being a big fat liar
If you’re full of shit you must acquit.
I’m done watching this farce.
Remember when Augustus let the Roman senators act like they actually had a say in something? Good times.
Only thing is, Augustus was young and smart, unlike the occupant.
i guess Lindsey’s dick nailed to the door would be a silver lining🤷♂️
Craig, you’re a role-model; you are obligated to watch just as if you had children and grandchildren. Put it this way, those of us who stick around will be the first to know at what point our chief justice has heard enough and becomes a Supreme.
I’m going to have a bit of brandy.
Stapled…..stapled to the door. Fencing staples.
NPR reporting that GOP Senators drinking milk, eating candy, and playing with fidget spinners. Old men acting like children in the halls of the “World’s Greatest Deliberative Body”.
What’s your brand of brandy, good Sir?
I remember being at a Navy school for nine months where we had to march in a company to and from lunch. They had grown men whose job it was to hide in bushes to apprehend those who attempted to amble back solo or in small groups.
Nothing pretentious/expensive–E&J VSOP
Thanks, i’ll try it!👍
How many times did you get nabbed, Mr. S?
Quite a few. Several of us scofflaws played at “evade the bush Chiefs”.
Sometimes when it was really cold we’d go ahead and march. Somewhere in the middle of the pack.
..
I wonder what you mean by “really cold,” Mr Sturgeone.
Mr Bink, this Midwesterner is devoid of Native American ancestors.
KC, Damn Skippy.
My choices and Ms Cracker’s choices have been nearly identical. However, I also harbored strong feelings for Cory Booker.
For Amy first, still for Amy.
Still waiting for SFB to completely go off the rails and just mumble horse apples for two hours and most of the “media”, all the grifters and cult say what a great speech it was. While sane people point out the guy can no longer even speak in words, even first grader words.
I think if the senate continues to act like sloppy sycophants to SFB — it could be a wonderful opportunity to take back the senate and if god forbid SFB should win – the house could impeach him on Bolton’s testimony and the senate could toss him out.
The question they are voting on is actually, do you stand for TRUTH, JUSTICE & DEMOCRACY? The Repugz day they don’t stand for it. They stand with Trumpsky/Poo-tin.
Susan Collins does the right thing when it has no meaning
Sad — the heroes of the goops are mittens and wobbly sue
THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THAT’S WHY THEY WERE AFRAID OF WITNESS TESTIMONY. WE ALL KNOW IT!!! THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DIED TODAY. MOSCOW MITCH DUG THE GRAVE AND ALL BUT TWO SENATORS THREW DIRT ON IT.
Very disappointing day. Well, there’s always November.
Memphis, while by no means a Minnesota or a Moose Jaw, has a really bitter frozen-sleety cold from which gloves and pea coats offer small to no protection.
In other words, so cold I saw a dog froze to a fire hydrant, and saw two other dogs trying to jump-start a rabbit.
This whole thing was rigged from the very start. There was never going to be 4 republican Senators voting yes. There was never going to be 3 making for a tie… and the question of who would break it. The only question was which 2 would they pick to vote yes and make it look like it wasn’t unanimous. Yup… this whole thing was a farce.
Bloomberg
If you think America isn’t ready for a woman????
But you think voters are ready for a short, Jewish, divorced, unmarried New Yorker!
Dems rise and vote in droves, end this madness.
RR – I was wondering which one of the group of six greedy old perverts in tough relections would be the chosen one to “go against the leadership”? That they chose collins is interesting. It looks like they decided that Gardner was not worth the cost and have tossed him off the republican clown car. For some reason moscow mitch thinks that Maine is ready to fall for the football again by letting pearl clutching Collins (who votes straight SFB) pretend to be in the middle.
Trump “brown shirts” intimidated Alexander, who feared the “cult” of Trump supporters back home who targeted Corker. Harassment of families, loss of standing in local communities, estranged relationships, etc.
Collins……..just a sordid old clown.
These are the GOP up for 2020. Time to get rid of any one that might belong to you.
…some consolation in the realization that those 53 Republicans voted to continue to be Trump boot-lickers; no self-respect, haha.
ok i got some, poured some out for your bro, cheers
mmm, nice butterscotch/banana finish
Well, comrades, we now have a dictator! Nostrovia to the repubes.
I hope November buries all y’all!!!
Sturg it’s Friday hint hint… Not up much longer if you’re planning a post for tomorrow.
All y’all!!!
trump may cancel the election. He can do it, y’know.
As long as it’s for the good of the country, he’s omnipotent.
Fear not, he’ll choke on a McD and no one will Heimlich him, because he doesn’t like to be touched.
OH, NO ! ? !
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/elections-2020/movin-on-up-bloomberg-glides-past-warren-to-no3-in-democratic-race-reuters-ipsos/ar-BBZuIoL
Besides giuliani, both sekulow and cippolone may be in for big trouble :
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/charities-steered-dollar65m-to-trump-lawyer-sekulow-and-family/ar-BBZuOQ9
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/schiff-calls-out-trump-lawyer-cipollone-after-bolton-places-him-in-the-loop-on-ukraine/ar-BBZwOno
“…in a tribunal presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, knowing that he was lying. Lawyers lose their licenses for less”
pogo, and he didn’t even get a blow job for his effort. what a loser.
NEW THREAD