Thoughts on the Ukraine Call That Broke the Camel’s Back UPDATE: Are There Trump Tapes?
I’ve been reading the summary of the Ukraine call released by the White House, and I’m surprised that anyone is surprised. It all sounds like classic Trump to me. And it’s nice to see what finally motivated Democrats to move — threats to their ability to get elected. In other words, naked self-interest.
One revelation for me is the extent of Individual One’s paranoia and belief in conspiracy theories. There were CTs I’d never heard of that news stories had to explain, and Giuliani’s knowledge of their details explains his otherwise inexplicable connection to Trump. He’s the Conspiracy Whisperer. Basically, Trump’s mind is so shot that anyone who can grab a rein — not both, just one — can steer him, sort of.
Anecdotally, I’ve heard people say, “So what? The Republicans will protect him again.” I think that’s true, but it won’t help those up for re-election to try to defend this behavior.
UPDATE: Fred Kaplan makes an interesting point: The memo of the phone call used voice recognition technology, indicating that the transcript was put together from recordings. During Watergate, the existence of a taping system, acknowledged by Alexander Butterfield when he was asked how a memo based on notes could be so specific, set the final act of Nixon’s scandal in motion.
“… it won’t help (Republicans) up for re-election to try to defend this behavior.”
My question, and I’m seriously asking, is how do we get every Republican running for office to answer for Trump?
I can just hear Mike Ramone, for example, gloating about his endorsement from some PAC and saying something like “I’m just focused on helping my constiuents in the spirit of bipartisanship.”
And I can hear Democrats allowing Republicans like Ramone to get away with it.
Concentrate on his self-dealing. It helps immensely to point out the ways in which their behavior mimics Trump’s self-dealing. Of course, the party won’t endorse that, because it puts just as many Democrats as Republicans in danger.
We always point out that Trump is the logical extreme of Republicanism. Spell that out for people with concrete examples. Remember that we don’t need to peel off all of them.
“We always point out that Trump is the logical extreme of Republicanism.”
I like it.
“Trump is my opponent’s policies just on a bigger stage.”
No, “My opponent is Trump on a small scale. But from small imps large devils grow.”
The main casualty of this is going to be Biden. It makes me wonder if he’s not the real target.
Disagree. This whole thing is propping up Joe.
Disagree, most people aren’t as dialed in as readers here. Joe is a casualty here in the same way Hilary was for her “email scandal.”
Disagree. Even if most people are not as dialed in, it sucks all the energy out of the primary. Biden’s name becomes a constant and he gets to take on the mantle of the greatest threat to Trump. With the focus on Pelosi and Trump, most people will switch the channel if Pelosi is making an announcement. Scandals are very shiny and attractive. The “dialed ins” will keep their eye on the ball. But they are the few, not the many. Biden could become a casualty, if there is any ambiguity, but most sources have made it abundantly clear that there is no there there in regards to his son. Doesn’t mean they won’t try to make something of it, but it will be a struggle for them. And of course the more Guilani opens his mouth the worse it becomes for Trump.
agree.
I don’t think you were paying attention…most of the random folks I bump into in my practice still believe something very sinister was perpetrated in regards to Hillary’s emails. Joe will be just as easily painted with scandal….the other constant is “both sides do it.” But republicans always get a pass.
An argument can be made that Trump’s sleazy business practices are merely cruder versions of those perpetrated by people like Biden and the Clintons.
I think Warren should and will overtake Biden anyway, but in a just world Joe would take this opportunity to bow out a hero.
Well the sleazy part is certainly true. We live in a sleazy world and it is sleazy from the top all the way to the very bottom and from every quarter.
Warren does seem to be gaining on Biden, with the liberal energy shifting away from Sanders.
Anyway, who has time for election drivel. We have an impeachment to focus on!
While Biden could end up as collateral damage, it’s only partially unfair, We have documented here at DL Hunter’s exploitation of the family name to get ahead. An unearned military commission, a spot on the board of that Ukrainian gas company, even a job with MBNA. We all recall that Joe pushed MBNA’s inhumsne bankruptcy legislation.
I think this hurts Biden, who had already begun his political death spiral.
Astute observation “collateral damage of Status quo Joe” people will vote against him because they want to “move on from yesteryear politicians that strive on entitlement for life. Then they pass it on to their offspring so yesterday. Face it, too much baggage. Cris Matthews an others what to ramrod this fossil (Biden) down our throats to cash in on the Catholic white male vote. We aint having it. We are better then these conservative Catholics that want to take us back to the Leave it to Beaver time. These guys hate the Pope because he stop the Cahtolic Clergy form going on Fox news affiming their crazy shit. We can do better then this and we are no more affirmative action for the family of politicians.