hope the shark treats the GOP like bloody chum

In order to resolve that, the House would have to subpoena him, and that would have had to go to the judiciary, dragging out the impeachment process by.. maybe a year. So they didn't.

But now that the President is dishing about Bolton, I don't think he can still exercise executive privilege and block Bolton from testifying.



That said, you are correct. Bolton isn't our friend. He's probably just willing to do this, because he's pissed he didn't get his war with Iran.

Time to play the Beatles.

WORST NIGHTMARE until Nov. election!

It's evident that Congressional Republicans need to take a long term look at their current situation and realize that supporting Trump is a disaster for them personally and the whole party in general.
I can't imagine why they cling to him in the face of, what looks more each day like, certain disaster in the 2020 election.
I don't see how they can't see this.
It's not even about one election. The stigma, and political odor of being a supporter of Trump will cling to them like smoke to the clothing of a 2 pack-a-day smoker.
It will break a lot of their careers, and even limit their post-congress lobbying opportunities.
Trump isn't just a self-serving crook with delusions of grandeur, but he is also willfully ignorant; relying on FOX news, and other right wing propaganda shops, to drive his foreign and domestic agendas.
Add to that a fascination with certain brutal dictatorships, and Trump looks more and more like a Hitler wannabe. He expects loyalty, but isn't loyal to anyone but himself.
He can't tolerate even the slightest hint of criticism.
His desire to punish his enemies is only tempered by the few remaining constraints on his Presidency that still remain.

The Republicans think they can control him, but they can't. They're playing with fire. He uses his base as a club to beat them into submission, and the more they give obeisance to him, the weaker they get.
He controls the party, he calls the shots, he can make or break careers.

They need to break free of him now before it is too late.
It's a bitter pill to swallow, but it's the only cure for Trumpitis.

Patrick Phillips

why?

the GOP knows that November is a long way off, Trump will throw a lot of shit at the wall until then, and their voters are flibberdigibbets driven by resentment and propaganda. they are betting it will all be forgotten by the time votes are cast.

They aren't ideologically motivated and I doubt they will forget what is about to happen, assuming the Republicans vote to acquit on Friday.
These are the people who will doom the Republicans.
Trump's people are already lost as far as reason is concerned...about 40% of the voters.
But, 40% won't reelect him.

That said, I agree that they Republicans are more afraid of Trump's base than the rest of the people.
If they voted to impeach, they would be challenged in primaries and many would most likely not even be around to run for their seats.
But, if they vote to acquit, they will face an aroused electorate that I don't think will forget the shit show Trump's impeachment trial is about to become.

My point is that the Republicans have to think beyond the 2020 election, since that will most likely be a write off for them. They need to think about salvaging their credibility with a majority that can bring them back in later elections.
Let's face it, The Trump base will have to vote Republican or stay home in future elections.
They could form their own party, but it would never rise to the level of the Republican party in terms of overall numbers of elected candidates.
It's the long term picture that I am talking about.
2020 is really not going to go well for them regardless of their decision regarding Trump. But I think the long term is less disastrous for them if they cut their losses now and move on.

Again, that said, I doubt they are willing to do that.

Patrick Phillips

My faith in the intelligence of the American Electorate is at zero.