US Congress impeaches self | 254 comments (254 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: US Congress impeaches self: 6 (none / 0)

AP Why It Matters: Bolton revelations complicate Trump defense

A Senate vote on whether to call witnesses is expected as soon as Thursday [30 Jan]. Four Republican senators would need to join Senate Democrats for the proposal to be approved [simple majority]. Utah Republican Mitt Romney has previously indicated he would likely be in favor of hearing from witnesses. Maine's Susan Collins said Monday that news about the Bolton book "strengthens the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues."
Even if witnesses are called, it remains unlikely that the GOP-controlled Senate would vote to remove Trump from office. But witness testimony could extend the trial for a week or two, pushing it past next week's State of the Union address [Tue., 4 Feb] and increasing political risk for the president.

by Cat on Mon Jan 27th, 2020 at 09:03:26 PM EST
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USAToday afternoon edition

Maine Independent Sen. Angus King told NPR [National Public Radio] on Monday he expects up to 10 of his GOP Senate colleagues to vote in favor of witnesses following a report in The New York Times that Trump told Bolton, the president's former national security adviser, to withhold military aid to pressure Ukraine into helping with politically motivated investigations.

In a lobby, Lindsey Graham Crackers admits that he wants to know what is in Bolton's manuscript.

But Graham also tweeted Monday that if Democrats get to call witnesses, then Trump should get the witnesses he wants.

by Cat on Tue Jan 28th, 2020 at 12:20:34 AM EST
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Sen. Graham backs plan to make Bolton manuscript available to senators, 28 Jan
"Graham had earlier said he would back a subpoena for the manuscript." A subpoena --not a copyright releas-- from an author who couldn't wait until 1 March release date to flog sales? hmm, are all the GPO's copy machines out-of-order?

by Cat on Tue Jan 28th, 2020 at 11:48:13 PM EST
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Politico tortures plot twist of the day

Bolton Bombshell sets off a whodunit frenzy

News of the former national security adviser's manuscript has everyone blaming everyone else for leaking.

an unfortunate turn of phrase

Understanding the sourcing behind the story could shine light on whether those who shared information with the Times were motivated to influence the Senate impeachment trial, or -- as Republicans suggested on Monday, they were merely trying to juice Bolton's book sales. And it could clarify whether top White House officials were aware of Bolton's allegations, with several GOP senators telling reporters they felt blindsided by the story.

not really

by Cat on Tue Jan 28th, 2020 at 12:28:03 AM EST
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Re: US Congress impeaches self: 6 (none / 0)

Fox News personalities are questioning the motives of their former longtime colleague John Bolton after an NYT story said Bolton wrote in his book manuscript that Pres. Trump tied aid to Ukraine to his request that the country announce probes of the Bidens https://t.co/BiE0tm8ZlJ
— CNN (@CNN) January 28, 2020