"It feels like a horror movie" -- Republicans weigh in on having to defend Trump

[Anonymous]

Poor Republicans. They elected a clown and now are feeling anxious about the circus he's brought to town!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/it-feels-like-a-horror-movie-republicans-feel-anxious-and-adrift-defending-trump/2019/10/28/b4510698-f75f-11e9-a285-882a8e386a96_story.html

Republican senators are lost and adrift as the impeachment inquiry enters its second month, navigating the grave threat to President Trump largely in the dark, frustrated by the absence of a credible case to defend his conduct and anxious about the historic reckoning that likely awaits them.

Recent days have delivered the most damaging testimony yet about Trump and his advisers commandeering Ukraine policy for the president’s personal political goals, which his allies on Capitol Hill sought to undermine by storming the deposition room and condemning the inquiry as secretive and corrupt.

In hushed conversations over the past week, GOP senators lamented that the fast-expanding probe is fraying their party, which remains completely in Trump’s grip. They voiced exasperation at the expectation that they defend the president against the troublesome picture that has been painted, with neither convincing arguments from the White House nor confidence that something worse won’t soon be discovered.

“It feels like a horror movie,” said one veteran Republican senator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly describe the consensus.

As they went about their work at the Capitol this past week, many Senate Republicans were all but mute when reporters asked questions about impeachment — a stark snapshot of a party rattled not only by the House inquiry but also by Trump’s removal of U.S. troops from northern Syria; his decision, later retracted, to host next year’s Group of Seven summit at his Florida golf resort; and his claim that the investigation into him amounted to a “lynching.”

“I’m a juror and I’m comfortable not speaking,” Sen. James E. Risch (R-Idaho) said. Pressed again for comment, he reiterated, “I said I’m comfortable not speaking.”

“I’d be a juror, so I have no comment,” Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said.

“I don’t need a strategy for impeachment because I may be a juror someday,” Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said.

Republicans have been grousing in private about the lack of a clear strategy at the White House and their limited grasp of the full set of facts and how officials are prepared to explain them.

“What’s causing the most pause is, what else is out there? What is around the corner?” said a second Republican strategist in regular contact with congressional leaders. “If they say something in defense of the president or against the impeachment inquiry now, will they be pouring cement around their ankles?”

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Way too many Republican senators are refusing to comment on the substance of the impeachment process. They're giving themselves room to vote him out.

I think they will.

[Anonymous]

So sad for the bought “public servants”. Those poor privileged white men.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Way too many Republican senators are refusing to comment on the substance of the impeachment process. They're giving themselves room to vote him out.

I think they will.

They may. Moscow Mitch has fired two clear warning shots. The op-ed and then saying a convo that Trump spoke of didn’t happen.

[Anonymous]

From the OP:

In hushed conversations over the past week, GOP senators lamented that the fast-expanding probe is fraying their party, which remains completely in Trump’s grip. They voiced exasperation at the expectation that they defend the president against the troublesome picture that has been painted, with neither convincing arguments from the White House nor confidence that something worse won’t soon be discovered.

“It feels like a horror movie,” said one veteran Republican senator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly describe the consensus.

All unnamed sources ....... the named sources say they need to keep open minds given that they may end up being jurors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the OP:

In hushed conversations over the past week, GOP senators lamented that the fast-expanding probe is fraying their party, which remains completely in Trump’s grip. They voiced exasperation at the expectation that they defend the president against the troublesome picture that has been painted, with neither convincing arguments from the White House nor confidence that something worse won’t soon be discovered.

“It feels like a horror movie,” said one veteran Republican senator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly describe the consensus.

All unnamed sources ....... the named sources say they need to keep open minds given that they may end up being jurors.

Yes, it's noteworthy that these senators aren't defending Trump. They've seized on the "juror" thing to avoid having to comment one way or another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the OP:

In hushed conversations over the past week, GOP senators lamented that the fast-expanding probe is fraying their party, which remains completely in Trump’s grip. They voiced exasperation at the expectation that they defend the president against the troublesome picture that has been painted, with neither convincing arguments from the White House nor confidence that something worse won’t soon be discovered.

“It feels like a horror movie,” said one veteran Republican senator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to candidly describe the consensus.

All unnamed sources ....... the named sources say they need to keep open minds given that they may end up being jurors.

Unammed sources...so maybe they need nicknames like Deep Throat? He was thus far the greatest unnamed source ever!

[Anonymous]

These cowards continue to shock me with their total and complete lack of spine.

On the other hand, I’m not shocked at all. This is what the GOP is and has been for a long time.

[Anonymous]

The weekend news will boost Trump in the eyes of his base. The Senators have good reason to stay silent, they are well aware that for now, despite the stark evidence of impeachable offenses, voting to remove him from office could oust them...which is, in the end, all they care about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Way too many Republican senators are refusing to comment on the substance of the impeachment process. They're giving themselves room to vote him out.

I think they will.

You give them too much credit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The weekend news will boost Trump in the eyes of his base. The Senators have good reason to stay silent, they are well aware that for now, despite the stark evidence of impeachable offenses, voting to remove him from office could oust them...which is, in the end, all they care about.

The leak about Sondland confirming that there was a quid pro quo? Or the World Series or the fires?

What weekend news did I miss?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The weekend news will boost Trump in the eyes of his base. The Senators have good reason to stay silent, they are well aware that for now, despite the stark evidence of impeachable offenses, voting to remove him from office could oust them...which is, in the end, all they care about.

The leak about Sondland confirming that there was a quid pro quo? Or the World Series or the fires?

What weekend news did I miss?

ISIS Leader's death

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The weekend news will boost Trump in the eyes of his base. The Senators have good reason to stay silent, they are well aware that for now, despite the stark evidence of impeachable offenses, voting to remove him from office could oust them...which is, in the end, all they care about.

The leak about Sondland confirming that there was a quid pro quo? Or the World Series or the fires?

What weekend news did I miss?

ISIS Leader's death

Did killing bin Laden boost Obama's image in their eyes? I don't think it did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The weekend news will boost Trump in the eyes of his base. The Senators have good reason to stay silent, they are well aware that for now, despite the stark evidence of impeachable offenses, voting to remove him from office could oust them...which is, in the end, all they care about.

The leak about Sondland confirming that there was a quid pro quo? Or the World Series or the fires?

What weekend news did I miss?

ISIS Leader's death

But ISIS was already defeated...