This piece is spot on, Chris. Trump's cult dismisses any argument pointing out his numerous deficiencies with a single introductory phrase: "Whatabout....." It's a weak form of argument, but it's all they have. Impeachment gives them another form of "whataboutism." Factual distinctions and subtleties are lost on Trump and his cohort. Indeed, truth is irrelevant. Trump declares to be "true" whatever version he finds useful.
Years from now there will be volumes written attempting to explain the hold that the orange grifter has had on the Republican Party and so many voters.
Another spot on column, Chris. Totally agree with you. It’s a sad state of affairs that this country is in. Spineless. The GOP is afraid of him and his base. I would rather win on integrity, morals and an overall good person. Not going to happen. Their personal grievances and being spineless over the country. Despicable.
As I suggested yesterday, my belief is the impeachment of Joe Biden is simply another part of the Roger Stone/Steve Bannon playbook. They are as close to Trump's Roy Cohn as Trump can find.
They were behind having a rally and then march to the capital on Jan. 6 - they might not have originated the fake elector scheme, however, they capitalized on it to create the activities on Jan. 6 designed to cause enough chaos to delay the certification, and ultimately send the election to the House of Representatives. They were part of the war room planning in the Willard Hotel, working with the republican congresspeople to plan the objections to the certifications, and to plan their cover stories for why they were objecting.
I am not sure Trump ever dreams up any of his schemes (get dirt on Biden from Ukraine, the election was stolen, fake electors, impeach Biden, etc.), however, he embraces them as his own, because this is part of his narcissistic personality...
You are so, so correct that what Trump wants is to fight in the mud - the lower, the better. Joe Biden has done a great job staying above the fray - even if Biden is impeached, I would be surprised to see this change - I believe Biden knows he cannot win if he fights at Trump's level in the mud.
Twumpy is the wrestler who never fights in the ring. His first move is to drag his opponents out of the ring and into the gutter. That mugshot? That's wrestler Trump about to bite someone's ear off.
I've gotta start by saying when you're trying to persuade someone, insulting them is generally not considered a power move. There are some interesting allegations there and I wouldn't mind hearing more. Unsubstantiated testimony needs corroboration. I remember the day when news outlets required two independent sources before running a story.
Just printing "Hunter Biden’s business associates reportedly visited the White House more than 80 times when Joe Biden was Vice President" under a Fox banner doesn't make it a fact; it's something some unidentified person said or wrote. Who reported it and in what context?
"The FBI’s June 30, 2020 FD-1023 form contains allegations that then-Vice President Joe Biden allegedly engaged in an extortion scheme where he was paid $5 million in exchange for certain actions." Those of us who read beyond the headlines know that an FD-1023 is essentially an official form for recording things which may need further investigation. It's a glorified Post-It with a form number. Please note the FD-1023 in question contains "allegations" that Biden "allegedly" engaged in a scheme. So there are allegations about things that allegedly happened. Not seeing any statements of facts there; not a lot of certitude at all.
Anyway, I don't want to mess up Chris' Substack any more than we have. If you want to continue this you can find me on the bluebird app @jt_mooney.
“He has previously pushed House Republicans to expunge those impeachments. And, in fact, two of his closest allies in Congress — Elise Stefanik and Marjorie Taylor Greene — sponsored legislation this past summer to do just that.”
What’s notable is that the expunging was supposed to be under way before the August recess. That effort seems to be a little flaccid. Do you suppose the impeachment will be more virile?
“House Republicans have uncovered substantial evidence showing that Joe Biden has potentially committed multiple impeachable offenses.”
That’s Ultra MAGA Elise Stefanik yesterday. Yes, they have “substantial evidence” potentially. I follow the news pretty closely and I can’t remember seeing any evidence that wasn’t more akin to what you’d find in the bowels of the internet.
Of course he is behind it. McCarthy is his puppet. I never watch news, but was waiting for an appointment and CBS was talking talking about how this has not gone to a vote on the floor and will not, yet McCarthy et al continue to push it.
Here is the discourse and coverage divide: the collusion hoax investigation/ Mueller and both impeachments against Trump were 100% fictionally created for political purposes for the constant drip of negative headlines for articles and reports written by folks like you, Chris. There is clear evidence of Biden family members receiving millions of dollars of income from foreign sources for what business? Do they have a long history of renting hotel rooms? Or manufacturing ketchup? Or a long history of getting money for seemingly no other reason than Joe Biden's elected offices? There is no other plausible explanation for the reversal of successful Trump policies and the "intentional negligence" of Biden's administration. I would have started with impeaching Garland and Mayorkas.
I thought I posted a response last night, but it won't matter what links I post in response to your gaslighting strategy. What evidence do you want links to? Hunter Biden Laptop? DOJ, FBI or IRS investigations or any of the whistleblowers? NARA named emails? Or from the next batch of pseudonym emails? Do you want quotes from Joe Biden denying all of these things never happened when we have clear evidence Biden is lying? Or: https://oversight.house.gov/blog/evidence-of-joe-bidens-involvement-in-his-familys-influence-peddling-schemes/
I hope the Republicans in the House go ahead and impeach President Biden as I am sure it will be a political bonus to President Biden and his campaign team. This will further juice up the Democrats' base who are already fired up by Trump (contrary to what some pundits say)and Independents to cone out en mass to vote for President Biden's re election for a second term
Trump may try to drag Biden into the mud but the American people will see through it all and will vote Joe Biden in 2024 as they did in 2020 and Joe Biden will win again.
This piece is spot on, Chris. Trump's cult dismisses any argument pointing out his numerous deficiencies with a single introductory phrase: "Whatabout....." It's a weak form of argument, but it's all they have. Impeachment gives them another form of "whataboutism." Factual distinctions and subtleties are lost on Trump and his cohort. Indeed, truth is irrelevant. Trump declares to be "true" whatever version he finds useful.
Thanks, Todd. I think the trading of moral equivalencies is part and parcel of how Trump does business -- and politics.
Years from now there will be volumes written attempting to explain the hold that the orange grifter has had on the Republican Party and so many voters.
Another spot on column, Chris. Totally agree with you. It’s a sad state of affairs that this country is in. Spineless. The GOP is afraid of him and his base. I would rather win on integrity, morals and an overall good person. Not going to happen. Their personal grievances and being spineless over the country. Despicable.
Thanks, Elaine.
As I suggested yesterday, my belief is the impeachment of Joe Biden is simply another part of the Roger Stone/Steve Bannon playbook. They are as close to Trump's Roy Cohn as Trump can find.
They were behind having a rally and then march to the capital on Jan. 6 - they might not have originated the fake elector scheme, however, they capitalized on it to create the activities on Jan. 6 designed to cause enough chaos to delay the certification, and ultimately send the election to the House of Representatives. They were part of the war room planning in the Willard Hotel, working with the republican congresspeople to plan the objections to the certifications, and to plan their cover stories for why they were objecting.
I am not sure Trump ever dreams up any of his schemes (get dirt on Biden from Ukraine, the election was stolen, fake electors, impeach Biden, etc.), however, he embraces them as his own, because this is part of his narcissistic personality...
You are so, so correct that what Trump wants is to fight in the mud - the lower, the better. Joe Biden has done a great job staying above the fray - even if Biden is impeached, I would be surprised to see this change - I believe Biden knows he cannot win if he fights at Trump's level in the mud.
I think Biden would do well to avoid getting in the mud with Trump. I think Trump always wins those fights.
They were both in the mid in 2020 and Biden won. Biden is going to win again in 2024
I must have had a head injury. When did Biden get down into the mud and wrestle with Trump?
Exactly.
Twumpy is the wrestler who never fights in the ring. His first move is to drag his opponents out of the ring and into the gutter. That mugshot? That's wrestler Trump about to bite someone's ear off.
I have always said, Trump is a NYC gutter rat. Grew up in the burbs of NYC, in the news nearly daily it seemed. Ugh
Joe Biden , Witch Harris and scumbag liberals should drop dead!
Joe Biden , Witch Harris and scumbag liberals should drop dead!
Joe Biden , Witch Harris and scumbag liberals should drop dead!
I've gotta start by saying when you're trying to persuade someone, insulting them is generally not considered a power move. There are some interesting allegations there and I wouldn't mind hearing more. Unsubstantiated testimony needs corroboration. I remember the day when news outlets required two independent sources before running a story.
Just printing "Hunter Biden’s business associates reportedly visited the White House more than 80 times when Joe Biden was Vice President" under a Fox banner doesn't make it a fact; it's something some unidentified person said or wrote. Who reported it and in what context?
"The FBI’s June 30, 2020 FD-1023 form contains allegations that then-Vice President Joe Biden allegedly engaged in an extortion scheme where he was paid $5 million in exchange for certain actions." Those of us who read beyond the headlines know that an FD-1023 is essentially an official form for recording things which may need further investigation. It's a glorified Post-It with a form number. Please note the FD-1023 in question contains "allegations" that Biden "allegedly" engaged in a scheme. So there are allegations about things that allegedly happened. Not seeing any statements of facts there; not a lot of certitude at all.
Anyway, I don't want to mess up Chris' Substack any more than we have. If you want to continue this you can find me on the bluebird app @jt_mooney.
How long after the inquiry starts until Trump just starts claiming Biden has been impeached?
Great piece Chris and right on the money!
Sometimes, I feel as if I am watching a “middle school”playground or, the Jets and the Sharks!
“He has previously pushed House Republicans to expunge those impeachments. And, in fact, two of his closest allies in Congress — Elise Stefanik and Marjorie Taylor Greene — sponsored legislation this past summer to do just that.”
What’s notable is that the expunging was supposed to be under way before the August recess. That effort seems to be a little flaccid. Do you suppose the impeachment will be more virile?
“House Republicans have uncovered substantial evidence showing that Joe Biden has potentially committed multiple impeachable offenses.”
That’s Ultra MAGA Elise Stefanik yesterday. Yes, they have “substantial evidence” potentially. I follow the news pretty closely and I can’t remember seeing any evidence that wasn’t more akin to what you’d find in the bowels of the internet.
Of course he is behind it. McCarthy is his puppet. I never watch news, but was waiting for an appointment and CBS was talking talking about how this has not gone to a vote on the floor and will not, yet McCarthy et al continue to push it.
Here is the discourse and coverage divide: the collusion hoax investigation/ Mueller and both impeachments against Trump were 100% fictionally created for political purposes for the constant drip of negative headlines for articles and reports written by folks like you, Chris. There is clear evidence of Biden family members receiving millions of dollars of income from foreign sources for what business? Do they have a long history of renting hotel rooms? Or manufacturing ketchup? Or a long history of getting money for seemingly no other reason than Joe Biden's elected offices? There is no other plausible explanation for the reversal of successful Trump policies and the "intentional negligence" of Biden's administration. I would have started with impeaching Garland and Mayorkas.
I've made this request to multiple posters across multiple platforms and fora. Post a link to some evidence. Just one scrap of evidence.
The response is always, always either silence or vituperation.
I posted this link and other information and you never responded. https://oversight.house.gov/blog/evidence-of-joe-bidens-involvement-in-his-familys-influence-peddling-schemes/
I thought I posted a response last night, but it won't matter what links I post in response to your gaslighting strategy. What evidence do you want links to? Hunter Biden Laptop? DOJ, FBI or IRS investigations or any of the whistleblowers? NARA named emails? Or from the next batch of pseudonym emails? Do you want quotes from Joe Biden denying all of these things never happened when we have clear evidence Biden is lying? Or: https://oversight.house.gov/blog/evidence-of-joe-bidens-involvement-in-his-familys-influence-peddling-schemes/
I hope the Republicans in the House go ahead and impeach President Biden as I am sure it will be a political bonus to President Biden and his campaign team. This will further juice up the Democrats' base who are already fired up by Trump (contrary to what some pundits say)and Independents to cone out en mass to vote for President Biden's re election for a second term
Trump may try to drag Biden into the mud but the American people will see through it all and will vote Joe Biden in 2024 as they did in 2020 and Joe Biden will win again.