1. A word about Trey Gowdy, whom President Trump just hired to be part of his "legal team" fighting impeachment.
First, Gowdy is there to be a TV lawyer. He's been brought in because he delivers what Trump's base wants. I wrote about him in 2014:
First, Gowdy is there to be a TV lawyer. He's been brought in because he delivers what Trump's base wants. I wrote about him in 2014:
2. Gowdy had a particular style as a congressional interrogator: Ask every question as though you're barely holding back your rage because the witness is so appalling, then when they answer - no matter what they answer - ask the same question again, but even louder and angrier.
3. Conservatives loved this because they didn't care about the substance - what was important was watching Obama admin officials get yelled at. Gowdy was enacting their own rage for them, and YouTube was filled with "Gowdy DESTROYS Obama admin loser!" videos.
4. He's not being brought in to help Trump because of his keen legal mind. The administration has no coherent legal strategy other than declaring that Trump is above the law. Gowdy is there to go on TV and keep the GOP base as angry and outraged as possible. /end
Oops, sorry, here's the link to the piece I wrote on him in 2014: prospect.org/power/meet-tre…
