Rep. Collins says that the first 45 minutes of the hearing have "painted an interesting picture," in a Georgia drawl that suggests that his use of "interesting" here is not altogether favorable.
The subtext is clear: It's the Judiciary's minority time now.
The subtext is clear: It's the Judiciary's minority time now.
Collins pivots to Professor Turley, who expresses camaraderie with the other scholar witnesses with whom he strongly disagrees.
Turley then critiques Professor Karlan's view of bribery.
Turley then critiques Professor Karlan's view of bribery.
Turley: "It gives me no joy to disagree with my colleagues here, and I don't have a dog in this fight."
But Turley says that SCOTUS has rejected a "boundless" interpretation that he accuses Dems of having.
"This is not improvisational jazz. Close enough is not good enough."
But Turley says that SCOTUS has rejected a "boundless" interpretation that he accuses Dems of having.
"This is not improvisational jazz. Close enough is not good enough."
Republicans like what they're hearing.
When Collins started to ask a question, Turley apologized before the congressman told him to proceed.
"You're doing a good job," he said.
When Collins started to ask a question, Turley apologized before the congressman told him to proceed.
"You're doing a good job," he said.
Note: Turley's argument against impeaching Trump is dramatically different from House Republicans. He appears to concede misconduct, noting that the call was "anything but 'perfect.'"
GOP won't give an inch.
GOP won't give an inch.
Turley argues that making an article of impeachment about Trump going to the courts to stonewall the inquiry is itself an abuse of power.
Rep. Collins grills him on SCOTUS' McDonnell precedent, which effectively legalized buying political access.
Rep. Collins grills him on SCOTUS' McDonnell precedent, which effectively legalized buying political access.
