Depends what we mean by "save themselves."👇
If we consider the GOP leadership's two options, we see the party is doomed either way.
They can:
💠Break with Trump, or
💠Show the world that they've become a fascist party that can survive only by suppressing the truth.
1/
If we consider the GOP leadership's two options, we see the party is doomed either way.
They can:
💠Break with Trump, or
💠Show the world that they've become a fascist party that can survive only by suppressing the truth.
1/
1/ “Break with Trump” and get behind Pence makes sense: Pence is ideologically aligned with the far right and evangelicals.
Breaking with Trump, though only works, though, if Trump does what Nixon did: Go quietly away.
Then the party lines up behind Pence and remains strong.
Breaking with Trump, though only works, though, if Trump does what Nixon did: Go quietly away.
Then the party lines up behind Pence and remains strong.
2/ Two problems with that: (1) Trump won’t because of the kind of person he is and (2) Trump can’t.
Nixon could retire to his estate.
Trump can't because his estate is under siege by state law enforcement, and the pardon power don’t extend to state crimes.
Nixon could retire to his estate.
Trump can't because his estate is under siege by state law enforcement, and the pardon power don’t extend to state crimes.
3/ We know from having observed Trump for years that he will fight back with vengeance against anyone who turns on him.
This means Trump’s base will turn with vengeance on anyone who turns on him.
This will split the GOP.
Here's how Trump controls the Senate:
This means Trump’s base will turn with vengeance on anyone who turns on him.
This will split the GOP.
Here's how Trump controls the Senate:
4/ Trump controls his hardcore "base," about 1/3 of the nation, but a majority of the GOP voters. Controlling that base gives him control over the GOP leaders, who control the Senate.
By threatening to turn his base against anyone who turns on him, Trump holds them all in fear.
By threatening to turn his base against anyone who turns on him, Trump holds them all in fear.
5/ The GOP is already a minority party with its numbers growing worse every year.
If the GOP splits going into 2020, the losses will be devastating.
The best chance the GOP has in Nov. 2020 is to hold together.
This brings us to their second terrible option: Defending Trump.
If the GOP splits going into 2020, the losses will be devastating.
The best chance the GOP has in Nov. 2020 is to hold together.
This brings us to their second terrible option: Defending Trump.
6/ The problem for the GOP leadership is that Trump is not doing what Clinton did.
Clinton said what he did was wrong and apologized.
The Democrats then argued that Clinton did something morally wrong, but not impeachable.
The nation agreed . . .
Clinton said what he did was wrong and apologized.
The Democrats then argued that Clinton did something morally wrong, but not impeachable.
The nation agreed . . .
7/ Clinton’s approval shot up to 70% after he was impeached and apologized. Most Americans agreed lying under oath about an affair was wrong—but they didn’t want the president removed from office because of that.
Also fun fact (writing from memory of long ago events) . . .
Also fun fact (writing from memory of long ago events) . . .
8/ Larry Flynt offered an enormous reward to anyone who could find sexual dirt on Clinton’s accusers.
When it was revealed publicly that many of Clinton’s GOP accusers also had affairs and lied, the GOP looked ridiculous.
When it was revealed publicly that many of Clinton’s GOP accusers also had affairs and lied, the GOP looked ridiculous.
9/ Trump is doing the exact opposite of what Clinton did, which is putting the GOP into a bind.
Trump says he did nothing wrong. He says his call was "perfect."
Trump says as President, he can conduct whatever policies he chooses.
Trump says he did nothing wrong. He says his call was "perfect."
Trump says as President, he can conduct whatever policies he chooses.
10/ In 2017, Trump said: “I have the absolute right to do what I want with the Justice Department.”
nytimes.com/2017/12/28/us/…
Now Trump insists that he has the right to ask foreign governments to investigate anyone he wishes, and besides, Zelensky says he didn’t feel pressured.
nytimes.com/2017/12/28/us/…
Now Trump insists that he has the right to ask foreign governments to investigate anyone he wishes, and besides, Zelensky says he didn’t feel pressured.
11/ Trump insists he can intimidate witnesses, violate the Impound Control Act, "ask" foreign government to announce inquiries into his political opponents, and basically do whatever he wants.
Trump also demands that the GOP leadership defend his right to do these things.
Trump also demands that the GOP leadership defend his right to do these things.
12/ If the GOP defends Trump, they have to admit that they're willing to defend a lawbreaking and Constitution-shredding president in order to maintain power.
If they break with him, they split a minority party into warring factions.
Lose-lose.
Two bad options.
If they break with him, they split a minority party into warring factions.
Lose-lose.
Two bad options.
13/ I expect they'll try to steer a middle ground: acquit Trump without appearing to defend him.
Our job is to make sure that everyone see exactly what they are doing:
Defending a lawbreaking and Constitution-shredding president so that they can hold on to some of their power.
Our job is to make sure that everyone see exactly what they are doing:
Defending a lawbreaking and Constitution-shredding president so that they can hold on to some of their power.
James Comey (@Comey) Lisa Page (@NatSecLisa ) and others have explained how it feels to have Trump's wrath turned against them. They're not even elected officials.
Depending on who the person is, he or she risks having family and community turn on them.
Depending on who the person is, he or she risks having family and community turn on them.
@Comey @NatSecLisa I suspect each person who is afraid to cross Trump has a different reason, depending on who they are, and their families and communities.
Fear of violence is certainly there. The far right wing has been talking about Civil War for years.
Fear of violence is certainly there. The far right wing has been talking about Civil War for years.
@Comey @NatSecLisa Whether the GOP loses the Senate depends on what millions of people do between now and Nov.
It won't happen by itself, and it won't happen because the GOP is now backed into a corner.
It's up to each of us.
That's why I keep posting my list.
It won't happen by itself, and it won't happen because the GOP is now backed into a corner.
It's up to each of us.
That's why I keep posting my list.
@Comey @NatSecLisa Yes, and by:
💠kicking up dust, trying to obscure the issues, and confuse people
💠Saying "Obama" or "Clinton" (or "all politicians") did the same thing (bothsidesism)
💠Lying
💠Creating "us v. them" politics . . .
💠kicking up dust, trying to obscure the issues, and confuse people
💠Saying "Obama" or "Clinton" (or "all politicians") did the same thing (bothsidesism)
💠Lying
💠Creating "us v. them" politics . . .
@Comey @NatSecLisa . . . by presenting Trump and his supporters as victims targeted by irrational enemies out to destroy him and America.
Our job is to keep the truth front and center.
Fighting this kind of propaganda isn't easy, but the majority of Americans get it.
Look at the 2018 election.
Our job is to keep the truth front and center.
Fighting this kind of propaganda isn't easy, but the majority of Americans get it.
Look at the 2018 election.
@Comey @NatSecLisa Not if he can still mobilize and weaponize his base. I think his idea after he leaves the White House is to have his own right wing station to overtake Fox.
Think how much power Fox and right wing media has, and you can see what he wants.
Think how much power Fox and right wing media has, and you can see what he wants.
