1/ Said beginning that Donald Trump cannot be impeached. I still believe it to be a *political* impossibility. The numbers aren't there. Mueller could produce a video of Trump giving Putin a lapdance for a sack of cash and promising the launch codes and it still won't happen.
2/ Given the last few days, I think the 25th Admt option is rising fast on the charts. Still a *very* long shot. The obvious mental illness and mania is more obvious than ever.
3/ I've also told you ad nauseam that the Tax Bill is the Only Thing That Matters to Ryan and leadership. Not figuratively. Not sorta kinda.
It is the center of the universe.
It is the center of the universe.
4/ More than a few Members have told me, "We have to get the tax bill out. That's why we put up with him."
Now, that's not *entirely* why they put up with him, but ride with that as the framing idea for a moment.
Now, that's not *entirely* why they put up with him, but ride with that as the framing idea for a moment.
5/ Win or lose on the tax bill, what happens *next* is dark for the House and Senate. "No more lands to conquer" is a bad place to be. Trump is restless, manic, frustrated.
6/ I suspect the glue Ryan used to hold the caucus together -- "The donors will slaughter us if we don't pass the tax bill" -- is cracking already. Winter is coming.
