Joe Conason: Why Republican Barbs Bounced Off Michael Cohen

[babylonsister]

http://www.nationalmemo.com/why-republican-barbs-bounced-off-michael-cohen/

Joe Conason
Why Republican Barbs Bounced Off Michael Cohen
February 28, 2019 8:50 am


snip//

The timeworn strategy of discrediting an associate to exonerate the accused is rarely effective, however, for a very simple reason routinely explained by federal prosecutors: Convicting a bad guy almost always requires the testimony of another bad guy, because nobody else has firsthand knowledge of the crimes in question. Just look up the trial of the late John Gotti, or the Senate hearings on organized-crime influence on labor unions — where the key witnesses had perpetrated crimes far worse than tax evasion or bank fraud.

So the more that the Republicans emphasized the dishonesty and criminality of Cohen, the more they impeached the character of his former client.

snip//

With respect to both payments, Cohen acted with the intent to influence the 2016 presidential election. Cohen coordinated his actions with one or more members of the campaign, including through meetings and phone calls, about the fact, nature, and timing of the payments. In particular, and as Cohen himself has now admitted, with respect to both payments, he acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1.

At the hearing, Cohen also produced two checks, each for $35,000 — one bearing the distinctive signature of Donald J. Trump, and another signed by Donald J. Trump Jr. and the COO of the Trump Organization — that proved he was telling the truth about the reimbursement scheme.

Somehow, none of the Republican committee members mentioned that damning paragraph; in fact, none of them mentioned “Individual-1” at all. Nevertheless, Individual-1 made big news at the hearing, even though he was dining in Vietnam with his buddy Kim Jong Un.

The moment came when Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., asked specifically about Cohen’s most recent conversation with the president. His answer must have sent a chill clear across the Pacific: “Unfortunately, this topic is actually something that’s being investigated right now by the Southern District of New York, and I’ve been asked by them not to discuss.” Krishnamoorthi pressed him, asking whether Cohen knows of “any other wrongdoing or illegal act” by the president.” The president’s former lawyer replied, “Yes, and again, those are part of the investigation that’s currently being looked at by the Southern District of New York.”

Whatever report may arrive from the Office of Special Counsel in coming days, Trump’s troubles are far from over.

[Canoe52]

1. KnR!

[world wide wally]

2. I was hoping that when Republicans kept calling Cohen a liar, he would have just said, "Sez who"?

[littlemissmartypants]

7. Why? eom

[ProudLib72]

10. This

[SunSeeker]

16. You could tell he was hating life back then. He seemed so much more relaxed in front of Congress.nt

[PJMcK]

19. There's an old saying

"The truth shall set you free."

Perhaps Cohen is experiencing great relief that his years of shiftiness are over and he's trying to put his life-- and his family's-- back together.

In any event, his testimonies don't help Trump in any way.

[The Wizard]

3. One of his responses to the characterization of him as a liar

Are you talking about the President?

[Duppers]

12. Gold.

[The Wizard]

4. Cohen is where he is because of

Trump. He knows Trump has no loyalty to anyone but himself.

[LibDemAlways]

5. The righteous indignation of the Repukes

on the panel was hilarious. They looked like a bunch of lemmings heading for a cliff. How far we've fallen from the Watergate hearings when Republicans fulfilled their Constitutional responsibility by actually participating in questioning witnesses about the President's actions. These guys are a bunch of third rate idiotic sycophants. Anyone who voted for them ought to be beyond embarrassed. Hope enough are taking note to get rid of some of these losers next year.

[True Blue American]

9. Cohen did a fine rebuttal

When he told them,” I have been where you are and if you keep on you will be just like me!”

I have to ask why Matt Gaetz was there yesterday? He is not on that committee! Another try at intimidation?

[Duppers]

13. I think you you're right: intimidation. nt

[ehrnst]

6. He's used to an abusive, incoherent, angry man demanding things of him. (nt)

[littlemissmartypants]

8. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the post, babylonsister.

[UCmeNdc]

11. K&R

[Duppers]

14. K & R

[Hermit-The-Prog]

15. sleep well, Dirty Donnie and co-conspirators

Let them all wonder about the current investigations digging into their criminal activity.

[Arazi]

17. Cohen spent 10 years as a mob thug and bagman for Trump. He's immune to insults by now imo

[Lars39]

21. I thought he grew up with the mob.

[Arazi]

23. He did so yeah, definitely isn't going to be scared of R MOCs

[3Hotdogs]

18. Nail that orange ass to the wall.

[DownriverDem]

20. SDNY

I go back and forth sometimes with a rightie in Tennessee. I've been telling him for months that he needs to pay attention to the SDNY investigations. Of course he keeps bringing up Obama and how bad he was. I keep telling him he needs to pay attention to trump. It's clear trumpsters will not believe anything about trump and his criminal activities.

[forklift]

22. Cohen is rotten to the core

but he is not stupid. He knows enough buried bodies that it will be impossible to deny them all. He also knows that every word of his would need independent corroboration and he is prepared to provide it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

24. Makes me wonder why it's taking so long for Donald's sycophants to realize they're in danger

and that Donnie Boy has no loyalty to them - how many people that he's extolled and called "the best" does he have to throw under the bus and say "they always sucked" before the rest of them realize he doesn't give a shit about them?

Staggers the imagination.

Are they that addicted to power that they don't see it or are willing to take the risk? Or are they truly stupid enough to think, "Ah, but Donald actually DOES like me, so I'm safe!"

Probably both.

I'm glad Cohen finally figured it out.

[Maxheader]

25. We see it..the 30%ers don't...