Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Qutzupalotl

(14,230 posts)
Fri Dec 13, 2019, 02:08 AM Dec 2019

Barbara McQuade responds to GOP impeachment defenses




Here are the GOP defenses I have heard so far to articles of impeachment, along with the knee-jerk responses I have been shouting at my television.

Defense 1: Trump did nothing wrong. Response: Trump hit the trifecta of impeachable conduct by subverting an election, seeking foreign influence, and putting personal interest ahead of national interest. And he obstructed Congress by refusing to produce any witnesses or documents

Defense 2. No harm occurred because the military aid went through. Response: The aid went through only after Trump was caught. In the meantime, months of delay cost Ukraine lives in its war with Russia. US credibility was harmed and moral authority to fight corruption was eroded.

Defense 3: Because aid went through, no misconduct was committed. Response: Bribery occurs upon demand for a personal favor in exchange for performance of an official act. If you offer a cop $20 to get out of a traffic ticket, even if he declines, you have still committed bribery

Defense 4: Abuse of power is not even a crime. Response: Impeachable conduct may be criminal conduct, but need not be. A president could be impeached if he watched TV all day and failed to fulfill his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

Defense 5: There’s nothing wrong with asking for an investigation. Response: If this were legitimate investigation, you wouldn’t need to send your personal lawyer and his henchmen to do it. Witnesses say Trump didn’t want investigation, just announcement of investigation.

Defense 6: There was no quid pro quo. Read the transcript! Trump’s request for a “favor” is strong evidence, corroborated by witness testimony, of months-long scheme to get Zelensky to “go to the mic” and announce Biden probe. Aid was leverage.

Defense 7: As VP, Biden held up aid as leverage to get rid of the Ukrainian public prosecutor. Response: It is appropriate for a president or VP to take action to advance the interests of the nation. Trump was advancing his personal interests.

Defense 8: Teatimony is hearsay. Response: Rules of Evidence don’t apply. Also, call summary, Sondland testimony are non-hearsay. Trump has barred direct witnesses. You can’t have it both ways. If they had information favorable to Trump, you can bet we would have heard from them.

Defense 9: It happens all the time. Get over it. Response: Trump sought foreign influence in our election and harmed national security by delaying aid designed to fight Russia, our adversary. We don’t have to accept it. We deserve better.

Defense 10: Impeachment would un-do an election. Response: All impeachments un-do elections. Constitution permits impeachment if president is unfit to serve. When rigging an election is involved, elections are ineffective for removal. Impeachment is not to punish but to protect.

Defense 11: Impeachment proceedings are moving too fast. Response: This impeachment has moved slower than Bill Clinton’s and on pace with Richard Nixon’s. For a president who presents a clear and present danger to national security, removal is urgent and can’t come soon enough

Defense 12: We need to hear from the whistleblower. Response: The whistleblower was a tipster, whose tip led to the investigation. Tipsters do not testify at trial, the witnesses do. We have a duty to protect whistleblowers to encourage them to use proper channels to report abuse

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Barbara McQuade responds to GOP impeachment defenses (Original Post) Qutzupalotl Dec 2019 OP
Brava! Every member of Congress who "hesitate" - as reported - question everything Dec 2019 #1
Except on #6 2naSalit Dec 2019 #2
I'm particularly fond of how she addressed #4 Drum Dec 2019 #3
Agreed. #4 is a winner! B Stieg Dec 2019 #7
K&R Thanks for posting. alwaysinasnit Dec 2019 #4
thanks Barb riversedge Dec 2019 #5
Excellent. moondust Dec 2019 #6
Cool, crisp, clean. dchill Dec 2019 #8
concise and on point Hermit-The-Prog Dec 2019 #9
Love her and Joyce Vance padah513 Dec 2019 #10
Brilliance from Barbara McQuade! Retweeted! Cha Dec 2019 #11
Impeachment does not "undo" an election Martin Eden Dec 2019 #12
Bookmarking for the Holidays. n/t Whiskeytide Dec 2019 #13
Roger Stone also claimed he did nothing wrong. Tommy_Carcetti Dec 2019 #14

2naSalit

(86,061 posts)
2. Except on #6
Fri Dec 13, 2019, 02:22 AM
Dec 2019

We have never seen the transcript, only notes on the call that was like a third of the call. As Lt. Col. Vindman said, there was a lot missing from the notes and that the actual call was much longer. All the other witnesses on the call said it was a longer call than the notes imply.

padah513

(2,483 posts)
10. Love her and Joyce Vance
Fri Dec 13, 2019, 05:10 AM
Dec 2019

Voices of reason. They cut right through all the BS in ways that are easy to understand.

Martin Eden

(12,803 posts)
12. Impeachment does not "undo" an election
Fri Dec 13, 2019, 09:48 AM
Dec 2019

If so, Hillary Clinton would be installed as president and all Trump's judicial appointments would be negated.

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,085 posts)
14. Roger Stone also claimed he did nothing wrong.
Fri Dec 13, 2019, 12:00 PM
Dec 2019

Long story short, he's looking at the likelihood of spending the next couple of years in prison.

Of course, his jury was fair and impartial and he didn't get to invite them to his house and promise them all sort of goodies if they saved his ass.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Barbara McQuade responds ...