This is very bad news for the Republicans.

[calimary]

47. Whoa!

Last edited Sat Nov 16, 2019, 10:46 PM - Edit history (2)

I bet interest will build next week especially in the “people are talking” department.

Nobody watching this week? Okay, fine.

HOWEVER, there’s been enough “sexy” stuff, “noisy” stuff, and “gee whiz” moments to gain attention.

It was the big news of the day, nationally. Which means the local news in the evening, late night, and following-morning catch-you-ups. There are video clips galore. And probably plenty of accompanying punditry, as well as audio clips on the radio will carry water. If it made noise it’s gonna get talked about. And the news is gonna pick up on it.

We’re now getting details from witness testimony in the Saturday hearings. There are reporters reading or repeating highlights. And there will be a follow-up appearance in the open hearings next week. Because by then more people will have heard the highlights and are eager to hear more.

So cue the videos and the reporters’ standups outside the hearing room and the building. That inevitably will fire up the curiosity factor. I’d bet the viewership will increase by Tuesday.

PLUS (#1): tempting tidbits have been revealed AS WELL AS lots of preview commentary and chatter about the hapless Gordon Sondland, who already had to revise his testimony once after being caught in a lie regarding other witness testimony since he last talked. I bet there’s increasing interest or at least more curiosity about what he’s gonna have to say for himself next Wednesday when it’s his turn on the hot seat. And don’t forget, there’s already speculation based on what new things we’ve just learned - that he’s going to have to amend his testimony YET AGAIN. Remember: NOW, we’ve heard about his phone call to trump from the restaurant in Ukraine. There were two others who were on hand and have already described hearing trump’s voice in n the other end of the phone and how loud it was.

At least one of those bystanders is set to testify about it, in upcoming open hearings.

And PLUS (#2): next Tuesday, that Lt. Col., Alexander Vindman, is set to testify. He’s the wounded warrior with the Purple Heart and a chestful of other medals hard-won. From his years of hard experience on the battlefield, literally bleeding for his country. He’ll be there in full military uniform. Nothing like a man in uniform. It’s the “hero costume.” It is a POWERFUL visual. Especially knowing his whole backstory which has already gotten a ton of press attention, revealing him as an extremely sympathetic character.

When Oliver North walked into the Iran/Contra hearings, wearing his Marine Corps uniform, he up-ended everything. He was assumed to be a villain, going in. And he hadn’t been in uniform for years by then. But by Jove America took one look at him and melted into little puddles. All those crimes and offenses and law-breaking - forgiven and forgotten. Washed away. He was the talk of the town and gave himself a 180 image re-do that was talked about for days! Completely short-sheeted the wrong-doing he was there to answer for.

He’s coming up on Tuesday. Opening day of the new week’s adventures. Which means a LOT of news coverage on Monday will focus on him to tease the following day’s hearing.

And what usually happens in the night-before coverage? Cue the video! Quite often a rehash if what led up to this, with tons of tape and visuals of the hearings the week before, when this particular chapter of the story began. So it won’t be avoidable. Even those who vowed not to watch Taylor and Kent or Yovanovitch two days later will get at least some of the gist of what they said.

And, on top of all that, in the meantime, this has gotten people talking. People are talking. You didn’t see it? Okay, but your nextdoor neighbor did. Or your sister and her husband in another city. Or at the shop. Or the store. Or the coffee room or lunch room at work. Or some of the mothers volunteering at school. This will be inescapable.

Everybody will have heard at least a little bit of it. Whether they wanted to or not. It won’t open everybody’s eyes. But I bet it WILL reach a few people. Maybe more than a few. We already see the republi-CON talking points steadily ground to powder day-by-day as more evidence mounts.

And all we have to do is nudge the numbers to help that along. We’re never gonna teach ‘em all. But we CAN nibble at the edges, wear down the rough spots, underscore and spread and repeat the REALITY and start encouraging the disgruntled to splinter away. And anything we can do to help that along, to find those weak spots and zero in on ‘em.

We can turn enough of this around that impeachment will be easy, and the Senate trial will no longer be a firewall for trump. Doubt. Sow doubt. About trump. It’s doable. At best, he’ll be removed. Short of that, he’ll be damaged goods going into the election and perhaps we’ll reach a critical mass of disgruntled voters. Or encourage same. All we need is just enough - of those who realize that by now, they’ve seen enough that the guy can’t be allowed a second term.

GAK - sorry this was so long!