It’s Sunday morning, the first Sunday after the devastating week of Impeachment hearings. We can expect trumps minions in the House and Senate to launch a full-frontal assault on Democrats and the career professionals who testified this week. We can also expect them to whistle non-stop about the whistleblower and maintain radio silence on the Louisiana governorship race. Democrats OTOH (there are many on the TV channels today) will probably stay focused on the testimony and keep reminding viewers of the high crimes and supporting evidence.
Here is the list of the guests on major talk shows, courtesy bear83.
- Meet the Press: Democratic presidential candidate Deval Patrick; Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. NBC, 9 a.m.
- State of the Union: Murphy; Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio. CNN, 9 a.m. and noon.
- Fox News Sunday: Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn.; Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La. 10 a.m.
- This Week: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y.; Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah. ABC, 10 a.m.
- Face the Nation: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio; Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill. CBS, 10:30 a.m.
Let’s take a look at what we have so far. I will add more as the morning wears on.
The highlight of the day is Nancy Pelosi’s interview on Face the Nation, calling trump an “Imposter”.
The full transcript is here.
These words are designed to torment the “imposter” president.
I think part of it is his own insecurity as an imposter. I think he knows full well that he's in that office way over his head. And so he has to diminish everyone else.
His trans- transcript of a phone call is tucked away in a high- highly sensitive, compartmentalized intelligence server so that we can't see that. If he has information that is exculpatory, that means ex, taking away, culpable, blame, then we look forward to seeing it.
So the president could come right before the committee and talk, speak all the truth that he wants if he wants to take the oath of office or he could do it in writing. He has every opportunity to present his case.
But it's really a sad thing. I mean, what the president did was so much worse than even what Richard Nixon did, that at some point Richard Nixon cared about the country enough to recognize that this could not continue.
Well, I think the American people have had a good week. I think truth has had a good week. I think patriotism has had a good week. And I think the Constitution has has a good week. I don't think the president has had a good week.
Fox’s Chris Wallace shows his frustration with light-weight Steve Scalise.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and his stammering word salad -
Chuck does well on Meet the Press with Ron Johnson — watch at the 4:20 mark -
“You’re blaming everybody else for the reason we’re in this situation, other than the president. Isn’t the president’s own behavior, which raised all of these yellow and red flags, isn’t is that why we’re here?”
Also, Johnson’s insidious statement — “The whistleblower's sources exposed things that didn't need to be exposed” — will be discussed much by pundits. Johnson like most republicans does not care much for Democracy, does he? Also, Ron Johnson was among those who went to Russia over July 4. How kompromized is he?
Chris Murphy (D-CT) on trump’s witness intimidation tweets -
Chris Murphy (D-CT) with Jake Tapper, tightening the vise around Sondland.
Chris Stewart (R-UT) did his best impression of Baghdad Bob.
Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) is very methodical and very effective -
Jim Jordan babbling his usual No Quid Pro Quo line.
Mike Turner (R-OH) ranting and ducking ...
All in all, no “Pizzazz” on the talk shows so far, except for Nancy Pelosi’s statements, which will probably send trump back to Walter Reed for another unscheduled visit.
What else did you see and hear that sticks out and which gives some hints of what to expect this week? There are more impeachment hearings this week. The SCOTUS may rule on the trump tax filings case. It will be a busy and eventful week. What does your crystal ball say?