All purpose news and politics thread part v: The quickening

[Tami]

Trump Is Committing 'Felony Bribery' by Giving Fundraising Cash to GOP Senators Ahead of Impeachment Trial: Ex-Bush Ethics Lawyer

Attorney Richard Painter, who served as the chief White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration, warned on Thursday that President Donald Trump appeared to be committing "felony bribery" by giving Republican senators fundraising cash ahead of an increasingly likely impeachment trial in the Senate.

The lawyer shared an article published by Politico on Thursday morning. Titled "Trump lures GOP senators on impeachment with cold cash," the article outlined how the president is turning to his large network of donors to raise funds for a few senators facing difficult re-election campaigns in 2020. All of those senators have also signed a resolution condemning the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry.

"This is a bribe. Any other American who offered cash to the jury before a trial would go to prison for felony bribery. But he can get away with it?" Painter, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, wrote on Twitter. "Criminal."

[BeastieRunner]

Can't find a similar article, but there is this from the House of representatives site

All Republicans voted against. The one Independent, Amash (MI) voted for. Two Democrats voted against, Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2), and Collin Peterson (MN-7), voted against.

Peterson's in a +12 R district. Van Drew's is only +1, so it's not out of fear at the ballot box.

Thanks both of you.

[kidfresh512]

Depends how they spin it frankly.

Exactly. They have right wing media all calling it Deep State conspiracy, Fox News lying to them. Trump tweeting at them and threatening all GOP who don't fall in line. Even after the floor vote they had been WHINING about in "process" arguments. Democrats give them a formal process vote on rules and...

Minutes after the vote, the White House press secretary denounced the process as “a sham impeachment” and “a blatantly partisan attempt to destroy the president.”

It will all still come down to 2020 elections. But, now Democrats at least can run that they tried to follow the Constitution and do their duty. GOP all cowered under trumps boot and let him walk all over it.

[Gray Lensman]

Exactly. They have right wing media all calling it Deep State conspiracy, Fox News lying to them. Trump tweeting at them and threatening all GOP who don't fall in line. Even after the floor vote they had been WHINING about in "process" arguments.



It will all still come down to 2020 elections. But, now Democrats at least can run that they tried to follow the Constitution and do their duty. GOP all cowered under trumps boot and let him walk all over it.

Trump has apparently opened his campaign coffers to ensure Republicans line up behind him. In other words, open bribery.

[InformationGeek]

Look at the courage on display.

NEWS: Republican Congresswoman
@cathymcmorris
(WA) refuses to admit that foreign interference in our elections is illegal.

[PaulBullion]

Tim Morrison confirms that Sondland told Ukraine they needed to investigate Burisma — or else they wouldn't get their military aid.

Meaning: he confirmed the most damning quid pro quo scenario.

https://twitter.com/awprokop/status/...688665600?s=20

[Tami]

I'm told that Capitol Police is investigating suspicious packages in House office buildings that were dropped off by the NRCC after the impeachment inquiry vote.

Among those who've received: Spanberger, Fletcher, Schrier, Lamb

Twitter Link

Also Wexton, McAdams.

The packages were sealed with a bow on them, with a note that said "get packing." Multiple people said they looked menacing.

Apparently NRCC folks took the flat boxes (and bows) through security then assembled them in the Capitol.

[Celgress]

Well, this could prove disastrous. Let's hope he doesn't run -

[Tami]

[Celgress]

A bit dated, but still interesting. Van Jones is not happy with Hillary Clinton -

[Tami]

Trump, Lifelong New Yorker, Declares Himself a Resident of Florida

He came of age in Queens, built Trump Tower, starred in “The Apprentice,” bankrupted his businesses six times, and drew cheering crowds and angry protesters to Fifth Avenue after his election. Through it all, President Trump — rich, bombastic and to many Americans the epitome of a New Yorker — was intertwined with the city he called his lifelong home.

No longer.

In late September, Mr. Trump changed his primary residence from Manhattan to Palm Beach, Fla., according to documents filed with the Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Melania Trump, the first lady, also changed her residence to Palm Beach in an identical document.

Each of the Trumps filed a “declaration of domicile” saying that the Mar-a-Lago Club, Mr. Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, will be their permanent residence.

“If I maintain another place or places of abode in some other state or states, I hereby declare that my above-described residence and abode in the State of Florida constitutes my predominant and principal home, and I intend to continue it permanently as such,” reads the document that Mr. Trump filed.

[Jack Dracula]

A bit dated, but still interesting. Van Jones is not happy with Hillary Clinton -

I have to ask: Who fucking cares?

[Iron Maiden]

Trump, Lifelong New Yorker, Declares Himself a Resident of Florida

I keep thinking.... Trump really doesn't have a private residence that I can think of. His multilevel apartment/condo in Trump Tower is a commercial venture with retail space and condos. Mar a Lago was a private estate when the Merriweather Post family owned it but he turned it into a club with paying members. He has a Beverly Hills mansion but mostly rents it out. The NJ Bedminster property is a golf course with club membership also. There is something that he does to reduce the property taxes there. He got a classifications of farmland instead for 2 golf course and reduced the property tax from an estimated 80,000 to 1,000 by putting some goats there and planting a hayfield. Somehow I think there's a scam in there but Trump wouldn't be the first wealthy person to exploit tax loopholes. He got major tax breaks for his NYC properties too.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Look at the courage on display.

Another gutless Republican fearful of Trump ending her career with a tweet if she doesn’t kiss his ass.

[Jack Dracula]

Another gutless Republican fearful of Trump ending her career with a tweet if she doesn’t kiss his ass.

The thing is, they give him this power over them. This impeachment inquiry is their chance to isolate and dethrone Trump, but they fall in line like a pack of whipped dogs.