General Discussion

LAS14

(14,792 posts) Fri Nov 8, 2019, 10:20 AM Nov 2019

It just dawned on me. (Senate trial) [View all]

When the Senate trial begins, Republicans will be calling all sorts of "witnesses." Is there any reason why half the time won't be taken up with questions like "And why did the president think that the Bidens needed to be investigated?" This will bring up that scurrilous book that started the false stories. And "Why did the president think the hacking originated in Ukraine?" Same story.

It would matter little that the answers can be torn apart with logic. We all have seen how damaging it is simply to ask the question. "What did John Kerry really do on that river in Viet Nam?"

So far all the MSM have been really good about shutting down chatter about false stories. But McConnell won't be good at all.

This was a new thought to me. Have pundits beaten it to death and I just didn't notice? Has this been discussed on DU?

tia
las

41 replies

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Highlight:

It just dawned on me. (Senate trial) [View all] LAS14 Nov 2019 OP

McConnell will not preside over the trial, CJ Roberts will... Wounded Bear Nov 2019 #1

Well, I'm not sure "Why did the president think..." is... LAS14 Nov 2019 #3

I never said this would not happen. In trials, every possible spin is attempted by the defense hlthe2b Nov 2019 #6

Right. I'm sure they'll do an outstanding job. And it may have... LAS14 Nov 2019 #8

What is the alternative you would suggest? I believe a very effective case will be laid out hlthe2b Nov 2019 #10

I don't have an alternative. I'm just not as sanguine... LAS14 Nov 2019 #11

We face enough day to day demoralization and disquieting revelations. Keep some fath. hlthe2b Nov 2019 #13

"What did someone else think..." is usually not a valid question in court tinrobot Nov 2019 #17

This. The_Counsel Nov 2019 #29

roberts will preside, but will not be doing much to determine what witnesses are called. unblock Nov 2019 #9

Even McConnell has made it clear that Roberts will rule on any motions made by opposing sides hlthe2b Nov 2019 #15

Didn't His Assholiness, Justice Roberts, preside over the legalization of bribery and gerrymandering lagomorph777 Nov 2019 #22

The House lawyers present the case; Trump's lawyers can rebut, but that is not the function of hlthe2b Nov 2019 #2

See my reply #3 just above. nt LAS14 Nov 2019 #5

This is their plan Bev54 Nov 2019 #4

They will try, but that is why having the most effective impeachment witnesses testsify hlthe2b Nov 2019 #7

it's not even clear that he has the power to rule anything irrelevant. unblock Nov 2019 #12

You keep mistakenly pointing to the VP having authority over impeachment trial. THAT IS NOT TRUE hlthe2b Nov 2019 #14

it agree. not sure why you think i meant otherwise. unblock Nov 2019 #18

You post # 9 seemed to be stating such for the VP hlthe2b Nov 2019 #19

i started that post with "roberts will preside", which i thought would make it clear unblock Nov 2019 #24

I'll take my lead from Laurence Tribe and Neil Katyal on this. I find their opinions to be far more hlthe2b Nov 2019 #25

wow, what's eating you today? unblock Nov 2019 #27

there is a big difference between "realism" and "defeatism". That's all I'm saying. hlthe2b Nov 2019 #30

No, that's not at all what unblock is saying jberryhill Nov 2019 #28

thank you! unblock Nov 2019 #31

Beats me jberryhill Nov 2019 #33

From McConnell's own mouth: "The chief justice is the chair. And senators are not allowed to speak" hlthe2b Nov 2019 #16

it remains to be seen how this plays out. unblock Nov 2019 #21

Roberts has the authority and ability to make the role as he wishes. READ THE ARTICLE hlthe2b Nov 2019 #23

what a waste of time, reading an article that adds nothing and supports my view. unblock Nov 2019 #26

It is up to Moscow Mitch what the rules are Bev54 Nov 2019 #35

Don't know if it's been discussed, but you are correct in your suspicion. lark Nov 2019 #20

Once the impeachment begins CJ Roberts will preside and have total conteol grantcart Nov 2019 #32

That is not the case for the sort of questions we are talking about unblock Nov 2019 #34

Wrong on so many levels, where to start? grantcart Nov 2019 #40

Thanks, very informative post. unblock Nov 2019 #41

Dems have veto power over who they pick lame54 Nov 2019 #36

In the senate?????? nt LAS14 Nov 2019 #38

No - am thinking of saturdays witness list deadline lame54 Nov 2019 #39

It will be a show alright. Joe941 Nov 2019 #37