A World of Hurt

The receipts are coming in. #1 is Lamar Alexander's defense of Trump, which marks our transition into a very dangerous world. The GOP is okay with authoritarianism, so long as it's their authoritarianism. We're in a world of hurt.

There is no need for more evidence to prove that the president asked Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter; he said this on television on October 3, 2019, and during his July 25, 2019, telephone call with the president of Ukraine. There is no need for more evidence to conclude that the president withheld United States aid, at least in part, to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens; the House managers have proved this with what they call a ‘mountain of overwhelming evidence.’ There is no need to consider further the frivolous second article of impeachment that would remove the president for asserting his constitutional prerogative to protect confidential conversations with his close advisers. 

In the election it will be useful to remind people that Alexander and maybe others (like Romney) affirmed that Trump did something wrong. But if we tolerate politicians who use their offices in corrupt ways to pressure other countries -- our vulnerable allies! -- to interfere in our elections, we're giving up on our republican government.

We need to appreciate why Republicans are so cowed by Trump. If they speak out and leave their offices, they forfeit a world of very lucrative opportunities. Trump can destroy their futures -- and he would. Politico reporter Tim Alberta had some wise words on this front. They're compiled here.

We could have seen this coming. Neal Gabler told us what we were facing the day after Trump's election. Hell, I wrote about it in 2012.

Elizabeth Warren even forced Chief Justice Roberts to read aloud a question about the legitimacy of his own office in this light.

All this while even more damning information comes in about Trump and Ukraine.

Things we're learning.... Remember the context: Parnas and Fruman are funded by Ukrainian oligarch Dmitry Firtash, an energy tycoon closely aligned with Putin. It's all about Russia dominating Ukraine and its energy sector. Always has been.

So what have we learned from a recent Washington Post story?

• It's probable that Trump introduced Parnas and Fruman to Giuliani, not the other way around.
• Furthermore, RNC chair Ronna McDaniel has been familiar with these goons from the get-go. There's video. 

Basically, the Republicans are selling the United States government to Russia. Look at Oleg Deripaska. What do the Republicans get in return?