A real profile in courage there. “Well, yeah, I suppose so, if we have to. But the decision isn’t really mine, you know.”
Keeping it real, Susan.
Yes, Susan, you need to do that. Do your job! Do your job!
Well, Susan, as a member of the committee you could make a motion to subpoena. Brush up on your Robert’s Rules.
As long the Tax Returns are not out, they can be used as a lever to extract concessions from Donald.
She will loose that lever, if the Tax Returns become public.
Shorter Collins: It will never happen so why not improve my image as a moderate Idiot.
"She added that such a decision would be up to the chairman and vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee.
Meaning, it will never happen.
Senator Collins…take a bit of advice from an old song…“Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose”, and right now, you have nothing left to lose. Ditch the GOP. Join Angus being Independent…convince two of your fellows to do it too and stop Trump.
Of course, that takes heart, brains and courage…
Yes…but you have to think bigger.
As long as Congress has investigations into these Russian connections…they have leverage over Trump. I think that’s been pretty clear to most in D.C. for awhile, which is why Ryan and McConnell both tried so hard to downplay any investigations, and why Chaffetz still keeps himself busy looking anywhere but at the Trump scandals.
They don’t WANT that sort of leverage. Because Trump is deeply unhinged and probably won’t react well to that sort of pressure. But it IS coming, whether they want it or not.
Nor are his tax returns going to be some silver bullet on this, or any, front. It will require not just his tax returns, but those of his organizations and businesses (including ALL the holding companies) as well as probably the tax returns of his family, too. And then require months of forensic accounting to make heads or tails out of it.
Which will produce some really, really ugly and cringe worthy moments and data… but its doubtful it will reveal a check stub that says “paid Putin for winning my election”
Wouldn’t be on a check stub. It would be on the memo line on the cancelled check. Duh.
TPM, please consider upping the reporting game. For example, include additional facts about the individuals being written about.
Instead of writing: "She added that such a decision would be up to the chairman and vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee.
Maybe something like this instead: "She added that such a decision would be up to the chairman, Richard Burr ® NC. and vice chairman, Mark Warner (D) Virginia, of the Intelligence Committee. Susan Collins is a member of this committee and
Don’t worry! Bullshitting Susie will continue to do whatever Mitch orders!
From what I’ve been reading, the tax returns are probably not necessary. The IC has known about Trump’s dealings with the Russian mob for a long time, long before the election. (Evidently those dealings go back 30 years.)
Whether or not this comes to light remains to be seen. Still I take heart in that email from some high level guy in Intelligence that was (allegedly) sent to John Schindler–the one that opened with “He’ll die in jail.” (He was referring to Trump.)
Please consider upping the game with key facts about individuals being written about. Elected officials may be playing a game with their words and other times may have the ability to take action on their words such as this situation.
Take this example in the article.
She added that such a decision would be up to the chairman and vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee.
You can provide a clearer understanding of her role in the Intelligence Committee as well as who the chairmen and vice chairmen are.
She added that such a decision would be up to the chairman, Richard Burr (R), and vice chairman, Mark Warner (D), of the Intelligence Committee. Susan Collins is a member of the Intelligence Committee.
I’m beginning to think that Suze is there entirely for theatrical/PR reasons. “See! We’re not all Nazis.”
Meanwhile Republicans in the House are hard at work blocking the release of any information of Trump’s collusion. http://thehill.com/homenews/house/320753-house-measure-forcing-release-of-info-on-trump-conflicts-likely-to-die-in
Collins only says Republican contrary things when the leadership gives her permission. This is a sure sign that it will never happen.
Hell freezes over before ANYONE gets access to Trump’s tax returns. He’ll defy Congress, refuse to respond to subpoenas, risk a contempt citation, file suit and press it all the way to SCOTUS if necessary. He’ll make it a rallying point with his base, play the victim of a liberal witch hunt. Finally, if defeat appears imminent in some forum he’ll craft some compromise that renders what he’s willing to give up essentially worthless to any committee or agency wanting them to make sense of his private and business dealings. There will be redactions, restrictions on what can be used and how. Trump is in bed with a lot of unsavory characters. He’s doubtless violating any number of ethical norms. How the hell the value gained from China’s granting of trademark rights to his operations and products in their country doesn’t breach the Emoluments Clause is getting a pass.
Collins is tilting at windmills.
I think you’re wrong on one point. The subpoena would go to the IRS, not Trump. I’m not even sure what legal ground he would have to complain.
We’ll get them several years from now when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission releases them in an attempt to heal our broken nation.