Investigators Are Examining Gaetz Bahamas Trip As Part Of Sex Trafficking Probe | Talking Points Memo

[ClutchCargo]

I have to say, this investigation has more leaks than a Three Stooges plumbing job. I am ready now for the perp walk and photo ops.

[mattinpa]

@dwward

The more I’ve read about Gaetz lifestyle, the more it has become clear that he’s not paying for this on the salary of a member of Congress. I’ve assumed he receives income from family wealth, but it has to be a considerable sum to live this large. Otherwise, he’s being bribed and / or raiding his campaign cash.

I suspect – and I think the feds do too – it’s all of the above.

My own suspicion is he’s a classic case of rich-punk perceived invulnerability. You get bailed out of serious jams a couple of times and you start to think there’s no such thing as an unbail-outable jam. So you do whatever the hell you feel like doing and eventually it catches up with you and Dad’s money isn’t a factor any more.

[darrtown]

One thing is certain. Gaetz sure knows how to make it worse for himself.

[seamus42]

And second, I, as an adult man, have not slept with a 17-year-old,”

Does this mean we’ll soon hear she was 16?

[alyoshakaramazov1]

@bonvivant

I think there’s a very, very real chance to win

Yet another Trump-stooge who thinks they’re Trump.

[phillydave]

“He was paid in sex” might be more accurate. Sounds like it was part of a marijuana lobbying/bribe effort, which makes it all the more weird.

[alyoshakaramazov1]

There’s so much wrong with your “comment” that I wouldn’t know where to begin…

[dwward]

“Everyone does it” is a cancer in the GOP the affects of which we have seen multiple times in these scandals.

I know you Remember the GWB years. It was epidemic with what seemed like a new scandal every week. Jack Abramoff may have been the biggest but there were a lot of them.

[yellowbeard]

@steviedee111

Have you bartered for sex?

That is a good question. One local fellow was prosecuted for paying his rent in creative, salacious, and illegal ways. I am almost certain that he has continued the practice in ways much less to his liking in the state’s big house.

[alyoshakaramazov1]

@becca656

When the front page of TPM has more stories on this than on anything else, it’s overkill.

TPM made its bones on this type of story. They are here mostly because of Duke Cunningham. You don’t like it, you don’t have to read it.

[enn]

You seem to have forgotten the TPM focus.

Talking Points Memo (TPM) is an independent news organization that publishes reporting and analysis about American politics, public policy and political culture.

We are particularly focused on reporting on abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust. Our reporters have exposed scandals and driven coverage of major news stories across multiple administrations.

[cervantes]

@steviedee111

“First, I have never, ever paid for sex."

Have you bartered for sex?

Maybe he wrote them IOUs.

[yellowbeard]

I think of it as something of a death watch. Breaking stories with headlines like “Gaetz Arrested” and “Gaetz Resigns” are being written in skeletal form right now.

[danny]

Since I’m taking my turn under the gun, let me address the allegations against me directly. First, I have never, ever paid for sex. And second, I, as an adult man, have not slept with a 17-year-old.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/rep-matt-gaetz-oped-the-swamp-is-out-to-drown-me-with-false-charges-but-im-not-giving-up

There is no gun. There is no group of people taking turns being under the gun. Nobody is holding the gun. Nobody directly pays for sex unless they negotiate a contract for sex and either hand over cash or make some other payment for the sex transaction. Sex and sleep are two different things. A seventeen year old what or whom?

[bunnyvelour]

I think the clinical term is “batshit”.

[brian512]

@mattinpa

My own suspicion is he’s a classic case of rich-punk perceived invulnerability. You get bailed out of serious jams a couple of times and you start to think there’s no such thing as an unbail-outable jam. So you do whatever the hell you feel like doing and eventually it catches up with you and Dad’s money isn’t a factor any more.

I was gambling in Havana
I took a little risk
Send lawyers guns and money
Dad get me out of this

— W. Zevon

[alyoshakaramazov1]

@nycabj

Another Matt Gaetz morning.

I’ve been going to Glenn Kirschner’s youtube channel for the Chauvin trial news. He’s got the skinny on procedure, strategy, as well as giving quick rundowns on testimony:

Glenn Kirschner

[darrtown]

Speaking of covid relief checks somehow ours got direct deposited in my account. I would have preferred to get the paper version just to see it without the orange monster’s name on it. And we used it to upgrade the wall on our property in true local Hispanic tradition. Our neighbors, who are of Hispanic origin heartily approved of the design.
Edit
I’ve had real trouble following the Chauvin trial as it brings up nasty memories of the results of guns and the death they are designed to bring. I’ve seen the video of that murderer kneeling on Floyd’s neck and that was enough for me. The guilt could not be more obvious.

[bunnyvelour]

Sure, Matt. All the ladies luuuuuv you and your sexy republican political friends .

[becca656]

At the moment, the prosecution has appeared to bring in enough people, including colleagues and even the Police Chief, to demonstrate that this is not the training they’ve received and that the force was excessive.

I’m waiting to see what the defense presents. Like you, I don’t see how the guilt can be denied.