Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) on Friday issued his strongest statement yet calling out President Trump’s efforts to pressure foreign governments to dig up dirt that could benefit Trump politically.
He might be looking for it, but I will be surprised if he actually finds it.
He’s the canary in the coal mine for Senate Republicans…if he can stand up to the wave of Trump supporters who are hammering him for pointing out Trump’s wrongdoing, then other Senators will find it possible to do so as well, especially if their seat is safe or in a state that will go Democratic in 2020. It’s too bad for the Republicans that Romney is such a flopping piece of tall grass, but maybe he will find enough spine to hold up under the onslaught, especially if he sees it as “saving” the party.
Yes! Lets be serious here. Justin Amash came out for impeachment, and he is now an independent, and incapable of swaying anyone on the right. As satisfying as his actions are, I am not sure it moved the needle. In hindsight I would rather he criticized Trump’s conduct, made clear he does not support it, but says “I think we need an investigation, but I will not prejudge the results.” That is the way to get other republicans on board.
Mitt is both (a) being cautious and (b) saving his powder. He has made clear that Trump’s actions are NOT acceptable w/o tipping his hat. If done right this puts pressure on others on the Trump train, who will get asked about his comments by the press and the public (see e.g. Video of Jody Earnst(R-ethenol) getting pounded by a voter at a townhall and looking like she would rather be anywhere else but there). The goal is to try to build up pressure.
But if Mitt comes out and says “this is impeachable conduct” (or more accurately in the senate conduct that requires Trump’s removal) well he is suddenly out of the club and will be attacked for “prejudging the investigation.” That will not help others to oppose Trump, but will scare others into silence.
If Romney wants Trump out – and he clearly does – strategically the way to do it is to put pressure on Republicans to break with his ongoing conduct, and assuming that number grows (safety in numbers) it will do so in steps, not all at once.
While I would like Trump to be frog marched out of 1600 Penn Ave, tied to the front fence, and shot for treason before the assembled masses, the reality is that the way he goes is via cracks (see Romney) turning into rivets of water, then the entire structure starts to leak, them bam, the dam gives way.
It’s extremely troubling. It’s brazen, unprecedented, wrong, and appalling. In fact, it strains credulity. If this goes on for much longer I will have no choice but to respectfully suggest that it’s quintessentially disconcerting.
Auditioning for appointment as VP once Pence is dumped.
Note that he didn’t endorse impeachment proceedings.
But, heck, credit where it is due; you’re getting closer to having a spine Mittens!
Ed. When no Rethugs say a negative word, Romney is a step in the right direction.
Even the Republicans who offer criticism do it in such a mealy-mouthed way. “Really bad”? “Concerning”? “Not good”? It is to avoid precise terms like “impeachable” or “criminal,” but I suppose it isn’t as if any of them have law degrees or anything…
Romney: What kind of worm is that?
Deeds not words, Senator!
You realize that Mittens is a very key player, Mitch could use the Byrd precedent to have a vote to simply dismiss the charges…
The Dems need 4 votes to avoid that outcome…
Was his brow furrowed?
His status as a former Presidential nominee adds some weight here and speaks to embarrassed Republicans.
That said he is from the safest state to say such a thing, not as much a profile in courage as is being touted.
I’ll take it though because it’s another drip.
I also like that the RNC Chair is a Romney, so no doubt she will be asked and will be forced to dance around this.
Lastly I think RMoney is setting himself up to be the Backup nominee if Trump goes down and Mikey is tanking as well.
Rmoney ramps it up from ‘concerning’ to ‘appalling’. Should I feel all aglow about Mutt taking a stand?
No, he is a senator from scarlet red state where Trump is not that popular.
When the only American citizen President Trump
WTF?
Thanks, Day-Late-Dollar-Short Mittens.
ETA It just occurred to me. Romney — I’ll call him that because he hasn’t changed his last name to McDaniel yet — was obviously alluding to America’s only Russian citizen President.
I’m going to say if Pence goes first. MM pushes Trump to nominate Nikki Haley. Then when they dump Trump. She picks Mittens.
“If the President asked or pressured Ukraine’s president to investigate his political rival, either directly or through his personal attorney, it would be troubling…”
At this rate, he might even stop calling himself Mitt McDaniel…
It’s a dog spine he found strapped to the top of his station wagon, but it’ll do.