Re: Mr Lewandoski. I used to become quite frustrated by the non-answers that most politicians give in interviews, especially when the questioner is thought to be in the opposition. However, I know realize that the dissembling double-talk is the show in itself and mainly demonstrates the character of the witness.
1
How was Nadler able to read a prepared criticizing the witness before the session was over?
The US Congress has a choice: do something (impeach) or do nothing (ignore the Constitution and the imperative need of the country).
1
As an art historian I would say the composition is Baroque, not Renaissance.
2
This process is a great example of why many people don't trust government. Even when trying to do the right thing, they behave like nothing more than "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight". And it's also why the Democrats seem unable to deal with the biggest questions facing us, even when they have some power and authority.
Here we are faced with a President who gained power by virtue of soliciting help from a foreign power; who has engaged in outright obstruction, and who may well have broken national security laws, and conceivably owes allegiance to Putin and Russian oligarchs, among other shadowy entities, and the Democrats can't figure out what to do about him. Astounding!
If it weren't for the fact that the alternative is for Americans to be left with only the despicable and traitorous Republican Party, the Democrats would deserve their banishment to the dustbin of history. Americans continue to be offered a choice between two evils. We need to hold another Constitutional Convention and come up with a government that is actually accountable to the People, not the special interests.
A pox on both houses!
2
Why are the Democrats so helpless? Their words full of sound and fury, but accomplishing nothing.
1
Absolutely a photo for a Pulitzer Prize.
Please, people, put this in perspective.
The White House has ignored I don't remember how many subpoenas for information the House oversight committees are entitled -- by law -- to have. I recall Jerry Nadler saying that he had not received one piece of paper from the White House. That applies to Ways and Means and the House Intelligence committees as well.
The Mueller Report is damning on many, many fronts. It clearly outlines that Trump, his campaign and his cohorts were "coordinating" with Russians to interfere and influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.
It was done in the open through media coverage of the campaign and likely through other means, such as telephone calls, that don't leave a paper trail. The entire Trump campaign knew the Russians were helping and never reported their interactions to the FBI, which they, like all campaigns, were asked to do and has been done by other candidates in the past.
Then, there is election interference by quashing Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal through illegal payoffs (felonies).
This begs for further investigation. Just do an impeachment inquiry and don't fuss about the terminology. I'll bet you a lot more is going to surface, especially in dark money to Republicans of all stripes.
4
To the silky gentleman from Georgia concerned about the proceedings to mean only to "destroy" the president, don't be coy. You serve him because you believe he and his Organization are indestrctuctible. They represent win at all costs. (Roy Cohns' playbook of tricks must be a required read for all the carpetbaggers who serve the master of tricks and self aggrandizement.) But, that master of deals must return to his fiefdom before he turns our country to financial and moral ruin.
Personally, I would like to have a president who serves the well being of our country than the growth of his assets.
2
If anyone can make the case that bowing under pro-fascist GOP pressure to avoid carrying out Constitutional obligations is the way to beat the their pro-fascist leader Trump, let's hear it. The right wing of the Democratic Party is paralyzing the legislative opposition to Trump's crimes, in effect doing Trumps's job for him. Not only do we need an Elizabeth Warren in the White House; we need to push out those Democrat representatives who openly side with Trump's legislation and policies and against the Democratic majority.
3
Pretty clever stuff. Our take is The Political Lesson of JerryMandered Nadler. Jerry is wondering to his honorable self "How is this prime time special playing out back home in NY-10? The Bosses went to a lot of trouble connecting the dot on the Upper West Side with the dot across the River in Brooklyn. I sure hope they appreciate the great job I'm doing on behalf of the District honchos. But, my gosh, look at the gaggle surrounding me. How is a guy supposed to bring down a jerk from Queens with all of these distractions? And, no help at all from the Queen of Frisco! I wish the Times had done a Shakespeare mashup instead of this Dutch art thing. I think 'To Impeach, or not to Impeach. That is the question' would be a lot better optix than this mob scene".
1
A more modern take would be a meme.
"Nadler was just told the hospital had to take him off life support. His treatment is free, but, it is rationed. And some guy named Loesky, Lewinski, or Labowski or something like that is scheduled for his treatment."
Don't be silly, the Renaissance masters would have never composed such a messy frame.
You mean a Renaissance painting as reenacted on "Veep."
I am thoroughly disgusted with the Democrats. Nadler and his cohort look like incompetent fools. Lewandowski should have been arrested and held in contempt. There is no way out of this Trump fiasco except to vote him out of office. The Senate will never impeach him and this is just a waste of time with no strategy that I or anyone else can see.
1
I am a resident of Doug Collins' district. This outstanding photograph shows one example of the contortions that Collins is willing to go through to defend an amoral serial philander who violates his oath and the law almost daily.
Collins is a military chaplain and a former Southern Baptist preacher, whose first priority, as demonstrated in his latest letter to constituents, is defending Trump. His second priority appears to be unrestricted gun ownership.
Somewhere down on his priority list, if on it at all, is the need to bring jobs to his mostly rural district, where the majority of young people need to leave to earn a living wage. His district's many other needs don't seem to be much of a priority.
Representative Collins' priorities and actions are not those of a true representative of his district or those of a man of faith.
9
If the Democrats put time and energy on impeachment, it will take away from the real goal: to win the election.
My vote is not to impeach, win the election, and THEN pursue criminal charges against Trump.
We have to keep our eyes on the prize.
2
The reason Trump exists is because McConnell, the GOP, the Republican Party, and old career Democrats like Pelosi, Shumer, etc, exist. Those are the people depriving the American people of the rule of law and the operation of the government under the law.
As long as they exist, we will have no country left.
2
Call me biased, but I find it tiring to hear continual criticism of the step-by-step method of bringing the facts to light. The Democrats are accused of being weak when they try to follow procedure, so that if or when the courts come into things, they will have dotted the i's and crossed the t's.
What else should they do against an administration that openly and brazenly flaunts the laws and premises of the Constitution? Just "standing on principle" isn't going to cut it. If they go for impeachment, they have to have irrefutable evidence when they make the case for removal.
If the American people see the facts all laid out in black and white, on live television, and THEN McConnell and the Republicans still refuse to do THEIR constitutional duty, I will be very much surprised if Trump makes it back into office a second time, regardless of the obstinate, blind devotion of his "base."
In fact, I would go so far to say it's the end of the Republican Party. Any of them that are still interested in putting the interests of the country as a whole, rather than making sure that anything other than white, Protestant, straight (as far as we know) MEN are the only ones who have any rights to a decent life, will have to start a new, genuine conservative party.
4
No Impeachment. There is no vote in Senate Impeachment to succeed. A failed Impeachment effort will rather energize him to win 2020 Election. So NO Impeachment. Vote him out if you can.
1
In one picture why the US is a failing democracy. Nothing is happening, nothing will happen.
Clever application of art history. Unfortunately since the recent Kavanaugh retraction your critical readers are for ed to look elsewhere for politically biased analysis.
1
It isn’t a ‘clever art history’ lesson at all- as what we are getting is some recent Political background on the candidates assembled here; furthermore it’s not likely to be around 500 yrs from now as a great renaissance painting where SOME of the characters were known as artists’ family or clergy well known for their times. I like the idea though and surely it’s a foto exhibiting heat for sure.
1
What a joke! It's all a show. They got nothing'!
2
Let´s just forget about Democrats and Republicans for a moment. Let´s just try to remember the pillars of democracy. The Dantesque photography shows a profound breakdown of our political system, which epicenter is in the White House.
2
Jerold Nadler posed as a smug, self-satisfied Jesus with his hungry disciples all around in disarray arguing as to their own relative importance, strikes me as a awfully self indulgent on his part. As their wise elder he's supposed to be setting a good example for them not making them look like fools.
1
Please, please stop with the sound bites and the "says it all" images. Let's work to understand the details of what's going on in Washington and not infantilize the conversation further.
3
No it doesn't.
Oh my gosh yes, can someone paint this?
1
Barr is trying to convince Graham that he's the cork in the Genie's bottle.
Burr and Warner don't much care for reassurances from Moscow Mitch at this point.
The Democrats will realize finally that Barr's failure to comply with the Whistelblower Law's crystal clear language provides their opening for impeaching Barr, who is failing to protect or defend his oath and seriously engaging in obstruction.
Cut of the brain of the king and the head will fall off along with the orange fluff.
3
The question of whether to impeach the current POTUS at this point seems to be more about the Democrats than the POTUS. They appear to be saying, well, because we think we can't win we won't even try. To me this is absurd and stupid especially when we look at the impeachment of Bill Clinton. Even though he was impeached he remained in office, however, the impeachment served to forever cast Clinton's reputation and legacy in the shadow of what he did to cause the impeachment. And, what did he do? He lied and obstructed justice.
The current POTUS makes Bill Clinton look like a saint. How many times has this POTUS lied? How many times has he tried (and succeeded) to obstruct justice? How many other things has he done (or not done?) that could be considered "high crimes and misdemeanors"?
If for no other reason, the Dems should pursue impeachment of this POTUS to make a statement, to shine this particular spotlight on him, and to officially make it known, so it will be in the history books, that they did not condone the POTUS getting away with his impeachable doings. If the Dems don't follow this course of action, the history books will have more to say about them than about this sham of a president.
6
I wish someone would tell Times commentors and the 20 odd Democratic presidential hopefuls that the most important thing they can do to help the country is to keep the House and take the Senate. The surest way to fail is to pursue an impeachment that will surely fail.
Self righteousness will not clothe the naked, heal the sick, nor feed the hungry. But Democrats in majorities might.
3
Not a pretty picture if one wants to liberate our government from the grasp of the despicable Trump. But it's hard to believe New Hampshire voters would elect this embodiment of every vile characteristic one can imagine. A look at the Wikipedia account of his life is a laundry list of criminal and unethical behavior of every conceivable type and depicts continual failures at everything he has touched.
4
The end of the Democratic Party in the making..
1
Where's the health care reform? Where's the immigration reform legislation? Where is the house bill on stopping gun slaughter? Where is the house bill to protect the environment and EPA? Election is so close....both parties have become vaudeville shows of lies and spin.....and do nothing except bankrupt our country and gorge themselves monetarily and personally
1
Every president since Nixon likely should have been impeached for one serious violation of the law or another except Jimmy Carter, whom Washington, D.C. holds in low regard.
The fault, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, lies in a political system that is so corrupt it absorbs corruption, it does not expel it. The cancer in the White House which John Dean famously noted never really left the body politic.
1
The Democrats have no more power than a gnat and Trump is invulnerable.
1
Collins should be censured for behavior unbecoming to any elected official.
The lack of respect for the truth, the law and civility from the Republicans is disgraceful. Lewandowski wasn't the only contemptuous liar performing for an audience of one.
Mr. Berke is the only one who worth anything.
2
Folks: It seems to me that your headline for this piece is misleading, if not down right inaccurate.
The old adage is that a picture "is worth a thousand words." However, in this case, it is worth none.
The picture tell you virtually nothing about impeachment (Who's in it? What are they doing? Where is it? and so on).
If pressed, I might have pegged Nadler but even that's debatable. And I knew no one else.
If the picture tells you all you know, then why the thousand words that accompany it?
Look at your front page, the photo on it and the caption that accompanies it and see if the photo shows or tells you anything (about impeachment), much less everything.
4
Imagine being in your 70s or even 80s and this is your job?
I shudder at the ages of our Congressional leadership and how they seem befuddled at many of these open hearings.
3
"In this case, as in most other conflicts Republicans provoke over terms and rules, they want to portray Mr. Nadler and Democrats as running roughshod over congressional norms in a political campaign hellbent on destroying Mr. Trump."
There are no more norms. McConnell single handedly withheld a supreme court nominee from consideration for nearly a year until a new President took office. President Trump has eradicated all norms of office. Republicans claiming that norms must be followed at this point is simply just another case of them making up their own rules when it suits them and ignoring them when those rules impede their agenda. I'm glad Mr. Nadler is ignoring their pleas.
“If it’s win at all costs, Mr. Chairman, then we have a problem.” Yes...we do. Ask McConnell about that. Ask Paul Ryan. Heck, ask Doug Collins. "Win at all costs" is the secret Republican motto.
7
I am hoping enough Americans saw this and Lewandowski’s lies, and saw the Republican behavior to realize these folks are not good for the rule of law...to say the least!
American needs a fresh start.
Trump and his followers flaunt the rule of law everyday, every hour. This cannot continue!
We need a new President AND A NEW SENATE!
6
Kudos to Mr. Fandos' creative journalism. Nancy told the Committee to hold Lewindowski in contempt. A step forward.
3
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. Kudos to Nicholas Fandos or the editor who picked up on this wonderful art historical analogy!
Pelosi is correct - Lewandowski should have been put in handcuffs for his antics and blatant display of disrespect for the law.
Nadler is not the right one to lead the charge. Kamila Harris would have been perfect but she is in the Senate.
Nadler proved Pelosi correct in the fact the House is not ready for an impeachment. Time is running out. At this point I would be happy with putting all of Trump's soldiers in jail despite the devil incarnate's open willingness to pardon them all.
4
@Daniel
Time is not running out. It's hardly begun.
We are months away from the first caucus or primary. The party conventions won't be held until next summer. And we are more than a year away from the election.
The electorate historically has had short memories and fickle preferences. The media are trying to make this a horse race before the horses are even foaled.
Also, consider the situation if the prez were to be impeached and removed from office before 2020. We would have president Pence ... less impulsive and much more dangerous to the country. (Remember the old adage about frying pans and fires?) Some call him the prez's "insurance policy" against removal.
Speaker Pelosi did not say thr effort for impeachment was "just not worth it". She said The Malignancy was "just not worth jt". There is a difference.
4
No, this picture DOES NOT tell you everything you need to know about impeachment. It tells you EVERYTHING you need to know what is wrong with our government.
Let's get back to work and solve the REAL problems of this nation.
3
Forget about uniting to do something for the American people; lets just gin up rancor and fan the flames of division to keep the masses in tatters. Diabetics cannot insulin or supplies at a fair price, medical bills are higher than ever, but shoot who wants to take on beloved donors to keep this dog and pony show rolling?
1
Lawmakers on both sides are inept and behaving abominably. Why Lewandowsky wasn’t cited for lying to Congress is yet another abomination. That’s something we should all be furious about.
Democrats are weak and indecisive. Republicans will support a cruel criminal at any cost.
It’s up to us. You want to see an impeachment inquiry move ahead? Call every member of Congress who represents you and demand it. Tell them if they don’t, it’s “so long Skippy” next election cycle.
And if you’ve ever donated to their campaign, remind them. Then tell them your coffer is closed. That’s the only language they understand.
1
Necessity demands Pelosi play the long game. The public gave the Dem's control of the house in 2018 to provide oversight of the man they put in the white house in 2016. Nadler has to keep brawling toward 2020. If the Dem's can't accept that Trump won in 2016, so neither do the Rep.'s accept the results of 2018. It's going to stay theatrical, contentious, and war like. Sit back and enjoy the fruits of our electoral process.
2
I absolutely love this picture. Nothing illustrates better the circus that is the House impeachment effort. The Country as a whole views this effort as purely partisan. An effort by Democrat to undo the election of Donald Trump. This photo captures exactly what Nancy Pelosi fears will be the conclusion of voter’s in 2020.
2
@William
It's not this picture or the House that's a circus -- it's the country and this president.
4
It's the job of congress to hold the president and his cronies accountable. While it's ugly, it must be done - regardless of the eventual outcome. Many of the investigations that started nearly three years ago are starting to bear fruit. For the next year, this will be the greatest reality TV show of all time.
6
The Democrats are timid and ill prepared. Although perhaps well intentioned they should have ruled this hearing for the start. They are mostly lawyers as most politicians are at this level. Be prepared for an unfair fight form republicans instead of letting it happen.
We need new leadership in the corridors of Washington DC. I like the passion of AOC and proposing new ideas even if they are not applauded by the crusty old politicians who have been there forever. Look at the state of our nation, it's crumbling for decades.
3
If divided means public servants adhering to their oath to uphold the Constitution and craven sycophants who renounced their bedrock principles out of fear of upsetting a demagogue and losing their tenuous grip on power, then yes, I guess it would be considered divided. In 2020, every Democratic candidate should remind voters that lawmakers in the "party of family values" willingly chose to ditch theirs and adopt Trump's. And that tells the world everything they need to know about the character and integrity of the Republican Party.
4
The picture is one piece of a fractured state careening into chaos of instability not seen since the Civil War. Hyperbole? Maybe, there are no arms, limbs and dead bodies, yet. However the very nature of our democracy is changing before our very eyes with the judiciary and legislature branch play by the old , established rules while the executive and his henchmen support and create new, dubious rules and interpretations of the old, tried and true methods.
The note Lewandowski read over and over is like an Alice in Wonderland document. But the Queen has spoken and the mechanism to end the fallacy is involved, time consuming and fraught with legalistic manipulation. Same for the emoluments fiasco, using the AG and Justice Dept as an arm of Trump's personal guard. Today a whistle blower charge faces the same stumbling blocks. Add in the environmental outrages and the list adds up to a democracy in grave danger.
Trump makes Nixon look like a model of democratic purity. It is not Nadler but a whole Republican party acting as enablers. Yes, you Mitt and the rest of the Republicans? Where are the John Deans?
3
Avoid impeachment and Trump will declare victory - proof positive that he did nothing wrong.
Indict through impeachment and let the Senate refuse to convict and Trump will declare victory - proof positive that he did nothing wrong.
Which is the better scenario for our disrupted democracy and our subverted Constitution?
Which is the better scenario for the Disruptor and Subverter in Chief?
Which is the better scenario for future presidents?
2
Chairman Nadler looks about as overwhelmed as I feel.
The country seems to be sinking into a behemouth pond of quick sand and all that is visible is the head of Nadler, trying to hold on to "vindicate the Constitution".
1
This picture looks like a troop of chimpanzees arranged by their social rank.
Human beings are one of three surviving closely DNA genetic related African primate apes. The matriarchal peaceful sex driven bonobo and the patriarchal violence and sex driven chimpanzee are our cousins. Humans are more like the chimpanzees.
By our divine natural DNA genetic nature and nurture we humans are driven to crave fat, salt, sugar, habitat, water, kin and sex by any means necessary including conflict and cooperation.
6
It's an astonishing picture, Mr. Mills. The staff members' faces in the rear row are especially revealing. You can just smell the rot.
May the voters sweep these stinking, contemptible Republicans out of the offices they've long defiled.
Long live our Republic and long live our freedom of the press.
49
@Elizabeth Half of the rot you claimed to have observed are Democrat staff, so your criticism is partly accurate.
1
Do we think that maybe Nancy Pelosi and her leadership colleagues also are attempted to derail the Nadler clique? Does this suggest that maybe the committee proceedings don't have a logical premise to proceed? It's a debatable point whether impeaching the president and failing to convict him will help or hurt Democrats more than it would help or hurt the President and the GOP.
2
@DMH
Helping or hurting one political party or the other IS NOT what this is supposed to be about. This is serious business to bring about impeachment charges to a sitting office holder. The process is to rid our nation’s elected offices of those who conduct criminal behavior and to follow the law of the land.
2
With each passing day, it seems that there’s a new reason to be completely ambivalent.
At least I’ll be able to die laughing, I suppose.
1
Nadler, of the House of Hapless.
I had to turn it off right at the beginning. I have no more faith that Democrats will do the smart thing. Why didn't the lawyer start the hearing? Didn't Nadler the Hapless know it would be stronger? Did he think Cory was going to be an easy witness? No strategy. And then the D members, again not working as one body, but looking for 'My time in the sun' moments. Stupid.
So Nadler the Hapless and Nancy of the House of No will not help the country find it's way out of this national security danger of a president, will not do what the Constitution demands and is now complicit in the Republicans destruction of that Constitution.
I am so angry it's becoming difficult to contain.
58
@sophia In all fairness, if you saw how Republicans fought to NOT have the attorney question Lewandowski, I think it was best to save it for the end. I could be wrong, because I'm not a strategist, but they risked shutting down the whole thing by starting with him. That's my assumption.
8
@sophia
Did it ever cross your mind that this is exactly what Nadler wanted to expose of Trump’s obstruction of justice charges by having Lewandowski sit for the interview and demonstrate his belligerence to our justice system? Corey behaved exactly how expected he would to cover for Trump. Trump and his minions have no respect for our justice system. Another obstruction of justice box has been checked by having Corey appear and do as Trump instructed: obstruct, obstruct, obstruct. And Corey did just that. Carry on Nadler. You are showing us the ugliness of Trump and his criminal gang.
13
@Mor123
Tell me where is evidence to support impeachment? My posts are being censored. Good try.
Nadler was inept, unprepared and very weak, after months and months of barking on TV that his investigations were going to go to the bottom of the Trump corruption scandal. He knew that Lewandowski would be a clown and difficult subject; he’s running for the Senate, or seriously thinking of running, so he was going to stand up to the Democrats. In the end, Lewandowski didn’t do himself any favors with New Hampshire voters, but Nadler pretty much self destructed and destroyed his Committee. Was this his real goal to contribute to Trump’s re-election?
7
Is Lewandkwski himself a lawyer, a policeman? He avoided and evaded testimony on command of President Trump (while the two other subpoenaed witnesses did not even show up, ditto). He testified the President didn’t direct him to do anything illegal. How would he know? He clearly has no personal concept of right and wrong and seems to follow the Nixon Doctrine: If the President does it, it is not a crime. There is one takeaway from yesterday hearings, and it is not even cover-up. It is OBSTRUCTION. Even a non-lawyer knows this is what we call a crime in America.
Democrats need to grow a spine. I am by nature a suspicious person and I tend to think there is something else afoot going on. Maybe Pelosi has something to hide? I say something is just not right.
9
For all the democrat’s talk of spineless republicans who are afraid to stand up to Trump, where is their spine?
This administration and the mignons that have attached themselves to it, ignore congressional oversight authority and don’t even bother to show up when subpoenaed. The biggest consequences to any of this appears to be that a congressman goes on MSNBC to whine about it.
this Congress is so spectacularly inept, that it’s hard to imagine that they could get anything meaningful done even with a Democrat in the White House and I majority in the senate.
Get it together, do something!!!
3
Meanwhile we're facing impending doom from climate change, there's an increasing crisis of homelessness in our "richest" cities, millions of people are barely making it paycheck to paycheck, crumbling infrastructure, the list of incredible challenges goes on and on. But, hey, Nadler and our other elected "representatives," that stuff can wait. Carry on, carry on.
16
@dc You seem to forget that any legislation introduced on those subjects by the house has been blackballed by Mitch when it gets to the senate.
12
@dc this committee is not the only committee. They do not dictate everything Congress does, and I guarantee this is not the only thing they are working on.
9
@dc 'A fish rots from the head down' must be applied to this Republican administration. The head needs to go to keep the good stuff from ruin. It was true with Nixon and it's true with Trump.
History will judge, and, if Democrats did nothing in response to Trump’s criminal behavior, history would not judge kindly.
In practical terms, with this Senate, impeachment may be a dead end. It may also have a political cost in some elections next year. Best to delay articles of impeachment, if there are to be any, for as long as possible.
The investigation is not going to play well for Trump, and, the way he’s playing it, the investigation could take a very, very long time.
32
Unlike most everyone in the Executive Branch, Nancy Pelosi knows what she’s doing. Out here in the digusted hinterlands, this is criminal, but in DC, it is political.
6
@Pottree
The impeachment hearing is based on nothing. Did you know the dossier was a fraud?
I wonder how much the republicans debated impeaching Clinton. Just saying... there's a reason the republicans are in control. They tread with conviction and confidence in the direction of their dreams. I may not agree with them, or many of their methods, but they don't spend a lot of time worrying about their every move.
52
@notme
"they don't spend a lot of time worrying about their every move."
People without a conscience rarely worry about their every move.
That's one of the reasons why their actions are usually so dangerous.
2
I had high expectations for Nadler but he has come off looking very weak and indecisive. Why didn't he shut down the hearing and have Lewandowski removed to the Capitol basement and imprisoned, liens put his home, bank accounts, until he coughed up what he knows. As it was, he made the Dems look stupid for even calling him in the first place. Did Nadler really think that Trump's man respected the law and norms of Congress enough and so would speak truthfully? He has been in on the lie since the beginning. It seems to me that these older Dems still seem to be under the illusion that the Republicans still honor and respect the law. It is increasingly clear they do not. So what kinds of punishment is it in the House's purview to impose? Get to it please!
155
@anselm
Nadler is weak and indecisive. Why do we keep mediocre leaders like him in such key positions? The better choice to Chair this committee would be Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez... she's smart, she's tough, she's bold, she articulate, she's compelling. Is there any reason Nadler as Chair of this Committee could not have appointed her to run the show?
15
@Tom It is true that Rep. Nadler and his committee were inept in handling this hearing, but the notion that turning to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to chair that committee is laughable in the extreme. She is a first year member of Congress, still as green as grass without any of the prerequisite skills, relationships, or leverage necessary to chair a high-visibility House Committee. She is more a TV and social media star than a functional member of Congress at this stage of her career. Besides that, if you really want to remove trump from office, the key will be building a case for moderates and Republicans. AOC is about as bad a choice as there can be for that. If I close my eyes, I can already imagine the response to my post-- The old ways are dead. It's time for media stars to take over. Competence and expertise are overrated. Things are so messed up, what do we have to lose? It's that kind of childish thinking that got us trump from the right. I pray we don't do the same thing now from the left.
7
@anselm "Why didn't he shut down the hearing and have Lewandowski removed to the Capitol basement and imprisoned, liens put his home, bank accounts, until he coughed up what he knows. "
Something about the Constitution and Bill of Rights comes to mind. Starting to suspect a TRID here. (That's Trump Republican in Disguise.)
5
No president in history more deserves impeachment than Trump. If not him, who? If not now, when?
234
@Demosthenes I believe GW Bush deserved impeachment even more. After all, he started an illegal war over oil and destabilized the Middle East. Trump is also deserving of impeachment, as is Moscow Mitch.
16
@Mike Where, exactly, does his greatness lay?
12
@Veda Don’t forget Eisenhower, Reagan, and the first Bush. Also horrible monsters.
At least now I know why trump likes Corey so much.
2
Looks like Leonardo's Last Supper with Jesus / Nadler thinking, "Why did I ever bother with these clowns? Beam me up now, Dad."
4
Suggested photo caption: Nadler launches his re-election bid with bid to defeat primary rival.
2
"This Picture Tells You Everything You Need to Know About Impeachment"
And our accompanying article shows how desperate the NYT is to use any angle they can to help the Dems impeach our President.
More nonsense from the Left..but, I guess the show must go on until the Dems lose once again in 2020.
Sad and tired reporting by the NYT
3
Only a moron would try to impeach this president now. But hey, I might be overestimating the Democrats.
6
The idea that someone who is an employee should not be allowed to speak or ask questions flies in the face of "Freedom of Speech". Its a treacherous idea in a democracy.
So, what's the problem--I guess it is what the person might say.
1
Nadler's hearing was like a a boy scout meeting being interrupted by street gang. Democrats defeated every motion the DisRuptlicans demanded, and tried to question Lewandowski according to parliamentary order. While it didn't succeed as a scripted (or edited) media event, it did demonstrate which side maintained dignity and decency and which side, including the witness, was unruly, rude and possibly contemptuous.
However, Speaker Pelosi's position in resisting impeachment is doubly troubling because Congress's role in holding the President to account for his high crimes and misdemeanors is prescribed by the Constitution, and she acts more and more like Mitch McConnell who stubbornly refuses to bring up legislation the House has passed and the people demand-- gun safety, election reforms, pay equity and family leave, net neutrality and others. The Speaker's enduring legacy may be that she had the power, but she failed to check Trump's flagrant abuses of executive authority and obstruction of justice.
3
It’s s no win for the Democrats and only displays their contempt for Trump. The better play would be to inundate the Senate with constructive legislation and force the Republicans to either approve the bills or explain why. Chasing an impeachment is a waste of time and be assured Trump will make sure everyone knows it.
2
Funny - I recall the GOP used an outside questioner when Christine Blasey Ford testified under oath in a hearing.
I guess they expect us to have forgotten that.
18
Wasn't Mr Mueller asked if his witch hunt was obstructed and he said "no"? That should have been the end of this charade.
btw it wouldn't be obstruction of justice, but in this case, obstruction of injustice. The DOJ used evidence that they knew wasn't reliable, leaked information that it knew it couldn't use, to then use the articles mentioning the evidence as evidence, withheld evidence in trials, all to try to find something they knew wasn't there.
2
What a magnificent photograph.
5
Why can't we just all agree, the only way the US can have an impeachment in this era is to have a President who is a Democrat and a Republican controlled House of Representatives.
9
While Donald Trump does everything he can to obstruct justice, Nancy Pelosi continues with her own obstruction policy -- keeping a lid on the growing movement to impeach Trump. Consumed by her political calculations, she seems incapable or realizing that she's putting at risk not only her own once-proud legacy, but the country's future as a functioning democracy.
Why can't she see that it won't just be Trump's Republican enablers who get blamed for every outrage he perpetrates between now and his (hopefully soon) departure from the presidency? The ineffectual and timid Democrats will also be blamed -- and rightly so -- for failing to use every power at their disposal to rid the country of this monstrous administration.
So what if the Senate will never vote to impeach Trump? That failure will fall solely at the feet of the Republicans if the House actually moves to impeach. Under Pelosi's misguided strategy, both parties will be culpable.
There isn't majority support for impeachment among the American public? That's because the vast majority of the American public pays no attention to what's going on in Washington, especially if what's going on is a collection of toothless actions spread across obscure House committees. The public will only start paying attention when it's hit across the head by the 2-by-4 of a formal impeachment process and vote. But, tragically, I fear, Pelosi won't unleash to only weapon she can wield that the gravity of this moment demands.
4
Were Mueller to investigate the hearing for “obstruction of justice”, how many chargeable offenses would there be? Lying to Congress in this hearing should apply to everyone, lying while in Congress as well? The eroding away of our system of checks and balances to achieve full one party rule has been going on for the last 40yrs. super charged by Corporations creating the full realization of a “free market” economy. Instead they have created gross income disparity and a system of governing that is both corrupted and corrupting. Trump is simply continuing the same corruption with 99% collusion and conspiracy of all branches of govt.
1
Nice try try with the Renaissance analogy, but da Vinci would have managed to squeeze Lewandowski into the scene, and dressed him in motley with a jester’s cap.
1
Attempting impeachment with zero Republican support will bitterly divide the country on partisan lines, fail to remove Trump from office, and give an unnecessary and undeserved boost to his re-election prospects. By refusing to divest his holdings or put them in a blind trust, Trump created massive, impeachable conflicts of interest on a scale the Founding Fathers coulkd have never imagined. But the Democratic leadership, so desperate to blame the Russians, James Comey, Jill Stein -- anybody but themselves -- for their 2016 electoral debacle and to beat off progressives wanting a change of leaders and of strategy, put all their eggs in the Mueller "collusion" basket. When, after two years of investigation, Mueller concluded there was insufficient evidence of any Trump campaign conspiracy with Russia, impeachment on any grounds was rendered politically impossible.
Quit trying to convince Trump's supporters of their man's perfidy -- they aren't listening to a thing the Democrats have to say. Beat Trump at the polls next year -- and realize that hearings like these and running yet another neoliberal centrist "Republican-lite" nominee won't get that job done.
15
@Boris Jones
Do you actually dispute the FACT that there was proof of Russian involvement in the last election?
And just to be clear, there's no need to "convince" anybody -- least of all Trump supporters who continue to be blinded by a TV personality pretending to be the President of the United States.
6
@Boris Jones If congress does not move forward with impeachment hearings against Trump, who has obviously committed indictable offenses and is the most corrupt politician since Nixon, they might as well cede their power. The key is to vote on impeachment shortly prior to the election and not give the Senate a chance to vote.
8
@Boris Jones 1) The country is already deeply divided along partisan lines. 2) Trump has committed numerous impeachable offenses. Should we ignore this? 3) If the Democrats do not impeach Trump then in my opinion, they are shirking their constitutional duties and the will of not only the majority of their representatives but also the majority of their voters.
The Democratic party does not serve all Americans if they give the most corrupt President in our lifetimes (Trump makes Nixon look like an amateur) a pass on impeachment. The Republican party has already proven themselves to be a shell of decay and detritus when it comes to moral judgement and fortitude. They serve no positive purpose to help Americans, to build for the future of America, to improve upon our imperfect union. Democrats will join them if they cannot light this single candle to hold truth to power for we the people of the United States.
Corey Lewandowski is one person who can prove that Trump obstructed justice, but he is a terrible witness. It is not for nothing he admitted to Alison Camarota on national TV that he is a liar when he has to be. If the Democrats do not have a case it will not be because there is none, but because the witness tampering has been so extreme that no testimony will hold up. But that does not mean we should not try. If ever there were an impeachable President, it is this one.
8
To hear a Republican -- any Republican -- say "If it’s win at all costs, Mr. Chairman, then we have a problem" is laughable, at best. It's been their entire style of government for the last 50 years.
13
@curious when I read that line I immediately thought the 'real-words' translation should be "there's only room for one 'win-at-all-costs' party in this town."
OK. Now show the "Renaissance" photograph of the average American working without a vacation, struggling to get ahead, worried about his health insurance, tired of his country descending into utter chaos, feeling ignored by his representatives, disheartened by the fact that there's a criminal in the White House. Show that one.
29
My best education as a young man was watching the Watergate hearings during the summer of '73 after I graduated from college. I was 22 and transfixed to the black and white tv in the house that I grew up in.
I admired the way our democracy was working to bring to justice Tricky Dick and his band of merry men.
The Watergate panel, Democrats and Republicans, were united in their work and incredible in their prosecution of the corruption that dripped from the White House. Americans sought justice. Gradually, the nation united.
Today, as Yogi Berra said, it's deja vu all over again. Another despicable president - a grifter, an ignorant, shallow bully who is as corrupt as the day is long; surrounded by sycophants, con artists and bigots; and, adored by an incomprehensible hypnotized mass known as the base, who have been repeatedly betrayed by the little man they so adore and blindly follow him like little lost puppy dogs, all for the tasteless table scraps he delivers.
Today, democracy is not working. The Republicans in congress are pusillanimous cowards - bystanders. The Democrats are hapless incompetents - gutless. The nation is divided. Justice is dying.
Respect for the rule of law is in free fall and no one in Washington D.C. will ably enforce it. We've come a long way since Watergate made us proud and showed the world what we were made of. What's remains in the Trump era is serial corruption and chronic embarrassment.
18
@Andrew
Nixon however did achieve some good things for the country as where Trump hasn't done squat.
3
In Loss Prevention, in the Retail Industry, it is known that if you ask an employee “is everyone stealing?”
And that employee says “Yes, everyone steals, that is what everyone does” then THAT person stealing.
So “everyone lies, that is what everyone does” eh Lewandowski?
9
The thought of Lewandowski as Senator from NH and Collins as Senator from GA, joining Cruz, Inhofe, Cotton, McConnell, and the rest of the gang makes my blood run cold.
9
If this is a Renaissance painting, the spectre of a crucifixion lurks in the shadows, which is exactly what Trump and his Republican enablers are praying for.
1
@Charles Michener
If it was a certain late Renaissance painting Judith would be Speaker Pelosi and Trump, Holofernes.
If Jerry's mother was there, she would say, "Jerry, sit up straight in that chair."
2
Mr. Nadler looks like he'd rather be home, wrapped in a comforter, with a cup of chamomile, watching an episode of West Wing.
Mr. Nadler, you have a chance to LIVE an episode of West Wing. Many warm-blooded Americans would do anything to be in your shoes.
Please, grab a cup of coffee, take a deep breath and don't let us down.
6
To err is human. But to be unable to impeach the most corrupted, most unpatriotic of presidents due to the lawlessness of a major political party and its thugs is the ugliest testimony to our great nation's current failure. Our portrait of Dorian Gray has been dragged out of the White House attic into the Rose Garden for all the world to see. Our friends are stunned; our enemies are plotting. Is this the New American Century? If so, no amount of wealth and technological prowess can save us. Consider 2020 the decisive fork in the road.
74
@Esposito I’ve now spent the better part of an hour pondering your excellent analogy. I imagine you consider the collective U.S. as the beautiful Dorian, but it sure has been fun imagining the book’s various characters (Basil, Lord Henry, James, Sybil) as current administration and congressional players.
Another thought: Protagonist Basil believes beauty is so beautiful *because* it doesn’t last. Quite possibly, with Trump as harbinger, we are witnessing the denouement of our country’s grand experiment.
3
@Esposito Unfortunately, I think we passed that fork in the road in 2016 when we elected a person as President who was clearly a lying, bullying narcissist who would do anything to get his way. Everything now is an effort to somehow get off this horrible downhill path we’re on and try to resume some sense of normalcy.
10
@Ed Suominen
You dislike our growing economy and low unemployment?
Lol!
First of all, nice job with this photo and the exposition of the scene and the players. It really does look like a kind of "Last Supper" tableau. But regarding the actual substance, things get very serious. The immediate impression is one of chaos. Not much to be added there. On the continuing subject of impeachment, I was an avid supporter for the past year, but I now concede victory to the Republicans, who were greatly aided by the disorganized and incompetent Democrats. It's a dead end; nobody is paying any attention, and it can't play out before the next election.
1
“Under the circumstances of the current so-called impeachment inquiry, it would constitute an unprecedented privatization of impeachment,” Mr. Collins said of Mr. Berke’s participation. He added, “If it’s win at all costs, Mr. Chairman, then we have a problem.”
Sometimes I wonder if the hypocrisy keeps them up at night. The party of gerrymandering positing that winning at all costs is a problem... words fail me at this moment.
11
@Andrew I had the same reaction, due to the use of the word “privatization.” This from the party that seeks to privatize everything from schools to social security.
1
An alarmed "Night Watch" become a centripetal "Last Supper." (With apologies to all who care about truth, beauty and justice.)
3
Subpoena the whistle-blower in the intel community, or Joseph Maguire (who didn't provide Congressional intelligence committees with the report), or get it from the AG (good luck with that). What is Trump promising Putin behind closed doors? Add it to the long list of actions, statements, and behaviors that violate the Constitution, amount to bribery, graft and corruption, and betray the public trust. Time is passing by and the spotlight on Trump isn't curbing his resolve to flaunt his contempt for our government and its institutions.
5
Actually, the photo tells us little to nothing about impeachment. Impeachment is a serious issue that requires serious thought and action, all of which need to take place in a very specific order if impeachment is to be successful. There is no "snapshot in time" that tells us ANYTHING about impeachment.
Stop being so absurdly reductionist, and start writing and discussing impeachment in the serious and sober manner it deserves. It is no longer just the fate of the country that requires it, it is now, in very real ways, the fate of the world.
6
Unquestionably a classic photo that I could envision appearing in history books long after we've passed. It is ironic that Representative Collins is taking issue with the "privatization" of the committee's work when the GOP seeks to privatize virtually all government functions, including going to war, to benefit their wealthy supporters. It is emblematic of all the hypocrisy at the base of much of their behavior, i.e., railing about deficits until they are put in power and pass a massive tax cut for the rich ballooning the deficit, vigorously attacking the Fed for "printing money", and subsequently lamenting that it hasn't reduced interest rates enough, excoriating Bill Clinton for his immoral conduct and untruthfulness and looking the other way when it comes to their own leader. The examples are endless.
7
@pietrovsky It amazes me that Clinton was impeached over lying about what should have been a personal matter but that Trump has lied over 2,000 times about important things and the Republicans still defend him. Our country is going downhill fast.
2
Independent of the context, wow, Doug Mills is consistently one of the best in the business.
2
The whole Russian collusion/Trump impeachment farce will be a great embarrassment to the Dems for a long time. No doubt it will be studied for many years as just another kind of emotionally-based, mob mentality. And in the short term, if impeachment is pursued at the same time the IG’s report is released and it reveals corruption in the Obama/Biden Justice Department in its persecution of Trump, it may—along with the Dem’s open borders and elimination of private health insurance platforms, help give Trump 4 more years.
A supporter of Trump claiming democrats should be embarrassed. Talk about corrupt elitism.
2
No critic, I, but there have been few journalistic moments of late finer than:
"Nancy Pelosi - Looming presence".
If ever she abandons her Mitch McConnell imitation for actual leadership, maybe she will see the wisdom of untying her committees' hands, giving them the additional (and powerful) tools that come with instituting formal impeachment proceedings, and then decide whether they make a good case.
That is the Constitutional way. All this "I don't think so..." hoo-hah is pure, misplaced, destructive Pelosi power.
She's a grave danger to her own party at this point, and could well cost us the election. Which is why I am so impatient with all the appreciative assessments of her political acumen.
No legislator with half a brain would spend weeks complaining urgently about the Constitutional crisis and existential threat of a President's actions and then demurely announce, over and over again that, due to party political considerations, its not really all that bad.
Pelosi is probably the greatest hazard confronting Democrats today, and apparently too dim even to imagine there might be a problem.
This is me speaking, by the way, from hesitant Midwest, saying "You're wrong, Nancy. You better get this done, and do it now. It makes no difference at all what the Senate may do."
10
Trump won't attack Pelosi and Pelosi won't go after Trump. Hmm Something odd here. We all see what he's doing. The GOP will say even the top Dems did nothing.
3
Trump's corruption is obvious, but contrary to my thinking six months ago, I don't think impeachment is the correct course of action. Trump has become a single issue for many Americans and if Trump remains until the 2020 elections, his corruption will attract many single issue voters who simply want him out. If the 2018 primaries are any indication, Democrats will turnout in overwhelming masses, and take the trifecta, possibly with super-majorities. If that happens, we can impeach Kavanaugh and cleanup Trump's mess without so much as a Republican whimper.
1
The Republicans' hypocrisy is showing here and important to note. Not one year ago, they hired an attorney of the female persuasion to question Brett Kavanaugh's alleged sexual assault victim. They used her to attempt to put forward a female face on a Senate committee stacked with all-male Republicans.
The situations are not precisely analogous -- different chamber, different purpose for the hearing -- but a congressional hearing with a witness before a committee, all the same. And both were an attempt to sharpen questioning and produce controversial information.
What was good then for the GOP is good for the GOP now.
7
Pelosi was right. Lowendowski should have been held in contempt of Congress the minute he started acting up and disrespecting. The Sergeant at Arms and his staff should have right then and there taken him into custody and detained him in the holding cell of the Congress until he started answering questions. Would have made Congress look strong and co-equal. Would have sent a message to any future obstructing clowns to be actually ready with their toothbrush.
6
Yes, the painting the picture resembles is "The Night Watch" by Rembrandt.
So I suppose this photo could be called the "Fiasco Watch."
Come on, Jerry. This stunt is going to backfire during the general election. Everyone knows the Senate will never remove Trump, so why go through this charade? To vindicate constitutional principles? Puhleeze. This will be viewed as a total waste of taxpayer dollars and a typically feeble effort by Democrats to chase the proverbial unicorn.
Give it up, and do something worthwhile for a change.
2
AOC should have been running that hearing!
1
An investigation has to lead to something. So far everything this House does leads to very little. We had hearings on voter fraud, yet not every state has voting equipment that will prevent it. Some can’t afford it, yet Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans refuse to fund it. Gerrymandering is still possible, thanks to a recent Supreme Court ruling. We’re told, in spite of Google, etc. leader assurances that they will do the best they can, that Russian and other foreign interference in the upcoming Presidential election is happening and there will be more of it than in the previous election. Yet, I haven’t seen any guidelines on how to spot it. The Democrats seem to take a scattershot approach to everything they do. Pelosi is playing the “long game,” Nader is legalistic, moderate Democrats are cautious. They need a lawyer to ask meaningful questions of Lewandowski because they don’t know how to do it. With all their power they can’t develop a cohesive plan that sets out goals, priorities and best practices? Someone else brought up Will Rogers, “I am not a member of any organized political party, I’m a Democrat.” Even so, even the most disparate of groups, people who disagree strongly, can come together to solve a particular problem. The problem isn’t so much Trump as a group of people that can’t even get together to protect their constituent’s best interests, the Constitution or our democracy. They deserve to loose if they can’t pull together on this.
3
This photo says the democrats are in total chaos...which is NOT good for the nation. They need to get their act together, stop this impeachment nonsense, which is only being done to appease their most radical base, and move forward with real solutions for America. If they are so GREEN when it comes to the environment why aren't they holding congressional hearings on nuclear power...how to make it safer and cheaper to build plants. That would be a real solution to fossil fuels. Healthcare? Education? Improved roads, bridges, airports, railways...the list goes on and on. Get to WORK!
7
@Tom Thanks for your evidence-free impression. Helpful!
2
What most people don’t know is that Jerry sells corn futures and the AG report has just been released.
2
Nadler, Schiff, Hoyer, Jeffries, and especially Pelosi - they all need to go. They are Exhibit A of why the Republicans will always treat Democrats like doormats.
We are living under the most corrupt, lawless administration in modern times (and let's not forget the egregious human rights abuses taking place at the border), and all the Democrats can do is furrow their brow and wag their finger - and this is because Congressional Democratic leadership is so afraid of its own shadow, it will not do its Constitutional duty and impeach this president. Is it any wonder Lewandowski treated Nadler and Congressional Dems with such contempt a few days ago? Or that administration officials ignore subpoenas or any form of oversight? Democrats continue to show that there are zero consequences for walking all over them or for breaking the law.
History will look back at these Democrats as ineffectual weaklings whose timidity helped enable the degradation of our republic.
12
@Vin
And just whom do you propose replacing them with?
Or maybe it just hasn't occurred to you that they aren't the real problem.
4
Completely disagree. They are thoughtfully proceeding under difficult circumstances. Fighting fire with fire usually causes a bigger fire.
3
yea, that's working out incredibly well.
"thoughtfully proceeding" is really another way of saying that they're looking for the voters to bail them out in 2020. Just like they spent the past two years hoping that Mueller would bail them out. Anything but exercising their Constitutional powers and duties!
With the GOP arguing about the lawyer asking questions in the Lewandoski hearing, it reminded me of the woman hired by the GOP in the Senate to question Dr. Ford during the Kavanaugh circus. The difference here though is that the Dem house members actually questioned Lewandowski, whereas the GOP senators cowardly deferred to their "expert" in attacking Ford.
9
I trust Congresswoman Lofgren's judgment. Until this piece I didn't realize she had come out so strongly against pursuing impeachment.
5
One well-prepared attorney, Barry Berke, accomplished more in 30 minutes than the rest of this committee of competing egos. If Dems continue to dance around Pelosi's anti-impeachment song they will lose not only the next election but consign themselves to eternal irrelevance.
17
I believe the hearing produced a valuable piece of evidence supporting impeachment on the grounds of obstruction of justice.... it is the note to Lewandowski from the White House telling him that he, a private citizen, does not have to testify. I believe that note was submitted to the committee. Please discuss.
10
Most importantly, the Capital Hill spectacle displayed the impotence, the arrogance and the mediocrity of privileged white men. It was once taken for granted that our "governing class" would do what was best for the country. These men, both GOP & Dem's, have shed any pretense of acting in the national interest. They think that their arrogance is strength but it is weakness. Judging themselves by themselves, they think their mediocrity is somehow commended as astuteness. Their sense of self importance is as clear as primary colors on a canvas. They are out of ideas and devoid of vision. They have surrendered any moral high ground to expediency. The nation is right to rage against these men. Their unabashed self interest has crippled this society long before the current administration. DT is simply the capstone of privileged white male arrogance and mediocrity.
Tradition aside, these men have shown in great relief that they have lost the ability to govern a pluralistic society. It will take a new type of leadership to carry us forward.
7
@NYCAkan
Your argument seems to be built on shaky premise. Of the 24 Democrats on the Judiciary Committee, half are people of color and 11 are women.
3
Those who have traditionally controlled the power levers of our government and institutions are older, wealthy, privileged, well-connected white men. Lawfully gained wealth is wonderful. It is not a problem. However, of their own volition, this interest group will never pass laws that might remove wealth, privilege or influence from their grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc. Moreover, many of their interests clash with the national interests. We need a new generation of leaders, creative people from all backgrounds including many more women. How is it possible that 52% of our nation hold only 19% of the legislative offices.
I tend to believe that our national salvation will be more female governance. Every state should be represented by a male senator and a female senator.
The interests of all people groups, not just the privileged few, should be part of the national discussion. We are too diverse to put our nation’s future into the hands of an ever shrinking minority of older, wealthy, privileged, well-connected white males.
“I have no obligation not to be dishonest to the media because they are as dishonest as anybody else,” Mr. Lewandowski said.
If that is the new standard, we don’t have to be honest to anyone.
Perhaps the next question to him should have been, “Are you being completely honest with this committee?” Being that flippant with that second question could easily have landed him in more hot water then he might have wished. But then again, the Liar-In Chief could have just issued him a full pardon.
I wish Mr. Lewandowski all the success in his Senate run that his statement above merits. Who’s running against him? I may need to send them a donation.
10
I watched the entire hearing. The Republicans on this committee are not serious players, just trump sycophants anxious for their 5 minutes, so they can abuse the inquiry and proclaim Trump a good man under siege.
And even though they are in the minority, they pull parliamentary antics to slow down the process and grandstand when they get their time. Doug Collins was the worst. Shouting out of order, waving papers at Nadler, talking so fast, that no one could make sense of his words. They are embarrassments to their constituencies, and my state has two of them (Biggs and Lesko).
Without serious players, the Rs made the odious Corey Lewandowski who was stonewalling the committee, look like a choirboy. It's clear to me, that in November of 2020, if Americans want Congress to act seriously, they will have to remove every Republican from office and replace them with honest brokers, intent on improving America, instead of defending crooks and liars.
50
Great picture! Let's work to make it accurately captioned in history books as "The Impeachment of Trump: Phase 1."
9
Double check the Lewandowski quote about honesty/media. It appears to be different from the video. Here, it’s quoted as a double negative, which is fitting, but I don’t think accurate.
This hearing was embarrassing. If Nadler wasn’t going to go in full force with these proceedings he should never had started. He fumbled through pathetically, allowing the republicans to walk right over him with their awful behavior and disruption. The witness should have been taken out in cuffs for inherent contempt, plain and simple.
7
Renaissance-style tableau aside, it would behoove one to reconsider just what/who brought this divide about n the first place.
And there's no way to deny that Donald Trump's divisive politics didn't have a hand in it.
Is it therefore any surprise there's as much confusion in his presidency, as there is in how to rid the country of it?
9
On the one hand we have an a-moral, Social Darwinist political party whose loyalty is to power in order to serve the Scavenger Class, that will contort every known value and principle to protect its king. On the other hand, we have an "opposition" in perpetual apprehension, who can't even bring themselves to call what they're doing an "impeachment inquery" for fear of upsetting even one "moderate" voter. In the middle, we have the Constitution and the law, trampled to shreds every day.
9
While NP joins with the Republicans to defang impeachment, this President is allowed to run roughshod over our Constitution, Congress and the world. Dem leadership refuses to take a stand for the people of this country, our Constitution and our allies. There is disarray because NP and who ever she is listening to and pulling her strings, won't allow her to do the right thing for political reasons. "We the People" and our Constitution have been abandoned. Our allies and our enemies see the willingness of our Dem leadership to tolerate DT without forceful and effective consequences. They see that we cannot be trusted because we are unwilling to defend even ourselves from this tyranny. At what point do we stop listening to the blatant lies from both sides of the isle and demand that our country and it's Constitution be defended? I am proud of Mr. Nadler. I am disgusted by NP and her willingness to let DT dismantle our country and its institutions without consequences. Our country and Constitution are "worth it". DT is not the reason for acting, it is the attack on both of those things from him and the Republicans, and we are watching them being harmed in ways that they both, may never recover from. IMPEACH and VOTE.
13
At first glance I thought it was people rushing to help Mr. Nadler after another of his fainting episodes.
7
Set aside the word impeachment and conduct the hearings as a public trial. The jury (voters) can decide whether or not to impeach Trump in Nov. 2020.
The committee should setup a social media team to inform voters using YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Trump likes publicity so give it to him, 24/7, by explaining what Trump has done in a way voters can understand. Mainstream media will report the news congress makes, so make news by educating the public about how Trump, his family, and the GOP are thumbing their noses at the Constitution, our nation's laws, and voters.
Trump and the GOP use the media to obfuscate their law breaking and how it threatens our country. Therefore, the Committee should hire a publicist to put light on the law breaking and use the Republican media tool, Citizen United, to inform the public how Trump and the GOP are flaunting our nation's Constitution and laws. This is a media war for the hearts and minds of Americans and the Committee should use all media weapons available.
If a court is slow-walking the legal process to help Trump run out the clock let the people know. Provide voters with an understanding of how the courts should work and how they are actually working in this matter. If AG Barr or some politically biased judge is obstructing justice make it known to the public.
The country is fighting for its democratic life and congress is playing media tee ball while Trump and the GOP are playing down and dirty hard ball.
17
Two points:
Impeachment must be bi-partisan. or it will be seen only as political harassment, like when the GOP pursued Clinton.
We know all about Trump and cronies. Minds are made up for the most part. Impeachment won't affect
the situation.
3
So far it has taken 3 years for Democrats to think about starting to do this.
Right now they are seriously thinking about it.
At this rate they will be holding a hearing on Trump’s year #7, at which point some one smart will point out that Trump is done after the 8th year so what’s the point.
But wait, there’s a twist.
This is not an effort by ‘Democrats’.
It’s an effort by Progressive Democrats, who apparently represent all Democrats everywhere. But of course they don’t. They represent themselves.
The country is, and has been for a long time, sick and tired of DC politics that take 3 years of noise to decide to seriously think about something. That is what propelled Trump, that exasperation people have with DC. And it is nowhere better represented than by the Progressive Democrats taking 3 years to seriously think about thinking about impeachment.
When he said drain the swamp, this is what he meant. And Democrats have proven their side of the swamp needs draining right now.
This is something that he will use in his campaign to show Democrats are mired on a witch hunt and we need 4 more years of Trump. Result - re-election.
Well done Progressives.
7
I do not understand why they didn't hold Lewandowski in Contempt on the spot. If we continue to appear and be weak it's a serious danger to our entire country. No priviledge exists for Lewandowski and if there are no consequences, we won't get any answers. Get tough Dems, it's past time!
18
I tip my hat to the New York Times for trying to imbue with some seriousness a photograph which to me — a lifelong conservative Democrat who was never voted Republican in his life — speaks plainly to a chaotic, desperate and frenzied last ditch effort to somehow alter what for all the world appears to be the ineluctable outcome of the the 2020 election.
8
@David
Donald Trump had one of his people alter a hurricane map and then ordered his commerce secretary to threaten to fire anyone who spoke out.
And that’s before the Hollywood Access tape, the Michael Cohen testimony, the Mueller report, taking money from military families to build a wall that won’t work, etc.
No one in the history of the United States has deserved/earned impeachment more than Donald Trump.
13
But who is the guy in the upper right casting a spell over Nadler?
9
@Pete Made me laugh out loud!
2
No, No,No. Its my turn to drive the clown car.
16
NYT needs to stop perpetuating this narrative of disarray. It is pointless and, like the many headlines about Hillary’s emails, won’t end well for the rest of us.
How about a focus on Republican cowering and craven spinelessness? We don!t hear enough about that.
141
So very true. Why not write an article on how Lewandowski actually admitted quite a bit about obstruction of justice even as he tried to demean the congress. Why not write about how the republicans are essentially saying they do not believe in a coequal branch of government (honestly the ONLY thing that makes America ‘the greatest country’).
36
@Dennis Denver: Lewandowski did more than demean. He held Congress in contempt.
11
Ridiculous! Clearly Jerry is ordering lunch and everyone is telling him what they want on their sandwiches.
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Loved the pointed comparison of the contemporary photo to a Renaissance tableau. In fact, it brought Renaissance paintings-and their context-- to life for me. From either direction in the time line, past to present or present to past, an illuminating analogy. and a nice angle for a political analysis piece.
16
How I miss the Congress from the Watergate era. Bi-partisan, professional and getting to the crux of the matter. Americans knew that Congress had our best interests at heart. Nowadays, Congress is more a freak show of a touring carnival.
18
The difference was that congressional Republicans needed to separate themselves from Nixon while Trump is popular with Republican voters.
Remember it was Nixon who signed the Clean Water and endangered Species acts. He was pandering to the other side instead of playing to his base
1
In the next few weeks impeachment will be a matter of do or die for our democracy, a system of government which the Republicans hate. Every day Trump creates a new impeachable offence by a man who truly believes that he is and of right aught to be a dictator.
The president's job is to see that the laws of Congress are enforced, and he is totally lawless and governs with Presidential Directives and tweets as he runs the presidency as part of the Trump family business where foreign nations are customers, if the price is right. Apparently the Saudis have bought themselves a war between the USA and Iran. He wants to be a wartime president like FDR.
25
@Sheldon Bunin You do realize Trump will not removed from office, right?
Pelosi has a better understanding of the public on this is issue. Lofgren has an essential understanding of the process of this issue. The less experienced members of the party telegraphing their moves just make them easier for Trump to negate.
1
Doug Mills is a great photographer.
He gets it.
9
I thought of the Last Supper when I saw the photo...whatever, that means!
9
The investigation might as well end with Pelosi undermining it at every juncture. Her FULL support is required to convince the courts to rule against Trump and his thugs. She portrays impeachment as a weak kitten standing up to a pack of snarling dogs. Pelosi is doing Americans and the Constitution a monstrous disfavor. How about impeaching her?
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@Angelsea
Impeachment is a process that requires bipartisan support in the House and Senate. Without that support it will just fall apart leaving the president in stronger position. Pelosi needs about 8 more Senators before there is even a slim chance of success. Undermining her is unhelpful.
3
Clown car.
And it gets better.
Because it is a gaggle of tone-deaf and relentless progressive leftist ideologues engaged in this nonsense, this will continue uninterrupted right up to Election Day in 2020.
And the day after, these ideologues will have nothing to show for all the theatrics but a return of control of the House to the Republicans, and the re-election of Donald Trump.
Party on dudes.
15
Trump may only face justice when he surrenders the Oval Office, most likely in 2021. His wide ranging obstruction of the investigation is in itself as Nadler has stated, serious grounds for impeachment. But the Republicans will never convict in the Senate, which Nadler has also admitted. The courts should force the White House to surrender documents and bring witnesses they are blocking before the committee, but that process will take far longer than the Democrats have to write their articles of impeachment and refer them to the Senate for trial. No one is considering an impeachment trial in the middle of 2020.
The only viable option then is for the Democrats to complete their investigation relying mainly upon the Mueller Report itself, and to hold a House wide vote to censure Trump for his obstruction of justice. They have the votes for censure. That is doable. If Trump is removed in 2021, the House can revisit Trump's actions along with federal and state authorities investigating not only Russia but the other extensive crimes including official corruption and financial crimes related to Trump and the Trump organization.
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@Yankelnevich so there was no underlying crime, so impeach him because he was inappropriately angry about the witch-hunt? Not good politics.
@Buster Dee You may have been watching too much Fox News. Trump has engaged in wholesale obstruction of justice including his current attempts to prevent the constitutional responsibility of the Congress to investigate. Further, there are other crimes, including his campaign payoffs to two women to silence them and violations of the emoluments clause that seem to have no parallel in presidential history. That, in addition to his crimes known to New York State that should disqualify him from the presidency. In principal, Trump never should been allowed to run on the Republican ticket in the first place based upon his record of race baiting, business scams and predatory behavior towards women. Nothing about Trump is either normal or acceptable and offers amply grounds for impeachment and or criminal prosecution once he leaves office.
If trump is not forced into an impeachment hearing what does that say to future presidents and their behavior and what does that say about the Democratic Party?
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@firecaptain
What does it say about republicans who run scared of the con Don? Why are dems only charged with upholding the law? If we’re not following the rule of law then we are a lawless society! Republicans have failed their constituents. They took an oath but don’t seem to care about that at all. Mitch McConnell is a traitor and a liar and a cheat!
68
It says the Democratic party is willing to perpetuate a delusion for political reasons. better question: what does it say about the Democrat base willing to suspend reality?
@Fire Captain IIt says that the
It says that the
Republicans and the Democrats are political wimps.
1
“If it’s win at all costs, Mr. Chairman, then we have a problem.” So simply put, so true and so hypocritical. Win at all cost is a page straight from the Republican playbook. From the southern strategy in presidential politics, gerrymandering districts and voter suppression to possible fox guarding the hen house election fraud in Doug Collins’ own state. Add the Trump administration’s non compliance and obstruction in the Mueller investigation and outright resistance to these hearings and the statement is breathtakingly hypocritical. Collins is a glass house showman.
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@Mckelv
Indeed. That comment was pure projection.
With the Republican Party it's been "win at all costs" since 1980. And we do indeed have a problem.
14
@Mckelv
All true—-BUT—if Nadler pursues a, “When they go low we go high” strategy” the war will be lost. For war it is. If Nadler is too weak, too slow or too indecisive he needs to pass the baton to a younger, more determined and more vigorous member who will exercise the full panoply of power. Levendowski should have been held in contempt at the outset of his obstruction. Mr. Chairman you probably have elected him to the Senate, resign your post before you guarantee Trump’s re-election.
6
If we are going for Renaissance painting, I would like to see some of Caravaggio’s gore.
39
Indeed, a great image during tempestous times. As gripping as Gericault's "Raft of the Medusa." What wonderful times that trigger such animosity and also togetherness among Americans. Looking forward to even more wonderful coverage.
6
@William Menkec: Is ROTM a Renaissance painting?
1
Frankly, I thought Nadler had a paper airplane in his hand. Might as well be...
17
The poll numbers for impeachment are low and reporting them does Trump a huge favor because the numbers ignore the reason why they are so low. If Trump is removed he will be replaced by Pence. It’s like reporting that everybody loves to eat dog food without saying that they had to make a choice between cat food and dog food.
16
Pence does not have the same Svengali personality that trump has. And furthermore if we don’t impeach we are saying anything goes and it will set an extremely dangerous precedent down the road in ways we cannot imagine
28
@JH
The point is not to remove Trump: everybody knows the Senate will not convict.
The point is to expose the lies.
7
I watched this on C-span. It was entertaining and pretty fast paced. Without making any consideration about who is right or wrong, Lewandowski displayed charisma, so he somewhat 'won' on that account. He had a continuous 'my cousin Vinny' kind of quick comeback, and he almost seemed to be enjoying himself.
10
@KTT I suppose it depends on what you mean by "charisma". During Berke's examination, I saw Lewandowski as a glib grifter who lied, obstructed and contradicted himself.
6
@KTT And those intellectual powerhouses Sheila Jackson Lee and Hank Johnson were the perfect foils for Lewandowski as he refused to be a party to his own hanging.
@Richard C
I didn't actually see Berke's questioning.
I understand Lewandowski got his comeuppance during it--I will have to find it online.
Impeachment is the right path, but unfortunately I don't believe Nadler is the right leader. He's not tough enough or quick enough on his feet to deal with the obviously antagonistic Republicans. Truth is on the side of law law and order, but the Democrats with Nadler in the lead are having a tough time getting that point across. The Lewandowski hearing was a joke. What did they expect him to say? The idea that they want him to mouth the words of the Mueller report serves no point. It's in the record. The Democrats need to get control of the situation and push forward with a forceful impeach plan as there's plenty of ammunition, they just need to figure out how to use it correctly.
98
@Mike.
Read Volume II of the Muller report. There's plenty there. Wait until the New York DA gets his hands on Trump's tax returns, which may well reveal that he falsely claimed the payoff to Stormy Daniels was a legal expense, which is a crime.
Meantime, we agree on one thing: Go Trump. Just go, already.
21
@VMG
I support your characterization of Nadler. He is not tough, or bold, or articulate. He is not compelling. With him at the helm of this committee, I am not optimistic. Democrats need to speak up more boldly about our lack of strong "leadership." When we keep mediocre "leaders" in power like Nadler, Schumer, and Pelosi... we continue to lose our battles.
5
@NA
And if it doesn't reveal that, then what?
What if the accounting is properly documented, and perfectly legal - as you would expect from anyone who's competent at financial shenanigans?
As a matter of public support, the Story Daniels thing is a non-starter. He didn't rape her or abuse her. Her crooked lawyer, however did exploit her and not to mention the abuse of his own girlfriend at the time.
Despite dangling a DVD in front of the press, they never produced the sex tape or whatever incriminating evidence Avenatti was alluding to.
No one changed their impression of Trump because nobody viewed him as a straight-laced family man.
A Renaissance painting, particularly the high Renaissance painting as epitomized by the works of Leonardo and Raphael, are known for their symmetry, stability, and balance. This photograph, with its dynamic poses, emotional expressions, and intersecting diagonals is far more reminiscent of the Baroque.
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@Otto Biggs
Actually, it's far more reminiscent of 1859....
2
@Otto Biggs.
Yes, well put!
And while the photo is dynamic and eye-catching, I found the article less so, esp the title. It straddles interpretive news and "Politics People!", the new magazine that we look at every day. I like news factual, and with as few adjectives as possible.
3
Every democrat I know supports Warren or Sanders and yet Biden is the one I'm told is polling best. Just like with Hillary, I've yet to see even one Biden sign or bumper sticker.
Every democrat I know supports impeachment, wants to defend the Constitution so that these Trumpian crimes end here and do not set a precedence, yet I'm told the polls indicate the dems do not want to impeach.
A feckless Democratic party will not end well for Democrats.
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@Clayton Marlow
Exactly correct. I'd only suggest changing your last sentence to the present tense.
2
@Clayton Marlow
Your comment tells me that big money/corporations own the Dems as much as they own the other side - if not more...
They know Biden will do their bidding.
4
@Pat - If the implication of your comment is one should therefore skip the next election and let Trump run wild, since the Democrats did not try to Impeach him, please know this writer considers such an implication as an effort to draw a false equivalency, and thoroughly rejects your inference.
That Democrats in Congress may or may not Impeach Trump should not be one's voting litmus test.
That there may not be complete accord among the Democrats in Congress should not be measured as a lack of opposition, diligence or concern.
All politics are tactical. When dealing with political extremists, one's tactics must be re-calibrated on a nearly-daily basis.
In the past, Americans dealt with political parties not much different from each other. Differences have grown since the right wing began to re-define Conservativism, a few decades ago, when it moved beyond fiscal issues and began to encompass racism.
American voters recognize those differences. So do Congressional Democrats. Hence, they are being tactical.
Those tactics will be tested sometime between ow and, or on, November 3, 2020.
Whatever the political interplay takes place between now and then, and no matter how many false equivalencies are cast on we the public from whatever quarter, I'm expecting Americans to vote in record numbers. I'll be voting for nothing but Democrats, and urging everyone I know to do the same.
14
Americans deserve to know the truth. Just tell the truth and let every American decide what they think based on facts. Enough with the constant lies. Just tell the truth. It's very simple.
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@Dem in CA
“I have no obligation to be truthful,” said Mr. Lewandowski. Yes, I know that is not the entire sentence, but a decent and honorable person would not utter those words no matter what followed.
83
@Dem in CA But how do you get anyone to tell the truth? Lies no longer bring shame or embarrassment or even a red-faced emoji.
4
@Darcy: No kidding. Lewandowski is a cynical Trumpist mercenary. He's peddling the story that all journalists (all of them, really? - please, don't make me laugh) are dishonest, and because he claims that this is true (which has not been proven by any means), it justifies his own dishonesty. He is a twisted man.
2
The picture and commentary are priceless! Unfortunately, the players are not.
18
Would love to see some talented artist do a painting of this picture and perhaps a series that includes others involved in the historic defense of democracy against callous and cynical opponents of it who want more to personally profit from their involvement in government...like you know who!
7
reminds me more of a Rembrandt, biblical conflicts in real life, a study in diverse personalities, interests and power.
10
Oh please, leave art out of this mess.
3
@sue denim
Reminds me of Mad Magazine Fold-In page
by Al Jaffee.
6