“A clinical and focused approach is called for in the face of Trump’s theatrics and distraction.”
Yeah...but when the entire Trumpublican party only cares about Trump’s theatrics and it defines their political discourse...
Amused to death.
4
When Donald Trump calls you a "traitor", you are obviously doing something right.
174
Congressman Schiff is my representative in Burbank, CA. He's an absolutely outstanding man and congressman. He's served our district with distinction and thoughtfulness.
He is the perfect man to be at the helm of this impeachment inquiry. He has, and will, serve our country to the best of his ability and if he finds grounds for impeachment, and let's face it, there's much to be considered here, he'll recommend that course of action.
The negativity I'm reading in this comment section doesn't reflect the honorable politician I've been aware of for years. Most of the comments are based on slanderous accusations and name-calling bandied about by the very person Congressman Schiff is investigating.
Those of you casting aspersions or reiterating a bully's childish remarks, should reflect on the difference between honor and ignobility. The difference is something you should have learned about in school, or at home.
265
What about the many lies?
14
Schiff's communication skills are likely of limited import. They exceed those of most other Democrats in Congress, but noting that is little better than damning with faint praise. Good enough to keep impeachment going; that is more relevant.
But where is this impeachment going?
Just to feeling good about losing would be too low a target to aim for.
Schiff's team needs to dig deeper for more evidence, and assemble carefully (yet quickly) a broad yet incisive case from the mounds of evidence already unearthed. They need to get the press focused not on their rhetorical sound bites, but on the solid tower of connected dots showing this to be the most gangster-like, crooked, amoral, childish and anti-America president of all time. They need to stop blasting potential witnesses, push Trump to release the rest of the Ukraine phone call text, pass laws requiring every top official to release tax returns. Flood the country with cold facts and make the factual case for removal of a grossly unfit president soberly, without hype and without pulling punches.
That could persuade some Trump voters anyway, and if Schiff & Co can lay off partisan whining for a few months, they'd also have a good chance of convincing the least closed-minded and most patriotic 40% of Republican senators (enough to convict, especially if further evidence is revealed during a Senate trial) that Pence might be a flexible caretaker president, and/or Romney a credible independent candidate in the fall of 2020.
My Congressman <3
3
This is all a circus.
Who better than a clown to be the man for the moment?
Schiff is the right person indeed.
16
Mr. Schiff is a fatally flawed vessel for this manufactured political assassination attempt.
1) Mr. Schiff told America over 2 years ago that he had evidence of treason by Mr. Trump related to the Russia collusion hoax.
2) Mr. Schiff was caught on tape attempting to get foreign dirt on Trump in the form of videotapes.
3) Mr. Schiff spent 10 hours prepping convicted felon and liar Michael Cohen to lob unproven allegations against President Trump
4) Mr. Schiff lied about being in contact with the whistleblower before receiving the complaint.
5) Mr. Schiffs office coordinated with the whistleblower.
5) Mr. Schiff fabricated a conversation conducted by Mr. Trump in a committee hearing.
Mr. Schiff is literally the worst.
22
If anyone can rid us of this lawless president, Mr Schiff is the man. I wish him godspeed.
33
He is exactly right for this job because he will not respond to Trumps provocation's, thereby denying him an enemy to go after. Without "the other"to demonize 45 is just a bag of hot air. Mr. Schiff is a pro and wise in his questioning. I think Biden is doing the same thing. Giving 45 nothing, no blowback about all the investigation's into him by this jerk. That in my opinion is the best offense against Trump. Do your job, and let him blow up anywhere he wants but give him nothing to hurt you with. No response is the best most infuriating response. Tilting at windmills.
16
Adam Schiff can’t be trusted. He repeatedly lied to the American people, saying that he had hard evidence of Russian collusion by President Trump. Now it appears there’s a good chance he and his office were in bed with the so-called whistleblower from the start. He also purposely misrepresented the transcript of Trump’s call with Zelensky in his speech in the House. If he does not recuse himself, It will be a huge mistake for the Democrats.
31
If not for an Attorney General loyal to a corrupt President rather than to serving the American Public and a GOP with no backbone, Trump would be out. The Mueller ( by the way, a Republican appointed by Republicans) report and his testimony uncovered multiple instances of involvement of the Trump syndicate with the Russians and clearly outlined obstruction of justice. So stop enabling him.
29
Schiff just got 4 Pinocchio’s from the Washington Post for lying to the media. Not a good look.
13
Are you kidding us? The man who continually lies? The man who claimed he had hard evidence that Trump colluded with the Russians? The man who just got 4 Pinocchios from the liberal leaning, Dem friendly Washington Post?!
15
Yes Margaret I agree “Adam Schiff Is the Right Man for the Moment
A clinical and focused approach is called for in the face of Trump’s theatrics and distraction.”
Your hero just got four Pinocchio’s from the Washington Post.
8
The Dem's are making fools of themselves.
11
Trump is childishly transparent about who and what he fears most - he flails wildly and loudest at the people and revelations that he thinks are the biggest threats. It's obvious, the sober, methodical, law-respecting prosecutor Schiff has him mortally petrified.
Perhaps Melania could have a word with her husband about how nearly everyone today understands that bullies are just scared and deeply insecure, and how lashing out at good people just makes you look desperate and pathetic.
6
You do realize, Marge, that Schiff got four Pinocchios from the Washington Post?
7
The right stuff.
2
A Prosecuter!
3
Adam Schiff, the patriotic Harvard lawyer. Donald Trump, the narcissistic "King of Debt" grifter. No contest!
13
I think this article is actually political cat-fishing - It's written as tongue and cheek satire, intended to draw out the people to comment who actually believe that Schiff is the right person. Only the most die hard politically brainwashed person would actually believe that he is a virtuous human being.
11
The big event sometimes happens and the right person is there to deal with it, and the history has changed.
Like Duke of Wellington who stopped Napoleon, general Eisenhower defeated Hitler, somehow human race will rise to defeat the evil empire...
But it requires a functioning democracy and courageous people to stand up!
2
Watching from down under, have long felt the US of A is morphing into "The Hunger Games". Lo and behold, we now have Nancy (Katniss) and Adam (Gale) in full open warfare with President Snow (apologies to Donald Sutherland). Even more compelling, I now realise Nancy & Adam both hail from Trump's nemesis state, California, (major departure from the novel, in which Katniss & Gale come from District 12, representing Appalachia, a redneck stronghold for Trump, certainly not California).
If life is not to mimic art - Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Schiff now really need to win this conflict emphatically ASAP.
1
amazingly, the WSJ agrees as far as can discern:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/schiffs-shifty-timeline-11570143046
1
Adam Schiff is someone for the history books.
The American people need someone of his intellect and rectitude to counter Russia’s largest assault on America since the end of World War II.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the highest duly elected official in government presently, is another extraordinary example of America’s strength under such a great attack.
Trump is an existential threat to American democracy and freedom. Putin gave his oligarchs a few years before taking the wealth of those left by force, leaving them impotent and hanging by his whims.
Should US plutocrats be so ill advised as to follow Putin’s example, they would end up with nothing, as Trump is mentally ill and sociopathic.
The Republicans have a chance to save America when the Impeachment vote is up to them.
For the sake of God and all future generations to follow, may they strike quickly while they can and end Putin’s attack upon American soil.
7
I won’t waste any words presenting my bona fides as a lifelong progressive Democrat voter.
I’m simply aghast that Schiff chose this particular moment to get comical.
An opinion rider at the LA Times stated that “any sentient person“ would have immediately understood that Schiff was parodying the content of the transcript.
Well, I am a sentient person but unfortunately the “parody” was so accurately in the style of our dear leader in shakedown mode, that I totally bought it. That’s what I expect from the man.
What a great way to arm the truly dishonest media and give red meat to low-information voters.
5
Agree.
Just please walk the straight and narrow: no more parodies and be transparent in interviews.
We’ve got your back.
2
Schiff might be smart and is possibly the right person for this crucial role BUT only if he keeps his ego in check...
He's made some stupid errors that helps GOP to deflect from the gravity of the issue of corruption by Trump.
Schiff can gloat and preen, if that's what he needs to do, (ironically a typical Trump move) but only if Trump is legitimately impeached not until then.
The country needs a steady hand at the helm of this unfortunate crisis.
If this is an article trying to make Adam Schiff look believable and trustworthy, that horse has left the barn long ago.
8
Is this the same Adam Schiff who just received four Pinocchios from WaPo?
8
There are a few Democrats around that are almost good at making the case against Trump. And, Schiff is probably the best of the lot.
I don't see anyone who is great. And that is what its going to take to bring Trump down either in the Impeachment/Removal process or in the Election.
Trump operates in another Dimension. Its going to be like trying to nail Jello to the wall taking him down. Schiff is good but he always seems to be right on the verge of making a killer point that just doesn't get made. The best word to describe the Schiff effect is gauziness.
If I had to pick one person to conduct an open ended cross-examination of Donald Trump it would be Bill Clinton. Nobody can
out crazy the non-inhaling pot smoker.
Run it on Super Bowl Sunday and it will outdraw the Game.
1
Adam Schiff was once an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles, California. In 1990, Schiff prosecuted an FBI Agent named Richard Miller for espionage and bribery. Miller was caught giving Soviet Union agents top secret material and counter intelligence material to Soviet spies in San Francisco, Seattle and Southern California.. A federal jury convicted Miller for spying for the Soviet Union; and a federal judge sentenced Miller to 50 years in prison.
Adam Schiff is eminently qualified to investigate and identify foreign agents and foreign interference in our elections for purposes of impeachment. After all, Schiff went after the KGB spies. More important, Donald John Trump should sleep with one eye open. Former KGB Agent Vladimir Putin will not be able to save the criminal syndicate that operates out of the White House. Neither will the Republican Party.
14
The right man for lying and conniving to unseat a duly elected president and perhaps the right man to ensure Trump’s re-election? Is that what you mean by this headline?
6
Okay, Adam...open the doors, we want to play too...
Mr. Schiff, with his poise, intellect and competence is the ideal antidote to the immature, corrupt and incompetent president Trump.
Let the games begin.
4
This piece is intended as cover for the Democrats' decision to skip the due process that would occur if they voted articles of impeachment through the judiciary committee, like they are supposed to.
The spin is that that: "Mr. Schiff [is] in the driver’s seat — not because the call specifically addressed intelligence matters, but because the whistle-blower just happened to work in the intelligence community."
Ha Ha. Schiff "just happened" to find and recruit a CIA operative to funnel the Complaint to his own intelligence committee. He then lied about not being involved with the shill "whistleblower" before the filing. (The WaPo just gave him a perfect score of "4 Pinocchios" for that lie.)
But don't worry, the involvement between Schiff and the mole was limited and innocent. The NYT knows this because . . . a Schiff spokesman told the Times that Schiff did nothing wrong. There you go! Case closed. Nothing to see.
Lying about his involvement in the Complaint and then reading a fake SNL-skit version of the transcript during televised hearings, is not what most people would consider the epitome of straight-shooting and avoiding "theatrics."
But the spin must go on.
6
All he needs to do is stick to task at hand and not be distracted by Trump's gyrations. Like the way Father Karras was during the exorcism. This will push Trump's buttons and he will only dig more of a hole for himself.
1
Yeah, we need a liar who said the whistleblower never contacted the Intelligence committee ahead of time, and now we know he did, and that Mr. Schiff prevaricated.
Go Deep State!
6
After what he referred to as a “parody” I question if he is qualified to be a congressman much less lead this inquiry. What was he trying to do, out stupid the opposition?
5
He's got at best 72 hours to go into "Rodino mode" (see Nixon inquiry) or this effort is trashed.
We done NYTimes.
Adam Schiff deserves this.
He is assailed over at Fox in the most disgusting way.
Here is the link to the amazing speech that Chairman Schiff made in defense of his own position and in defense of our nation’s law and constitution which will be viewed in history as a turning point in the preservation of our democracy:
https://youtu.be/6qIyhuTQ9Y4
1
Schiff is America's forensic accountant for a man who views the USA as his own personal ATM. P.T. Trump's political&psychic&moral account are in overdraft (and Russia doesn't have a layaway plan). That debt Must Be Paid&It Will Be Paid. The Big Tent in the Republican Party’s Carnival of Lost Souls is collapsing in disrepute and disrepair. The conniptions of the maniacal Ring Master at yesterday's press conference(with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto) and his public, brazen&surreal invitation to China to investigate Biden&Son, are the final movements of a Danse Macabre approaching its inevitable coda...
2
Very good article. Schiff and Pelosi will tie Trump in knots with the rope he has given them. They are doing Republicans a favor and probably many Republicans are secretly rooting for them. Predictably they will blame Schiff and Pelosi then for doing what they were too cowardly to do themselves.
3
With all due respect to Ms. Taylor, she is (in my considered opinion) a partisan hack. The double standards that she has not acknowledged effectively destroy any credibility in this space.
6
According to the Whistleblower Law, the official was obligated to first approach the IG before going to Congress. A government WB should know the law. He broke it. Knowing this, Schiff tried to cover up the fact that WB bypassed the IG. Was it Schiff who said, no one is above the law? Did he conspire to conceal a crime?
1
trump is so guilty. Republicans are complete fools. Supporters of trump are in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Impeachment is necessary. Conviction is the only resolution of the facts.
Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi, Jerry Nadler and Company are the heroes in this epic tale of corruption. I am rooting for the good guys and gals. They may not be wearing white hats so look for the D next to their name.
3
Adam is a shrill voice of intolerance .
He seems like a guy you wouldn't want baby sitting your kids.
If this is your new savior good luck with that !
3
This seems to be a complete PR piece for Schiff, who i have actually lost a great deal of respect for these past 2 years. A feckless exaggerator boarding on incompetent... i used to think he was an asset to the party but feel like he’s now just another Democrat full of canned lines for the news.
5
If he’s so wonderful, why did the Washington Post’s Fact Checker just give him Four Pinocchio’s for his statements regarding talking to the “Whistleblower”. Glenn Kessler said his statements “strain credulity”. That’s not the “high road” in my opinion.
6
Does it matter to the author that he repeatedly exaggerated or even lied about Trumps association with Russia? I personally find him him pretty annoying.
6
Schiff is on CNN more than Wolf Blitzer, I’ll pass
6
Yes, a good man.
Schiff will be the next Senator from California, once Kamala becomes Attorney General.
Cue the Law & Order tones...
3
The Washington Post gave Schiff 4 Pinocchios for his lie about not talking to the whistleblower.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/04/schiffs-false-claim-his-committee-had-not-spoken-whistleblower/
Doesn't sound like the right man for the job.
10
Adam Schiff lied repeatedly about having clear evidence of Trump'S collusion with Russia. He has lied about the House Intelligence Committee not having had prior contact with the Whistleblower". Adam Schiff's "parody" of the telephone call was just fiction. He is a consummate liar, which indeed makes him the right man for the Democrats at the moment.
6
Schiff may be the right man for this job. He's a consummate liar and a hypocrite, and one needs both qualities to effectively handle this Ukraine business. One of the qualities I like in the people I respect is integrity. Schiff has none. He lied to America to try and take out a president. He should be forced to resign. By the way, there is a lot more to learn about Mr. Schiff and Ukraine. Stay tuned.
9
I feel like he's the Green ranger of the political Power Rangers.
I also think Schiff is the right man to lead impeachment proceeding against Trump because it will help Trump because he is the personification of abuse and lies that was perpetrated against Trump during the last 3 years. Nobody believes Schiff except hardcore liberals and never Trumpers who need no support to impeach Trump. It is a partisan witch-hunt which is not going to go anywhere removing Trump. Probably Democrats should vote to impeach Trump right away since Trump publicly said, in addition to privately, that Ukraine and many other countries should investigate Biden's suspected corruption and origin of Russia hoax.
3
Gang GOP and their followers are not interested in the truth. Gladly these followers, are a minority. It will be the Democrats job to bring the many smaller minority groups into the “fold”. After the next election, the long task ahead, will be, reversing trump’s Unamerican. and inhuman actions. Save our planet and fight greed. Vote blue everyone in 2020.
1
Trump, on the other hand, IS the "slick operator bent on betraying the country".
That guy Nunes and the creepy Jim Jordan trying to pin the word "salacious" on Schiff's work is an exercise in sheer projection for this whole grotesque administration.
3
Adam Schiff, who personifies the link between foreign policy hawks and defense contractors, is indeed the right man for this farce.
The institutional Resistance's hypocrisy rises to Orwellian doublethink. The CIA complainant is not a bona-fide "whistleblower" in the plain meaning of the term, but an operative using the whistleblower process as a cover to further the latest reiteration of the frame that Trump has surely committed some "high crime" to warrant his prompt removal from the Oval Office Throne. And having had no first-hand knowledge just hearsay, the CIA asset is really more of a "gossip-blower".
The biggest crime in this story, the illegal overthrow of a sovereign government, isn’t being told by the MSM, although it should, since it is the origin of both Russiagate, the ensuing McCarthyism 2.0, and now Ukrainegate.
Schiff, who personifies the link between foreign policy hawks and defense contractors, is completely compromised due to his support of the illegal coup and his personal profiting of this coup.
Since entering Congress in 2002, Congressman Schiff hasn’t met a war he didn’t like. He has backed every military action the US has been involved in from Iraq to Yemen, Libya, Syria.
The US arms industry has rewarded Schiff handsomely, accounting for over one-sixth of Schiff’s total campaign donations.
His connections to Parsons Corp and Ukrainian billionaire arms dealer Igor Pasternak should certainly disqualify him from being part of this CIA-instigated inquiry
6
While you are saving America might as well hand deliver the election to Trump.
1
Anyone who thinks Adam Schiff is an honest, honorable man is simply not paying attention.
He is a liar and fabricator, a thoroughly reprehensible character who has yet to reveal all the " evidence" he possesses as to Trump's "collusion with Russia."
After tormenting the American people with this sleazy nonsense for over two years, I should think he would want to vindicate himself and turn all this incriminating material over to the people.
Except nothing's there.
(I guess the collusion story was some sort of "parody" of his.)
Very scary that there are Americans who actually admire this guy.
.
5
Schiff is a stickler for process....the process of lying. A few examples. Pick someone else Mrs. Pelosi. Schiff has no credibility with the voters you need to convince to support impeaching Trump.
1. Lied about having clear and irrefutable proof of Trump colluding with the Russians
2. Lied while he read a fairy tale account of the phone call with the Ukraine President while pretending he was reading the transcript.
3. Lied when he said that his committee and staff ("we") did not have any previous contact with the whistle blower.
4
Schiff, who personifies the link between foreign policy hawks and defense contractors, is indeed the right man for this farce.
The institutional Resistance's hypocrisy rises to Orwellian doublethink. The CIA complainant is not a bona-fide "whistleblower" in the plain meaning of the term, but an operative using the whistleblower process as a cover to further the latest reiteration of the frame that Trump has surely committed some "high crime" to warrant his prompt removal from the Oval Office Throne, more of a "gossip-blower".
The biggest crime in this story, the illegal overthrow of a sovereign government, isn’t being told by the MSM, although it should, since it is the origin of both Russiagate, the ensuing McCarthyism 2.0, and now Ukrainegate.
Schiff is completely compromised not only due to his support of the illegal coup and his personal profiting of this coup via campaign contributions, but also because of his repeated lies and embellishments on live TV.
Since entering Congress in 2002, Congressman Schiff hasn’t met a war he didn’t like. He has backed every military action the US has been involved in from Iraq to Yemen, Libya, Syria.
The US arms industry has rewarded Schiff handsomely, accounting for over one-sixth of Schiff’s total campaign donations.
His connections to Parsons Corp and Ukrainian billionaire arms dealer Igor Pasternak should certainly disqualify him from being part of this CIA-instigated inquiry.
3
The Washington Post gave him four pinocchios. A liar cannot be in charge of impeachment.
6
This is a complete fairy tale. Giuliani investigated CORRUPTION in 2018 way before Biden announced he was running.was running in 2020.
DEBUNKED: How could Trump have wanted to get Biden out of the 2020 election, if Giuliani investigated corruption in 2018, BIDEN DIDN'T ANNOUNCE HE WAS RUNNING UNTIL 2019. Is psychic on the presidents resume.
2
I say this as someone who absolutely wants Trump impeached: Schiff was not clinical and focused with Maguire. Why gratuitously demonize a witness who might come more to your side? Schiff’s opening statement was grandstanding and unfocused.
1
"If you covered him with garbage
George Sanders would still have style"
The Kinks "Everybody's in Shoe Biz" - 1972
Chairman Schiff's performance the last 2 weeks reminds me
of this line from this cherished tune
1
He is the right man if you want somebody who blatantly tells lies to the American people as shown by his 4 Pinocchios Award from Washington Post today.
Not a good start for the point person to gain the trust of the American people.
5
Schiff is an embarrassment. There are plenty of better people to run an impeachment inquiry - if the House ever votes to formalize it.
2
Let's hope that Schiff has learned his lesson from last week's parody of the Trump phone call. There is NO room for humor or sarcasm in all this. He must be serious 24/7. No smiles, no jokes, no asides of any kind. He may have integrity, but he also needs judgment. And he has shown occasional lapses in maintaining the level of seriousness needed here. Adam, are you listening? No jokes. No parody. No smiles. Grow up--you're not a fill-in on CNN anymore.
1
According to POTUS Schiff is treasonous. At least Schiff won a popular vote to represent the people of the USA. That's something Trump can't claim. The rest of the world is astounded that the USA calls itself a democracy when the man who lost the popular vote for President is, nonetheless, appointed President. O the bitter fruit!
1
This guy is probably the most partisan person in Congress. He exudes hate for Donald Trump. The only way you could think this is the best guy for this job is if you too are an extremely partisan hack.
3
Trump has used the vast power of the U.S. presidency to extort 2020 election help from foreign leaders beholden to him in his role as president. His life is one long narrative of cheating and extortion. Adam Schiff understands Trump’s depravity and treasonous abuses of his office for personal gain. Schiff is a true man of honor and patriot.
1
Thank you, Mrs Schiff. I am sure hes on the level.
1
How refreshing to have a Congressman who is respectable, law abiding and smart. He is clear and succinct when he speaks, and follows the rules of procedure for impeachment. After 3 years of Donald Trump and his corrupt cronies, Mr Schiff's honest, integrity and decency is a welcome relief for our nation. Now it is the time for Republican's to do their part, to self-reflect and decide how they want their future and the future for our country to look. As Benjiman Franklin once said," Honesty is the best policy."
2
With Adam Schiff we have a man who would prosecute a Democrat just as well as a Republican. I'm sure he prefers his party's political agenda but his allegiance is to the Constitution.
With Republicans allegiance goes no further than to party.
With trump who is of no party well you know where his allegiance lies.
1
Schiff lied to America for two years saying that he had clear evidence of Trump’s collusion with Russia to fix the 2016 Presidential election.
He’s still lying.
6
Schiff is an example of what every civil servant should be. You don’t have to agree with his politics to appreciate his intelligence, his integrity, his competence.
If there were members of the current GOP like Schiff I would happily entertain their ideas. Yet they were killed off in the 2000s with the rise of Bush and Cheney and the Tea Party.
3
Schiff has always reminded me of Marty Feldman, but I’m sure Marty would take offense at being compared to such a completely dishonest and reprehensible fraud in our congress.
God help us.
2
Schiff may be all that but he has already made two unforced errors now that are hurting his cause beyond all proportion to their size. His "parody" of the Trump-Zelensky transcript was wholly unnecessary, unseemly and inappropriate to context. He is investigating a matter, not out on the campaign trail.
And now WaPo has given Trump a great gift by exposing Schiff's less-than-candid comments about his staff's interaction with the whistleblower or the whistleblower's representative. Although he answered literally to imprecise questioning, he knew the import of the questions and did not answer with the whole truth. And Trump is running with a pretty damaging Pinocchio video now that makes Schiff look like a huge liar.
Schiff has got to do better than this. Trump and Co. are the disinformation pros. It's not enough for Schiff to be 99.9% accurate. He has to be 100%. And so far, he is failing that standard.
3
Right man for the moment? Wasn't that the same thing everyone said about Mueller? Yes.
3
Well said: "The president can concoct all the conspiracy theories he wants, and Lindsey Graham and others may pick up the tune, but Mr. Schiff played it by the book."
Mr. Schiff is a thoughtful and articulate investigator, not impressed, nor deterred, by the corrupt and sociopathic liar in the White House. He has risen to the occasion and put Mr. Trump on notice that he is not fooling around. He conduct a professional investigation which stands in stark contrast to the unhinged rants from Trump.
2
The Democratic Party needs to encourage strong, bright competent leaders like Adam Schiff to seek high office.
1
Adam Schiff is a courageous guy who has earned the American people's respect and although he'll never be feted on Fox News as the hero he is the other 65% of us appreciate his integrity.
It is darkest just before dawn and that's where America is right now, in the darkest moment in its history. A wannabe dictator cannot be allowed to keep the keys to the White House. His Presidency is an insult to every thinking American.
1
George Conway has just written an excellent article in The Atlantic showing that the Founders meant breach of fiduciary duty by the president as the essential meaning of “high crimes and misdemeanors”, ie, putting his own interests ahead of the country’s. On this basis Trump is clearly guilty. Impeach and (hopefully) be done with him and all his narcissistic insanity.
2
Lawfare--that new portmanteau word for law and warfare-- tips off the already wary of the obvious bias of the author of this piece. Based on Schiff's ridiculous parody of Trump, channeling The Godfather, that should be left to the professionals on SNL, it should also be obvious to what's left of fair-minded Democrats that Schiff should be replaced. It's not as bad as his off beat, ridiculous imitation of a Roman Senatorial speech, but close to. He's unsuited to deliver the message with credibility, let alone gravitas. He should go on the stage, for sure, but not represent the stage of the Democratic platform. Let an authentic, no drama Obama or Bernie Sanders do that. Schiff is another showman, another clown---not what we need for this moment in time to be taken seriously.
2
There's what one reads in the NYT and there's what people actually talk about amongst themselves in everyday life. The NYT impeachment coverage is wall-to-wall, breathlessly obsessive, retailing the Democratic line that they're selflessly uncovering heinous crimes and protecting the integrity of the constitution without regard to political risks to themselves. When you talk to friends and business associates you find out nobody is especially interested in the whole thing, dismissing it as just so much partisan politics and a gigantic Democratic smoke-machine intended to poison the atmosphere against Mr. Trump going into the election campaign with, of course, the intention of making him toxic to the voters. All the Democrats want is to get into the White House, by any means necessary; let's get over the fiction of how noble and high-minded they are. They've been driven to this expedient because they know their 'product' isn't selling very well out in the marketplace of political ideas. In truth, they have an unappealing extreme leftist agenda for America and if they can make the campaign about Mr. Trump it saves them having to defend it to the voters--in effect saying, never mind about our semi-communistic plans, you have to vote for us, you can't vote for him. As ever, the voters will see through the smoke and make up their own minds.
4
"..clinical and focused is what is called for in the face of Mr. Trump’s theatrics and distraction."
Exactly. Presidential candidates, please take note!
It doesn't matter as much as you want.
Truth is
1) Trump's base is unmoved by anything he does...and now
2) The Republicans are lawless as well.
America is never going to be a superpower again.
Watch the allies start coalescing around China.
It is the future anyhow.
The Republican spin machine is going into overdrive trying to smear Adam Schiff. All you hear repeatedly is that he should step down. I really hope most people are not that dumb. Adam Schiff has been a beacon of hope in the Trumpian dystopia. He is has shown more backbone, honor and integrity than the entire GOP combined. I only wish we had 434 more congressman like him.
2
He is a consummate professional; even-tempered, cool like a cucumber!
1
Although I'm a Socialist and a lifelong Democrat, let me speak for the ghostly Senator John McCain: I prefer Presidents Who Don't Get Thrown Out Of Office.
He's toast, he won't make it to Halloween.
2
All the Republicans in Congress and the Senate know very well what they've gotten themselves into, but due to their spineless, cowardly, jellyfish-like stance they are shaking in their boots.
We need to give them an out and try to pose a creative solution. Let's look at a scenario, however far-fetched it may be.
Let's say Nancy Pelosi approaches Mitch McConnell with a proposal that says this: "Mitch, you know that it's a good chance that Trump will not win reelection, so why not field a new alternative for the GOP nominee, let a vote on the 25th Amendment go to the floor of the Senate, remove the mentally ill President from office and let the sun shine again on our great nation." He'll implode and try to start a Civil War, but the Congressional Guard will arrive with the straight-jacket and escort him to the loony bin.
Well, I can dream, can't I?
1
If Nixon's crimes were not discovered until after he was out of office, would the president following his term be impeached for looking into Nixon's crimes?
nope.
1
This article indicates that Ms.Taylor has a very serious case to Trump Derangement Syndrome. Adam Schiff is a known liar. He lied about early contact with the Whistle Blower. He completely misrepresented the contents of Trump's call with Zelensky when he commented on it in an official House hearing. He claimed to have proof of Trump's collusion with Russia in the 2016 election while Muelller found no collusion after a lengthy investigation.
3
Apparently Ms. Taylor's perspective on playing it 'by the book' includes earning 4 Pinocchios from the Post today for lying about contact with the whistleblower....in the age of Trump, everything's relative, I guess....
1
I know I should not judge a book by its cover but most photos of him have this "deer in the headlights" look.
1
"...a straight line between the president’s actions and the most profound concerns of the authors of the Constitution..."
Happy to see this incipient originalism taking hold of the D's. Hopefully this hermeneutic will find application in other areas.
1
Quit relevant to his qualifications is Schiff's early work as an attorney, securing the 1984 conviction of the rogue FBI agent Richard Miller for his role as a spy in league with the Russian agent Svetlana Ogorodnikov. In the 1980's Southern California, she operated as an amateur "honey trap" spy, a Soviet asset, much like the modern day Maria Butina.
How ironic it is that the man who sent the first FBI agent to jail for committing espionage is being portrayed as member of the "deep state" by the president and his sycophants.
1
NYT: The insulting terms Trump uses are not nicknames. They should be noted as insults and beneath the dignity of the office.
Chairman Schiff should not ever be referenced by an insulting adjective.
1
Oh, please. Adam Schiff, like all career politicians, Republican or Democrat is nothing more than a political opportunist. He is motivated first and foremost by retaining his house seat and accumulating as much power as he can. Sometimes that's to the benefit of his constituents.
18
Margaret Taylor is absolutely right about Adam Schiff. Not only is Congressman Schiff the right person for the moment, he has shown himself to be a very wise, capable and fair man in a position he never sought.
Regardless of how the impeachment effort by the House of Representatives turns out, Adam Schiff has been heroic. Mr. Schiff stands in marked contrast to the deceitful, morally bereft and self-absorbed man who now insults and threatens him daily.
3
When the entire sordid Russian episode unfolded in the fall of 2016, it was Adam Schiff and Harry Reid, as members of the Gang of Eight, who heroically in real time sounded the alarm about the Russian interference in the election.
Their calls went unheeded and ultimately Mitch McConnell blocked the disclosure of the interference. Thus the American people were deprived of critical, disqualifying information about Donald Trump prior to the election.
Ever since that time, Rep. Schiff has been dogged and unrelenting in his pursuit of the truth about Trump and his foreign interests.
At this critical historical juncture, we are fortunate to have someone with his intellect and judgment in charge of the impeachment inquiry. In taking on this role, he is subjecting himself to incredible personal abuse from Trump and his GOP sycophants.
He is truly a profile in courage.
2
Are we talking about the same Adam Schiff? Seriously, he always strikes me as sleazy and dishonest. His questioning in committee meetings is full of attempts at cheap cross-examination tricks that would have any judge laughing while sustaining objections in a real courtroom. I suppose as a trial attorney maybe I notice that more often than most. But when your approach to examination is to confuse people in order to elicit the answer you want, born of confusion, then the whole approach is well...confusing... and dishonest.. and inauthentic. With that as my baseline, I hear that he has been, at best, less than candid or complete about contacts with the whistle-blower. (BTW, I keep checking the Daily podcast feed to see if they are going to update their excellent story on the timeline of actions taken by the whistle-blower.) Regardless of where you stand on Trump, Schiff fudging the contact is a really, really stupid mistake, and not the first in Schiff's quest over the last two years. Who really believes that Schiff, who has so longed for Trump's removal, really didn't get involved when the whistle-blower approached his staff? I mean come on. A take on Schiff is like everything else now--a Rorschach test on which side you're on. I feel like I am in the middle, but have grown weary of Schiff.
19
Thank God that there is still someone with integrity and respect for our constitution and democracy.
Adam Schiff is a true patriot who has the back bone to put put our country first.
Take a look at Mr Schiff my Republican friends, and hang your heads in shame.
712
@Steven. Historians will not treat him well.
7
@ehillesum Are you referring to our President here? No, historians will not treat Trump well - not at all, nor will the voting public.
41
@ehillesum
I think you forgot something:
Historians will not treat 'TRUMP' Well.
21
Schiff is too angry and vindictive to be impartial. Definitely not the right man for the job. He declared himself part of "the resistance" immediately following the election. "Resist by any means necessary" was the battle cry of the dems. Not a good way to begin.
65
Funny those very words bother you as they worked just fine for Moscow Mitch when Obama was first elected. He rallied the republicans to stand in the way of every action for eight years.
314
@Paul Stenquist What is the source for your quote "Resist..."? I'd like to see it. I have never seen Mr. Schiff angry or heard of him being vindictive. My experience of him is that he has always been measured in his responses, even when commenting on the most egregious violations.
296
@Paul Stenquist so Paul, do you think Nunes was a model of propriety when the tables were turned? Not that tit-for-tat matters. I do agree with you that perhaps with the help of a third party lawyer in questioning witnesses that it would make the whole process less political. And view more neutrally as a fair process.
44
Somebody drank the Kool-Aid. Schiff has already proven he is not the right person for the job. He is incapable of presenting a narrative to offset the chaos Trump is creating to muddy the water. His style - the intensity, anger and sarcasm - not to mention his blunders, make him the wrong antagonist to Trump.
What the Dems need is a person who can connect the dots in a manner that is compelling to the American public. Schiff may have been a great prosecutor, but the American public is not a jury. It doesn't sit in a box in rapt attention, listening to and evaluating every detail as the evidence is presented. Americans are living their busy lives, and unless the story of Trump's misconduct is presented in a concise, compelling manner, it won't get through to enough of us across the political spectrum to create the public outrage needed to impeach and convict a president.
An earlier commenter mentioned Peter Rodino as a model. He was the closer, and a great one. But, I believe, it was Sam Irvin who presented the evidence in a way that was easy to understand and digest for the vast majority of Americans. He dismissed all of the spin coming from the Nixon camp with one-liners of country wit and a knowing smile. He did not get dragged into the mud. He would have made Trump look like the whiner and fraud that he is. Adam Schiff is no Sam Irvin.
7
Count me in as a huge fan. Have loved him for a while. Adam you are the best!
12
He's not the right man for the moment at all. He's fundamentally undermined the credibility of the inquiry by lying about his contacts with the whistleblower before the complaint was filed - and for no real purpose, since it's not like the contact was even particularly significant. But by lying, he's now given tremendous ammunition to Trump and his fake news peddlers who are gleefully using it to argue the whole thing was cooked up from the beginning as a partisan political stunt.
The fact that it's now coming out that the whistleblower also failed to disclose that meeting on the complaint wouldn't have been nearly as bad if Schiff hadn't concealed it too. Now it starts to look like a cover-up, when really it was pretty clearly nothing of the kind.
Schiff has already threatened to derail the whole process with this pointless lie. That's not the man for the moment in my book.
9
@A Schiff and his colleagues are legally bound to protect the whistle blower's identity (and safety). I think that Schiff's parody of Trump was a mistake. However, I think he's doing a great job on this.
3
I remember his speech "You might think it's ok . . . " From that moment I wanted him to be front and center to hold them all to account.
12
The problem with Schiff is that he comes across that he has all the goods. He does not have them. He repeatedly stated that he had concrete evidence about the Russian collusion story. That fell flat on Nadler’s flat face. And now he’s the point man for this story? Another example of the Demogods with wishful thinking. Trump and company will tear him part. So sad.
9
Wow. 100 plus contacts between Trump campaign and Russians and no collusion? Pattern continues, of course, with Ukraine and now China. Wake up. Schiff was right all along, Trump is not only mentally ill, he is a dangerous con man and liar, and a vey effective one to draw in so many dupes.
1
Adam Schiff has the right stuff. Quiet but effective. His memorable speech about it 'not being all right' was one for the ages. Although he is not a candidate, Schiff would get my vote right now for President were he running.
23
He is off to a bad start with “exceptional” facts (horrible for the country but great on which to pursue impeachment). The parody performance of the phone call was malpractice and seemed entirely partisan during a proceeding that must be serious and, ideally, bipartisan.
Granted, the politics of his committee are difficult on the best of days, and perhaps I have been influenced by his many arguments with Devin Nunes, but Schiff seems more petty than professional to me. I wish I felt otherwise and I hope to be proven wrong.
We are all human and make mistakes. I sincerely hope Mr. Schiff will overcome his poor start and ultimately lead his committee to the best result. Our country really needs that and I am pulling for him.
7
Excellent analysis, love it. Keep going, Mr Schiff, and best wishes to you and your team.
27
He is just an institutional part of the swamp. Term limits is the only way to prevent people like Schiff from being as skilled as he is at media and political manipulations. We need governance in Washington not propagandists on all sides.
13
@Tammy
What you need is some evidence to support your attack. “Skilled at media and political manipulations”? I believe you may have confused Mr. Schiff with the stable genius who promised to drain the swamp but has instead proposed fortifying the southern border with a trench filled with alligators and serpents.
1
I am guessing that this article is written in part based on the expectation that right-wing media will soon follow Mr. Trump's attacks on Mr. Schiff by their own lies and mischaracterizations, trying to drag his name into Washington mud. That is truly sad state of affairs.
4
There isn’t any need to know the Mueller report or Schiff’s analysis, listen to the words of Trump, he convicts himself. It’s crazy that so much time is wasted gathering evidence, when the perpetrator is confessing. It’s not like he’s in a room with bright lights and people beating false confessions out of him. His own confessions on video tape is adequate.
6
Devin Nunez is considered by most members of Congress as the smartest member of the house. Time to bring him back.
8
@Dady You have got to be kidding. Nunez is a dumb skull. Good lord.
1
That is the funniest thing I have read today.
2
I have been watching this impeachment saga very closely and have been impressed with Mr. Schiff each and every time I have heard him speak.
Why isn't he running for President?
21
@Abruptly Biff Someone asked him that recently at a talk he gave here in SF, just after the Mueller report was released. He said that he believed that Congress had its job to do, hinting that he would hold Trump accountable.
6
Cool heads will prevail... and Adam Schiff is indeed the right man for the job.
20
Adam Schiff is the answer depending on the question.
Investigation or impeachment that is the question? Which is more noble in accord with prorecting, preserving and defending our divided limited different power constitutional republic of united states?
Nancy Pelosi has been focused on mocking and marginalizing the Squad while offering a bevy of excuses for not investigating nor impeaching Donald Trump. Trump agrees with her tactics and strategies
Jerry Nadler is clearly not ready for prime time investigation and impeachment. Other than Adam Schiff most of his Democratic Party committee majority isn't ready for prime time investigation and impeachment.
White European American Judeo-Christian majority America isn't ready for prime time investigation and impeachment by Elijah Cummings and Maxine Waters.
1
"Mr. Schiff is a stickler for process."
That is an unreasonable comment, just days after he was caught lying about his involvement with the whistle blower complaint before it was ever filed.
10
I have little love for Adam Schiff, in that I have always perceived him as sanctimonious and self-satisfied. I don’t find him— contrary to the author of this column— a good communicator.
But I appreciate the thorough, steady and tenacious way in which Representative Schiff is investigating whistleblower’s account of Trump’s actions on Ukraine.
My thanks to Representative Schiff and his colleagues and staff for their leadership.
I might become a Schiff fan yet.
3
Thank you, Mr. Schiff and Ms. Pelosi. I so appreciate the way that the impeachment is going forward with such care and respect, even when faced with the chaos of the moment. It gives me hope that we can save our democracy.
33
Mr. Schiff, if you are reading this, please know how grateful we are to have YOU in the place your are right at this moment - and in future moments as this process moves forward.
I, for one, admire your strength, integrity, and your ability to stay laser focused on the clear differences between right and wrong when it comes to this president. And to not allow yourself, and those around you, to get caught up in Trump’s wild, outrageous behavior that is designed to distract.
Thank you.
37
Mr. Schiff, while very able, has a major flaw: He lies. His committee had in fact been contacted by the whistleblower before he officially filed his letter. When asked about this by several sympathetic reporters, Schiff effectively said no. His staff clarified this later, but the damage is done. He has given Trump and company a great big target to shoot at.
15
@Mark Siegel
The fact is that an experienced person has no reason to pretend that he doesn't know what the whistleblower procedure is.
It would have been one thing if the complaint had been submitted and THEN he would have gone to Schiff's team to say, "By the way, I submitted a complaint and I am afraid that they're not going to chuck it, so heads up".
But that's not what happened. Everyone agrees that the whistle-blower is an experienced person, well-versed in policy. They had no reason to go to Schiff's team to ask how to blow the whistle and if they should hire a lawyer. The fact that they chose a particularly partisan and ethically questionable law firm doesn't help matters either.
3
Good points. As I am sure you noticed, the complaint seems professionally written, including detailed footnotes. As others have noted, the whistleblower’s lawyer may have helped him prepare it.
4
The facts are when The staff of the House Intelligence committee received a message from the “complainant ” (WB)
The staff told the WB not to provide any information and to follow the prescribed method provided in the “WB law”
He was by that law obliged to send the complaint to the Inspector General (IG) whose mandate is to determine by investigation whether a complaint has corroboration and is urgent. The IG determined the complaint to have some corroboration and that it was urgent. This turned the complainant into a whistleblower. Then as prescribed by law the IG forwarded the WBs information to the Acting Director of Intelligence who instead of forwarding the complaint to the House Intelligence Commitee sent it to the White House
Legal Counsel and the Attorney General Barr’s office.
The facts show that no one on the House Intelligence Committee read the complaint until it was release to the committee by the Executive.
2
I trust Schiff. He is a good communicator. His faithfulness to the Constitution and our Founders' intentions are consistent with American values. The title for this article is correct -- he is the right man for this moment.
36
@Texas Yardbird He's certainly demonstrated his ability to lie for extended periods of time, and frequently.
1
We keep coming back to this article. It's so timely. We hope that the process will also mitigate "the wrath of Trump" which seems to be rendering the Republican Party silent when they need to recognize the problem that is ... and stand up against the problem ... to resist ... to join the human race which is rallying worldwide. With all hope, we write this wish.
1
@Castanet
"Timely?" Sure, if you count a transparent PR effort orchestrated by Schiff timely. The author was the Democratic Senate Foreign Relations Committee chief counsel during the Obama administration.
1
The man is definitely "right for the moment" - even his name captures it well. A bit like Anthony Weiner - whose name aligned so well with his situation. Schiff as a name has the benefit of being phonetically close to Stiff and Shift. Ideal.
5
@Maurice Gatien Schiff - I think shift into high gear. We need a strong striver to take on Trump. Adam Schiff is our best gear for the moment.
Nobody is perfect.
5
Why is it Mr Trump and his supporters immediately go to ad home I’m attack’s instead of rational argument?
That’s why Trump will tear him up. He has no chance.
Mr. Schiff has always impressed me as a serious man of conviction and I am thankful he is in charge now. I believe what makes the United States special is our moral authority as a country willing to stand up for democratic ideals and uphold the rule of law and it is that moral authority which is being abrogated by the President's actions. He is damaging our country more than any foreign leader ever could. Our Constitution is only as strong as the representatives willing to do what is right to uphold its principles. Speaking words of patriotism and love of country is easy and hollow without action. Truly putting America first means doing what is right for the country even if one fears backlash or loss of position. We are all about to find out which of our representatives are worthy of their office and if America is still that shining city upon a hill.
13
Months ago I said that I wished Adam Schiff was running for President, but it’s apparent that he is in the right place at the right time. He’s earned my trust.
26
If the writer or readers think Mr Schiff is the right man to lead the Democratic Party and/or the country, I fear that the Democrats are more out of step with reality than I could have ever imagined.
20
@The Dear
Amen. The Dems really know how to pick'em. Schiff is like Hillary, but without the charisma.
I am deeply grateful to have Mr. Schiff’s balanced sanity present
in the chaos and cacophony of our pretentious “President”. In this tumultuous time, we seem to be without actual Governance.
Meanwhile, Trump seems to intentionally stir the stew of chaos
in order to actually create more confusion. Mr. Schiff, I believe,
is personally intentional in his work to bring balance to the disruption inherent in this chaotic Administration.
19
This advertisement for Schiff would work better if he had not been caught lying on TV about contact with the "whistleblower" and if he had not completely mischaracterized Trump's phone call with Ukraine's leader. One more strike and Schiff is out.
21
@Robert
Give it up, dude. The transcript is out there, read it.
Schiff’s impression was spot on.
7
He won’t survive this.
Agree Schiff is the right man. Cold logic rather than overflowing emotion required to navigate difficult contentious terrain.
16
I don’t think that WAPO gave him four Pinocchios for his honesty and uprightness.
4
Schiff makes no pretense of being objective and neutral in his search for answers. Rather, it's patently obvious that he has already made up his mind. For this reason he's not suitable to run the inquiry. He's already announced that there will be limitations on Republicans' ability to ask questions which opens the entire proceeding to question. Moreover, there have been reports in the media about Schiff's links to a Ukrainian arms dealer. The inquiry is a valid one but someone else needs to lead it.
13
So true. Who else but the man who attempted to mislead the voting public by pretending to read the phone transcript and attempted to mislead the voting public by saying his office had not spoken to the whistleblower should lead the way on an impeachment inquiry that the Dems don’t have the courage to formalize with a vote? He is definitely the right guy for this job.
15
I'm not so sure. I hope Schiff shows a bit more awareness and sense that the American public is in general looking for fairness. They will accept some partisanship but his performance introducing the issue and his grilling of the acting McGuire were partisan. He didn't have to introduce it the way he did, he has the goods on Trump.
7
Schiff is levelheaded and coherent. He shows the right amount of moral outrage without overreacting. He has the credentials of a former prosecutor. Yes, he is the right person for the job.
18
@MsB
Schiff couldn't lead ants to a picnic.
1
Glad and proud he is my Congressman. Thank you Congressman Schiff, for all that you do for our country.
13
If I was building a Congressman to lead this inquiry, it would look like Adam Schiff. He's the template for an analytic, persistent, rational, by-the-book strategist able to parse the facts, ignore the fluff, and communicate the findings effectively. He stands tall in contrast to the current crop of Trump enablers arguing their woefully dubious talking points. If only there were more like him.
32
Unfortunately such a wonderful man and patriot is suffering from an early onset of memory issues. Not only he forgot to sent Mr. Mueller the "clear and compelling evidence" of Trump's collusion in his possession now he forgot when he first heard from or about the "whistleblower." ( see MSNBC interview tape)
Not for me to judge, but this could create some opportunities for Trump supporters to try to discredit this paragon of Washington virtues. Running on issues is still an option.
15
Absolutely—
The remarkable Adam Schiff is articulate, focused, and brilliant.
He is also eloquent and has a nimble, agile mind.
32
Mr Schiff is the same Mr Schiff who repeatedly alleged that he had evidence of collusion by Russia with the Trump campaign. We’re still waiting on that. His conduct of the not impeachment is no better.
26
@Rick Chalker - "We’re still waiting on that."
What do you think 440 pages of Mueller Report were about? One thousand and one nights stories?
I suppose, to have Mueller Report read by Trump and his supporters, it should have been issued as a book of children's fairy tales with a picture on every page.
12
What you are waiting for is called the Mueller Report.
That you do not see collusion and corruption intertwined with everything DJT does or says or touches is not Adam Schiff’s fault.
2
People have been taking swipes at Schiff recently. I suppose it's a necessary practice for politicians and the media to find flaws in a rising star.
13
Watching Adam Schiff's parody of trumps corrupt behavior was humorous at first but then I started to think, is this necessary at this initial stage of the hearings. Better to keep it straight and to the point and not allow the opposition any opportunity to criticize which they immediately. Was it disastrous, no, but the trump crowd uses little miscalculations as this to feed it's base with false facts.
Still Mr. Schiff appears to be the man for the job. I'm quite sure he will not allow that to happen again.
12
Congressman Schiff is one of the true Profiles in Courage in this whole affair.
The Trump administration is undergoing a well-deserved implosion before a richly deserved tanking.
The rats are leaving the ship.
33
"Lawfare" is Media Matters staffed by lawyers.
8
Too bad he has been found guilty of lying over and over, and finally the Washington Post today gave him FOUR PINNOCHIOS on how much he has lied about this investigation. yeah, the right guy for the job. Lies as much as Trump does. Should be a good fit for the democrats... sheesshhh
24
“Lied as much as Trump does”—
That is LITERALLY impossible.
2
Great article cuts through to the looming shape of the case in last Paragraph.
It’s a question of the interpretation of the law. Trump and Barr are arguing that Presidency holds the power to interpret the legal restraints on its power with maximum flexibility
Whereas that is fundamentally specious because the first concern of framers was to eliminate the possibility of absolute tyranny for they held the british monarchs absolute tyranny and behaviour vividly in their mind and experience.
The prosecutor should go right to that core and start quoting Hamilton’s description, warnings and melioratives of despotism in the federalist papers
7
Adam Schiff embodies the virtues we had expected in public figures until Trump and the current Republicans came along. He's clearly smarter than GOP members of Congress who plan to run our country down into the subterranean stratas of America. He's careful, confident and ethical--the very person to head the impeachment inquiry.
34
@Elizabeth Bennett He does seem to be lying quite a bit, you know the evidence he had of Russian collusion. Guess he forgot to give that evidence to the investigators. But maybe lying is just the norm for politicians, mores the pity.
I wish that they would include counts for the direct crimes against the Constitution: 1) the Emoulments Clause 2) Congressional Article 2 power of the purse and 3) non-cooperation with Congressional oversight.
It would be good to see Congressmen and Senators (and the "originalists" and "textualists" ) defend the president on those.
18
Internet has given us something we never had until recent years — the ability to actually watch Congressional hearings. I have been totally shocked at the low calibre of Congress men and women in the Republican Party. On the other hand, I have been proud of Schiff's performance. He comes across as a hard-hitting prosecutor even if soft-spoken. And I would add that I am also proud of Congressmen Nadler and Elijah Cummings. These, I find, are the heavy weights and I am so glad they are there.
533
@Anne Sherrod . He mislead the public twice in just the last several days. Integrity requires honesty and anyone who watched his opening comments when he pretended to read from the transcript at his hearing and heard him say his office had not communicated with the whistleblower could not conclude that he was acting with integrity.
8
@ehillesum Only misleading is your statements. Schiff put trump's words in the venacular so you and I had no trouble understanding trump tried to shake down Ukraine for invented dirt on a political rival.
34
@ehillesum
He has totally owned what you speak of, and even he never saw the WB complaint.
Surely you are not suggesting that Trump has ever acted with integrity while POTUS?
7
As was Mueller - right?
8
Now is the time for all good men to rise to the occasion.
Adam, are you listening?
4
A clinical and focused approach is called for in the face of Trump’s theatrics and distraction..."
I would NEVER consider Mr. Trump for dog_catcher, regardless of which party he claimed to represent; thus...I can't understand this 'protect Trump at all costs', (Republican) party suicide mission!
If you vote against, (either) impeachment OR conviction, 'N, removal, I will ignore you / whatever party you represent for the rest of your political career!
12
Look at this as if YOU are the object of Trump's attention ... can YOU give him guidance knowing that he will follow that guidance? Or do YOU hold your breath, wondering what cascade of crazy (thank you Jelani Cobb at The New Yorker) will follow?
2
Mr. Schiff is the right man at the right place for this stage of the trial. He has made no mistake yet.
I wondered why. A single sentence of his CV is the answer:
"Criminal Prosecutor, Office of the United States Attorney, 1987-1993"
This means: He was full time prosecutor for the first 6 years of his professional life, trained by experienced prosecutors specialised on this job. He had sufficient opportunities to make his own mistakes. Such 6 years-stays says: He has struggled through to be succesful at least. The only way to do this is learning the required tecniques by heart and to automatize it. It´s like swimming or riding bicycle. After surviving you will never forget it.
Because the investigation phase of impeachment is nearly the same like the investigation phase criminal investigation and Mr. Schiff had to learn they way to do this job in his rank-and-file job - not by honor, getting elected after x years of doing something else, familiy relationships or, or, but by apprenticeship and trial phase as succesful professional prosecutor - he is able to mobilize these skills now. So he is still able to use solid and reliable skills he had to aquire then. It´s just doing this job properly.
He will need some help by some young legal professionals but he still knows the strategic principles and what to do with a steady hand in such hairy situations. This is exactly what it takes and he seems to be determined to do this very special investigation as best as possible.
16
From the first time I heard Adam Schiff speak, I was impressed with his calm and reasoned approach. As I watch him now spearheading the impeachment inquiry, I see a person with high integrity, intelligence, and razor focus. I am never worried that at any moment he will go off the rails into some bizarre rant, unlike 45. Exactly what we need to unearth all the secret, self-serving, and dangerous machinations of this corrupt administration and all those who have been shouting "move along, there's nothing to see here." We are seeing at last.
16
I decided last year after listening to him several times that I would vote for him for president, now even more so.
15
@Vail I felt the same.
2
Congressman Schiff is experienced and professional and qualified to lead the impeachment of Mr. Trump.
14
Must be. He just got 4 Pinochios from WaPo of all places. Ms Taylor sounds like she also must impressed by all that incontrovertible "proof" Schiff has claimed he has had for three years now that Trump did in fact collude with Putin to steal the election from poor hapless Hillary, yet for some strange reason still hasn't shown anyone -- even during the Mueller testimony. You remember: the incontrovertible proof that no one else seemed to have uncovered: neither Bob Mueller, two congressional committees, nor even America's best investigative journalist Bob Woodward who point blank said in a TV interview he looked for proof for two years but couldn't find anything. But the Man for the Moment Schiff says he has it?
Schiff is the Man for the Moment alright. A moment of madness and hysteria and cynical media manipulation with a president inclined to bar room demeanor (at least he hasn't yet chowed down on Kentucky Fried in the middle of a Congressional hearing as a way to taunt his opponents) while sanctimonious progressives pass judgment on Trump's mental stability all the while they've bought into and remain fixed on debunked conspiracy theories not to mention half-crazed liars like Schiff, and when everyone not totally overcome with Trump-derangement has as much justification to question the questioners' mental stability, too.
13
It is interesting that after 30 years of investigations of the Clintons and many Benghazi hearings as well that they could never pin any crimes on Hillary. But still trying!!!
It is true that the Mueller investigation went on for many months and it did identify many crimes. But Mueller couldn't figure out how to nail the most seriously threatening perpetrators. .
All of these investigations were being run by Republicans.
Yet, in just one week the Democrats have unearthed all of this.
Seems to me we are better served if we have the smarter and/or more ethical people running the country. But that could just be me and my weird standards
19
The man has brains and honesty, something sorely lacking in the White House. Long ago I recognized him as a potential candidate for president. I feel that way more than ever.
13
If you want to get a sense of where Adam Schiff is coming from, the opinion piece that he wrote in the Washington Post a month before the 2018 midterm elections on the crucial need to take back the House and restore a critical check on the Executive is well worth a read:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/congressional-republicans-have-abdicated-their-oversight-duties-time-for-a-new-majority/2018/10/12/df95c994-c8e2-11e8-9158-09630a6d8725_story.html
Schiff is an antidote to the authoritarianism plaguing our nation under the Trump administration. And while he does his part in Congress to exert checks and balances, those of us opposed to Trump and the current GOP must do our part as well.
We made great strides during the midterms in taking back the House, making it possible for Schiff to be in the position that he is at the moment heading up the impeachment inquiry. That was no small feat. But we have to do more: getting out the Democratic vote for 2020 is imperative. We cannot lose sight of that as the impeachment inquiry proceeds.
14
We don’t need someone who is factually challenged running the show.
Thanks.
4
You are talking about Trump, right?
1
"This is not a disagreement about facts or process. It is about whether what Mr. Trump is doing is improper and impeachable. The ultimate outcome of this process could depend on Democrats’ ability to draw a straight line between the president’s actions and the most profound concerns of the authors of the Constitution about the abuse of executive power.
This type of fight has always been Mr. Schiff’s strong suit."
I so hope you'recorrect about this, as this is most certainly a fight. Not just against the president, but the entire GOP swamp of enablers.
Personally I've always liked Mr. Shiff's style. He's always struck me as a straight forward, intelligent, no nonsense man.
I beleive he is sincere, and doesn't have need to pussyfoot around.
A stark contrast to what we are being bludgeoned with from the White House, and his soulless henchmen and silly minions.
One of the silliest being Lindsay Graham.
14
I have found Schiff to be annoyingly self-righteous. However, If what he does with the Trump self-dealing material that he's in the process of receiving leads to an impeachment, I'll applaud him - along with the majority of Americans.
2
This is the first mention of Adam Schiff being the right person for the job.
The man stated on t.v. for almost two years that he had evidence of collusion and we were going to see it any day now.
I have only seen one Democrat be effective during questioning and that is freshman congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during the Michael Cohen hearings. She did nothing to draw attention to herself even though she loves the camera and her questions got right to it.
5
Hold on....Didn’t Adam Schiff intentionally alter the wording of the Trump-Zelensky phone call and attempt to pass his (Schiff’s) version off as the actual transcript?
That looks a whole lot like ‘deception’ to me...
81
It was, in hindsight, a poor idea to do a gangster parody. However, the chairman did preface it by saying that it was “in essence” what the president had said on the phone call with Zelensky. And it was.
170
@Susanna. He said it was his version, not the transcript. I wish he hadn't done it, gives people a nit to pick. What he said was in fact the essence of the call, however. Of course we don't have the actual transcript, that's locked away in the secret vault. Bet it's shredded by now.
97
@Susanna He is a plain man who tried to do dark comedy. Plain personalities sometimes try comedy but then the laughs usually come from their attempt not the material. Trump people tried to make something of this but it fell flatter that Mr, Schiff's comedy. If it looks like "deception" to you then you might read the book by Rod A. Martin: The Psychology of Humor. An Integrative Approach. Very readable.
55
Maybe he should run for President.
10
Congressman Adam Schiff is the perfect person to go after the lying, bombastic, dishonest occupant of the Oval Office. He will not be cowed by silly nicknames, threats or tantrums from the infant president. He is a serious and knowledgable adult who values the rule of law and procedure. He understands the constitution and takes his oath office to heart. He is Donald J. Trump's worse nightmare and a majority of Americans have his back. That is why the President is becoming increasingly unhinged in plain view.
26
Hate to say it, but the Post's recent article on Schiff's unforced errors seems much closer to the mark, surely this article should at the very least engage with some of the criticism?
13
I read the headline and thought I was on Candid Camera or another prank show to see if I was buying this.
12
Wait, is this the same Adam Schiff who was so easily pranked by a couple of radio shock jocks who posed as Russians offering him dirt on Donald Trump? Schiff's office claims he was in on the joke, but assuming that is the case, why is some guy who clowns around with radio shock jocks the right man for such a serious job?
11
It is my misfortune to live in Devin Nunes' district. He's the sorriest excuse for a public servant ever, with one exception. I wish to heaven that we had instead a congressman like Adam Schiff--forthright, dedicated to justice and fairness, accessible to constituents and acting in their interests, smart, tenacious--in short, who does what he was hired to do, and goes brilliantly above and beyond when necessary. Yet vile House Republicans, in their petulant, spiteful, malevolent defense of the indefensible and depraved Trump, want to vote to condemn Rep. Schiff. If they were wise (which they are not), Republicans could bail out now and recover in time for the next election. Yet they hold on even as the ship cracks on the iceberg--they don't even go for the lifeboats. More power to Adam Schiff.
20
The Washington Post gave Schiff 4 pinnochios this morning for statements he's made concerning this investigation. And that also noted that he's dissembled a lot, when not making misstatements.
If the US public is to have trust in these proceedings, everything needs to be absolutely above board. Anything less will give Trump the ammunition to call it a witch hunt.
11
This is not reality TV. What’s needed here is a serious, sober approach to this gravest of processes.
Unlike Donald Trump, television carnival barker, Adam Schiff is exquisitely prepared—emotionally, intellectually and temperamentally—for the painful way ahead.
19
@Red Sox, ‘04, ‘07, ‘13, ‘18
Dear Red Sox,
I agree with your first paragraph; however, Mr. Schiff is what he is, a partisan hit man, just like Devin Nunes. They even come from the same state. The truth will out only if it is convenient for Mr. Schiff and matches with his stated goals and premises.
Politics is a really dirty game...
Mr. Schiff does not impress me at all. His main qualification seems to be he is more coherent than the hapless Mr. Nadler. He does seem cognizant of his surroundings.
He is a partisan prosecutor with one goal in mind and it is not about the truth, it is about destroying his political opponents.
Nevertheless in this world of tribal politics, being a partisan hit man is hardly disqualifying. The Republicans have a legion of such killers who are no better or worse.
Let the games begin...and the beat goes on...
8
I have been lauding Adam Schiff for years now because he has the stuff from which leaders are made. Dignified, forthright, and diligent, Schiff has all the qualities that we want in a president; however, he has the strength to hold this corrupt conman to account. Trump pales in contrast. Nancy Pelosi has done well in entrusting Schiff to see Trump brought to justice. America yearns for a leader like Schiff to uphold our values embedded in our Constitution. God speed, Congressman!
17
If you judge a person by his/her enemies, Schiff is looking great!
7
@JM So the WaPo is his enemy after giving him 4 Pinocchios for being dishonest?
Boy, an op-ed spinning Adam Schiff. What a shock. And the author works at lawfare. Shocked again.
He's handled things so far in a highly partisan manner, guiding the whistle blower, not telling his Repub colleagues, and he clearly misrepresented what was in the transcript. Yea, that's who you want to lead this circus.
Schiff is a weasel. He pushed the blatantly false Trump-Russia collusion narrative, even claiming he'd seen the evidence. Strange he couldn't produce it when the Mueller report said there was no evidence of collusion.
Schiff is an ambitious limelight seeking politician. He's been trying to impeach Trump since Trump took office. Therefore, he has no credibility.
What the dems need is a sober congressperson who hasn't been pushing false narratives and impeachment, who is respected on both sides of the aisle and is neutral on impeachment. Otherwise this witch hunt will be clearly seen for what it is and will backfire in the dems' faces.
13
@Ralphie
You have greatly exaggerated Schiff’s missteps. Perhaps a bit too much Limbaugh or Hannity.
He will make the country proud.
I would like to see a list of the Democratic congressmen who would be respected by the GOP members. They would reject them all.
14
@Joel Sanders Have you ever watched this guy. His "I've got proof of Russian collusion" plus his misrepresentation of the contents of the transcript are disqualifying.
Adam Schiff is smart, articulate, honorable, and has a good sense of humor. In other words, he is nothing like the current temporary occupant of the White House. When we finally get to the end of all this Trump garbage, the nation will owe a debt of gratitude to Adam Schiff. However, I do worry that some of Trump's henchmen, at his direction or with his complicity, or some wacko Trump supporter will try to take Schiff down, recognizing that his steady leadership is a real threat to Trump remaining in power. Please be cautious and careful about your personal safety Mr. Schiff. We need you.
17
Adam Schiff is the right man for ANY moment.
And Speaker Pelosi is the right woman.
19
I'm sorry, is this from The Onion? Schiff who claimed for *months* that he had secret evidence about Russian collusion that he never provided? The Schiff who lied when he said there had been no contact with his committee and the alleged whistleblower? The Schiff who out and out lied while giving his opening statement the other day, later saying it was a "parody"?
What the nation needs in these perilous times is a Democrat Congressman of the character of Peter Rodino, who conducted the impeachment inquiry of Nixon in a fair, even-handed manner that drew praise from both Democrats *and* Republicans.
Alas, what we have is this lightweight.
77
@badubois
you can say a lot of things about schiff, but lightweight isn't one of them.
41
@badubois The whistleblower contacted the committee, not Schiff, and was told procedures to follow. Schiff's efforts to camouflage what was going on may have been ham fisted. But a principal criticism was of Schiff saying he wasn't sure if it was one or two whistleblowers. The joke's on his critics, now, because there are two. His characterization of the Trump-Zelinsky call wasn't a lie. It summarized the text well, if a bit humorously. "I'm going to put you in touch with Rudy. You're going to love him." Schiff didn't claim those were Trump's words. We don't know Trump's words. Finally, Rodino operated in a world where Republicans had values beyond their party. He could run a bipartisan committee because the Republicans on it weren't thwarting his moves, making absurd denials, but were looking for facts.
29
@badubois
Stanford/ Harvard/was in the US Marines- not what most people call a lightweight.
Bone Spurs is the lightweight.
35
Oh please. Independent minded people (and voters too) understand this whole game played by BOTH sides— inflamed by partisan media of course. Mr. Schiff has been unprofessional to say the least. His latest parody performance was puerile and his efforts to achieve a goal by bending truth is not admirable.
I agree in most sentiments about POTUS’ integrity. But propping up questionable behavior as our model of respect and admiration is reaching the level of insulting. It doesn’t help the cause for 2020.
8
The Dems need to get a clue on messaging.
If Schiff was the right man for the moment, he would have started and ended his remarks at this week's public hearing with the fact that Trump help up the $400 million in military aid. That's the heavy crime.
Don't talk about phone calls, or wonky details; hammer home to Republican citizens (by addressing them directly) the fact that their war hero was willing to block Congress' funding and exploit $ intended for a military ally.
2
Schiff is a skilled prosecutor but I'm not sure those are the skills needed to lead this particular impeachment investigation. I think a more balanced approach should be taken. There is no need for the kind of sanctimony Schiff constantly displays. There is no need to characterize what Trump has done. No need to call Trump's actions a shakedown even though all the elements of a shakedown appear to be present. And more importantly, in the midst of going after one of the greatest liars in U.S. political history, there is no need to dance around the truth as Schiff did when asked whether the whistleblower was in touch with the House Committee on Intelligence.
2
"House Republicans have indicated that they intend to force a vote to condemn Mr. Schiff when they return from recess."
It must be very difficult for Republicans to understand why an honorable Congressman like Adam Schiff would work so tirelessly to represent the Constitution and the American people when they spend their entire term representing oligarchs and their cash while flushing American citizens down a Trumpian sewer of Grand Old Propaganda.
Patriotic Americans simply don't vote Republican.
24
Have you been watching Giuliani? Even on regular news he's not acting normal. Waving around his arms with contorted facial expressions. Is he trying to get fired?
Beto does a more sober but more frantic version but why? He's not being himself or if he is he doesn't seem like he interested in pursuing a public career.
Yesterday Pacifica radio had an ex-CIA whistle blower doing a good job explaining who was really running the country but he was doing it with what can only be described as an adult reading to a 4 year old with a goofy voice.
Usually still photo's often taken from video's editorialize a persons character, good or bad. Have you ever seen a photo or video where Adam Schiff looks normal? Is he happy doing what he's doing? Is lying taking a toll on him? Some people are not good at it. Unlike Trump.
I don't recall people involved with the Watergate acting like this. Except Nixon. Different times, I guess.
2
Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
Keep calm and carry on, Mr Schiff.
20
This is surely the case when seen through the
lens and world view of those Americans who
still think (or at least hope) they're living in a constitutional
state.
But trump's base doesn't accept this assumption,
and they certainly can't care less about constitutional
niceties. What they care about is venting grievances
against those who they believe to their core detest them,
aka the liberal elites. They have been led by the nose
for years and years, swallowing the anti liberal jeremiads and rants that always reduce to liberals hating and exploiting ordinary folks.
But now their mouthpiece is in power, and they're staying loyal to him no matter how many people he shot on Fifth Avenue.
They're the ones monitoring for the slightest signs
of defection among the enablers in Congress, and are cocked
and loaded to insure discipline. They're mobilized
and comprise trump's ultimate defense.
But they're also a minority of the population. The question
remains what happens in the swing districts scattered around
urban centers. Are their republican or independent voters
interested in their own economic state more than they
are in the functioning of the constitutional system that
is near its breaking point? If so, then the current drama
will be won by trump. The democrats will be
intimidated into not opening a formal impeachment
proceeding, the subpoenas they issue will be ignored,
and trump wins the stalemate.
And we won't get the full transcript of the call.
1
The Republicans in Congress are rotten absolutely to the core, blackguards, every one of them, and have made themselves enemies of the Constitution, forsaking their oaths and putting power and party above country. May they all come to the fate and ignominy they so justly deserve,
6
A clinical and focussed approach...where have I heard that before? I'll have to Muell that over.
5
Nobody’s perfect, but in an institution of zigs-zag artists, Schiff comes off as a very straight shooter
6
I thought Mueller would save us. He didn't. So I'm leery of investing too much in one poor person with integrity. But thank God for Adam Schiff.
10
Just an FYI, but the WaPo's fact checker, Glenn Kessler, gave Schiff a four-star Pinocchio for dissembling about how and when Schiff was first approached by the whistleblower. (Four stars is Trump territory).
This article seems much more reassuring that Schiff is who most think he is -- an experienced, highly competent former prosecutor who has the nation's interest at heart. He's going to need all the backbone he can muster to withstand the withering attacks coming his way by the Trump/RNC/Campaign propaganda assault.
8
Schiff is certainly a fresh breath of air from Gowdy's bungling Benghazi investigation on Clinton that dragged on for 4 agonizing years!
16
Patriots impeach, cowards acquit.
6
Yes, Representative Schiff is a credible and stable Leader in the midst of a unstable windstorm created by Mr. Trump and the Republicans who would save Trump rather than America.
15
I disagree with your declaring JNadler's efforts as "[having] largely fallen flat with the public."
Anyone who watched the actual proceedings from beginning to end, on Corey L day, could not have missed the shameful, utterly irresponsible sophomoric ravings of the GOP. The witness, CL, came across as a common gangster & his legal counsel as corrupt hacks. I found the questioning by the D side coherent, substantive & effective. I did not agree at all with claims in media that the event was any kind of "debacle for the Dems," because it was the Trump side that looked criminal, conspiratorial, cynical & sinister. Yes, the additional questioning by the pro was superb -- but only because CL was already tired, having repeatedly been exposed by J Committee members.
In a similar vein, I find this article rather unhelpful, almost damning with faint praise. Is this the research you did? "Dad jokes?" Not any of Adam Schiff's important cases?
Using the pretext of being 'even-handed' too many people in the media are advancing the GOP narrative, as here. You should ask yourselves: will I enjoy living in T-land, when the Constitution ceases to have any force? That's what it means when Dems get blamed for subpoenas T's people refuse to obey. That's what it means, to take the spotlight off the Criminal in the Oval, his Obstruction, or now the Crime of asking China to determine the outcome of the 2020 vote.
Be much more afraid. Listen to Bob Woodward. There are no nuances left. Us vs Them
15
It's just such a relief, an existential kind of relief, to finally have someone effectively articulating a position that might withstand the godawful power of the republican spin and smear campaign. This citizen has had a bad case of existential wobblies, and Mr. Schiff is just the antidote.
15
Mr. Adam Schiff is the saviour of our Constitution being plundered by modern barbarians. I fully support and wish to be his help. I love this country and want to keep its head high to the world to admire.
15
Schiff is the AntiTrump: he is devoted to public service, defends our Constitution and the rule of law, offers calm and principled responses to crises, and is dedicated to the truth. He exhibits all that we expect and deserve from our leaders.
27
He must be. The GOP is making a ringing endorsement with their demands for his replacement!
16
There are comments coming from many current Republican House Intelligence Committee members, who are attempting to smear Representative Schiff. They are showing a complete disrepect of the US Constitution. The major House sycophants of Trump are Jim Jordan, Devin Nunes, Mark Meadows and Matt Gaetz. They just ooze perfidy.
12
Is this a joke? I understand that the whistleblower concealed the Schiff contacts from the Inspector General. This latest attempt at a coup is all but over.
7
@Susan Marie
All actions by the whistleblower and Rep. Schiff were lawful. Period.
The Administration broke laws and acted unethically.
These are the actual facts.
14
During the Mueller investigation Schiff said he had proof that Trump colluded with the Russians. Before he is given star status please ask him to produce such proof to show he is an honest person.
8
@Norman
Met with Russians. Asked help from the Russians. On multiple occasions. All in the Mueller report.
15
Let's be clear. Trump committed a federal crime and then admitted to it. The transcript of the call and Trump's subsequent comments constitute his admission of criminal conduct. As the Chair of the Federal Election Commission recently warned: “Let me make something 100% clear to the American public and anyone running for public office: It is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election. This is not a novel concept.”
But Ms. Taylor is correct to suggest that this clearly established crime will not be enough. There is the sad, disturbing problem that a large swath of our fellow Americans know that Trump is a morally depraved criminal -- and don't care.
What makes this crime different from all the other crimes Trump has committed in plain sight is the way what he did threatens our collective security. We can't have foreign countries interfering in -- and potentially swaying the outcome of -- our elections. We just can't have it. It makes us less safe and, here's the kicker: less than sovereign. This is something every patriot -- of every political stripe -- understands instinctively, reflexively. Which of course is why Trump, a man who lacks any trace of patriotism, doesn't.
Adam Schiff is the right person, at the right time, to make this connection as clear as day.
20
@Barry Schreibman Anytime anyone starts a conversation with, "Let's be clear." You know they don't have half the facts, or choose not to see the clear truth.
1
Schiff’s reconstructed “parody” of the reconstructed transcript between Trump and Zelensky should have disqualified him from the beginning of any role in this impeachment investigation. It would have fit right in perfectly on MSNBC where he usually hangs most of the time but not in anyplace where the truth is supposed to matter.
8
Oh, I don't know, 'Shifty Schiff' has a nice ring to it . . . not high-brow poetry of course, but there's a limerick in it somewhere . . .
4
As a Californian, I am proud of our people—Schiff and Pelosi and Waters and Swalwell—who have such important roles in bringing down the most awful president in our history. Perhaps they can atone for our roles in loosing upon the country such previously awful presidents as Nixon and Reagan.
6
Oh give me a break. Schiff is an opportunistic political hack who has made a fool of himself in the past by claiming, falsely to know facts that would impeach trump during the Mueller investigation. His motives are purely political and devoid of any altruism or regard for what is good for the country. He cares, primarily, about self-aggrandizement.
Lest it appear that I am partisan- I believe this about most of the politicians in Congress. The Republicans are no better, and would gladly seize the moment if the opportunity presented itself.
No one should believe, for a second, that any of these politicians give a fleeting thought about what is best for the American people.
Just as the Republicans were out to get Clinton at any cost, now the Democrats are out to get Trump at any costs. Republicans hated Clinton. Democrats hate Trump.
That is the motivation, and that is just fine with many people. We should all at least be honest about it and stop with the platitudes.
And, by the way, what goes around comes around. Now that we have established the use of impeachment as a political weapon, it will be used again, and again, and again.
9
Adam Schiff is an American patriot. He has his law degree from Harvard. He is a former assistant US Attorney. He Chaired the California Senate's Judicial Committee. He is the right man, at the right time, to bring down Trump. Pompeo, Barr, Giuliani and the rest of the current White House crime family. Speaker Pelosi has appointed the best man for this job. The country, indeed the world, is waiting for Schiff to uncover all of Trump's corruption - and to rid our country of Trump's blight.
15
Let Schiff work behind the scenes as he is tainted
and his tainting will only be spun and spun and spun.
His deliberate misrepresentation of what the document said
and his staff meeting with the WB puts him beyond the pale.
Democrats - find someone else to be the Chairperson of the
Intelligence Committee or you will spend more time defending Schiff and his staff against whatever allegations Trump and his lawyers can throw at them than digging out the facts of the
matter.
6
I don’t know who Ms. Taylor is watching but it’s not Adam Schiff. Adam Schiff is the one who after Classified briefings insisted ‘there is stone cold material showing trump obstructed justice’ during the mueller probe yet nothing came of it. This is the same Adam Schiff who came out comparing trump to a mob boss doing his bes ‘godfather’ imitation. This is the sober objective head of the investigative committee? I don’t think so. He’s a hack partisan - stop trying to whitewash him
6
10 instances outlined by Mueller:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.axios.com/mueller-report-trump-obstruction-of-justice-8280ecc0-6af6-4414-966b-1a3c5c0c38c8.html
2
If the Republicans spent 5% of the energy they waste on attacking a man like Schiff; who is (gasp) actually trying to do what the people elected him to do; and used that energy on standing up to Trumpocracy then I might actually stop calling them sycophants and clowns. But since that is obviously never going to happen I will 100% wish Schiff and the Democrats GOD SPEED as they try to save the good ship America from becoming the Titanic of this age.
3
You mean the guy who just got Four Pinocchios by the Washington Post Fact Checker for lying about his relationship with the whistleblower? They guy who wildly embellished the Ukraine call transcript to open a committee hearing? The guy who lied dozens of times on cable TV that he saw classified "smoking gun" proof of Trump Russia collusion - before Bob Mueller shot that down? If he's the "right man" for this Democratic moment the Democrats are in even more trouble than I thought.
7
@Underclaw
The Washington Post needs to define differences between lies. What is important, what is essential, and what is merely incidently.
Adam Schiff made several mistakes in recalling the sequences of events regarding getting the compaint from the Whistle Reporter. That was very different from deiberately telling a lie about a critical issue - like having evidence the Iraq had weapons of mass destruction that led American to invade a destroy a country with no weapons of mass destruction!
3
The hearings lack legitimacy because of Adam Schiff.
9
There is a substantial difference since the 2018 election.
Prior thereto, Nunes ran the Committee like a little errand boy, running to the White House to discuss his "confidential meetings" with Trump.
He held closed door secret meetings with only the GOP, and excluded the Dem minority obnoxiously.
Nunes and the GOP members are treated with more respect than they ever gave the Dem minority.
Schiff is running his ship just as it should be run, and is doing a yeoman's job. Now, hopefully, the truth will ultimately prevail.
8
“Mr. Schiff is setting the tone and strategy of the inquiry, quickly setting up depositions of key witnesses and warning the administration that obstruction and delay could form the basis for a distinct article of impeachment similar to one approved by the Judiciary Committee against Richard Nixon in 1974.”
Of all the key figures in this political imbroglio, Adam Schiff does seem right for the moment for all the reasons cited in this article.
He definitely gets under the skin of Trump without descending to the gutter with him. His restraint and professionalism is admirable and when he excoriated his Republican colleagues on the Intelligence Committee with his “it may be okay with you” remarks, his words had added impact because of it.
By comparison, Republicans defend the lawless president and serve their own selfish interests, America deserves better. The swamp is not drained, sometimes it seems bottomless. But as Schiff and the others keep doing this important work, support for change is growing daily and there is reason to hope for Trump’s day of reckoning.
4
Listening to the talk shows on Trump and the impeachment, I grew tired of listening to the right-wing respondents. Someone has to make them first establish the reality they accept. Are they and Trump following Roy Cohn rules? Is there nothing that can be proven to support any of Trumps many opponents? Hilliary Clinton was cleared of wrong doing, but they let Trump scream otherwise. Trump needs to be locked up, maybe along with his supporting cast.
3
Schiff will get zero point zero support from the Republicans.
As soon Pelosi has Schiff leading this - you know it is a PR move, not an actual case of trying to get bi-partisan support to oust Trump.
Meanwhile it has taken Biden down, who was most likely to win the 5 key swing states.
11
Abraham Lincoln himself could lead the inquiry and he would get zero point zero support from Republicans.
20
@Andy Makar
And why would the Republicans of today like Lincoln?
7
Let’s be honest, there was never any chance of winning Republican support, even if it was the Christ himself investigating impeachment, period.
6
Yet this sort of puffery, in the manner of an Entertainment Tonight profile, simply provides the flip side of the coin to the efforts to portray Schiff as a sneaky little villain and plays right along with the soap opera quality of the proceedings and their staging. Such helps to explain why so many view the inquiry as simply a continuation of partisan politics by other means.
8
Cautiously remember that Minority Senate Leader, Chuck Schumer is on record as agreeing with Trump’s move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem. Would anyone doubt Schumer’s secret wish that Trump be re-elected to complete the whole occupied territories give away?
Most people familiar with Rep Schiff from TV appearances, perceive him to be measured, calm and on point. It remains to be seen if he’ll act accordingly. Rep. Nadler once filled the public with great expectations as well, only to succumb to Lewandowski. Still not clear if the meltdown was on purpose or “mere” incompetence; either way, the “scandal” remained, just that. Cable News moved on, as it did with the Mueller Report.
2
@Ted
Lewandowski is a sham of a man, in the mold of trump. He disgraced himself in the Committee hearings. The Republicans May see a victory but their view of reality is worthless. The Scarlett Letter is R, shame on all who wear it.
What Mr. Schiff says, and how he says it, will determine if it resonates with the majority of Americans, especially those who vote Republican and may or not re-elect their respective senators.
8
This is a great article, but I think more contrast needs to be drawn between the lunacy of trump and his supporters and sensible people like Adam Schiff. The media could do us all a favor here.
22
Trump's shoot the messenger strategy that's proved such a winner for him in the past, may not work this time; not with a messenger like Adam Schiff, who has Speaker Pelosi and a majority in Congress watching his back.
21
Temperament, oratory, and values is what Adam Schiff has, along with my admiration. Not many in government have his skill set. Is he the lone figure that comes across as such? It has been a long time since I have admired a political figure, as much.
34
Trump is going after him because, due to his amazing intelligence and ability to articulate Trump's wrongs, he is Trump's biggest threat. Democrats need to focus more on Guiliani and how Trump let this goon take over for the state department.
38
The article attempts to contrast Representative Schiff as deliberative when compared to President Trump’s “theatrics,” but Representative Schiff displayed the height of theatrics when he read is Godfather inspired interpretation (fabrication) of the president’s call into the record during his committee’s hearing.
11
@Greg Use your imagination and deduce what was removed from the SUMMARY of the call. Schiff's "theatrical" interpretation of Trump's PLAY BALL call is spot on. Schiff apologized, correctly noting that the call summary was a parody onto itself, which it was.
14
By far the best accolade Schiff has received so far has come from the occupant of the White House. Whenever Trump attacks, slanders, vilifies, you know there is some truth out there waiting to be heard and taken to heart. Adam Schiff usually delivers that truth.
17
Schiff, Nadler, Soros. Sounds like conspiracy and collusion to me.
4
@Bob Baskerville
Huh?
5
What in tarnation does George Soros have anything to do with anything other than inhabiting the nightmares of every right-wing conspiracy theorist nut on either side of the Atlantic?
@Bob Baskerville When did SOROS get into this? Thanks for not mentioning Hillary's emails.
1
"House Republicans have indicated that they intend to force a vote to condemn Mr. Schiff when they return from recess."
The condemnation should fall on the House Republicans for their appalling dereliction of duty and thug-like behavior.
20
Liberals have lost their minds. Schiff is almost as shameless a grandstander as AOC is. What ever happened with his promises that he had evidence of Trump’s collusion with Russia? His little monologue at the beginning of the hearings was despicable- if he thinks Trump lowers the dignity of the presidency (and he does), then what did Schiff do for the dignity of a Representative of Congress? I am so tired of his smarmy certainty and off putting self-regard.
19
@Boswell
Trump welcomed Russian interference, expected to benefit from it, cooperated with it, lied about it, and his campaign manger abetted it. That's collusion.
15
@Boswell You've besmirched my surname. Schiff is a seasoned prosecutor with experience dealing with organized crime. Trump has met his match. Check out clowns like Jim Jordan, and then start talking about lowering the dignity of the House.
8
@edboswell
"Seasoned prosecutor"? Puh-leeze. He was an AUSA for 6 years, which means he spent half of that in the library, and the other half arguing minor motions.
Go ahead; make him the face of the party.
7
Great column. I have heard Rep. Schiff often on the PBS NewsHour and have been impressed every time. He is so knowledgeable and just doesn't allow himself to be uprooted by the likes of Trump and the thugs who talk for him such as the horrid Steven Miller for Kellyanne Conway, both lame brains.
20
Schiff is the right guy, if you like liars. Schiff's claim his committee had not spoken to the whistleblower was reported as false in the WAPO.
15
@M Fact: He did not speak directly with the Whistle-blower, and does not know who he or she is. If, as you say, Schiff obscured details, and you want to make it a LIE, then the score between Trump and Schiff is 12,000 to 1. Perhaps you should turn your absolutist position on the truth in another direction?
12
Parody? Deceiving, and hardly funny at an impeachment hearing. The WaPo give the guy 4 Pinocchio's for honesty during a Q&A. This guy is on tape asking for info from a couple of Russian comedians offering Trump pictures with naked women. Schiff has stated he had proof of Russian collusion, never exposing it, or apologizing. Hardly an honest man, let alone one seeking truth.
15
@Jay
I think you mean a pair of Russian comedians called Schiff, offered nude photos of trump, and he referred them to the FBI.
1
Schiff is the right man for the moment. It's a shame that he tried to publicly pretend that he had no idea of what was in the whistleblower's complaint before it was released. What was the point of that? Enough of those little games. Schiff needs to be as squeaky clean as possible here.
58
@Jay Orchard
"It's a shame that he tried to publicly pretend that he had no idea of what was in the whistleblower's complaint before it was released."
That's false. He never spoke to nor met the whistleblower and, as pointed out in the editorial, his staff immediately directed the whistleblower to the proper channels.
Therefore, it would've been impossible for him to have more than the vaguest idea of what was in the complaint.
The idea that Schiff knew more than that (or had anything to do with the complaint itself) is simply a true fake news talking point.
119
@Jay Orchard How do you know what Shiff did or didn't know anout the content of the complaint? All we know is that he was aware of the complaint, not its contents.
56
@Jay Orchard
What is the source of your information that Schiff pretended "he had no idea of what was in the whistleblower's complaint"? Are you claiming that he read it? I suppose some who have never read the Mueller report, perhaps Barr himself, might claim thaty know "whatt's in it."
38
Adam Schiff has been caught blatantly lying on several occasions and that is troubling. I know politicians lie all the time but his timing makes him incredulous.
12
As opposed to Trump who has been caught lying several times per day.
4
@Beth Ditto
No. He hasn’t. Read the full report on things please
6
@Andy Makar the difference? Schiff's lies are substantive. Trump's are mostly ego enhancing hyperbole. Schiff's lie about Trump-Russian collusion has helped fuel a narrative that has further divided our country. His lying interpretation of the Ukraine transcript wasn't parody -- if he hadn't been called on it he would have let it stand.
And where in the heck is all the evidence he claims to have seen re collusion?
1
As part of a "clinical and focused approach" to Trump's possible impeachment, Democrats should get out in front of the oft-repeated mantra of Trump and the Republicans that the Democrats have been out to "get" Trump since he was elected, with something along the lines of: Yes we have, in the same way that elementary school parents would be out to get rid of a school principal who after his appointment is discovered to have been a pedophile, who continues to engage in that unacceptable behavior and who states that he has no intention of stopping.
13
I look at and listen to Mr. Schiff and I see someone I wish was our President. Similar to Obama. No histrionics, no stumbling incoherence with his speech. He speaks in a way that is easy to listen to and puts focus on how various issues connect. Or maybe he will be speaker of the house one day?
36
God speed Adam Schiff!
28
@1blueheron What a sweet thing to say. I met Schiff once ever so briefly and thanked him for standing up for the Constitution. I pray for his well-being. He is a fine man.
6
Perhaps this article is right and the Dems need someone of Schiff’s focus and demeanor to lead the impeachment investigation. But meanwhile Trump, a consummate performer, commands the stage. The Dems need a skilled performer to counter him. And it’s time to give Donald a dose of his own nickname medicine. How about “King” Donald, or clown Donald, or cheatin’ Donald or Pinnochio. The wise and perceptive are already persuaded. The Dems need to play to the crowd.
7
@Stephen Luebke how about a real simple nick name
DuhDon
Has to be said with the tone of “DaBears” from SNL years ago.
TraitorTrump is an option.
1
@Stephen Luebke how about a real simple nick name
DuhDon
Has to be said with the tone of “DaBears” from SNL years ago.
TraitorTrump is an option. Or TweetyTrump.
Adam Schiff is honest, patriotic and smart. Not perfect, but honest, patriotic and smart. So is Nancy Pelosi. Here's hoping that they're smart enough to keep the pedal to the metal -- no lulls -- until this rampaging cancer on the presidency is removed once and for all.
When Donald Trump is forced onto the defensive, he becomes increasingly erratic, unhinged and, well, crazy. When cornered, as he is now, his unforced errors multiply at least a hundredfold, and he incriminates himself further every time he opens his mouth.
This citizen's advice to Rep. Schiff and Speaker Pelosi? Don't let up. Not even for a day. If they lead properly, and relentlessly, the jury in the court of public opinion will surely follow.
This threat to America, a clear and present danger if there was one, must be obliterated -- thoroughly, and with all deliberate speed. The more that the traitorous demagogue in the White House is forced to backpedal on his bone-spurred heels, the faster our democracy will be restored.
42
@Dotconnector
Correction: In last paragraph, "ever was one" (rather than "was one"). Apologies.
2
The president ALWAYS projects onto others what he himself would do or has done. The idea that Adam Schiff would be any part of the whistleblower's complaint or gave help in writing the complaint is ill founded, wrong and ridiculous; and actually typical of the thug mentality of Trump. HIs forward projection of his ill deeds and demented mind onto others is so typical. Adam Schiff has integrity and dedication to his constitutional duties as a member of Congress, to protect our constitution and our nation's democracy. It's a sad thing ( and we've never seen it with any other president) that our president exercises the need to project slimy names onto opponents -- "shifty Schiff" -- like a 5th grade boy on the playground. Most Americans can see through all of Trump's smoke screen and he will pay for it politically in 2020.
17
Nice spin! I get it, the enemy of your enemy is your friend. Let's just leave it at that since that's all there is here.
4
Collecting the cascade of debasing facts, because there have been 45 Presidents in 243 years, and we MUST cleanse the office for 46 et.al. ( as per Lindsey Graham ) is precisely what Adam is doing. And " they 'say he is good at it. Even Trump SAID RECENTLY HE IS VERY SMART... until he became a low life …. what does that even mean?
3
The attacks on Mr. Schiff’s character are laughable. Shifty Schiff? There is no hand more steady than that of the gentleman from California.
21
"Adam Schiff Is the Right Man for the Moment"
There seems to be a differing opinion in The Federalist.
So, Schiff said for 2 years, he has evidence of Trump/Russia collusion. Mueller hands the report off to Congress. Well?
So, I guess we're done with Trump/Russia collusion. Now, you hand off the ball to Schiff again. Why? If he didn't drop the ball last time, he must have lied about having it.
Besides being unfamiliar with the truth, reality isn't his strong point, either. Nadler isn't any better.
In summary, there is no way Hillary can lose to Trump! Trump colluded with Russia! Trump is going Sopranos on the Ukraine and China!
Is anyone ready to admit, it is time to take Trump seriously?
9
@Mike
That is exactly what is being done here. They are taking Trump's attempt to establish himself as a authoritarian ruler above the law and against the Constitution seriously.
8
Representative Nadler, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, took the lead on the Mueller Report investigation, not Representative Schiff. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be surprised if several of the obstruction of justice attempts end up as an article impeachment, in addition to obstruction of Congress.
5
@Andy Trezise I fully expect the Democrats to overplay their hand, IF this becomes impeachment. Everyone that has ever had a bad thing to say about Trump will get their licks. Somewhere around charge 19, America will switch back to "Wheel Of Fortune".
Adam Schiff is smart and savvy, and he keeps his eye on the ball.
13
A critical aspect of Mr. Schiff's suitability is that his focus is not simply on the binary choices of criminality but rather on the more central and relevant choices of basic right and wrong. His famous take down of House Intelligence Committee GOP members with his "you might think it's okay" speech is exactly what we need to hear more of from our elected leaders.
When I was a kid, the office of the President of the United States was elevated as the supposed standard by which we should measure ourselves by. As a gay teenager, I had the Moral Majority and "family values" shoved down my throat as a new Republican-endorsed standard for even being a citizen. What we are seeing today under this president and his GOP enablers is a mockery of the very idea of morality itself, both public and private. This isn't a culture war. This is a war on basic American values and human decency.
Yes, Adam Schiff is absolutely the right person to defend those values.
758
@Drew Emery Thank you for your thoughtful comment. As a young woman growing up in that same environment, I looked at my narrow choices in life and despaired of even trying to “buck the system.”
I see the same forces at play now, hell-bent on casting out “the other,” suppressing gays and women (there is some intersection here, I recognize that) and labeling progressives in some very ugly terms.
Can we once-and-for-all get rid of Calvinism in America? As a philosophy, it is not good for anybody; as a practice, it is even worse. Our forefathers (and unsung foremothers) knew this, before drafting the Constitution. The Calvinists are not letting go, folks. It is an assault on our Constitution.
42
@Drew Emery
I often wondered where the Bobby Kennedy, Elliot Nest type figures were today who could break Trump's blatant abuses.
Adam Schiff may well be that G-man, he taken on Trump and his social media minions without batting an eye.
Schiff is a throw back to the days when men of courage stood up to the most powerful.
The United States needs more Adam Schiffs, a man not afraid of Trump threats or his bluster.
The Republicans in Congress could learn a lot from him.
100
@Drew Emery Well written and spot on.
25
Adam Schiff improves my outlook immensely.
I had lost faith but am much recovered.
thank you.
26
The one thing the American public needs right now is someone they can depend on to get to the truth and hold lawbreakers to account. Mr. Schiff is that man. We don't need histrionics or drama...just plain, old-fashioned, prosecutorial work. i trust him to do just that.
855
@Etienne I agree with you, Etienne. But your words sound sadly familiar. Weren't we all saying this very thing, only a few months ago, about Robert Mueller? And look what came of that. Mr. Schiff may be the right leader for the moment, but saving the republic is up to all of us.
49
@Bill Prange Mueller was weak! He could at least have unambiguously stated what was obvious—that Trump obstructed justice numerous times—but, instead he left that question for a Republican Congress to decide. Wow! What a surprise that they didn’t find anything. At least this time we will get unambiguous charges from the House, even if the Republicans ignore reality and “exonerate” Trump.
41
@Bill Prange You're right Bill, about Mueller. A huge disappointment. Schiff, however is not cut from the same cloth. In the past he has shown himself to be a bulldog. Additionally, the times have changed and Trump has made it much easier to pin down.
30
The country is fortunate to have Adam Schiff helming the House Intelligence Committee in these perilous times. He is everything Mr. Trump is not: intelligent, knowledgable of law and constitutional history, ethical, and dedicated to what is best for the nation. With so much cowardice showing its face in Washington these days, he may be a key figure in saving the republic. I am grateful.
14
This man is like neurosurgeon...precise, focused, intense, and smart, so very smart. He is an expert in the law and so much more than a "politician." It is all about country; it is all about justice and order. Above all, it is about the Constitution of the United States. We indeed did the right thing when we flipped the House in 2018. Can one even imagine Mr. Nunes as the head of the Intelligence Committee? The thought is both simultaneously laughable and frightening. Let us support Mr. Schiff, indeed, even pray if one prays. He has the tenacity to get the job done, i.e., impeachment of perhaps the most corrupt president in history. We must also have that same tenacity to have his back as well as Speaker Pelosi's. How proud I am that they are both Californians!
31
Adam Schiff is terrific. He's smart, articulate, tough, compelling. I've been very critical in this Comments section of our lack of Democratic leadership... namely, Chuck Schumer. Schumer is our weakest link in the Democratic Party. Schiff makes me feel proud to say I'm a Democrat.
23
Been admiring this guy for some time. He had me at "okay" ... (the "you might think it's okay" speech..) :-) He's the superego of Republican lawmakers who know deep down that they should behave better. Like a certain 16-year-old climate activist, he quietly but forcefully nails the argument.
20
Adam Schiff lied about what was in the whistle blower's report. He was given information about what was in the whistle blower's report. Why didn't the whistle blower also give information to Republicans. Could it be because he was a Democrat and did not want President Trump reelected? He called President Trump a mob boss. All of these matters should be investigated. He sure is shifty. He should recuse himself from this impeachment inquiry.
2
@KMW
He has Hillary's emails hidden somewhere.
Pro tip: if you want to be taken seriously, at least try to deal with what the article says about how the Congressman handled the whistleblower complaint over the summer—see, if you skip the really obvious stuff, you tell everybody you didn’t even read the thing you’re spozed to be commenting on—and REALLY don’t just parrot Trump’s cute little remarks. See, that makes it look like you’re not thinking at all.
2
President Trump would sell every American citizen down the river without a second thought if it would benefit him and his crime family. His nationalist governing philosophy is borne of his personally selfish philosophy. The calmer and more methodical Chairman Schiff is throughout the impeachment process, the more hysterical President Trump will become. I'm looking forward to witnessing the meltdown and his removal from office.
23
House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff thank you and the other House Members and staff for standing up to this bully! We got your back!
The only place Democracy lives is in our minds and hearts and, we won't give it up easily if ever.
11
Schiff has no concern for due process.
5
Neither do owls.
18
I'm looking forward to Schiff's next theatrical production. His "parody" of the Ukraine telephone call was priceless, an own goal of the first order.
4
@Douglas
Are you also looking forward to Trump's next theatrical production? Another starts in 3, 2, 1....
Which theatrical role do you like best from our Dear Leader? There are so many. The 'Victim" is a current favorite, just hilarious. But then again there's ...
1
Adam Schiff is my Congressman. He is very accessible and his staff is very polite and courteous. He participated in our local March For Our Lives parades and always makes time for his constituents. So, it is beyond infuriating when our illegitimate "President" attacks Schiff, as it makes me want to fight this weak, old, and feeble "President." But, Trump is like the old washed up loser in the bar--you don't even bother engaging with them as they are beyond lost--and have mental health issues at best. So, our "President" is the small-town barfly--turned gadfly.
493
@Daniel same here, and I couldn't be more proud of our congressman and his stubborn just-the-facts approach. I look forward to voting for him yet again next year.
50
@Daniel
The bar analogy is rather poor considering he doesn't drink. You may be on to something with a gadfly though. He's certainly no Socrates but a gadfly none the less.
"given to the state by God; and the state is like a great and noble steed who is tardy in his motions owing to his very size, and requires to be stirred into life. I am that gadfly which God has given the state and all day long and in all places am always fastening upon you, arousing and persuading and reproaching you. And as you will not easily find another like me, I would advise you to spare me. I dare say that you may feel irritated at being suddenly awakened when you are caught napping; and you may think that if you were to strike me dead, as Anytus advises, which you easily might, then you would Sleep On for the remainder of your lives, unless God in his care of you gives you another gadfly." ~Socrates
1
@philly
How do you know what he provided to Mueller?
Mr. Schiff, Mr. Nadler, Speaker Pelosi and all supporters ... are not messing around here. They understand the issues. They are taking all evidence and presents it in his effective communication with the rest of the country. Listening to Trump right now -- so different in spirit.
12
He'd be high up on my list if and when the country ever becomes ready for a Jewish President.
12
@A. Stanton
His presence in this drama has introduced him to those of us who might not have appreciated his strengths. He's a reminder that politicians can be thoughtful and intelligent, and honest, a contrast to the double dealing carney barker.
8
It's curious that the Times only prints comments approving of Mr. Schiff.
9
Have always felt Adam Schiff was a throwback to the good old days... There are others there still, like him and let us hope that they stand up to be counted when it is time.
25
Adam Schiff unlike the current President of the United States, has read the Constitution and understands the role of House of
Representatives in protecting the Union. The Framers gave
Congress the task of protecting the people from an Executive trying to be King. I pray that the Senate will do their duty and
protect the people from the most dangerous threat to the US
Constitution since George III.
44
It is extraordinary how the prowess, intelligence, demeanor and experience of the people thrust into crucial positions of power during critical periods in our history can make all the difference, for better or worse.
Thank goodness Adam Schiff is by all accounts, the right person for this job. I wish him and our country all the best.
55
I was very busy today but I took a little time to read this.
Thanks for this Opinion piece.
I love reading fiction and thanks for the good laugh.
13
@DB AND, thank YOU for making ME laugh. I can't wait to see you when you are not laughing.
One has Stanford Political Science degree and J.D. Degree from Harvard Law School.
The Other has filed bankruptcies SIX Times.
Who is the Shifty One Here?
160
@TWShe Said
But Trump was a university president, no?
2
What was that "parody" thing he did of Trump's phone call? He is better suited for Saturday Night Live than Congress.
11
@leaningleft yes, I agree, really incredibly tone deaf, with all the cards he had in his hand, he managed to fluff it..
2
Schiff is too angry and vindictive to be impartial. Definitely not the right man for the job. He declared himself part of "the resistance" immediately following the election. "Resist by any means necessary was the battle cry of the dems. Not a good way to begin.
14
@Paul Stenquist I assume you prefer Trump's SCORCHED EARTH approach to politics over reasoned resistance to quasi-fascism?
@Paul Stenquist
You mean like Mitchell with Obama?
I've got mixed feelings about Adam Schiff. His intelligence and calm demeanor are pluses. On the other hand, I don't think he has the toughness or the abrasiveness to stand up to Trump and the Republicans.
The bottom line is that Mr. Schiff needs to play to win.
5
@Brian, I think you're going to be quite surprised. Being tough doesn't mean having to be abrasive. Being intelligent and tough is a lot better and believe me Schiff is playing to win.
23
Finally, an opinion that's on the mark. It turns out that Americans like the people running Washington to seem a little wonky, a little awkward before the public, yet industrious, well-meaning and with personalities that exude quiet determination.
Presidents have always asked their supporters to believe in the myth of the "Great Leader." Trump has now cashed that check and Americans won't ever be so gullible again.
All those small sacle soybean farmers in the midwest are taking a financial bath because of Trump's tariff war; it's dawning on them that they've been had. And when midwesterners want an accounting, they don't go for the histrionic blowhard limelighters. Instead, they go for soft-spoken, law-oriented folks like Schiff, who base their case not on sensationalism, but on a deep respect for what America is and who She stands for.
Those swing voters are starting to wake up. I can feel it. They're finally looking at Trump's actions (the man who promised them the moon and gave them a rock) and saying to themselves: OH. MY. GOD.
20
Thanks so much, Margaret. We all needed this writing -every word of it.
14
"This is not a disagreement about facts or process. It is about whether what Mr. Trump is doing is improper and impeachable."
I agree that Mr. Schiff appears to be the right man for the job. I'm hoping that he can zero in on the facts in the midst of the distractions, contradictions, and flat out lies peddled by our carnival barker President and the Republican party.
19
"In short, Mr. Schiff is the man of the moment — and, without knowing it, he has been preparing for it for the past two years."
Oh, I think he knew. And thank God he's there.
40
Thank God for people like Adam Schiff (and Robert Mueller) in our government. They are the backbone in an increasing groundswell of support for proper investigative procedures, unflinching uncovering of wrongs, and recognition of the limits to power, including their own.
Politicians and policy wonks make strange bedfellows. I go with the policy wonks. They are the ones who will save our Constitution and country from harm, not the nigglers and grandstanders who only serve their own interests.
Those of you who still think there is a swamp to be drained, pull the plug from underneath your own feet and see what happens. At least, your fingers will have something to do, besides pointing them at perceived “enemies.” Housecleaning is an inside job.
24
Adam Schiff is an American patriot with outstanding ethical and moral character. He is highly intelligent, with degrees from Stanford University and Harvard Law School. His legal career include a stint as an Assistant US Attorney and he chaired the California State Senate's Judiciary Committee before becoming a Member of the House.
Representative Schiff has a stellar record in both his private and public life. He is the right man, at the right time, to prosecute the crime family currently occupying the Oval Office.
73
I admire Schiff greatly. All US legislators swore to defend the Constitution but few seemed to even think about the consequences of trashing the Separation of Powers and the results of eliminating the independence of the Judiciary, etc. Benjamin Franklin told us "You have a Republic - if you can keep it". Schiff is an American Patriot fighting to keep our Republic. Schiff is the Patriot we need.
25
Thank you so much for clarification in Mr. Schiff's role in all of this. And I agree that his demeanor is positive but very ….well, almost detached in an authoritative manner that is also, to me, comforting. His speech is declarative rather than disparaging of others. I appreciate his approach in this part of our history.
60
Trump's best defense will be, "I got elected to 'drain the swamp', so what's the big deal if I enlisted a little foreign aid to do so!" Until someone addresses the fact that his approach may have popular support but IS ILLEGAL (due to the transactional leverage such foreign governments will exact in the future, perhaps...) he will wiggle out of any investigation. It may prove that the stronger case was, in fact, obstruction of justice (as is palpable in the Mueller Report). But, as is well noted, the elements of that case are a little too obscure for the public to grasp...
3
I'd be much happier if Rep Schiff spent a lot less time on TV, and used a lot more restraint in the comments he makes. Rep Neal is a great example of how to handle these issues. Rep Schiff, while doing the important work of his committee, would help us all if he followed Rep. Neal's example.
5
@Joe
Actually, as the article contends, Schiff's approach is exactly right--and especially so for this moment. He knew exactly what to do with the whistle blower, how to preserve his safety and his integrity; and we are seeing the salutary results with each passing day. On the other hand, Neal has taken months and months to carry through on getting Trump's tax submission released. Why is that? And why is Neal's foot-dragging a good example to follow?
20
@Joe As impeachment is a political event, messaging and getting this information to the public is critical to affect the public's attitude. Schiff will need to carefully bring the voting public along with the investigation so as to drive the polling...only when Republicans start seeing poll numbers trend downward in support for Trump will they get on board.
6
Someone has to make the case to the American people. Not only that, but with the president attacking Schiff’s character on an hourly basis, having the chairman in front of the cameras allows the American people unfamiliar with him see what sort of man he is with their own eyes. He’s about as shifty as a cinderblock wall in a mid-summer hurricane.
6
I've heard Schiff speak off the cuff a few times. He's one smart cookie. And the fact that he's a little awkward and nerdy about some policy arcana is an asset, not a hindrance; one gets the impression that he's not loyal to any person, but loyal to the facts and the process, and won't hesitate to challenge anyone who tries to subvert either.
I suspect, as the hearings continue, he's going to make sure the questioning doesn't all come from Representatives, and that a lot of it comes from expert lawyers. And that if the administration or witnesses try to stonewall the investigatory committees he's not going to shrug his shoulders and say "nothing to be done".
It's good that's he's one of the principals here.
148
@Glenn Ribotsky "... a lot of it comes from expert lawyers." Some people think he is an expert lawyer. Uuuhh, but maybe not.
Mission accomplished. Time to vote to censure the President ASAP and move on. Biden was already damaged goods when he entered the race. In addition, I don't see enough fight in him to take on Trump. Trump called him and his son stone-cold crooked and his response was lethargic. It's time to give the remaining center left candidates some additional sunlight.
11
Adam Schiff’s integrity makes me think that nowadays in Washington he is an exception, not the norm.
59
Having watched Mr. Schiff over the course of the past couple of years, I absolutely agree. He is the perfect counter-point to the paranoid hysteria coming from Trump and his lackeys.
In many ways he reminds me of the qualities I admire in Barack Obama: thoughtful, articulate, and an quiet intellectualism so rarely on display in today's political theater.
He also reminds me of one of the great men never to have become president: George McGovern. And for many of the same reasons.
142
I disagree. I live in the heartland and many people I have talked with identify Schiff as smug and elitist. Being the smartest guy in the room can get that reaction at times. I'd rather that someone like Peter Welch of the intel committee be leading the investigation. If the member need not come from intel, I would appoint Mikie Sherrill, an upcoming star and Naval Academy alum. She is beyond reproach.
3
@USNA73 I'm not a heartlander but I live in a rural county. I run into smug and elitist people from time to time! In my view they usually think they are, but aren't, the smartest ones in the room. Usually the smartest one in the rooms around here are kind of like Schiff. I'd call him dignified. We could use a bit of that. From both parties it would be v welcome.
45
@sues I agree. I just don't want the Repubs to be able to exploit a single thing. I want to see Trump go down.
2
Unfortunately, Welch is the junior-most representative on the committee.
2
I’m very grateful to Mr. Schiff. Unlike Nunes, a boot-licking conspiracy theorist nut, Schiff exudes integrity, calm, and deals in facts. He is a source of comfort in this ongoing Trumpian tragedy. I wish him well and hope he knows he has the widespread support of his fellow citizens.
274
"The president can concoct all the conspiracy theories he wants, and Lindsey Graham and others may pick up the tune, but Mr. Schiff played it by the book."
Absolutely. I've long been fascinated by his discipline and restraint when commenting to the press. And yet he can show anger and passion as he did in that marvelous laundry list of "I don't think it's OK that ...." findings from the Mueller Report.
He is indeed the right man for the right time: careful, dedicated, focused and very very smart. All in all the perfect antidote to the president who speaks about anything any time he feels like it, without checking the facts, bragging, or attacking his opponents.
I wish we had more like him in public service, and Pelosi's decision to make him the lead on this impeachment investigation was as wise as she is.
378
@ChristineMcM -- everything you say about Schiff is true, which is why the president expresses particular rage and invective towards him. If Schiff were ineffectual and incompetent, the president Republicans would ignore him. However, Schiff's professionalism, dedication and preparation for battling corruption in government is why his enemies fear him.
34
@ChristineMcM There are tons of intelligent people in public service, who are unsung. I saw them, when I was in public service: they were my heroes and heroines — and they still are. On the other hand, there are people in public office who are NOT in public service; I encountered those too. They usually started and ended a sentence with “I.”
15
Thanks for a superb article. Schiff is unflappable, tenacious, level-headed and honest. He is a hero for our country. I like that he is very tough and unpretentious. Mr. Schiff we're depending on you. Keep up the good work.
200
A particularly well put thumbs up to this deserved recognition of Schiff's excellence in the job. Nice!
6
In this moment Schiff is the right man for sure. And Trump has been the wrong man for quite some time!
It is just a matter of time that Trump is out.
65
My mother used to tell me to "consider the source and ignore the remark." But, if trump is calling an adversary the "lead villain", considering the source I think he should wear it like a badge of honor.
72
I have the greatest respect for Adam Schiff and wish him well in the coming battles.
I think he would make a great president.
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@LES
No question in my mind, Adam Schiff would be an outstanding president. Extremely intelligent, poised, objective, has the interests of US Citizens as his highest priority. He is not driven by partisan instincts, but by a highly ethical moral compass. To get past this ugly partisan divide in this country I would to see a Adam Schiff for president and Mitt Romney for VP. I want my country back again. I want Democrats and Republicans to work together, to compromise and to make America great and ethical again! I think Mitt as VP can help Republicans return to a principled but fiscally disciplined group. Trump supporters we need your help to bring this country back to the country we all love. We can't do it without you. We certainly cannot do it with Trump at the helm.
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@KWW : I respect your ideas on this, but Romney?
His ultra measured remarks about Trump’s bizarre, crazy, of-the-rails nuttiness as “troubling” reveal him to be almost as spineless as the rest of his party.
If he really cared about our Country, he would stand up and lead the charge, side by side with Speaker Pelosi. Instead, he’s probably waiting for the current sec of state to resign under fire so he can be the next victim of trump’s perfidy.
He reminds me a lot of Susan Collins, and that is not good.
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Yes! Whenever I have seen Schiff, he has impressed me as what every elected official should be and everything Trump is not.
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Hopefully Mr. Schiff and his support team will have the stamina for this process. Even if there is a quick resolution, this will take some incredible fortitude. We've seen the lashing out and the attacks from Republicans already, some of them personal.
Staying on message, being clear headed and centered will be critical.
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@Andre';To this I would say"Lady Justice" shall prevail.
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Mr. Schiff is the epitome of a prosecutor in the cool, relentless pursuit of truth. In the midst of this most histrionic theater that is Trump's Washington, he remains calm and focused, but passionate about his duty. One of the skills that makes him particularly invaluable at this moment is his ability to succinctly communicate to the public the story behind the Byzantine machinations of this administration. His success, and the country's, depends on this talent.
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@syfredrick ...
He may be a prosecutor "in the cool, relentless pursuit of the truth", but he is one who also epitomizes a prosecutor who sees prosecutorial misconduct and tainting of evidence as appropriate ways to get the job done.
The way he has proceeded so far will not get people who are skeptical to change their minds.
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@The Owl what “prosecutorial misconduct”?
Please cite specific incidents.
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He’s leading an impeachment inquiry, which is fundamentally a political process. To be effective, it must be vigorously yet fairly conducted.
It is a different kettle of fish than a strictly prosecutorial process.
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House Republicans want a vote to condemn Schiff? Condemn for what exactly? Doing his job, unlike the boot-licking Republicans? Supporting the Constitution, unlike the subverting Republicans? Looking for truth, unlike the dissembling Republicans? When the history books are written – assuming the nation survives Trump – the Republicans in both houses of Congress at this time will go down as the worst representatives since the members who schemed and helped create the Confederacy. If any political group in our times has shown utter contempt for American beliefs, American values, and even American citizens it has been today's Republican Party.
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@larry bennett Possibly condemn him for what he, after the fact, called "satire." A rephrasing of Trump's call with the Ukraine president. For you or me to do so is fine, but for the head of this committee, maybe not so much. Trump can get away with horrendous lies and misstatements, call them jokes or what he will. But it seems that none of the rest of us can.
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@larry bennett I prefer to not tar everyone with the same brush. There are a few rotten apples who have risen to the top of the water-soaked barrel.
Unfortunately, for the Republican party and for this nation, they are being led in the Senate by the intractable Mitch McConnell. This one person, ultra-conservative and self-serving, is responsible for ruining his own party. On this point, I agree with you: he is bringing everyone down.
I am not a Republican, but this is what I see happening to that Party. They are at a crisis point, and that alone could could threaten our democracy.
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@SFR
And how about Trump's day after day language, 1,000 times worse than what Schiff said one time.
Those same Republicans should vote to condemn Trump.
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Every Republican senator ought to read this piece in the process of preparing for articles of impeachment headed their way. It is fair to demand that all senators look at this process objectively by looking how Mr Trump has been behaving since the 2016, and the damage caused our country's standing in the world, and all senators know it.
Now they all have to admit it, and do the right thing.
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It is reassuring to know that the impeachment investigation is in such capable hands as Adam Schiff's. He may be able to keep the information flow and investigation anchored despite the maelstrom of Trump's antics. Keep fighting the good fight.
Godspeed, Mr. Schiff. Our fates follow where you will lead.
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@mother of two
Which will be....thankfully, dead on arrival in the Senate
@DB
Because you and the other Senate republicans have already made up your minds without considering any evidence?
Well done, very thoughtful piece.
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Yes--I agree--We appreciate him very much.
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Adam Schiff impressed me with professionalism and maturity when Nunes was destroying the committee. I am glad he is at the helm. I wasn't crazy about his dramatization of what Trump did in his phone call to the president of Ukraine, but I think I understand it now, that it was a way for people to understand what happened. the facts were enough for me to understand what happened.
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@hw His twitter mafia iteration of the Trump/Ukraine call was hilarious and had me laughing out loud, "Nice little country you have there; a shame if anything happened to it". Classic and classy.
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There should be lots congress members like Adam Schiff. He's a selfless public servant. Exactly opposite of the monomaniac Trump.
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@Alina Starkov
What, in what you listed there, is a real criticism?
He was on RT, but is anti-Russia.
He was concerned about over surveillance- is that a contradiction, that he is pro-FISA? A legally sanctioned protection of national security?
He represents "Hollywood."
Given that you somehow find all this objectionable, do you really "hope Trump is defeated in 2020?"
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@proffexpert
It seems to me that Schiff has few principles. He appeared on RT, Russia's state media outlet, but now is very anti-Russia. During the 2013 Snowden leaks he was anti-surveillance and spoke of abuse of power, when the Republicans were in charge of the House though he defended the FISA warrent against Trump. The congressman representing Hollywood, he's really good at acting and self-promotion, using the language of high-status media about the dangers of authoritarianism right when that was a popular trope. I hope Trump is defeated in 2020 as much as anyone but I'd look for heroes among those with a track record of integrity.
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Thank you for this great article. Adam Schiff gives me hope.
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@Julie
Remember Senator Sam Erwin, during the Watergate hearings? His down home, country lawyer style gave us confidence in the Nixon impeachment proceedings. Adam Schiff is the man to lead us on this historical journey today.
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