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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsScarborough is handling this issue better than Biden, unfortunately.
Scarborough, on his Morning Joe, basically taunted Trump about testifying, saying that his lawyers didn't think he was smart enough to go up against Mueller -- and slyly urging Trump to defy his lawyers.
Biden did the opposite. He, in his nice-guy reasonableness, just gave Trump a face-saving out. He said, as a lawyer, he'd advise DT not to testify because he could lie accidentally, "without even planning to be disingenuous."
Biden, WTF? You'd advise DT NOT to do the interview with Mueller. Why the heck are you giving him cover?
This is why I don't support Biden for President. He doesn't always think through the import of what he says, and his urge to always be the nice guy can lead to mistakes.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/372623-biden-says-he-would-advise-trump-against-mueller-interview
Former Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday said he would advise President Trump against interviewing with special counsel Robert Mueller if he were one of his lawyers, given the likelihood of Trump making false statements to investigators.
You are in a situation where the president has some difficulty with precision, Biden told CNN's Chris Cuomo on Tuesday. One of the things I would worry about if I was his lawyer is him saying something that was just simply not true without him even planning to be disingenuous.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,121 posts)I wont criticize Joe anymore than I have to, but this is the kind of stuff that makes me CRAZY!
Having said this I would gladly vote for Joe for anything.
pnwmom
(108,994 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)It followed after after THIS, which is also a dig.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,121 posts)If he had left that out I would have ignored it.
Orrex
(63,224 posts)Any lawyer who's even heard of this idiot named Trump would strongly advise Trump against testifying under oath.
In saying this, Biden is not saying anything that isn't 100% correct, reasonable, and accurate.
He's not "giving Trump an out" because Trump's lawyers have already given him that out.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,121 posts)or "get along with the other side" Senator.
It is time for him to NOT give him the benefit of the doubt on ANYTHING let alone lying. At some point I expect Joe to do that or say nothing in these instances, he HAS to know times are very different now.
I rarely criticize my democratic politicians because this is not the time to do it, but when I read this I wanted to scream. And I love Joe, I do.
I dont know about you all but I watched every minute of his running the show with the Thomas hearings and I took two things away from that experience 1. Joe does like to ask long questions so he can get his point across in the question and 2. he bends over like an Olympic gymnast to get along with the cons. Which is not bad, usually, but these days I say ENOUGH!
Or was it the Bork hearings Joe ran, dont remember now.
Orrex
(63,224 posts)But now I see where you were going.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,121 posts)and this might be the first time in a very long time, but to make an excuse for trump telling lies, that one drove me over the edge, but I wont let it happen again
And in reality, since trump NEVER tells the truth, there is some truth to the idea that he really doesnt know what truth is anymore, so there is that.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)This isn't weakness, OR stupidity, this is how people at that level point out that Trump cannot tell the truth.
It's also sort of like when Obama asked, "How do you like me now?" with his classic cool delivery. He wasn't hoping to finally elicit more respect from his badmouthers, he was mocking them.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,121 posts)and buy some ID's for those in states where they are Unconstitutionally required to have them!
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)PJMcK
(22,048 posts)(snark)
Eliot Rosewater
(31,121 posts)He has the education and intelligence of a 12 yr old child.
I dont know who was paid to take his college exams, but someone was.
PJMcK
(22,048 posts)There's no way Trump knows what it means. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!
You've demeaned 12-year olds, Eliot! Ha ha ha ha ha!!! Trump is more like a petulant 4-year old.
Trump probably tried to bribe his teachers when he was in college. Of course, we don't know what his grades were but because he's such a projection-artist, we can assume his grades were poor, (remember that he demanded to see President Obama's transcript?). We do know that he wasn't top of his class as he has tried to peddle. Trump was not on the Dean's list and he didn't graduate with honors:
http://www.thedp.com/article/2017/02/trump-academics-at-wharton
I support anything that rattles Trump's cage. Go, Joes! Keep picking at Trump's ego! It drives him nuts!
Eliot Rosewater
(31,121 posts)either.
The remarkable thing is there is not a worse human being who was not a mass killer, like Hitler, Mussolini or Stalin, etc., than Trump.
He is the worst non violent (that we know of, I think he is connected to violence with the Italian Mafia and Putin) human being alive.
And he is loved and worshiped by 45 million of your neighbors. THIS is the problem.
Most of us would not give someone like trump 2 minutes of our time, within 2 minutes we would know he was a vapid, ignorant spoiled rich person with no brains and not a single human quality or sign of dignity or worth.
We cant dismiss him because of those 45 million, otherwise he is nothing. Without daddy giving him all that money, he is homeless.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)BIDEN: I just I just marvel at some of the things he says and does what two days ago anybody didnt stand up and clap for him was unamerican and maybe even treasonous.
CUOMO: They say it was tongue in cheek, and Democrats cant take a joke.
BIDEN: Well let me tell you, hes a joke.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Eliot Rosewater
(31,121 posts)of pointing out trump lies even when he doesnt intend to, which is actually true.
It is because trump does not tell the truth anymore than he eats food off the floor, it isnt a conscious act to or not to do something, it is his nature.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Essential if he's going to run for President in 2020.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Not likely to change; if he gets elected POTUS, it will be in spite of it or because after Donald, his verbal missteps seem like nothing.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)SunSeeker
(51,698 posts)standingtall
(2,787 posts)He will go into it fully intending to lie. Hell he might even try to bribe Mueller yes Trump is that arrogant.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)By definition, lying is an intentional misstatement of fact, not a mistake or slip of the tongue.
Orrex
(63,224 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)jberryhill
(62,444 posts)No lawyer would advise their client to voluntarily sit down with a federal prosecutor, and especially not someone as dimwitted as Trump.
pnwmom
(108,994 posts)is crediting DT with the possibility of intending to be HONEST.
Trump is a liar and even Biden must know that. There is no way Trump could get through hours of an interview without deliberately lying.
And it isn't necessarily true that "no lawyer" would advise Trump to sit down with Mueller. One of Trump's lawyers, Ty Cobb, is said to be advising that he do so.
malthaussen
(17,216 posts)Mr Trump lies to puff up his ego, to exaggerate his importance, to feed his ego, as well as with deliberate intent to deceive.
There is a distinct difference between a lie like "My SOTU speech had the most viewers in history" and "I never had any connection with Russians." A lawyer would be aware that Mr Trump can not be trusted to avoid the former kind of lie, because his default desire is to Trump his greatness.
If Mr Cobb is advising Mr Trump to sit down with Mr Mueller, then perhaps Jberryhill should modify his assertion to "any competent lawyer..."
-- Mal
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,836 posts)Any lawyer would advise a client to avoid questioning by a federal prosector, but the reasons for that advice in Trump's case is that their client lies about everything, all the time. Most people don't lie all the time, but a lawyer will want to be sure the client doesn't misstate something or fess up to something that might get him in trouble. Trump's lawyers know that scenario is inevitable because (a) Trump thinks he's smarter than everyone else; (b) he can't shut up; and (c) because of (a) and (b) he is likely to volunteer lies, not just lie in response to questions. Trump's lawyers will earn every dime they are paid, assuming they ever get paid, which would be another concern.
treestar
(82,383 posts)He would never follow your advice, would always know better than you do, and you better get the money up front.
rzemanfl
(29,568 posts)"lying son of a bitch." "[W]ithout him even planning to be disingenuous" I took as Biden saying Drumpf just spouts whatever crap pops into his head. He also called Drumpf "a joke."
radius777
(3,635 posts)Trump is on the ropes here. Dems should be boxing him into the corner and pounding from every angle.
Instead Biden lets him off the ropes, typical Dem niceness when none is deserved.
Nice guys finish last, no wonder why we control no aspect of gov't.
Response to radius777 (Reply #9)
Post removed
Egnever
(21,506 posts)BIDEN: I just I just marvel at some of the things he says and does what two days ago anybody didnt stand up and clap for him was unamerican and maybe even treasonous.
CUOMO: They say it was tongue in cheek, and Democrats cant take a joke.
BIDEN: Well let me tell you, hes a joke.
treestar
(82,383 posts)We should not go low like they do, it is said, and then they go low and it works for them.
Can't win on that one.
MagickMuffin
(15,952 posts)Biden: I'd advise him not to talk to Mueller.
Trump'd: Who does Little Joe thinks he is, Hope get me scheduled to speak with Mueller stat!!!
pnwmom
(108,994 posts)As if DT would ever plan to be honest.
malthaussen
(17,216 posts)Their job is to make their clients look good, and carry their points. I think any competent lawyer would advise Mr Trump to use any loophole possible to get out of testifying, because he engages his mouth while his "brain" is out of gear.
Mr Biden's comment is really quite damning, if you think about it, because he's basically saying that Mr Trump is so disconnected from the truth that he lies with no intent to deceive. My word, what a nightmare that would be for an advocate.
-- Mal
chowder66
(9,080 posts)Trump's lawyers already advised that.
Not a reason to not vote for Joe, imo.
retread
(3,763 posts)minutes of the advice going public.
peggysue2
(10,839 posts)He refuses to speak to Mueller then Mueller takes it to the next level: grand jury testimony. No lawyers there. Does he refuse to appear? Then we end up at the Supreme Court, I guess. Or the Trumpster appears before a grand jury and takes the 5th.
A mess. This loon needs to be removed from office.
OT: My husband just read that the Trumpster is demanding a military parade, something the military has said would be exorbitant in cost. The Trumpster wants to show off His military might. Wonder if he'll demand a goose-step as well. Apparently he was very jealous that Macron had a military show on Bastille Day.
Ugh!
H2O Man
(73,605 posts)And he's goading Trump at the same time. Trump is a narcissist, who should be goaded into meeting Mr. Mueller.
ProfessorGAC
(65,168 posts)Someone in a position of power needs to say "Trump is afraid to talk to Mueller." With that ego, there is nothing his lawyers could say to stop him.
tblue37
(65,487 posts)Obama's friend and VP. Maybe Biden is trying reverse psychology on him.
Vinca
(50,303 posts)Trump must do the exact opposite. Maybe Biden's being sly like a fox.
pnwmom
(108,994 posts)I think that's giving Trump credit he doesn't deserve.
Vinca
(50,303 posts)pnwmom
(108,994 posts)I'm serious.
Joe Scarborough handled it FAR better. He claimed to think it was terrible that some Republicans thought Trump was TOO STUPID to talk to Mueller. He said too stupid at least twice. It was perfect.
Vinca
(50,303 posts)Time will tell, but I can't imagine Dear Leader allowing his second rate legal team to order him not to do anything. Plus, if he gives testimony, they'll be a reason for lights! cameras! action! It'll be a great "episode."
malthaussen
(17,216 posts)It means he is disingenuous without even planning to be. "Planning," after all, implies he gave some thought to it beforehand.
-- Mal
pnwmom
(108,994 posts)as accidentally saying something untrue.
Wounded Bear
(58,706 posts)HopeAgain
(4,407 posts)Really? Besides if anything is suggested by a member of the Obama Administration, Trump will do the opposite.
pnwmom
(108,994 posts)is that Biden thinks its fine that Trump's lawyers told him not to testify because he might make a mistake -- even if he wasn't planning to be dishonest.
I don't think Biden, or anyone else, should credit Trump with the possibility of being honest.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)I think it is probably harder for him to tell the truth. No attorney would want him to talk with a prosecutor.
JI7
(89,264 posts)Cha
(297,655 posts)Buns_of_Fire
(17,195 posts)IF I were Comrade Lardass' lawyer, the LAST thing on earth I'd want is to have a serial liar who can't keep his goddam mouth shut going mano a mano against Mueller and his team.
And IF I were someone who'd love to see Tangeranus taken down once and for all, I'd appeal to his ego and imply that he's not a real manly-man if he can't handle an underling like Muller.
Sort of like this scene from Little Big Man:
TeamPooka
(24,254 posts)pnwmom
(108,994 posts)of planning to be honest.
MrsCoffee
(5,803 posts)Trump eats that shit up.
pnwmom
(108,994 posts)NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Anyone in their right mind would. That said, Biden's elaboration is crap. Do we expect anything else from him at this point?
Egnever
(21,506 posts)BIDEN: I just I just marvel at some of the things he says and does what two days ago anybody didnt stand up and clap for him was unamerican and maybe even treasonous.
CUOMO: They say it was tongue in cheek, and Democrats cant take a joke.
BIDEN: Well let me tell you, hes a joke.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)That is well known. It's not difficult to call Donald a joke.
One of the things I would worry about if I was his lawyer is him saying something that was just simply not true without him even planning to be disingenuous.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)BIDEN: If I were the presidents lawyer Id probably tell him not to sit down with special counsel Mueller.
CUOMO: Why? Then they subpoena you and you wind up in front of a grand jury without a lawyer.
BIDEN: Yeah and if youre in a situation where the president has some difficulty with precision.
CUOMO: Thats one of the most subtle things Ive ever heard you say, Joe Biden.
BIDEN: And one of the things that I would worry about if I were his lawyer is him saying something that was as simply not true without him even planning to be disingenuous.
CUOMO: You think he has that little control over whether he tells the truth or not.
BIDEN: I just I just marvel at some of the things he says and does what two days ago anybody didnt stand up and clap for him was unamerican and maybe even treasonous.
CUOMO: They say it was tongue in cheek, and Democrats cant take a joke.
BIDEN: Well let me tell you, hes a joke.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Is what it is. Context is clear.
Not much there.
Renew Deal
(81,871 posts)Genius!
Now, can we get Obama out there to say he shouldn't speak to Mueller?
treestar
(82,383 posts)So they can't be compared. A pundit can say anything.
If you were the lawyer is not going to "give cover" at all. You are saying what you would do as his lawyer, and obviously, that is what is best for the client.
mercuryblues
(14,537 posts)into going testifying.
Bucky
(54,065 posts)PJMcK
(22,048 posts)Scarborough was taunting Trump. He was telling Trump that he's smarter than his lawyers. This is an obvious play to Trump's ego in order to try to prod him into agreeing to the Mueller interview. You know that Scarborough wants Trump to meet Mr. Mueller then fuck up.
Vice President Biden, on the other hand, is using reverse psychology. This also prods Trump towards the interview.
Don't worry, pnwmom. Mr. Biden won't run for president in 2020. By Election Day that year, Mr. Biden will be a couple of weeks shy of 77 years old. Our side needs fresh blood. It's important for us to continue to be progressive because that's who we are. Mr. Biden, the Clintons and a whole slew of others have fought valiantly for us. We need the next generation to continue the fight.