Overcoming the challenge of up-is-down, day-is-night politics

[babylonsister]

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/overcoming-the-challenge-down-day-night-politics#break


Overcoming the challenge of up-is-down, day-is-night politics
01/23/20 11:28 AM—Updated 01/23/20 11:49 AM
By Steve Benen


There’s a video making the rounds online this morning of Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) fielding a question from a reporter about Donald Trump’s Ukraine scandal. This was the most notable part of the exchange:

REPORTER: So you’re saying that it’s okay for a President to ask a foreign leader to investigate a political rival and withhold foreign aid to coerce him into doing so?

BRAUN: No, I’m not saying that’s okay. I’m not saying that’s appropriate. I’m saying that it DIDN’T HAPPEN.

For those familiar with the basic elements of the controversy, this seems like a deeply embarrassing incident for the freshman Republican senator. But part of the reason the video is making the rounds is that Braun himself is promoting it. The GOP Hoosier is proud of what he said and how he said it.

And that’s unfortunate because Braun’s assertions have no basis in reality. We know the president asked foreign leaders to investigate a domestic rival because he did so, on camera, while standing on the south lawn of the White House. We also know Trump withheld foreign aid in order to coerce a foreign leader because there’s a mountain of documentary evidence – not to mention a recent GAO report and a confession from the White House chief of staff – that definitely proves that it happened.

snip//

But I once again find myself thinking anew about former Rep. Earl Landgrebe (R-Ind.), who refused to break with Richard Nixon, even at the height of Watergate, even after many other Republicans had come to terms with the fact that their corrupt president would have to resign in disgrace.

“Don’t confuse me with the facts,” Landgrebe said the day before Nixon’s resignation. “I’ve got a closed mind. I will not vote for impeachment. I’m going to stick with my president even if he and I have to be taken out of this building and shot.”

The difference between 1974 and 2020 is simple: nearly a half-century ago, Landgrebe was one of a tiny minority. Now, Congress is filled with a few too many Earl Landgrebes.

[BigmanPigman]

1. I called his office yesterday to complain

and he had the lamest message on his DC office phone. I almost laughed but maintained my composure of an angry constituent until I finished, then I laughed. What a maroon!

I called all 53 GOP senators (to complain about no witnesses and how my intelligence is insulted) and the 7 House Managers to say "Thank you".

[UniteFightBack]

3. I think you are GREAT! nt

[BigmanPigman]

4. I think I am a frustrated Dem who wants to punch some GOPs in their faces...

and I am a 5' 1" pacifist too!

[UniteFightBack]

6. True, but not everybody calls and especially with that conviction. I enjoy calling as well I find

it cathartic. I have a summer place a mile from PA...you betchya that I called those dumbasses too. And I let them know that everybody in town is not happy with this corrupt cover up and that I will be working feverishly to remove them from office if they exonerate an obviously corrupt president.

[UniteFightBack]

2. I have a lot of family in Indiana so I called to complain today about his CORRUPTION COVER UP

operation. And I'm calling again tomorrow as I do like to talk to a live person opposed to a message.

[dustyscamp]

5. Seems like the Landgrebe sickness has affected non politicians too

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