Democrats, don't let Trump off the hook

[dajoki]

Democrats, don’t let Trump off the hook
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/02/17/democrats-dont-let-trump-off-hook/

Congratulations, President Trump. House Democrats have decided to let you off the hook, at least until November.

Perhaps not completely. But as the New York Times reports, the new Democratic strategy is to ease off the pressure on the president:

Top Democrats say that oversight of the president — in particular his effort to compromise the independence of the Justice Department — will continue. But for now, at least, they have shelved the idea of subpoenaing Mr. Trump’s former national security adviser, who was a central figure in the president’s impeachment trial.
In a series of private meetings over the past week, and in written instructions she distributed to lawmakers Thursday before a one-week recess, Speaker Nancy Pelosi made clear that the emphasis must shift.
“Health care, health care, health care,” the speaker said, describing the party’s message during a recent closed-door meeting, according to a person in the room who insisted on anonymity to reveal private conversations.

Subpoenaing John Bolton and other members of the administration who could explain in high-profile hearings just how Trump twisted American foreign policy for his own personal interests? Bo-ring. Examinations of the ways Trump is funneling tax dollars to himself and his family? Eh, not interested. Probes into which corporations are wielding influence in the administration and what they’re getting out of the deal? Nah. Finally getting Trump’s tax returns so we can see what sort of financial misbehavior he may be working so hard to conceal? Maybe someday, but not now.

So if Trump orders Attorney General William P. Barr to announce a criminal investigation of the Democratic presidential nominee, or begins coordinating his campaign’s social media disinformation efforts with the Kremlin, or does some other atrociously corrupt thing, I suppose that in response Democrats will ... put out a white paper on prescription drug prices.

There’s nothing wrong with talking about prescription drug prices, of course — in and of itself. And I’m sure they have polling indicating that health care is at or near the top of the list of things that people want Congress to address. The problem is that since Democrats can’t actually make any laws at the moment, their highest priority should be defeating Trump.

That requires a division of labor, in which everyone uses the resources at his or her disposal to their maximum effect.

<<snip>>

[Wounded Bear]

1. The politics of necessity...

we still have to hold the House against an agressive Repub effort to steal it back.

[Laelth]

2. I must assume that Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader Schumer know what they are doing.

But I reserve the right to gripe if this turns out to be a losing strategy.

I appreciate the posting of this informative article.

-Laelth

[stillcool]

3. they have on-going investigations...

and they'll open new ones as they are warranted. I'm sure there are oodles of witnesses willing to come forward and testify in a public hearing, but until they have a solid case they're not going to do it. Doesn't mean they're not investigating. But, bash the Democrats by all means!!