Lawrence O'Donnell - For Pence, the guy who did the right thing in the end, the question is why did

[mobeau69]

you wait until the end to do it?

[Ocelot II]

1. Interesting question - but what might have happened if Pence had leaked the fact

in December that TFG was trying to get him to take over the EC vote certification? What would TFG have done in that case? Would Pence have had an unfortunate accident, giving TFG the opportunity to replace him with a more compliant VP (Eastman? Giuliani?) in time for 1/6? Maybe it's better that Pence didn't do anything until 1/6. Just a bit of idle speculation, but I think it's become apparent that TFG was capable of anything, including offing his Vice President.

[thecrow]

5. My thoughts exactly, Ocelot!

I have been thinking about this a lot. Knowing who tfg’s buddies were
Pence knew if he spoke about this any sooner,
what would/could have happened to him or his family.
Poisoning or an unfortunate “accident” ala the Russian way?
Maybe the Saudi bone saw guy? It must have been a chilling and terrifying choice.
On J6 he was NOT about to get in that limo…!

[dchill]

2. Indeed.

Pence ?? hero.

[ms liberty]

3. K&R I just mentioned this in a different thread. Great observation. n/t

[JohnSJ]

4. Lawrence criticism was wrong. If Pence had come forward early, not only would trump and his

thugs have denied it, but there is a likelihood they would have forced him to resign, and Grassley would have assumed that role. Remember republicans had the majority in the Senate. There was also an active effort by WH counsel and others telling trump his plan would have been illegal

In addition, they didn’t have enough people on board for the 25th amendment

Let’s trash Pence and Secretary of State of Georgia and others who did the right thing because…….

Notice no other guests on the show followed on to Lawrence criticism

Rachel brought up when the secret service wanted to remove him from the area, and Pence refused, was likely because he didn’t want someone else to take over his duty

[mobeau69]

6. Good points. BTW, WTF happened to Grassley? I know he's an ass hole but

I would never have thought treason would be in his playbook.

[JohnSJ]

7. There is unconfirmed scuttle about that. Also alarming and not getting into

the secret service car was the question were they trying to remove him from certifying the election?

Were members of the Secret Service in on the coup?

There was also talk that trump was also looking for a reason to issue the insurrection act

Very dangerous things were occurring

[empedocles]

8. Good points

Amazing how complicated various issues, just on Jan. 6 are.

[JohnSJ]

12. I also think the reason the committee is not bringing up Lawrence's point is because they are trying

to get information from various witnesses, and being critical of the person these witnesses are aligned with, would not help that endeavor

[empedocles]

13. Also, the Committee is politically aware and savvy.

Timing is something they would be especially good at - like timing is often crucial in getting a specific piece of legislation through.

As one thread here at DU yesterday sort of developed, that Pence tellling of trump pressure in December may not have been very effective.

That, imo, was an understatement. The, 'kill Mike Pence', chant - may be a super, important, memorable, point that the Hearings make.
It may be one of the most key things the voting public remembers.

[JohnSJ]

14. Yes, all good points

[usonian]

9. Perhaps he understood that he was only there for show.

There was absolutely nothing for him to exercise judgement on, until there was.

And maybe "It was God's Will"
He will never say.

Privileged conversation

[JI7]

10. He just waited until he had to make a choice/ decision

otherwise he would just stand around and do nothing.

[empedocles]

15. Pence most likely sensed that, running away, would look bad.

[I wonder, how many, how many on that fateful 2006 day, had seen the movie Red 2.Where getting the wrong limo driver was so deadly. ]

[MerryBlooms]

11. There were many people who could have stood up before J6,

And chose not to. Some chose to cash in through writing books, become lobbyists, etc... Pence is hoping to run for President. All Trump minions have a plan to make money off the attempted coup, one way or another.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

16. Mary Trump just said it ALL...

Link to tweet

[mobeau69]

17. Spot on.