Richard Painter: "Trump 'borders on fascist"

[Wwcd]

https://shareblue.com/richard-painter-former-republican-white-house-ethics-chief-trump-fascist/

Former GOP White House ethics chief: Trump ‘borders on fascist’
By Tommy Christopher - May 22, 2018

Richard Painter says Trump and Pence should be 'removed from office.'

Trump’s latest abuse of power has so alarmed a former Republican White House ethics chief that he says Trump should be removed from office.

In an interview with CBS News, former Bush ethics lawyer and current candidate for U.S. Senate Richard Painter explained that Trump is a big reason why he’s running as a Democrat.

“Donald Trump and his abuse of power in office, his violation of the Constitution, his rhetoric, which really borders on fascism.” Painter said. “His rhetoric about the press, and his attacks on Muslims and immigrants. And this is unprecedented even in the most conservative circles of the Republican Party.

“And yet the Republican Party insists that anyone running for national office the United States House or Senate be loyal to Donald Trump, and I won’t be loyal to Donald Trump,” he said. “I believe that he and Mike Pence really are to be removed from office.”

Painter later added that there is now “far more evidence of abuse of power and obstruction of justice than we had in 1973… with respect to Watergate and Richard Nixon.”

SNIP
Norm Eisen, chief ethics lawyer during the Obama administration, also warned of Trump’s conflicts of interest early on, and has continued to slam Trump for “inviting bribes” and other corrupt practices.

But former Republican Painter has been among the strongest at holding Trump accountable, consistently calling for his removal. And unlike many in the media and elsewhere, Painter is also keeping his eye on Mike Pence, who is neck deep in all of Trump’s problems.

More at Link

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I like what Painter has to say about Trump - he's very effective on tv - but

he says he's running for the Senate in MN because "the Republican Party insists that anyone running for national office the United States House or Senate be loyal to Donald Trump, and I won’t be loyal to Donald Trump." Great, but what about all the other issues that are important to the Democratic Party? If he doesn't honestly and wholeheartedly accept all of what the party stands for, he shouldn't be running as a Dem and hasn't got a chance of getting its endorsement.

[BigmanPigman]

5. That is what crossed my mind too.

I am glad he IS keeping an eye on Pence's crimes though.

[Wwcd]

9. Indeed. Painter has not hidden his loathing of this fraud Admin.

However, is he going to change his party affiliation back to Republican after he's elected?

We need every Dem to be in lockstep to gain a majority. Committees, Speaker, & bills that are held up or brought to the floor, etc.

You're either with the USA in gaining that Dem Majority or you are in it for yourself.

You cannot ask for our support only to flip us the middle finger & work to weaken us after the fact.

Been there..

[Wwcd]

6. My feelings exactly.

.."what about all the other issues that are important to the Democratic Party?
If he doesn't honestly and wholeheartedly accept all of what the party stands for, he shouldn't be running as a Dem and hasn't got a chance of getting its endorsement."

We're already seeing the dismal results of another who wanted "in" on the Party name for self serving interests, and it turned out to be exactly what we thought from the beginning.
We don't need another non-Democrat who disrespects everything the Dem Party has always stood for, the funds it generously distribites to candidates to further it's causes, just because they see it as a viable route to Money & Media.

Is Painter in it for the Dem Party or in it for himself & his own personal agenda beyond his disdain for Trump.

The Dem Party needs more committment to our Party than simply a convenient place to launch from.

He'll need more than this to convince the Dems he's in it for us.
We've been burned before by grifters, liars & users.
Prove you are a Dem beyond the campaign.

Is he going to switch back to Republican after the election?

They all want to be a temporary Dem for the benefit of what the campaign brings..money & media.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. I think he's sincere about wanting Trump out, and I don't think

he's in it for the money or publicity. I just have doubts about his commitment to the issues that are important to Democrats. He'll have the opportunity to talk about those as he tries to get the party endorsement, but I'm sticking with Tina Smith, who was appointed to Al Franken's seat (and don't get me started on that!). Al has already endorsed her.

[Wwcd]

14. Yes. Tina Smith for all the many reasons in her Dem portfolio

Painter has one good reason but Tina covers that & everything else too.
At least we know she would vote with us on Dem issues as well as support our Party beyond the election.

TINA SMITH it is.

[Salviati]

11. Agreed.

Don't want to sign on with the Democratic Party platform? Stay a republican, try and fix your party, endorse and campaign for Democrats until you do.

[Wwcd]

13. Yup. Prove the worth & depth of your words Mr Painter.

We've already seen the nose thumbing 'thank you' our generosity brought us..we won't have a repeat.

[regnaD kciN]

2. "borders on"...?

[area51]

4. +1 n/t

[RandomAccess]

3. Borders hell

[unblock]

7. *donnie* doesn't "border" on fascist. he *is* a fascist. however,

*america* is now *borders* on fascist thanks to donnie.

there's really no doubt that we'd be completely fascist if donnie could make it so by decree.

the question is, will our institutions be strong enough to prevent it.

[BarbaRosa]

8. The consevatives have been working on fascism since

reagan, trump may be the last nail in the coffin if not stopped.

[Wwcd]

12. Seriously yes. And it all hinges on Robert Mueller to stop it

One man & his team is really all that's holding the line. And Trump is heading straight at him with the same destructive tactics that he used to get where he is today.

Fragile

[Me.]

15. I Like Painter

But much like many of the posts I don't want a fake Dem, been there done that and the repercussions are still being felt. I also like that Pence has come into focus too, now.

[Wwcd]

16. Oh he's certainly been vocal & bringing Pence into the pic is spot on.

America appreciates his stand against this corrupt Admin.
However, ..we know how the rest goes.

How long will he remain a Dem after the election?

We have a great solid Dem candidate we will always be able to rely on.
TINA SMITH.

We have no idea where Painter will stand after the election.

[Me.]

17. He Should Run For Gov

even though he has been pushing Franken to do so.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

19. No!! There are several good, well-known and well-respected Dems

who are seeking the party endorsement for governor, and that snake Tim Pawlenty is one of the GOPers who wants the job. He nearly succeeded in turning Minnesota into a cold Alabama when he was governor before, and we don't want a borderline Republican running against him.

[neeksgeek]

18. Trump borders on fascist the way...

Water borders on wet.

Fire borders on hot.

Etc

[dalton99a]

20. +1

[MurrayDelph]

21. Now THAT'S a border I'd like to put a wall around

Maybe Alcatraz, or Gitmo, or any Supermax, really.

As for Painter, if he were the Democratic candidate, I'd support him. But if rather not have someone who until recently hoped to steer the Republicans "back" to his ideal version of them, and failing that, hopes to do so with the Democrats.