The Democrats may surprise us on impeachment

[Zorro]

We have become so accustomed to Democrats’ inability to pierce the Republican smokescreen, whether on Robert S. Mueller’s report or on President Trump’s self-dealing, that many political watchers cynically roll their eyes at the prospect that public impeachment hearings might actually move public opinion in a meaningful way. Perhaps we are underestimating the Democrats.

Consider House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) who issued an appropriately stern response to Republicans’ “witness” list (of people who have not witnessed anything relevant) including a demand for the whistleblower to testify publicly.

Schiff wrote, “The committee ... will not facilitate efforts by President Trump and his allies in Congress to threaten, intimidate and retaliate against the whistleblower who courageously raised the initial alarm.” He explained, “The impeachment inquiry, moreover, has gathered an ever-growing body of evidence — from witnesses and documents, including the President’s own words in his July 25 call record — that not only confirms, but far exceeds, the initial information in the whistleblower’s complaint. The whistleblower’s testimony is therefore redundant and unnecessary. In light of the President’s threats, the individual’s appearance before us would only place their personal safety at grave risk.”

Republicans can hop up and down all they like, hollering “Unfair!" but they have no substantive response to Schiff. The whistleblower would be endangered and future whistleblowers chilled if he was forced to come forward, and his complaint as Republicans pointed out was simply hearsay, now replaced by direct testimony of percipient witnesses.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/11/11/democrats-may-surprise-us/

[Thomas Hurt]

1. that isn't the Democrats fault, that is the ignorance of the electorate and the mealy mouthed press.

[moreland01]

2. Schiff

And how many times did the R's accuse Schiff of being the only one who knows who the whistle blower is? Each time, Schiff calmly told them he does not know who it is. And at the end, he says "No matter how many times you say that I know who it is, it will still not be true." So calm, composed and considerate. We're lucky to have him on our side. (Even though he does remind me of Mr. Bean LOL)