The editors of the Washington Post read the transcript of the conversation between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy as damning:
Mr. Trump and his amen chorus claimed Wednesday that there was no “quid pro quo†in the call. In fact, the memorandum — a partial transcript compiled from the notes of aides — strongly suggests otherwise. Mr. Trump first makes a request for a political investigation in direct answer to Mr. Zelensky’s statement that Ukraine wants to buy more U.S. antitank missiles. “I would like you to do us a favor though,†Mr. Trump says, “because our country has been through a lot and Ukraine knows a lot about it.â€
An even more explicit exchange comes when discussion turns to Mr. Zelensky’s top priority at the time, which was obtaining a firm commitment to a meeting with Mr. Trump at the White House. The Ukrainian leader felt he needed a Washington visit to show his country and Russian President VladiÂmir Putin that he would continue to have U.S. support against Russian aggression, but Mr. Trump had been stalling in granting a date. Toward the end of the call, Mr. Zelensky raises the subject of a visit, then reiterates that “I also want to ensure you that we will be very serious about the case and will work on the investigation.â€
They are putting quite a bit of weight on the word “though” and none at all on the assertions by both parties to the conversation that no quid pro quo was involved. Based on the commentary I’ve read so far, the transcript doesn’t appear to be changing many minds. What people are taking out of it appears to depend on what they’re bringing into it. As I’ve said before I think the larger question is whether the conversation constitutes an abuse of power.
I wouldn’t be unhappy if this whole affair brings an end to the “imperial presidency” as some have breathlessly proclaimed. Frankly, I doubt it. Presidents like power and Congress likes to effect its will without leaving fingerprints which is how the imperial presidency came to be in the first place. I wouldn’t be unhappy if a careful, unimpassioned inquiry led to the impeachment and removal of Trump from office.
I would be unhappy if an hysterical, partisan inquiry led to an impeachment and failure of removal of Trump, strongly suggested the Democrats were political hacks, and led to Trump’s re-election in 2020. We’ll need to wait to see which scenario or some other actually materializes.
The notion of a qpq is psychological projection in its purest form. It has no basis in fact here.
I don’t agree with your favored outcomes, Dave. Nothing so far that Trump has done rises to a level warranting impeachment hearings. I also think calling his presidency “imperial†is a bit too much as well. “Improvised, undignified, caustic†are a more accurate portrayal when negatively describing his type of leadership. Furthermore, impeachment of any president is a costly gambit, emotionally, spiritually and financially. Simply going down this path because you hate the guy, or he is not “your guy†is frivolous folly.
It does seem that you want a President to pursue Trump’s policies, (minus the wall), while radiating Obama’s divinity. But that person’s not in the race.
“Not be unhappy” is not the same as a “preferred outcome”.
Like the editors of the Wall Street Journal, my approach is instrumental. I support policies not presidents.
That Trump’s management style is not working and that he is not particularly articulate is hardly a state secret. I have no interest in a divine president but a president capable of uttering a simple declarative sentence without disfluencies and three or more grammatical errors doesn’t seem like too much to ask.
The phrase “imperial presidency” has been in use for at least the last 45 years. It describes the growth of power of the president, a process largely promoted by the Congress. I do not think it is conducive to republican government. One of the aspects of the “imperial presidency” is the considerable growth in the president’s staff and the increasing importance of personal loyalty.
Well, where you gonna find the candidate you’d prefer? Is Pence OK?
Pence would be better than Nancy Pelosi who’s next in the line of presidential succession. I hope his nose is clean.
Actually, I agree, he would continue many Trump policies, the left would hate him for his abortion stance. And they would eviscerate him if he should show any weakness. But I still think Trump’s not going anywhere.
This is the attitude that makes me want to go Genghis on the political insiders who have been f**king up this country for decades for their own benefit:
‘It is not enough to simply beat Trump. He must be destroyed thoroughly. His kind must not rise again.’
— David Plouffe (@davidplouffe) June 13, 2016
It’s not the animus towards Trump that bothers me so much as statement ‘His kind must not rise again.’ Meaning anyone running for public office whose views don’t pass muster with the Plouffes of the world. Who anointed him and HIS kind the rightful rulers of America? Who gave them right to order me around, steal my livelihood, and then tell me I should feel grateful for their wise and benevolent leadership. F**k them. Yes, I’m pissed. They’re supposed to be working for me. For you. For all of us. Not the other way around.
” I have no interest in a divine president but a president capable of uttering a simple declarative sentence without disfluencies and three or more grammatical errors doesn’t seem like too much to ask.”
I have no interest either in a divine president. But, his grammar and articulation of words bother me less than his implementation of policies, many of which I support. Sometimes Trump’s rhetoric does come across in discomforting ways. But, I can weather this far more than listening to the array of terrible plans being spewed by the motley crew of democrat candidates. Some of their ideas are simply unimaginable if they were ever put in place!
“It’s not the animus towards Trump that bothers me”
Oh please, you heard the same thing from Republicans about Obama and Clinton. You can always find someone saying they never want to see another Democrat or Republican elected for whatever reason they think is most important. When did Republicans become such a bunch of whiny victims?
“Pence would be better than Nancy Pelosi who’s next in the line of presidential succession.”
Went to my high school in my brother’s class. Not very bright. Practiced a lot on talk radio if I recall correctly. Religious extremists worry me.
Steve