President Donald Trump - Formal Impeachment Inquiry Announced

Overheal · 25-09-2019 4:13pm

osarusan wrote: »

This seems to be the key excerpt from what has been released/unclassified so far by the white house. It's not an exact transcript, more a memo based on the notes taken by people listening in.

I can't see anything in that which would get him in too much trouble, all a bit vague and general and nothing he can really be nailed on.

Legal experts disagree

https://www.mediaite.com/online/smoking-gun-trump-call-asking-ukrainian-president-to-investigate-biden-causes-twitter-meltdown/

osarusan · 25-09-2019 4:19pm

Overheal wrote: »

Legal experts disagree

https://www.mediaite.com/online/smoking-gun-trump-call-asking-ukrainian-president-to-investigate-biden-causes-twitter-meltdown/

That's just a whole load of tweets from people who may or may not be legal experts (The website doesn't say). Most of them seem to be political commentators.

Penn · 25-09-2019 4:21pm

Key section

Zelenskyy:
We are ready to continue to cooperate for the next steps specifically we are almost ready to buy more Javelins from the United States for defense purposes.

Trump:
I would like you to do us a favor though because our country has been through a lot and Ukraine knows a lot about it.

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 4:22pm

Interestingly Trump's approval ratings were sitting at a 2 1/2 year high yesterday. I'm not sure how this story has affected that.

whatawaster · 25-09-2019 4:40pm

Veritas Libertas wrote: »

Interestingly Trump's approval ratings were sitting at a 2 1/2 year high yesterday. I'm not sure how this story has affected that.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo

Higher than it has been for sure, but still only 43%, and it's been in the 40-43% range for pretty much the last 18 months.

There is a definite floor and ceiling to his support, reflecting the increase in partisanship in the US in recent years. On those numbers, he would find it very difficult to get re-elected.

SJW Lover · 25-09-2019 4:44pm

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I don't see anything wrong with asking Ukraine to assist in the criminal investigation of Biden.

Same. Not like Trump is the first to do something like that. Unless we have all got amnesia and forget the "Russia collusion" farce and who instigated it.

SJW Lover · 25-09-2019 4:46pm

Penn wrote: »

The impeachment hearings are going to be more than just Ukraine though, she's instructed each of the Chairs of the House committees to bring forward their strongest arguments against Trump, so it'll likely run into emoluments violations, obstruction as per the Mueller Report etc. It also gives those committees greater powers to hold hearings and subpeona information/witnesses even before it gets to the Senate for a vote.

Sounds like more fishing to me. The Dems are going to have to face reality. If there was anything on Trump they would have found it ages ago. They have been basically investigating him since he was elected.

Boggles · 25-09-2019 4:50pm

It's not the full transcript.

osarusan · 25-09-2019 4:54pm

I think I saw somewhere that it was reported that Trump mentioned Biden 8 times.

So, as we already knew, it's not the full memo of the conversation. And as it has the beginning and end of the conversation, we're not just seeing one uninterrupted excerpt from it either. And there's no way to know at what points chunks of dialogue have been cut out.

From what I've seen so far, there's nothing specific enough to be a smoking gun or (imo) anything close to it.

But more will be coming out in the next few days i imagine.

whatawaster · 25-09-2019 4:54pm

SJW Lover wrote: »

Sounds like more fishing to me. The Dems are going to have to face reality. If there was anything on Trump they would have found it ages ago. They have been basically investigating him since he was elected.

They have found plenty on Trump, and plenty of dirt on him is in the public domain.

Corruption (enriching himself during his presidency)
Multiple instances of obstruction of justice
Leaking of classified information
Cosying up the dictators
Alienating allies

Problem is, the GOP controlled Senate have made their bed with Trump, and the entire Republican party has become the Trump party and individual members dare not break ranks because they fear a primary challenge.

About 40% of the American voting public couldn't give a toss what he does, as long as he nominate judges that have their back on Abortion, Gun Control and Immigration.

These are facts. His claim during the campaign about being able to walk down avenue and shoot someone are absolutely true when it comes to the GOP and its supporters. They don't give a crap.

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 4:59pm

whatawaster wrote: »

. On those numbers, he would find it very difficult to get re-elected.

I just finished reading an article for Washington Post that argued the opposite:
Trump’s approval ratings are bad news for Democrats

he has enduring appeal to about 45 percent of the electorate as long as the economy hums along and we’re at peace with the world.[...]People need to remember that Trump does not need to win the popular vote to get reelected. All he has to do is win the electoral college, and he can do that without having to worry about whom the Democrats nominate if he can get his job approval ratings up to about 47 percent. That’s because the opposition to Trump is centered in states such as California and New York that will vote Democratic anyway, driving his national numbers down without affecting the electoral college.

whatawaster · 25-09-2019 5:02pm

Veritas Libertas wrote: »

I just finished reading an article for Washington Post that argued the opposite:
Trump’s approval ratings are bad news for Democrats

His approval rating from 538 (which weights polls according to their quality and adjusts them for bias (Rasmussen) has not been above 43% in 2 years. His average closer to 41%

Nowhere near 45% and certainly not 47%.

And that's with a strong economy.

Doesn't sound like it's about to improve in the next few weeks.

1800_Ladladlad · 25-09-2019 5:10pm

TRUMP 202O KEEP MURICA GREAT.

Opening an impeachment inquiry without having all the information is irresponsible.Pelosi’s decree changes absolutely nothing. Just claiming the House is conducting an impeachment inquiry doesn’t make it so. Until the full House votes to authorize an inquiry, nobody is conducting a formal inquiry. The dems have handed it to Trump.

Hobosan · 25-09-2019 5:12pm

Where was the talk of impeachment during the Bush and Obama years?

Ignore the worst crimes under the sun, including torture, mass surveillance and catastrophic invasions, but lose your mind over Trump, who is positively benign in comparison, despite what the never ending circus performers would have you believe.

Maniacs.

1800_Ladladlad · 25-09-2019 5:15pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUg3Dphjerk

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 5:20pm

whatawaster wrote: »

His approval rating from 538 (which weights polls according to their quality and adjusts them for bias (Rasmussen) has not been above 43% in 2 years. His average closer to 41%

Nowhere near 45% and certainly not 47%.

And that's with a strong economy.

Doesn't sound like it's about to improve in the next few weeks.

That article also argues he needs about 3-4 points only. The numbers are similar only off by a few points in most cases.

I guess it's all down to who the Dems can field. My favourite candidate was Biden, but he seems too heavily involved in this scandal now also.

I don't see moderates voting for one of the other nominees. They're all too divisive.

Overheal · 25-09-2019 5:28pm

Hobosan wrote: »

Where was the talk of impeachment during the Bush and Obama years?

Ignore the worst crimes under the sun, including torture, mass surveillance and catastrophic invasions, but lose your mind over Trump, who is positively benign in comparison, despite what the never ending circus performers would have you believe.

Maniacs.

Those things were authorized by Congress, which is why you don’t hear Congress talk loudly about it.

James Brown · 25-09-2019 5:32pm

Veritas Libertas wrote: »

I just finished reading an article for Washington Post that argued the opposite:
Trump’s approval ratings are bad news for Democrats

But that's mainstream liberal media right?

************

Pelosi is just Sabre rattling. I don't think there will be a move to impeach. Everyone knows what Trump is and go about their business anyway. I don't think there's much that Trump could do to have an impeachment happen except maybe take money off the Republican's, then he'd be out.

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 5:53pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

But that's mainstream liberal media right?

************

What's your point?

notobtuse · 25-09-2019 5:55pm

So I heard about an elected official that threatened to block foreign aid to Ukraine unless they did something to help their political prospects back in the United States?

No… not that that guy.

But no biggie that Democrat senators, and Biden himself, threatened Ukraine funding over the Trump investigation, right?

Different rules for Republicans than for Democrats, I guess.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

notobtuse · 25-09-2019 7:16pm

Okay… what is this ‘impeachment inquiry’ nonsense really about, one might ask? Democrats have been already doing it for the last three years, anyway.

IMO… it about DISTRACTION. Democrats are living in absolute fear of the coming revelations about the Russia probe from Inspector General Horowitz, and from the DOJ's Durham who can actually put people in jail. The revelations about abuse and illegalities are likely to point to leaders of the Democratic party and probably even President Obama himself. They seem to all be involved, one degree or another, with illegally spying on (or undermining Trump) and his administration before and after the election.

My guess it a strong offense at this juncture by the Democrats party is their only defense from staying out of jail.

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 7:27pm

notobtuse wrote: »

IMO… it about DISTRACTION.

Isn't this an ultimatum? Didn't Pelosi specifically issue an ultimatum to Trump to release the transcript or impeachment will begin?
Hasn't trump already agreed to release the transcript?

It seems if they were just looking for a distraction, they could have gone full stream ahead with the impeachment, and not issued an ultimatum first.

Something has changed Pelosi's mind here in a matter of days; I can't wait to see what it was.

notobtuse · 25-09-2019 7:32pm

Veritas Libertas wrote: »

Isn't this an ultimatum? Didn't Pelosi specifically issue an ultimatum to Trump to release the transcript or impeachment will begin?
Hasn't trump already agreed to release the transcript?

It seems if they were just looking for a distraction, they could have gone full stream ahead with the impeachment, and not issued an ultimatum first.

Something has changed Pelosi's mind here in a matter of days; I can't wait to see what it was.

Impeachment for what? You can't impeach a president based on suspicion or conjecture.

Democrats keep moving the goalposts.

What has changed is the far left base and progressives of her party have finally gone bat$hyte crazy from Trump Derangement Syndrome... IMO.

SEPT 23 1989 · 25-09-2019 7:33pm

Democrats are really making a show of themselves at this stage

whatawaster · 25-09-2019 7:41pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Democrats are really making a show of themselves at this stage

LOL

Trump is a career criminal, he should be in jail, not the White House

Cody montana · 25-09-2019 7:44pm

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Democrats are really making a show of themselves at this stage

Yeah, imagine wanting accountability.
Those utter bastards.

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 7:50pm

notobtuse wrote: »

Impeachment for what? You can't impeach a president based on suspicion or conjecture.

You think that would have stopped them? Look how they treated Sanders, they will go low.

Pelosi is not as crazy as the others IMO.

notobtuse · 25-09-2019 7:54pm

Veritas Libertas wrote: »

You think that would have stopped them? Look how they treated Sanders, they will go low.

Pelosi is not as crazy as the others IMO.

True that she is not as crazy as the others, but it also proves she's no longer the leader she once was. That seems to have shifted to The Squad.

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 7:58pm

notobtuse wrote: »

True that she is not as crazy as the others, but it also proves she's no longer the leader she once was.

I thought that when I saw her slur her words alright. Fearful times when we're worried about Pelosi being replaced by the crazys.

Timberrrrrrrr · 25-09-2019 8:23pm

Veritas Libertas wrote: »

I thought that when I saw her slur her words alright. Fearful times when we're worried about Pelosi being replaced by the crazys.

Do you think the same when you hear Trump slurring his words?

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 8:34pm

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Do you think the same when you hear Trump slurring his words?

Are you seriously comparing how Pelosi slurred her words in the first post video, to anything that Trump has ever done?

Could you please put up the worst video you've seen of Trump doing it, so we can compare- Ta.

Trump is six years younger than her. I like Pelosi so I don't want this to come across as an attack, but she is looking and sounding frail these days...

Cody montana · 25-09-2019 8:36pm

Veritas Libertas wrote: »

Are you seriously comparing how Pelosi slurred her words in the first post video, to anything that Trump has ever done?

Could you please put up the worst video you've seen of Trump doing it, so we can compare- Ta.

He got his Vice Presidents name wrong recently. Mike Pounce. Not to mention Tim Apple.

notobtuse · 25-09-2019 8:41pm

whatawaster wrote: »

They have found plenty on Trump, and plenty of dirt on him is in the public domain.

Corruption (enriching himself during his presidency)
Multiple instances of obstruction of justice
Leaking of classified information
Cosying up the dictators
Alienating allies

Every one of your points are wrong except for alienating allies, and this only because of his commitment to put America first.

notobtuse · 25-09-2019 8:44pm

whatawaster wrote: »

His approval rating from 538 (which weights polls according to their quality and adjusts them for bias (Rasmussen) has not been above 43% in 2 years. His average closer to 41%

Nowhere near 45% and certainly not 47%.

And that's with a strong economy.

Doesn't sound like it's about to improve in the next few weeks.

Once again the pollsters will be wrong because of the shy voters... those people unwilling to tell, or lie about their plans, on how they plan to vote out of fear of repercussions... but will vote for Trump in the end.

Timberrrrrrrr · 25-09-2019 8:45pm

Veritas Libertas wrote: »

Are you seriously comparing how Pelosi slurred her words in the first post video, to anything that Trump has ever done?

Could you please put up the worst video you've seen of Trump doing it, so we can compare- Ta.

Trump is six years younger than her. I like Pelosi so I don't want this to come across as an attack, but she is looking and sounding frail these days...

https://youtu.be/p_Rkidmhxis

https://youtu.be/gza7H3zG4g8

Sounds drunk but he's a tee totaller apparently.

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 8:47pm

Cody montana wrote: »

He got his Vice Presidents name wrong recently. Mike Pounce. Not to mention Tim Apple.

Fair point. I'd say Trump has much further to than Pelosi though.

notobtuse · 25-09-2019 8:47pm

Veritas Libertas wrote: »

I thought that when I saw her slur her words alright. Fearful times when we're worried about Pelosi being replaced by the crazys.

She obviously has her good moments and bad moments, and the bad moments are due to her advanced age, IMO.

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 8:50pm

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

https://youtu.be/p_Rkidmhxis

https://youtu.be/gza7H3zG4g8
Sounds drunk but he's a tee totaller apparently.

How he said "anonymous" in the first clip and "united states" in the second, is en par with nearly Pelosi's entire declaration in post#1?

It sounded to me like Pelosi was struggling with nearly every word.

Overheal · 25-09-2019 8:54pm

Veritas Libertas wrote: »

Are you seriously comparing how Pelosi slurred her words in the first post video, to anything that Trump has ever done?

Could you please put up the worst video you've seen of Trump doing it, so we can compare- Ta.

Trump is six years younger than her. I like Pelosi so I don't want this to come across as an attack, but she is looking and sounding frail these days...

Which video? You do hopefully realize that a video which circulated earlier this year purporting to show Nancy Pelosi slurring her words heavily was a deep fake

Overheal · 25-09-2019 8:56pm

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

https://youtu.be/p_Rkidmhxis

https://youtu.be/gza7H3zG4g8

Sounds drunk but he's a tee totaller apparently.

The second clip is actually a wardrobe malfunction which related to his dentures coming unglued

JohnMc1 · 25-09-2019 9:19pm

1800_Ladladlad wrote: »

TRUMP 202O KEEP MURICA GREAT.

Opening an impeachment inquiry without having all the information is irresponsible.Pelosi’s decree changes absolutely nothing. Just claiming the House is conducting an impeachment inquiry doesn’t make it so. Until the full House votes to authorize an inquiry, nobody is conducting a formal inquiry. The dems have handed it to Trump.

We're about to begin the 2020 Election Cycle. Dems were going to try this no matter what he said to the Ukrainian President. They've been promising this to the extremists of their base since the night Trump won the election. This is the equivalent of their Hail Mary play.

This can end up burning the Democrats more than it will Trump and the GOP.

Veritas Libertas · 25-09-2019 9:27pm

Overheal wrote: »

Which video? You do hopefully realize that a video which circulated earlier this year purporting to show Nancy Pelosi slurring her words heavily was a deep fake

I didn't realize that, but I wasn't referring to that. Those deepfakes are going to be a real bitch in the future eh?
The video in the first post.

notobtuse · 25-09-2019 9:29pm

JohnMc1 wrote: »

We're about to begin the 2020 Election Cycle. Dems were going to try this no matter what he said to the Ukrainian President. They've been promising this to the extremists of their base since the night Trump won the election. This is the equivalent of their Hail Mary play.

This can end up burning the Democrats more than it will Trump and the GOP.

If you read the transcript of the phone call, and the portion that has the Democrat's panties in a bind, was merely Trump asking the Ukraine president to help with the DOJ probe of 2016 election interference.

Overheal · 25-09-2019 9:33pm

1800_Ladladlad wrote: »

TRUMP 202O KEEP MURICA GREAT.

Opening an impeachment inquiry without having all the information is irresponsible.Pelosi’s decree changes absolutely nothing. Just claiming the House is conducting an impeachment inquiry doesn’t make it so. Until the full House votes to authorize an inquiry, nobody is conducting a formal inquiry. The dems have handed it to Trump.

Having all the information before opening an inquiry defeats the entire purpose of an inquiry.

JohnMc1 · 25-09-2019 9:33pm

notobtuse wrote: »

If you read the transcript of the phone call, and the portion that has the Democrat's panties in a bind, was merely Trump asking the Ukraine president to help with the DOJ probe of 2016 election interference.

As I thought then. A desperate attempt at getting votes for next year. Even the moderate Democrats have to be fed up of the parties behavior by now.

Overheal · 25-09-2019 9:34pm

JohnMc1 wrote: »

As I thought then. A desperate attempt at getting votes for next year. Even the moderate Democrats have to be fed up of the parties behavior by now.

You’re downplaying it. He asked Ukraine to do him a favor regarding a political rival directly after they mentioned purchasing Javelin missiles.

notobtuse · 25-09-2019 9:38pm

JohnMc1 wrote: »

As I thought then. A desperate attempt at getting votes for next year. Even the moderate Democrats have to be fed up of the parties behavior by now.

If she was serious about impeachment she would have had a roll call vote on the matter. But she couldn’t do that because it would expose vulnerable democrats in the next election as having gone on record. It’s nothing more than a political slime show on the part of democrats.

suicide_circus · 25-09-2019 9:41pm

whatawaster wrote: »

LOL

Trump is a career criminal, he should be in jail, not the White House

dont start pulling at that thread, there wont be a politician left

omega man · 25-09-2019 9:49pm

Watching his UN press conference now and the man is a complete bluffer and his grasp of the English language is shockingly poor for a statesman let alone for a US president.
Sorry I know these things have been said before but I’ve rarely actually sat and listened carefully to what he has to say.

drunkmonkey · 25-09-2019 10:11pm

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Sounds drunk but he's a tee totaller apparently.

Drinks Diet Coke or an iced Tea, he lost his big brother to booze doesn't touch it.

President Donald Trump - Formal Impeachment Inquiry Announced

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