Posted on 01/31/2021 5:12:46 AM PST by jstolzen
He can run for President of Texas. We should be ready for one in a couple years
Election fraud is so far into the weeds on this it should not be the primary focus of the case. I suspect he wants to be vindicated. He is fixated on it. He likely does want it to be the primary focus. It is not in his best interest for this particular trial.
The lawyers likely couldn’t convince him so they decided to part ways. Sometimes you have to cut your lawyers and/or the lawyers have to cut you.
Freedom of speech, the right to assemble, the right to petition (these are in the First Amendment) and the right to due process (this is in the Fifth Amendment) all protect Trump and his followers gathering, speaking, petitioning, and seeking redress through the courts. That these actions are constitutionally-protected, raises the level of scrutiny for restricting speech.
The other side said (and says) that left-wing speech is highly-protected, and says that speech must be allowed although political violence cannot be allowed. No. You cannot discriminate between left- and right-wing speech (or, between left- and right-wing violence).
The other side says that right-wing speech can be restricted because they, the left wing, feel threatened by that speech. Thus, among other things, there are speech codes on college campuses, Biden is prohibiting the use of certain words by executive order, and social media de-platforms the right-wing. Yet, the Courts have been clear: you cannot predicate restrictions on speech on its content, although concerns for public safety might allow restriction, e.g., as to time and place.
So, content is an element of this impeachment. Trump was impeached in part because of the content of he and his follower were speaking about, assembling, petitioning Congress, the courts, the state legislatures and election officials.
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It was Lindsey Graham’s team.
100%.
Just like he walked Bob Woodward into the WH and they told Trump Woodward was impressed with his leadership.
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Stop trying to bring real news to people who don’t want to hear it.
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They put up the Tent, bring the circus!
We are only here because the Republican Cowards wouldn’t call a single Trump witness the first time or name the Hate-filled Activist fake Whistleblower.
The haughty Senate is bringing in one of its Club Members (Hack Leahy) to put on a CNN produced event.
Trump apparently wanted his legal team to focus on election fraud, and they wanted to focus instead on legality
What is the most important thing for Trump? We don’t deserve a man like that.
Maybe because it is all he can get.
Where is Sekulow?
Deals are clearly being cut behind the scenes.
For example, the threat of the third party is hanging over their heads.
But once the trial gets going...and if Trump strays too far afield where it becomes political suicide for them....he could lose the votes.
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Hillary and the Dems used their Russian plot to challenge an Election.
That’s exactly what they did.
Now, they’re saying you’ll never work again if you challenge the Biden election.
Might damn convenient, if you’re a Democrat.
There won’t be a single Republican vote to convict Trump in the Senate.
I think they are both going to happen.
I am presuming that the latest Trump interdimensional chess plan intends to avoid conviction. I can believe in an alternative scenario wherein he WANTS to be convicted, but I don't think that is probable.
To avoid conviction, he needs to hold 10-20 Republican Senators who would vote to convict if they could do so secretly.
It's my opinion that offering "election fraud" as a defense to incitement is a defense of "necessity", that is, "yes, I did it but I had to do it, and here's why".
I can't think of anything more certain to pull those missing ten votes over to "guilty" than that.
If that's how he wants to go out, so be it, but I think he could avoid conviction with a strict procedural defense.
And, don't forget, with Leahy in the chair, they only need 66 votes to convict, not 67.
You are right a lot more than you are wrong, but I believe there are six GOP votes to convict and another 10-20 that would do it if they could get away with it.
Why does he have to put up ANY defense? It sounds like a critical mass of Republicans refuse to convict. It would be appropriate for him to ignore the entire charade.
If it’s secret ballot I disagree.
If it is open vote I have no clue what Romney and crew will do.
The election fraud is no less relevant in this case than the Biden family corruption was in Trump’s first impeachment.
It doesn’t matter if the threshold for conviction is 66 or 67 votes. I’ll be surprised if ANY Republicans vote to convict.
“And, don’t forget, with Leahy in the chair, they only need 66 votes to convict, not 67.”
I dont believe this is correct.
Someone offered up Ben Wade as an example but Salmon Chase presided over that. Ben Wade was President Pro Tempore and voted to impeach.
I dont have anything to show you that makes me believe you are incorrect. Do you have anything definitive that says you are correct.
No, the Senate makes its own rules, so anything is possible.
Election fraud is over for now. Trial is not the forum for it. If he sticks to the constitutionality issues he will get the votes he needs. He needs good lawyers and he should listen to them.
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They’re aren’t doing the Secret ballot.
I think that was introduced to insult and pressure Republicans.
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