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Washington pulled apart by partisan divide over 'facts'

25 Comments
By Chris Lefkow

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What a mess.

The natural result of electing a known con artist and moron.

Dems could fix this very easily by allowing an investigation of Hunter and interference from Ukraine.

The republicans in the senate or Donny can order an investigation into this conspiracy theory, so I’m not certain why you are trying to blame the Dems.

They need to step out of their miniature reality bubble and acknowledge the truth.

They being, obviously, Trumpophiles.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I'm impressed. ONly two posts into the discussion and already the ad hom attacks are starting. That may be a new record for this site!

It's true that the partisan divide has been growing for a long time. Trump beating Clinton only made it worse. There was such anticipation in Democratic circles that they would again have a "first" as President, that they were absolutely crushed when she lost. There has been a hangover effect that has not stopped. You only need look at scenes from election night on all the major networks. People were crying, somber, it was a funereal atmosphere that really shouldn't happen.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

There was such anticipation in Democratic circles that they would again have a "first" as President, that they were absolutely crushed when she lost. There has been a hangover effect that has not stopped.

I'm not a Democrat, or even an American, but I don't think this is quite accurate in this context. Its not so much that "Hillary lost" as it is that "Trump won" that seems to be driving angst on that side of the partisan divide. Hillary is almost never mentioned by Democrats anymore, she was popular with the establishment but much less so with the general population who vote Democrat who moved on from her pretty quickly.

For that reason I doubt that the Democrats would be any different now if Trump had beaten any other Democratic candidate instead of Hillary.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

You may be right, but given the assumption in all mass media that Hillary would win in a landslide, the whole meme about her being "the most qualified candidate in history", plus the identity politics angle of her being potentially the first female POTUS, I think it gave at least some extra sting to her defeat.

There may have been a movement away from establishment type candidates in the wake of her defeat, which is why hard left types like Sanders and Warren got some momentum. But the pendulum seems to be swinging back to the middle. Biden is still hanging around, Mayor Pete is trying to out himself as a closet centrist, and now they have their very own New York billionaire to run on the competency angle.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

You may be right, but given the assumption in all mass media that Hillary would win in a landslide, the whole meme about her being "the most qualified candidate in history", plus the identity politics angle of her being potentially the first female POTUS, I think it gave at least some extra sting to her defeat.

Certainly being led by the media and polls to believe "We're definitely going to have the first female president ever" one day, then the next day "Just kidding, its actually the guy who said he grabs women by their you-know-what without asking" probably had a lot more sting than normal, but I think that has definitely worn off by now, at least in terms of explaining animus towards Trump.

There may have been a movement away from establishment type candidates in the wake of her defeat, which is why hard left types like Sanders and Warren got some momentum. But the pendulum seems to be swinging back to the middle. Biden is still hanging around, Mayor Pete is trying to out himself as a closet centrist, and now they have their very own New York billionaire to run on the competency angle.

I think the recent UK election result will probably give some added boost to the more centrist Democratic candidates since it reinforce their "electability is important" arguments.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Following is a statement from the White House Press Secretary's office:

"President Donald J. Trump said, “I want nothing. I want no Quid Pro Quo. I want Zelensky to do the right thing.” Ambassador Gordon Sondland testified to this in his deposition and repeatedly affirmed it today. That should be the only takeaway from today’s sham hearing, and it was stated under oath by the only person in these hearings who has ever spoken directly to President Trump. Though much of today’s testimony by Ambassador Sondland was related to his presumptions and beliefs, rather than hard facts, he testified to the fact that President Trump never told him that a White House meeting or the aid to Ukraine was tied to receiving a public statement from President Zelensky.

Over the course of the Democrats’ desperate impeachment inquiry, we have heard a great deal of hearsay, conjecture, and outright speculation about whether the President withheld military aid to the Ukraine based on a quid pro quo. The Democrats certainly tried – and have again failed – to make their case by using unreliable and indirect evidence. This country deserves better.

The direct evidence heard at these hearings makes clear that the Democrats’ allegations are baseless and a pathetic attempt overthrow the 2016 election. In his July 25 call with President Zelensky, President Trump did not condition any part of the United States-Ukraine relationship on a quid pro quo. President Trump himself released the transcript of that phone call months ago in order to end the wild speculation. In addition, President Zelensky has repeatedly stated that President Trump did not pressure him in any manner."

Anything there not true? Anything at all?

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

President Donald J. Trump said, “I want nothing. I want no Quid Pro Quo. I want Zelensky to do the right thing.”

Yes, he said that....AFTER he got caught. Sonderland of course also said that this definitely was a quid pro quo and that was exactly what Trump wanted.

Over the course of the Democrats’ desperate impeachment inquiry, we have heard a great deal of hearsay, conjecture, and outright speculation about whether the President withheld military aid to the Ukraine based on a quid pro quo. The Democrats certainly tried – and have again failed – to make their case by using unreliable and indirect evidence.

Ignore the hearsay and conjecture then - they literally have a transcript of the phone call of Trump's own words. Oh wait, it goes on.....

The direct evidence heard at these hearings makes clear that the Democrats’ allegations are baseless and a pathetic attempt overthrow the 2016 election. In his July 25 call with President Zelensky, President Trump did not condition any part of the United States-Ukraine relationship on a quid pro quo. President Trump himself released the transcript of that phone call months ago in order to end the wild speculation. In addition, President Zelensky has repeatedly stated that President Trump did not pressure him in any manner."

Please.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The direct evidence heard at these hearings makes clear that the Democrats’ allegations are baseless and a pathetic attempt overthrow the 2016 election. In his July 25 call with President Zelensky, President Trump did not condition any part of the United States-Ukraine relationship on a quid pro quo. President Trump himself released the transcript of that phone call months ago in order to end the wild speculation. In addition, President Zelensky has repeatedly stated that President Trump did not pressure him in any manner."

Please.

Please what? Ignore these facts?

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

This is not a Republican problem or a Democratic problem or an Independent problem or a Green problem.

It's a Constitutional Crisis, it's a matter of treason and collaboration, it's a matter of an egotistical immature and sociopathic fascist. He is violating all our democratic traditions and ideals. This is a FASCIST problem. Mussolini, Hitler, Metaxas, Franco, Vargas, Peron, Caetano, Tojo, Milosevic, Tudjman, and Trump.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Please.

> Please what? Ignore these facts?

That is mostly hyperbolic opinion, not facts.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's actually a hyperbole crisis. Every small detail is a "bombshell", "stunning", "historical", etc. Total bs. It is all political theatre. The idea that Trump is any kind of dictator is laughable. If Trump were, there wouldn't be an impeachment. Pelosi would be in prison, not on tv. So enough of the hysteria.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Donald Trump wont be impeached, he will go on to win the 2020 election for a second term

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I'm really impressed by how well this comment section proves the point of the article.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What a mess.

Dems could fix this very easily by allowing an investigation of Hunter and interference from Ukraine.

They need to step out of their miniature reality bubble and acknowledge the truth.

I couldn’t agree more. Once he slides into his second term, expect the division to further widen.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Attilathehungry

Really like the comment you wrote. It is so true. Hangover and sheer mourning that has not shed it's skin yet.

Democrats are like that one girl in your life you broke it off with and she just will not let it go.

It was language like this that fueled this circus farce and fake impeachment fiasco.

Here’s New York Times columnist Paul Krugman the day after Clinton conceded the race:

He writes.

I don’t know how we go forward from here. Is America a failed state and society? It looks truly possible. I guess we have to pick ourselves up and try to find a way forward, but this has been a night of terrible revelations, and I don’t think it’s self-indulgent to feel quite a lot of despair.

And this:

It really does now look like President Donald J. Trump, and markets are plunging. When might we expect them to recover?

Frankly, I find it hard to care much, even though this is my specialty. The disaster for America and the world has so many aspects that the economic ramifications are way down my list of things to fear. Still, I guess people want an answer: If the question is when markets will recover, a first-pass answer is never.

Well, Let me just say (write) America is no way shape or form a failed state. I guess when he he wrote "I guess we have to pick ourselves up and try to find a way forward," This meant concocting this impeachment plan.

Oh Lisa, I love you. (insurance policy) Comey, the FBI leftist. The Mueller Report. Nancy and Chuck. Jerry & Adam. Millions wasted.

Then Mr. Krugman goes on to write this. "It really does now look like President Donald J. Trump, and markets are plunging." Do I really need to write anything on how well the American economy is going. How well the Tariffs are working out? No, I do not think so. Oh yes and there lefties are going say but look at the National debt. Nonsense! Mr. Krugman goes on with this bit. " If the question is when markets will recover, a first-pass answer is never." What a joke. My stomach hurts so much from laughing right now looking back at all this.

The Democrats can not beat this President at the ballot box. So this is new norm. Well if we can not win. Well get him sacked.

Well this whole thing will really die off in Senate. Things are going way to well right now.

Here is a real crime.

Former Vice President Biden told this story about the then-president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, that he had to fire the prosecutor general or the US would not release $1 billion in loan guarantees. “I looked at them and said, ‘I’m leaving in six hours,’” Biden told the crowd, taking a long look at his watch for effect. “‘If the prosecutor is not fired, you’re not getting the money.’ “He got fired.”

This President is not going anywhere!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

There is a very good reason why 94% of American scientists and engineers reject the Republican Party; the Republican Party rejects facts and logic.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/only-six-percent-of-scien_n_229382

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Recent polls,

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/impeachment-trump-democrats-mixed-ratings-on-handling-but-better-than-gop-cbs-news-poll/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Donald Trump wont be impeached, he will go on to win the 2020 election for a second term

Oh, there's a good chance the House Democrats will come up with enough votes to impeach him despite at least one defection ( NJ Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who's not only going to vote against impeachment, he's switching parties, and there will likely be more defections ), but Trump will just wear that as a badge of honor as the Senate acquits him and then he gets re-elected in a landslide.

The Democrats have brought shame to the House of Representatives. This will be rectified in 2020.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson will also vote against impeachment. That's two so far.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The article tells us that there is a divide on facts in the US and then goes on to put all of the blame for the 'divide' on facts on Trump/Republican 'lies'. Writer Chris Lefkow's goal is more to smear Trump and Republicans than to comment about the divide.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't know any woman in America who has anything nice to say about Trump. And I can't imagine any who would. Supposedly women are more numerous than men, and that says something.

Put him in a room full of women for 10 minutes and see the results.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't know any woman in America who has anything nice to say about Trump.

Oh my...

Real News Insights with Candace Owens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fv14LvAFrc

And she's a black woman.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Burning Bush:

Dems could fix this very easily by allowing an investigation of Hunter and interference from Ukraine.

Don´t know if Hunter himself did anything other than lend his name. Es Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, who was also on the Berisma board, wonders why that is even a controversy. OF COURSE Berisma hired people like him and Biden for the name value, fundamentally for protection. It just something that oligarch run companies do.

And as we see in this case, the 80.000 USD/month for the name is well spent. Berisma must not be investigated, because that would "collecting dirt on political rivals", according to our fake news organisations.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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