The Changing Republican Standard for "High Crimes"

[Sandy]

https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/05/politics ... index.html

"There would have to be evidence of a quid pro quo" . That was the bottom line for at least nine Republican senators as they scurried off in one direction or another to avoid talking about the looming impeachment.

"Read the transcript." That's the new T-shirt to display on the platform behind Trump at his rallies.

So the transcripts of testimonies of Trump appointed officials are pretty clear about the quid pro quo. The US did indeed withhold the authorized military aid, in defiance of an act of Congress while waiting on some sort of signal from the Ukrainian president that he intended to "investigate" Hunter Biden. The transcript of a phone call that wasn't classified was buried in the deepest security vault. So far, eight Trump administration officials have admitted that this was indeed the quid pro quo along with the two whistleblowers. One reversed his original denial and admitted there was quid pro quo. The other had a freudian slip and then tried to walk it back. It has been established that refusing to send the aid when it was appropriated is a violation of the law, and clearly tying it to foreign help against a potential election opponent is impeachable. The transcript that they want you to read is also very clear that there was a quid pro quo, perfect, as Trump stated, in its revelation of this high crime he committed.

Let's put different names and faces on the same scenario. A Democrat holds up foreign aid appropriated by Congress for Israel in exchange for asking Netanyahu to endorse his candidacy on television. Would any Republicans sit still for that? Do Republicans want to open the door to future Democratic presidents (and the next one is going to take office in January 2021) doing whatever they want to and getting away with it?

That t-shirt slogan creates a bit of an oxymoron. Trump supporters and "read" don't seem to go together.

[Haruo]

Serves Trump right, he should have known better than to appoint Biden-loving turncoats to sensitive posts.