55 Comments
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Sue Hartson's avatar

Happy it is not Gaetz but heard it very well could be Ken Paxton from Texas. He is incredibly corruptl! He will do Trump’s bidding without hesitation. Worse, he will probably be confirmed by the Senate.

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Steven Beschloss's avatar

A real possibility.

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Margaret MacKenzie's avatar

😱

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Cherie Winner's avatar

I don't understand why this was disqualifying for someone to be AG, but something similar (and confirmed by a court judgement) was not disqualifying for someone to be President.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

The Senate whiffed when they could have stop a rogue president lawbreaker. That was their job as the Constitution provides. I have no idea how these Senators, including McConnell who is mine would justify it. It’s the kind of question that makes them run for cover.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

I believe it's because the only qualifications specified for president in the Constitution are that s/he must be at least 35 years old, be a natural-born citizen, and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. The Constitution doesn't give qualifications for cabinet secretaries, and in any case they're not elected. My guess is that it would take a constitutional amendment to add "never convicted of a felony" to the list of presidential qualifications, and since this has never come up before that hasn't happened.

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JBR's avatar

Yes. A person wholly unfit for a job requiring administration of justice has finally, after national pressure, withdrawn. However, he's still not getting punished because the accusers (per the Justice Dept news rpts) were not so credible. How does that make sense???

In any event, who's the replacement going to be? Hannibal Lecter? Walt Nauta, his personal aid from Mara Lago who helped dispose of top-secret gov't docs? A Fox News intern? The clown car has a lot more clowns.

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JBR's avatar

Thank you, Steve. Always flattered when you respond. And might I add, I'm looking at "The Crisis Years" as we speak. And might I suggest that The Crisis Years: Redux, might work for your next book -- about the next so-called Pres Admn. JBR

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Michelle Best's avatar

Please continue to push for the report. He probably won't re-run for his seat but may run for Senator if Rubio is confirmed. Thank you!

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Douglas Paul Truhlar's avatar

That is a possibility.

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Margaret MacKenzie's avatar

😱😱

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KELTIK_WARRIOR (VINCE T 🦁 )'s avatar

The term "odious" barely covers the surface with Gaetz. Trump's candidates thus far are pretty damned odious, a s**t stain on our Congress and our Executive Branch. This current moment in our history really, really challenges me. My distant paternal grandfather fought during the American Revolutionary War with the Virginia 9th Regiment. Two uncles fought during WWII in the Pacific Theater. I served with USAF in classified Intel overseas at the cusp of Vietnam. How do I get past this moment over the next four years? I feel so much sorrow, so much disgust and disgrace with how our republic is being so viciously corrupted and poisoned. This entire moment is odious.

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Steven Beschloss's avatar

I hear you. Remember your family's service and recognize that represents the truth of our country with good men and women who make sacrifices for their country, not this poisonous squalor approaching the White House.

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KELTIK_WARRIOR (VINCE T 🦁 )'s avatar

Thank you! It is bad enough that ONE MAN can cause so much destruction. But to witness an ENTIRE PARTY falling in line behind that man simply confirms the disgrace our country has fallen to. I suspect Trump's minions are clueless as to the destruction he will insert into their lives, their discerning too little and too late. The evil that lurks ahead is beyond scandalous. And, the House just passed a bill allowing Trump to go after non-profits that go against him. No doubt the Senate will bend a knee. The cowards among us, starting with Merrick the Spineless, are paving a dangerous and sinister path. We witnessed 400K+ giving up life in WW2 to protect what is now the unprotected. How grievous is that!

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Paula B.'s avatar

He will definitely nominate someone awful, but the good thing is that he was defeated right out of the Gaetz. He's weakened. That's not a good way to start a presidency. I'm smelling blood in the water and I'm hoping for much more.

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David J. Sharp's avatar

King Donald I and his Court of Many Jesters—only Rubio has the semblance of legislative knowledge, frightening in itself. Most of the rest? More sexual predators, and abject inexperience for all.

Matt Gaetz out? Too many other fools to choose from.

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Sharon C Storm's avatar

Thank you Steven, for being a guide through this dark time in our country. Your wisdom and understanding of the challenges we face during the second administration of the worst president* in our history help us all to continue to have hope for a brighter future.

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Will's avatar

Trump has an uncanny ability to make poor choices. So far his unique gift is on full display.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

Maybe it is his willingness that is on full display. He chose them deliberately the same way a corrupt CEO and / or authoritarian tends to do. They will do as he says.

He also chose the theme for his 2nd administration: vengeance and retribution.

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Naomi's avatar

Dodging this bullet is just slow walking to the next. Trump & Co has nothing to offer but miscreant after miscreant. Democratic Party has to organize itself proactively. So far I’m not seeing it and my bodily health is showing its lack. Am still questioning that comment trump made back in the summer when he told a lady he didn’t her vote because we have plenty of votes and she won’t ever have to vote again! And then there is the October Surprise… what was/is that? Lastly, Merrill Garland, a deeply disappointing AG who should have acted quickly and decisively.

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Paula B.'s avatar

Not to mention the little secret he alluded to.

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Naomi's avatar

Yes!!!

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Katharine Hill's avatar

Thank you, Steven, for spreading the word. I wonder what poor Matt will do now that he’s resigned from the House? I hope there’s not the possibility of a do-over in that regard.

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JA's avatar

Gaetz resigned from this particular session but was re-elected in November for the next session. Does that mean Matt could still present himself to be sworn in at the next session?

Or did Matt just wholly resign and leave the House? May be tricky!

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Katharine Hill's avatar

Thanks for weighing in. It certainly is tricky. People are already lining up to run in a special election to replace him but I haven’t researched for which timeframe. Is there precedent?

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Ann Sharon's avatar

And would they threaten to release / leak the report if he tries?

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Katharine Hill's avatar

I’m no expert on any of this. But frankly the bits that have been released already such as the exhibits detailing his Venmo payments are pretty awful. He should disappear from public life, although I read that he may be angling to run for Governor.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

I suspect the GOP House members on the committee just want to run from this as far & fast as possible. I’d almost forgotten about the Florida gov plans that have floated around for him.

The details are bad. A House member “We had all seen videos … of the girls that he had slept with.” Friend asking court for evidence to be destroyed. (No one was charged with blackmail.) https://www.yahoo.com/news/matt-gaetz-friend-demands-court-130000151.html

His “wingman” tax collector friend had an unconventional office. He was also the woman connection. He also had a collection of IDs. For some odd reason, He and Gaetz visited the office after it closed and they were on security video in the area that had the IDs (which should have been destroyed). https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/06/matt-gaetz-florida-joel-greenberg-479454

He could work at a Walmart on the loading dock, where his interactions can be observed by everyone at all times. I’ve had a lot of training and a number of years working on issue of abuse, including conducting training for sex trafficking survivors & their advocates (often overlapped) on trauma. These bros have a lot of red flags. They certainly don’t exhibit humanity, restraint or respect for others, norms or laws.

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JA's avatar

News Update: Gaetz has admitted for sometime that he does not like serving in the House, but he wanted to run for Governor of Florida when DeSantis is finished this last term. Stay tuned! Gaetz is not going any place!

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Helen Stajninger's avatar

I think he will come back Jan 3

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Mike Yochim's avatar

Grass isn’t always greener. He could put Guilliani up now. 🙀

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Paula B.'s avatar

Wasn't he disbarred?

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Mike Yochim's avatar

Yes, I was being sarcastic. 🙀

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flo chapgier's avatar

Nothing like a little dawning light on a Thursday !!! lol

Thank you Steven, time for 🥂

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Truscha Quatrone's avatar

Howard Lutkin Lunda McMann Dr Oz the list goes on.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

Linda McMahon was named in a child sexual abuse lawsuit file by several people last month - as was her husband. The filing alleges they knew of abuse by the ‘ring side announcer’ who got minors to work there with the promise of meeting ‘famous wrestlers.’ That they did nothing as it continued from the 70s to the 90s. (This is in addition to the legal problems her husband has that involve adults. The DOJ just happens to be investigating him.)

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Stephen Rockower's avatar

Gaetz could never be DJT's Roy Cohn. Cohn was infinitely smarter than Gaetz. And probably more evil.

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Tom Schroder's avatar

It seems, "was not charged," is the highest burden Trump's cabinet picks must demonstrate. Thank God some senators actually slowed down long enough to do their jobs. But yes, we should all brace for what's next. I kind of wonder if Gaetz was an intentional strategy to divert from other nominees and what is to come.

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Paula B.'s avatar

I don't think so. From what I heard, it was Gaetz's willingness to give 'em hell (I can't remember the exact wording) that made Trump pick him on the spur of the moment. Besides, I don't think Trump thinks strategically. (I'm not convinced that he thinks at all.)

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