Thursday, June 08, 2017

Do the kids still say "pwned"?

The fullness of that exchange explained here.

Donald Trump's lawyer responded to James Comey's testimony:

"Mr. Comey's testimony also makes clear that the president never sought to impede the investigation into attempted Russian interference in the 2016 election," his attorney Marc Kasowitz said. "And in fact, according to Mr. Comey, the president told Mr. Comey 'it would be good to find out" in that investigation if there were "some 'satellite' associates of his who did something wrong.'" Kasowitz criticized Comey for his testimony, though, noting the ex-director "admitted that he unilaterally and surreptitiously made unauthorized disclosures to the press of privileged communications with the president." Trump's lawyer was referring to the memos Comey kept on conversations he had with the president.

As Charlie Pierce points out, "this argument implies that Comey's memos are accurate, which is Not Good for your fractious client."  Still, no one took the shovel away:

Consistent with that statement, the President never, in form or substance, directed or suggested that Mr. Comey stop investigating anyone, including suggesting that that Mr. Comey "let Flynn go." As he publicly stated the next day, he did say to Mr. Comey, "General Flynn is a good guy, he has been through a lot," and also "asked how is General Flynn is doing." Admiral Rogers testified that the President never "directed to do anything . . . illegal, immoral, unethical or inappropriate" and never "pressured to do so." Director Coates said the same thing. The President likewise never pressured Mr. Comey. The President also never told Mr. Comey, "I need loyalty, I expect loyalty" in form or substance. Of course, the Office of the President is entitled to expect loyalty from those who are serving in an administration, and, from before this President took office to this day, it is overwhelmingly clear that there have been and continue to be those in government who are actively attempting to undermine this administration with selective and illegal leaks of classified information and privileged communications.

Do you see the problem? Wait for it:

HEINRICH: Fair enough. Told the reporter he never did that. You've testified that the president asked for your loyalty in that dinner. White house denies that. A lot of this comes down to who should we believe. Do you want to say anything as to why we should believe you?

COMEY: My mother raised me not to say things like this about myself so I'm not going to. I think people should look at the whole body of my testimony. As I used to say to juries, when I talked about a witness, you can't cherry pick it. You can't say, I like these things he said but on this, he's a ten liar. You have to take it together. I've tried to be open, fair, transparent and accurate. Of significant fact to me is so why did he kick everybody out of the Oval Office? Why would you kick the attorney general, the president, the chief of staff out to talk to me if it was about something else? So that, to me, as an investigator, is a significant fact.

HEINRICH: As we look at testimony or as communication from both of you, we should probably be looking for consistency?

COMEY: Well, in looking at any witness, you look at consistency, track record, demeanor, record over time, that sort of thing.

Game, set, match.  (Mr. President: it's about you!)


2 comments:

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  2. I've been very impressed with Martin Heinrich and Kamela Harris in these hearings. And I've never been especially a fan of Angus King but he has really shined in them. Susan Collins is the same hypocritical partisan hack she's always been but has managed to convince people she isn't. The Maine media has really been covering for the Republicans, it has given her royal treatment all of her career.

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