Birdnow's Aviary

May 14, 2020

Trump calls for Obama testimony amid unmasking controversy; Graham cool to idea

Dana Mathewson

A lot of people are calling for Obama's head now, or at least for him to be hauled into some sort of question-and-answer tribunal. It's natural now that it looks like he was the principal guy responsible for all the fuss.

Sen. Lindsey Graham is not in favor of it, and I know a lot of people are going to say "Oh, Lindsey's going soft on us." But look where we are now, folks. Impeachment, something that once was as rare as a unicorn grazing on your lawn, may become a standard political ploy, and that certainly won't be good for the country.

Hauling an ex-president before an investigative committee would certainly come back to haunt the Republicans if and when the Democrats get a person into the White House. They won't wait for an excuse. Can you doubt it?

President Trump on Thursday pressed Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham to call former President Barack Obama to testify amid new developments surrounding the origins of the Russia investigation and efforts at the time to "unmask" Michael Flynn's name in intelligence reports.

"If I were a Senator or Congressman, the first person I would call to testify about the biggest political crime and scandal in the history of the USA, by FAR, is former President Obama,â€ Trump tweeted Thursday. "He knew EVERYTHING.â€

"Do it @LindseyGrahamSC, just do it,â€ he continued. "No more Mr. Nice Guy. No more talk!â€

[...]

But Graham, in a detailed statement early Thursday afternoon, expressed reluctance to go so far as calling Obama to testify.

He said he is "greatly concerned about the precedent that would be set by calling a former president for oversight."

"No president is above the law," Graham said in the statement. "However, the presidency has executive privilege claims against other branches of government. ...As to the Judiciary Committee, both presidents are welcome to come before the committee and share their concerns about each other. If nothing else it would make for great television. However, I have great doubts about whether it would be wise for the country.â€

I have another concern. I'm sure you remember that during the eight years of the Obama presidency, the only times he gave an even partially truthful answer to a question asked of him was when it was programmed into a Teleprompter, and even then you couldn't be sure about it. What makes anybody believe he'd be truthful when testifying to a Senate Committee? The man was, and remains, a pathological liar. I'm siding with Sen. Graham on this one.

The article is here: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-calls-on-graham-to-demand-obama-testify-amid-unmasking-controversy-just-do-it

Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at 02:51 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 And who knows what dirt they have on Lindsay Graham? I know Graham was mighty soft during the Obama era; was that for a reason?

It ISN'T a good idea to compel Obama to testify publicly. Maybe a closed door session? But, as you say Dana, this merely ratchets things up. The Democrats would never have impeached Trump if they hadn't wanted to get back at the GOP for Clinton (conveniently forgetting their own guilt in the planned impeachment of Richard Nixon.)

Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at May 15, 2020 06:44 AM (GAZD8)

2 What good would a closed-door session with Zippy do? Do they release the findings? Or not? If no, then there are people with knowledge that goes to the grave -- like those who really, really know who killed JFK. It would cause more harm than good.

If they release the findings, then the can of worms is forever opened and the country is continuously divided more than ever. Remember why Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon -- many people were not happy, but consider what would have happened otherwise. As I always say, Be Careful What You Wish For!

There is no perfect solution!

Posted by: Dana Mathewson at May 15, 2020 11:05 PM (LBKSr)

3 I agree Dana which is why Obama is going to walk. There is no upside in going after him for anybody involved. Justice should demand it, but we are in an era where nobody wants justice.

Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at May 16, 2020 09:15 AM (vvd5k)

4 No, Tim, I think everybody outside the Beltway wants justice. But again, there are two Americas. . .

Posted by: Dana Mathewson at May 16, 2020 08:42 PM (05Pmo)

5 Point taken Dana.

Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at May 17, 2020 06:59 AM (YVmKf)

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