Is there anyone more spineless than Mitch McConnell? The now-Senate Minority Leader is fully throwing Donald Trump under the bus. This comes after four years of Moscow Mitch getting everything he wanted out of Trump, including two Supreme Court justices, hundreds of conservative federal court appointments and massive tax breaks. Mitch used Trump and Trumpism to screw over Democrats at every opportunity. Even just after the election, in November, Mitch was still screwing over Democrats and playing games with the democratic process, refusing to acknowledge Biden’s victory and encouraging Trump’s Kraken lawsuits. Then Mitch had a come-to-Jesus moment as his Senate caucus tried to Do A Fascism last week. Suddenly he was Mitch McConnell, protector of the republic. He did his part to ratify Biden’s victory as Republican terrorists laid siege to the Capitol. And now Mitch is going to vote for impeachment:
There’s a better than 50-50 chance that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would vote to convict President Trump in an impeachment trial, sources tell Axios.
What they’re saying: “The Senate institutional loyalists are fomenting a counterrevolution” to Trump, said a top Republican close to McConnell.
Why it matters: This would represent one of the most shocking and damning votes in the history of American politics, by the most powerful Republican in Congress. McConnell’s vote would open the door to the possibility that Trump could be convicted and prohibited from running for president again.
I wonder if Moscow Mitch would feel the same way if Trump hadn’t lost him the Senate Majority. There’s no question in my mind – if the GOP held on to the majority in the Senate, however slim, Mitch would not be pro-impeachment. But it’s a brave new world and sources tell the Times that Mitch is ready to purge Trump and Trumpers from the party:
Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, has told associates that he believes President Trump committed impeachable offenses and that he is pleased that Democrats are moving to impeach him, believing that it will make it easier to purge him from the party, according to people familiar with his thinking. The House is voting on Wednesday to formally charge Mr. Trump with inciting violence against the country.
At the same time, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the minority leader and one of Mr. Trump’s most steadfast allies in Congress, has asked other Republicans whether he should call on Mr. Trump to resign in the aftermath of the riot at the Capitol last week, according to three Republican officials briefed on the conversations.
While Mr. McCarthy has said he is personally opposed to impeachment, he and other party leaders have decided not to formally lobby Republicans to vote “no,” and an aide to Mr. McCarthy said he was open to a measure censuring Mr. Trump for his conduct. In private, Mr. McCarthy reached out to a leading House Democrat to see if the chamber would be willing to pursue a censure vote, though Speaker Nancy Pelosi has ruled it out.
Taken together, the stances of Congress’s two top Republicans — neither of whom has said publicly that Mr. Trump should resign or be impeached — reflected the politically challenging and fast-moving nature of the crisis that the party faces after the assault by a pro-Trump mob during a session to formalize President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s electoral victory.
I get that McConnell is actually trying to screw over Democrats yet again – he’s arguing that, actually, Democrats are doing something which will benefit the GOP in coming years by purging Trump. But here’s the thing: no matter what, the Republican Party is going to be split on Trump for years, perhaps even decades. What Trump has sown – with the help of the Republican caucus in the Senate and House – will tear apart the party for a very long time.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
The Trumpers will become the “Patriot Party”. They already have logos and such.
Yep… the Patriot Party will split the right wing vote and the GOP is screwed. Neither the Patriot or GOP will win anything, as they’ll each be half the votes. Lolz…Lady G was right to say nominating Trump would destroy the Republicans.
Oh, and it won’t surprise me if Trump actually decides to call it the “Trump” party instead of “Patriot.” He loves putting his name on stuff.
I predict a Trump news network and a Trump church soon.
Joy- he won’t get an FCC license, hopefully.
I remember my late cousin (thank God he wasn’t alive to see this shit) saying that some sort of Trump News Network was all he wanted to begin with, and those idiots gave him them nomination, and America’s dumbest voters gave his incompetent ass the presidency. Look what we’ve paid for it all.
Just once, I want to hear or see a Trump voter say, “holy shit, I could not have been more wrong.” JUST ONCE.
Who is Lady G?
Steph- Lady G is Lindsey Graham.
Lady G is Lindsey Graham.
Of course he’ll get an FCC licence. Google the shit weasel in charge over there.
That would be awesome if the Trumpers broke away from the GOP!
I love it! Let them go on to destroy themselves.
It’s possible for Trumpers to admit they were wrong. My aunt has denounced him and admitted she was duped. I love her very much and I’m so freaking happy.
WHO would FUND a “Trump Media”?
At this point, I mean. That ship has sailed, hasn’t it?
One big donor recently was suing DJT to get his donation back!
He may have run out of people to get loans from. A Trump network now would be in constant risk of him inciting riots again, because that’s his GO-TO tactic.
Mitch loves and lives for being Majority leader and having the senate have a republican majority. Thanks to Trump, he will have neither in a week’s time. Trump will also not be the President in a week’s time or so Mitch has no use for Trump. So am not surprised to hear this.
That being said, I’ll believe it when he does it and he still won’t call the Senate back until the 19th
Exactly. Just to add that Mitch is very intentionally testing the waters with these leaks. If there’s a serious MAGA backlash, he will definitely whip members against the motion.
Never count your chickens or turtles before they hatch.
Agree with everything you said. Mitch lives for power and Trump has lost him a good deal of his power. Mitch got what he wanted out of Trump and now he feels he owes Trump nothing. He’s hoping to win back the Senate if he can show that he “purged” the party of Trump and his loyalists.
Also like you said – I’ll believe it when I see it (in terms of conviction.)
McConnell is concerned about money. Corporate PACs and billionaires are turning on the party. He needs to purge Trump to get that sweet, sweet dark money. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to expel Cruz and Hawley to bring back his corporate sponsors.
This has been so widely reported that I’m now doubting it. I really, really hope it’s true, though.
@FHMom same here. What makes me think it actually is true is (1) corporate america has basically made clear they aren’t donating to anyone continuing to contest the election, and I think its a thin line before that transforms into the position that they won’t donate to senate republicans not voting for impeachment and (2) the shock is continuing to wear off and we are more aware of how much worse the whole experience actually was and how close we actually came to potential kidnap and physical harm to members of Congress, and no doubt those folks were coming for Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Mike Pence in particular, and (3) no one has any idea how much worse this is going to get, but the general take is we will have at least one more instance of rioting before all is said and done and no one wants to be the next Hawley, out here fist pumping and looking like an asshole by stymieing impeaching him.
I do think he is seriously considering to convict but whether or not he does is an entirely different story. Mitch has never liked Trump personally but simply as tool to get what Mitch wants (federal judges/SCOTUS judges) so it’s not like Mitch would be convicting against a man who he deeply likes or even respects.
Mitch wants to keep and consolidate power. He knows if the GOP completely embraces Trumpism and supports the terrorists, votes will remember this in 2022 and beyond.
Yeah. He doesn’t come off as spineless to me at all, at every juncture where he didn’t actually want to give on something he didn’t regardless of the pressure (the $2,000 checks being a recent example). What mostly surprised me about Mitch was, up until the certification vote, I really wasn’t sure he actually would uphold democracy. It was nice to see him rise to that occasion and do the right thing, but ultimately his job is to advance the republican party agenda, viewed through that lens everything that has happened since the riot tracks (particularly given the impact of loss of campaign donations).
You are right, he isn’t spineless. He hasn’t had a come to Jesus moment either. It is now in his best interests to separate Trump and his family from the republican party and this is the best opportunity. The key is banning him from ever holding office again.
Mitch has a spine. Ethics, morals, conscience, principles, and compassion are what he lacks, not a spine. He has a spine. So does Graham.
MM has a “WILL” that’s for sure. I don’t call it a “spine” but for sure he’s willful to get what he wants.
What Mitch doesn’t have is any SHAME.
S H A M E L E S S
He will say / do anything he has to do and don’t think he gives a s**t about any of you reading this comment. Not one.
He voting to impeach because corporate donors have been coming out with statements hand over fist saying they are no longer making contributions.
That is why he is playing this, ‘I will vote to impeach, maybe?’ game.
Sure Moscow Mitch acquired power, but he used none of it to keep his people in check when he was Majority Leader.
You hate to see it. *sips coffee*
Tiffany, that was my first thought, too. No big donor money/PAC contributions, no campaigns/slush funds, no Mitch. He’ll want to stay IN, even if a Minority Leader, and bide his time. Dems will STILL need some republiTHUGS’ votes in the Senate to get things through committees.
Turtles live for a hundred years or more, don’t forget!! He’ll be around to do more damage…eventually.
“Turtles live for a hundred years or more, don’t forget!!”
HAHAHAHAHAHA !!!! I know Jan, I know.
Omg that turtle line was perfection!
Also I really love how smart and well-read this community is. Lots of good analysis here.
Mitch is a garbage human but a canny politician in terms of advancing his agenda. If he is cutting ties with Trump it is entirely about his own political position and survival.
‘Turtles live for a 100 years or more!’ Best comment yet! hahahahahhaha
Nothing puts the smack down like the invisible hand of the free market
What amuses me is that it was Republicans who opened all these doors to a fair market. Allowing super-pacs, voting to make corporations “people”, net-neutrality repeals and other such measures, so that now, when those corporations are recoiling from them… they are getting the full measure of what they have laid the groundwork for. Reap it bitches
The BIG problem — the ongoing one in our society —
is that corporations may do the right thing in a case like this, but they get those big fat TAX CUTS too, so they’re not motivated to get tough unless it’s bad optics for them to support the GOP that gives them the big fat tax cuts.
There’s enough responsiveness to us to take the pressure off when there’s this riot, or George Floyd is murdered.
Those at the top adjust the pressure to keep us below less upset.
But somehow the GOP gets back in office and gives those fat tax cuts, doesn’t it? Big Biz does just enough to pander to us.
BTW, I’m not a raging progressive, I’m more of a Liz Warren / Joe Biden type, we need what we need when we need it. We need people w/experience and wisdom and judgment. But it’s clear we can restructure our taxes and laws to demand more from big biz.
Don’t be fooled.
They owe us!
honestly i don’t think it’s a come to Jesus moment, because McConnell doesn’t have a soul. I think it’s “The GA runoff is over, and now after the coup all the Big Corporate Donors are abandoning us.” My feeling is that McConnell is doing this now only really to hold onto their corporate cash flow stream. Every decision he makes comes down to money –for him, for the RNC, for the 1% . He knows what he’s doing his evil, and he’s never cared. It’s all about $$$ and the republicans will implode with their corporate wall street backers.
I know the Senate isn’t due to reconvene until the 19th. Can and will he call them back early for this vote?
He has said he won’t.
Noodle, I have a theory about why McConnell wants to wait until the 19th. The Georgia Secretary of State has stated that he will certify the vote in the Georgia Senate race as soon as possible. His intent is to have it certified by the 20th. Under Georgia law, the counties are required to certify by January 15th. He is required to certified the state results by January 22nd. So, I think the state will certify before the 22nd. The Turtle is waiting until there are more Democrats in the Senate. It’ll help to reach their 2/3 majority vote needed to impeach. Also, I read an article that stated that Biden has asked him if the Turtle can hold an impeachment trial and confirm his appointees at the same time. That decision is up to the Parliamentarian. The Turtle (I think he’s more of a snake) said he would ask and get back to Biden quickly. So . . .
Well, the corporate donation spigots suddenly closed up on anyone supporting last week’s attempted coup, so really, Moscow Mitch is only protecting the gravy train.
Trump threw him under the bus over the 2k checks and sent his hillbilly squad after him so if he’s feeling salty it’s no suprise. He’s no hero for finally agreeing to impeachment and removal, tbh IMO he’s only doing this to save his own skin. He refused to remove after the house impeached Trump the first time a year ago.
Leah, correct. This is Mitch paying back all Trump’s actions over the past months that have severely weakened the GOP and Mitch himself. As other have said, he LIVES for the power his coveted seat gave him. Adding the other shenanigans was just the snowball starting to roll, loss of Georgia was the snowball hitting Mitch.
EXACTLY THIS.
This has nothing to do with the GOP or doing the honourable thing. Just one sociopath trying to score points against another sociopath who crossed him.
Problem is I think Mitch has more power to do damage to Trump, as he knows where all the proverbial dead bodies are buried. Impeachment is just a means to discrediting him before the real damage is done.
Personally I think it’s over for Trump. He has made to many enemies and made himself 100% radioactive to anyone who wants a real political career in the future.
Trumps associates and acolytes will now throw him under the bus and feast on his remains in order to win back public support.
Mitch is smart enough to realize, after Trump’s behavior yesterday, that he isn’t going to lay low so the Republicans can make this go away. Nor is he (Trump) showing any remorse or change in behavior. Mitch thus knows more violence is likely (he has probably been assessed of the threats). Hence, he’s trying to impeach Trump to save face. If another violent event occurs, and more people die, the Republicans will look even worse for not acting. In short, I think McConnell is doing this because he knows things are gonna get worse.
Also, companies were taking away GOP donations. That’s the most likely reason, tbh.
I don’t see McConnell as spineless honestly, that’s Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham. He’s just shamelessly Machiavellian… but like the “$5 and Below” Store version though. He’ll use anyone or anything, he’ll smugly flip on issues like when a president can appoint a Supreme Court justice (and a smug tortoise is a hell of a sight), and he’ll drop all pretense when it suits him. I don’t think he was ever afraid of Trump or his supporters, he just knew how to play them far better than anyone else in the Senate or Congress, but they’re his albatross now. That reads as amoral to me not spineless.
@Va Va Kaboom, “He’s just shamelessly Machiavellian… but like the “$5 and Below” Store version”—LOL LOL! Brilliant! Hahahahaha. So true!
Yeah McConnell isnt spineless. I’m going to quote from Obama’s ” A Promised Land” here –
“what McConnell lacked in charisma or interest in policy he more than made up for in discipline, shrewdness, and shamelessness – all of which he employed in the single-minded and dispassionate pursuit of power.”
He has a spine. He just uses it solely to benefit himself and the party. (but himself first and foremost.)
He got what he want from Trump – tax cuts for the rich and an army of soulless Federalist Society judges including three on the Supreme Court. It behooves him now to cut Trump off and eliminate him as the ghost that lingers with its eye on running again in 2024. Nothing noble about his intentions here and it’s irritating to see TV news people suggesting otherwise because it fits their “West Wing” view of government, where everyone is more or less good and rises to the occasion.
As I said above, he has a spine. He does not have: ethics, morals, principles, a conscience, or compassion.
McConnell could have dealt with this a completely different way by encouraging his wife Elaine Chao to stay right where she was and work with Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment. Pence is not invoking it because he knows he does not have the necessary Cabinet votes. Chao could have changed that. But McConnell chose to weasel out instead so it looks like Democrats did this, not Republcians.
That assessment is spot-on.
Walmart joined the companies that are yanking donations from Republicans. I think that was the last straw.
I agree there are several reasons behind this, probably all selfish and evil, but you know what, today I’ll take it. This impeachment needs to happen. Every moment he remains in power is a danger to this country in the entire world.
Everyone who votes to do the right thing and remove him gets a thank you from me. It doesn’t change my opinion of them or stop the fight against their terrible policies though.
The impeachment also needs to happen so he can never run again in 2024 as an independent or worse still continue to dominate the news cycle as some sort of Marty for the Trumper’s cause.
They need to silence him then jail him for the many atrocities and crimes which are just piling up.
Sigh… Mitch the Bitch is just trying to cover his ass. Trump has been deemed radioactive by literally the entire world and anyone seen aligning with him will suffer the consequences. If not legally, then financially. No more donor money, no more business deals, losing business deals. Pompeo had to cancel a diplomatic trip to Europe because every European politician he was scheduled to meet has refused to meet with him. Luxembourg called Trump a political pyromaniac.
For years to come, any Trumper will be blacklisted and will struggle to make a living.
The Republicans are trying to save their reputation but as far as I’m concerned, Republican equals the party of racists, white supremacists, conspiracy theorists, xenophobia, domestic terrorists, opportunists, seditionists, insurrectionists, criminals and generally selfish, self-centered, entitled people. The party of ME FIRST and fuck every one else’s feelings. The party of “I don’t care about you as long as me and my own are getting what we want.”
This is the Capitol this morning:
https://twitter.com/daniellamicaela/status/1349352529868578816?s=21
This is what Republicans wrought. Good luck trying to PR spin yourselves out of this.
Omg. That photo!
Let’s be clear. As a senator, Moscow Mitch cannot vote for impeachment; that is up to members of the House of Representatives. Moscow Mitch votes for conviction if the House impeaches trump.
It is a distinction that matters. If the House impeaches, but the Senate fails to convict, trump would still be eligible to run again and keep his pension and Secret Service protection.
If Moscow Mitch supports impeachment, but does not vote for a conviction, his support means nothing.
Yes but he can ‘whip up’ the Reps to vote for impeachment. He ultimately does hold Trump’s fate in his hand and that is why Trump is attacking him.
All it would take is one strong gust of wind. Everyone, on the count of three….
Mitch McConnell is a snake who cannot be trusted at all.
Agreed but sometimes you need to play one snake sociopath against the other snake sociopath so they can destroy each other.
Mignionette, agreed. And Mitch is going to show show he is alpha snake.
Evil disgusting turtle
He got his terrible Supreme Court justices, so he doesn’t need Trump anymore. They’ll probably bunk together in hell.
Ok but has anyone seen this dude’s wife? She’s beautiful and when I saw her I couldn’t believe she was his wife.
A green card, American citizenship and unlimited power can make the human equivalent of Yertle the Turtle look appealing.
But she was 8 years old when she came to America and was pretty successful in her own career before marrying him.
@Suffles she is a Harvard Grad and her parents are pretty wealthy. Her dad donated 40 Million to Harvard and started a scholarship in her name.
My friends and were floored when we realized who his wife is. DUMBFOUNDED.
You mean the Secretary of Transportation who resigned last week over the Capitol attack but was content to be part of his cabinet for 4 years amidst all of his racism and hate-filled rhetoric? She may be nice-looking but she’s just as complicit as the rest of them.
Yeah I know, but I was just shocked when I saw her on TV. That’s really not what I thought his wife would look like. She’s stunning !
And she resigned so she didn’t have to be involved in 25th Amendment discussions. Pence can’t invoke because he doesn’t have the Cabinet support, thanks to Chao and DeVos and Wolf running instead of doing their jobs.
Power hungry seeks power hungry. From my understanding his daughters from his first marriage don’t have much to do with dear ol’ dad. He’s going to face a sad, lonely and deserved end to his time on earth
He has perma frown on his face. That is there for a reason.
“Power hungry seeks power hungry.”
Bingo. My dad was the head of a local civic organization and was being pushed by a friend to have her as a speaker. He declined.
Uh subjective I guess, she looks average to me if we really have to talk about looks. Impressive credentials but no points for supporting a white supremacist party.
Elaine Chao is phenomenally corrupt. She and Mitch are soulmates.
I don’t know much about her, I was just commenting on her appearance, that is all. I guess maybe on the inside the two of them are twins.
He’s defending democracy if he votes to impeach and has to sell it however he can to save his own skin, but he’d better not expect a cookie for it. Trump is almost out and more toxic than ever with donors pulling away. To pull away now is self serving.
@Me Then she’s power hungry and probably used him to help get other family members citizenship. Like Melania did for her family by marrying Trump.
@snuffles her family is wealthy and she graduated from Dartmouth and Harvard Business school, served under George Bush and was on the board for many large organizations. The reality is, she didn’t need Mitch for anything green card, or wealth related. And it’s a bit insulting to assume that just because she is an immigrant that she would need him for these reasons. She is not Melania.
That being said, I hate her for being associated with Mitch, for standing by while he helped to destroy America. Anyone in his orbit is tainted for me. How the fuck could you shack up with a soulless wretch when you don’t need to?
@ Watson
100% agree !
She did a semester exchange study at Dartmouth, but her degree is from Mount Holyoke. Dartmouth has enough other unfortunate souls that they need to account for (Dinesh D’Souza and Laura Ingraham for starters). The rest of your first paragraph rings true though.
I can only assume that due to her education, wealth, and position and his inherent turtleness, her marriage to Moscow Mitch is a union of like-minded (read: power-hungry) individuals.
@altmathmom. Thanks for the dartmouth correction! Also agreed Chao is likeminded. The more you dig the more you realize the conflicts of interest she has with her family’s company. She is not innocent.
I’m looking fwd to his vote to impeach and then hopefully him croaking
Trump will hold the GOP hostage for the next 4 years if they don’t convict in the senate. They only need a few Republican votes to convict and that prevents him from the whole “will he or won’t he” run that will dominate news and fundraising – total no brainer guys! Some of them probably realize there is going to be a lot of GOP pain for months/years. Best to rip the bandaid off and get back to rebuilding. Good luck with that.
Well the Republican party has now officially shot itself in the foot…in both feet actually. It will split as a result of Trump’s “divide and conquer” mentality. One half will continue to adhere to the Fascist GOP and the other to GOP Lite which means that the Dems acquire more power. The Turtle and his conniving wife are simply saving their own necks as the GOP fractures.
please don’t pile on me, but Mitch, as a senator, doesn’t get to vote on impeachment. that’s the House of Representatives’ job. the Senate convicts/acquits of the charges.
I am not putting too much faith in Corporate America withholding funds for the Republicans now that the election is over. A lot can happen in two years and if taxes start going up then they will fund their Republican buddies.
Well, look who just woke up from a four-year nap.
I have been saying since the insurrection that Republicans have far more to gain from impeachment than democrats. Mitch McConnell has hated Trump since day 1, and this could be the knife in the back to push Trump into obscurity. Trump made establishment Republicans’ lives difficult as they were perpetually subjected to his whims but feared breaking from him. They would be IDIOTS not to take this opportunity to get him off their backs. They will not get another chance.
Democrats will not be able to fundraise or campaign off Trump anymore, so they politically have more to lose. However, it’s still the right thing to do for the good of the nation.
The Dems will definitely be able to fundraise off this for years. All they need is footage of the surge, clips of people like Hawley, Cruz or Boebert encouraging election lies and the storming of the Capitol. Their votes challenging the electoral college results, based on lies they know are lies, are documented,. This after they were evacuated because of said siege and the Capitol trashed, with the mob wanting to hang the VP. These people buried themselves with every Tweet they sent , conspiracy theory they shared, and how cravenly they sucked up to Trump, even after his behavior became more erratic and rhetoric more violent.
Mitch cant vote to impeach bc he is in the senate. He would have to vote to convict.
He has been impeached. It’s in turtle’s court now.
I don’t believe it. He always falls in line. If he were for impeachment, he would recall the senators for a trial.
McConnell is a snake. I’m not sure he’d actually vote to impeach Trump because too much of the GOP have drunk the kool-aid. I think he’d like to wrest control of the party back from Trump and his minions, and prevent him from holding office again. He really is powerless with his own party and wonder if he’ll even stay Republican leader, or be challenged by a scumbag like Ted Cruz.