Or at least since Hillary Clinton's eleven hours of testimony during the Benghazi witch hunt.
If you are in a bar in Washington DC you might be enjoying free drinks.
Or you may have called in sick to work.
Whatever the case I am sure that you, like me, can barely concentrate on anything other than what may or may not be said during this hearing.
We did get a preview yesterday of Comey's opening remarks, the rest we will have to learn in real time.
I will try to liveblog this as it goes along, and you can also follow me on my Twitter page for updates.
I will also post Trump's Twitter reaction, if there are any.
Let's get this party started.
Update: Oh I love this news.
Update 2:President Trump will dispute he asked James Comey for loyalty https://t.co/etzFZySVpV— TIME (@TIME) June 8, 2017
Not a good idea to piss off the former head of the FBI.James Comey: Trump Admin ‘Defamed’ Me and the FBI With ‘Lies, Plain and Simple’https://t.co/dztDq8ULfB pic.twitter.com/RyFbU6pihd— Mediaite (@Mediaite) June 8, 2017
Update 3: Comey did not feel this way about President Obama.
Update 3: Apparently rather than tweeting from either of his two official accounts Trump is working through his kid.Comey: “I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting” https://t.co/6jHeMTcq9R— Mike Allen (@mikeallen) June 8, 2017
Washington DC at its finest. This is what America rallied against, but the DC elite don't get it or know any other way. https://t.co/H5SszE4uL4— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 8, 2017
Trump is such a little snowflake.It's sad that the left today would rather see America suffer and fail than to see it succeed with @realDonaldTrump at the helm. #maga— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 12, 2017
Update 4: If Trump has tapes Comey would like them released.
Let me second that.Comey, asked about the possibility that Trump recorded their interactions: "If he did, my feelings aren't hurt. Release all the tapes." pic.twitter.com/Pbs229SRzX— POLITICO (@politico) June 8, 2017
That would be AWESOME!
Update 5:
Yep."I was fired to change in some way the nature of the Russia investigation." And there it is.— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 8, 2017
Update 6: That was just fucking sad.
Update 7: Wait! It's over?My response to @SenJohnMcCain attempting to suggest that there was a double standard with how Comey treated Hillary as opposed to Trump. pic.twitter.com/vD9BYEeoqK— Gryphen 2009 (@Gryphen2009) June 8, 2017
How come nobody ever sits for an 11 hour hearing like Hillary was forced to endure?
Okay what did we learn? The following:
- Comey was pressured to drop the Flynn investigation.
- Comey did not want to be in the same room alone with Trump, just like every woman on the planet.
- Comey could not answer whether or not there is any evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia.
- Comey thinks Trump is a liar.
- And Senator John McCain may have slipped into dementia right before our eyes.
Comey skipping his opening remarks, because we have already read them, and moving straight to the questioning.
ReplyDeleteComey is clearly upset by how he was treated by Trump.
ReplyDeleteThe vice chairman laid out a timeline of Trump's contradictory and his and his administration's lies. First he spoke to Comey's professional integrity.
ReplyDeleteComey reiterates that he NEVER documented interactions with Presidents before Trump.
ReplyDeleteWorked with both Obama and Bush previously.
Was Trump's lawyer smart enough NOT to ask Comey why he didn't document Bush or Obama but he DID document Trump?
DeleteBecause we all know the answer: "Because Trump is a documented liar and couldn't be trusted."
A lawyer should never ask a question he doesn't know the answer to.
I am one of the ones who took a personal day so I could watch history.
ReplyDeleteComey said flat out Trump is a liar and he didn't trust him. Pretty damning,
Determined not to miss the hearing, I was live-streaming at chemo this morning. Far too important to miss!
DeleteOh for fuck's sake! Of course "I hope" meant "do it or you're fired!"
ReplyDeleteDidn't have to be explicit in words. Subsequent actions and Twitter and interview remarks about that firing action is all that's needed.
Delete"Will no one rid me of this tiresome priest?"
DeleteAnd there you have it.
What are the tapes he's talking about?
ReplyDeletetrump claimed to have taped their conversations and threatened to realease those tapes (trump is known to have a "pocket" recorder" so it is possible the conversations were taped, or trump lied or destroyed the tapes) - we may never know for sure unless the tapes do "appear"
DeleteTrump said he made tapes with which he threatened Comey
Delete'T'iny djt's "pocket" recorder" bigly bigger then his tiny winny and hairy golf 'balls' somewhere in there...
Deletewonder if he pays hookers to play pocket pool?
DeleteI thought he was talking about the russian hookers pee pee tapes
Delete"Concludes Goldberg: "It appears they couldn’t defend Trump without committing perjury. Nor could they tell the truth without dramatically undermining Trump’s administration." Coats' testimony in particular was all but an admission that Trump had, as reported, asked him to influence the FBI's Russia investigation. There haven't been previous reports that Trump made the same request of Rogers—but Rogers also refused to deny that such a request had occurred."rump had suggested he drop the Flynn investigation. Now we know that with total certainty. But we also now know there's a possibility Trump made the same request of TWO other top intelligence officials, which would change the dynamics of a situation that's currently a he said-he said between Trump and Comey."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/06/07/trump_impeachment_chances_coats_obstruction_edition.html
I love how some of Trump's tweets confirm Comey recorded and repeated telling the truth.
ReplyDeletesounds like Comey let the "alone w/Pres" meeting follow its course to see just what would happen (?) Fisherman notices there is bait on the hook and waits for fish to bite.
ReplyDeleteSo easy to know which are (R) and which are (D) during the questioning, even without being notified! The (R) want to defend the indefensible acting president. I would believe Comey over tRump any time.
ReplyDeleteJohn McCain's questioning is the most contentious - undergoing right now. And, his points are about Hillary Clinton! Off subject just a tad!
DeleteThey also want to make the hearing about Hillary's emails.
DeleteIn court a judge would automatically take Comey's version over Trump because Comey immediately documented what happened and what was said after each meeting. Documentation, even in a diary or journal, takes precedence over memory.
DeleteOT:
ReplyDeleteSenate uses stolen election ROOSIANS!!! distraction to sneak a vote on tRUMPCARE!
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trumpcare-is-happening
The WH is keeping tRump off twitter by keeping him in meetings the whole time during this open hearing...
ReplyDeleteactually he was alone and in a small room for the testimony - until it was time for him to appear in front of the "christian" group - maybe they gave him a fake phone to tweet on or some how managed to convince him to no tweet
Deletelittle prick johnny mc$hame/palin ticket....
ReplyDeleteLi$ten to him twi$t the testimony and TRUTH!
FUCK-her!
What the FUCK is McCain babbling about???
ReplyDeleteAren't we glad he lost? Imagine two terms of that old fart in the White House with Palin lined up to replace him.
DeleteCan't think what is worse. Having President Trump or President Palin in 2016.
McShame is true to his name!!! SHAME ON YOU, McSHAME!!!
ReplyDeleteWTH is McCain doing? Insinuating Clinton be investigated for collusion with Russia? Or implying Trump is unfairly investigated but not Clinton for Russia's interference?? WTF
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly! McCain was an embarrassment to himself and the GOP (and that's OK). LOL. All I could think was "are you senile"?
DeleteWe could almost see Comey's mind working to figure out what McCain was trying to say and if old John was serious.
John McCain is an AntiAmerican asshole.
ReplyDeleteVIETNAM! TURNED HIM> COMMIE!
Deletewas told to 'иметь терпение' my comrade.
"I'm disappointed to see John represent himself politically in ways that are not accurate. He is not a moderate Republican. On some issues he is a maverick. But his voting record is far to the right. I fear for his nominations to our Supreme Court, and the consequent continuing loss of individual freedoms, especially regarding moral and religious issues. John is not a religious person, but he has taken every opportunity to ally himself with some really obnoxious and crazy fundamentalist ministers lately. I was also disappointed to see him cozy up to Bush because I know he hates that man"
http://www.alternet.org/story/95825/i_spent_years_as_a_pow_with_john_mccain%2C_and_his_finger_should_not_be_near_the_red_button
" We have focused our message entirely on the political issues that illustrate why after 34 years in Washington it's time to honor John McCain with retirement.""
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/john-mccains-purported-vietnam-war-propaganda-recording-released-by-far-right-internet-radio-host-8529339
TRAITOR!
DeleteMcCain seems to be trying to link Clinton with the Russians. He's coming across as confused and dottering. Comey seems embarrassed for him.
ReplyDeleteCorrect on all points 8:38...well said.
DeleteWell, you know the Republicans always blame the victim.
DeleteHow the FUCK senile is mcstain?
ReplyDeleteNow he is trying to confuse two different investigations? Seriously?
Why the fuck would Sec. Clinton help the russians to elect dumpster? WOW.
Wow is right. McCain sure sounded mixed up and he just wouldn't let it go.
DeletePoor McCain. He's letting the world know through his questioning that he has some amount of senility. He keeps referring to Trump as Comey and even said "President Comey." Comey's being gentle in correcting him. McCain absolutely doesn't get that Clinton's email investigation stuff is not what they're talking about when they're talking about Trump's issues that this hearing is about. McCain is making no sense at all.
ReplyDeleteMcCain seems to be having a TIA stroke on camera -- called Trump "Comey" twice.
ReplyDeleteHoly crap! What the hell was John McCain talking about?
ReplyDeleteHe forgot he was talking to Comey and for some reason thought Clinton's emails was the same as the Russian hacking of the DNC.
Go home John.
Oh, crap!!! McCain is senile! Never looked more out of it than today with his line of questioning! Get the hook and pull him off the stage STAT!
ReplyDeleteThose thumps we heard were the Chairman banging his gavel to try to stop tittering in the press corps and beyond during McCain's rambling.
DeleteDid you see the look on Comey's face when McCain began his questioning saying Comey when he clearly meant Trump? When McCain was finished the look on Comey's face was priceless. He needed to roll his eyes.
Deletehttp://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/flynn-stuff-is-bs-trump-jr-angrily-lashes-out-at-comey-in-the-middle-of-his-senate-hearing/
ReplyDelete"So if he was a "Stronger guy" he might have actually followed procedure & the law? You were the director of the FBI, who are you kidding?" from the kid who got $lapped down>
http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/308883/donald-trump-jr-diaper-don-college-piss-drunk/
Brian Tashman @briantashman
ReplyDeleteMcCain seems to have channeled Sarah Palin for that round of Q&A
https://twitter.com/briantashman/status/872855565885689861
Bwahahahaha!
DeleteWOW. McCain is beyond senile. What a weird, bumbling, screwed up series of questions. Poor old geezer has lost it and will soon be drooling on himself.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, did McCain have a stroke since yesterday? WTF?
ReplyDeletePretty sure they should delete this tweet asap!
ReplyDeleteJohn McCainVerified account @SenJohnMcCain 18m18 minutes ago
I'm questioning former @FBI Director James Comey at the Senate Intel Committee hearing - watch live: https://www.c-span.org/video/?429381-1/former-fbi-director-comey-say-president-obstructed-justice&live …
https://twitter.com/SenJohnMcCain/status/872853267012780032
My question. Was comey ordered to go out right before the election and spread fake news about Hillary? That alone swayed the election besides the trump/russian scam. I believe comey was ordered by trump to go to the press and spread fake news knowingly or unknowingly.
ReplyDeleteWTF are you talking about? Are you saying Trump could order Comey about even before he was elected? Shhh! If Comey is a Russian mole, I suspect he doesn't know about it yet.
DeleteBut seriously, did you get your mental health credentials from Sen. McCain's doc?
I loved how Comey had an air of 'WTF' on his face when McInsane started asking him questions and insisted that HRC should be the one being investigated for Russian collusion, not tRump, and also when he SEVERAL TIMES confused tRump and Comey, even calling Comey 'President Comey'!
ReplyDeleteOld senile McCain. He acted so "BIG" today even though he himself was bamboozled probably from the same bunch in 07. That last minute decision to hire our sarah and then watch her resign her fake gov position immediately after the fake shitshow was over. McCain really ducked a disaster but was so "BIG" today. The party smells of dung in a swamp.
ReplyDeletelol
ReplyDeleteJohn McCain!
Happy Birthday to me...sitting on a yacht...with Paul Manafort and Rick Davis and some rich guy named Deripaska...
https://twitter.com/AndreaChalupa/status/872854951407611904
Andrea ChalupaVerified account @AndreaChalupa
So @SenJohnMcCain spent his 70th birthday w/Paul Manafort on the yacht of Russian oligarch Deripaska. #ComeyHearings http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/04/paul_manafort_isn_t_a_gop_retread_he_s_made_a_career_of_reinventing_tyrants.html …
"
In 2005, John McCain received a call from a staffer on the National Security Council. There was a problem, the staffer told the senator. The man orchestrating McCain’s presidential campaign was Paul Manafort’s partner, a lobbyist named Rick Davis. The administration wanted the senator’s help dialing back the duo’s work in Ukraine, two top McCain aides told me. By promoting enemies of the Orange Revolution, they were undermining American policy.
The call came after Manafort and Davis had already drawn McCain into their eastern escapades. It wasn’t just Ukraine. That year, the pair had consulted on behalf of pro-independence forces in the tiny principality of Montenegro, which wanted to exit Serbia and become its own sovereign republic. On the surface, this sounded noble enough, so noble that McCain called Montenegro’s independence the “greatest European democracy project since the end of the Cold War.”
A report in the Nation, however, showed that the Montenegrin campaign wasn’t remotely what McCain described. The independence initiative was championed by a fantastically wealthy Russian mogul called Oleg Deripaska. Deripaska had parochial reasons for promoting independence. He had just purchased Montenegro’s aluminum industry and intended to buy broader swaths of its economy. But he was also doing the bidding of Vladimir Putin, on whose good graces the fate of all Russian business ultimately hangs. The Nation quoted Deripaska boasting that “the Kremlin wanted an area of influence in the Mediterranean.”
Manafort and Davis didn’t just snooker McCain into trumpeting their client’s cause; they endangered him politically, by arranging a series of meetings with Deripaska, who the U.S. had barred from entering the country because of his ties to organized crime. In 2006, they steered McCain to attend a dinner with the oligarch at a chalet near Davos, where Deripaska speechified for the 40 or so guests. (The Washington Post reported that the oligarch sent Davis and Manafort a thank-you note for arranging to see the senator in “such an intimate setting.”) Seven months later, Manafort and Davis took McCain to celebrate his 70th birthday with Deripaska on a yacht moored in the Adriatic.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/04/paul_manafort_isn_t_a_gop_retread_he_s_made_a_career_of_reinventing_tyrants.html
“the Kremlin wanted an area of influence in the Mediterranean.” aka CRIMEa port$
DeletePretty sure there is a reason they left mccain to be the last questioner.
ReplyDeletePat him on the head and send him home.
Okay sure johnny.
DIVERT!
Deleterefocus attention...from
tRUMPnotCARE passing?
Ru$$ia {peeonMEplzpalingolden$howertape$}
McShame inflicted palin on the country. As if that wasn't embarrassment enuff, he was in some other sphere in the hearing today. His dementia seems even more advanced than Agent Orange's.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/mccain-the-most-reprehensible-of-the-keating-five-6431838
ReplyDeleteMcCain: The Most Reprehensible of the Keating Five
Wednesday, November 29, 1989 at 4 a.m.
By Tom Fitzpatrick
You're John McCain, a fallen hero who wanted to become president so desperately that you sold yourself to Charlie Keating, the wealthy con man who bears such an incredible resemblance to The Joker.
Obviously, Keating thought you could make it to the White House, too.
He poured $112,000 into your political campaigns. He became your friend. He threw fund raisers in your honor. He even made a sweet shopping-center investment deal for your wife, Cindy. Your father-in-law, Jim Hensley, was cut in on the deal, too.
Nothing was too good for you. Why not? Keating saw you as a prime investment that would pay off in the future.
Info
John Mc John McCain
So he flew you and your family around the country in his private jets. Time after time, he put you up for serene, private vacations at his vast, palatial spa in the Bahamas. All of this was so grand. You were protected from what Thomas Hardy refers to as "the madding crowd." It was almost as though you were already staying at a presidential retreat.
read more
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/mccain-the-most-reprehensible-of-the-keating-five-6431838
John McCain with a fruit tree on his head partying with Charles Keating!
ReplyDeletehttp://horsesass.org/without-john-mccain-they-wouldve-called-them-the-keating-four/
Those guys with the booze in the funny hats? That’s McCain partying with Charles Keating in the heady days before McCain pressured regulators to lay off Lincoln Savings, and the S&L’s collapse subsequently cost taxpayers a couple billion dollars, and Keating a few years of his freedom on a fraud conviction.
O. HATCHetman is waiting in the WINg$>
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/mike-pence-and-jeff-sessions-are-the-big-losers-in-james-comeys-testimony-heres-why/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orrin_Hatch
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/comey-testimony-trump-senate-hearing/2017/06/07/afadf87c-4bd0-11e7-bc1b-fddbd8359dee_story.html
ReplyDeleteThis is a graphic story showing how the captioning of MSNBC, CNN and Fox differed during Comey's testimony. At 12:44, the Fox caption states that they are waiting for input from Trump's outside attorney!
Of course Trump's attorney in Trump's behalf performs counter attack.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling hatred toward Trump voters.
I have friends on Capitol Hill who say McCain's decline in the past year or two has been noticeable and well-known.
ReplyDeleteGOPeeNO JOKE:"McCain later released a statement, joking that “Maybe going forward I shouldn’t stay up late watching the Diamondbacks night games.”
ReplyDeleteMcCain later released a statement, joking that “Maybe going forward I shouldn’t stay up late watching the Diamondbacks night games.”
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) on Thursday reflected ruefully on his questions to fired FBI Director James Comey during an open session of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
ReplyDelete“I get the sense from Twitter that my line of questioning today went over people’s heads,” McCain said in a statement. “Maybe going forward I shouldn’t stay up late watching the Diamondbacks night games.”
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mccain-comey-questions-jokes-baseball
Well, of course Trump will dispute it. That's why he asked for a one on one private meeting. So it would be he said he said.
ReplyDeleteComey has the upper hand because he took notes immediately after each meeting. When you journal like this it has more weight in court than someone that simply "remembers" and you better believe Trump didn't take any notes about these meetings. His memory will also have less weight because there are so many incidents of him lying or misremembering. He contradicts himself constantly. So as a witness Trump is useless. If this went to court, Comey's careful notation of each meeting would prevail.
But I'll say it again. Nothing is going to happen. Comey may exonerate himself but that's all. This will not result in an impeachment.
I agree this won't result in impeachment. The Republicans are willing to do ANYTHING to get their agenda passed. Paul Ryan has already stated that Trump was New and learning the job. They are giving him a pass. Personally, I think Trump is going to kill off the Republican brand. They are all being shown to be a craven bunch. Willing to sell out their country for power. Their base isn't going to save them.
DeleteThis in itself won't lead to impeachment, but it will add to the whole story which will lead to impeachment.
DeletePatience is a virtue. The special prosecutor hasn't even begun.
I did find it incredible that Comey didn't keep a copy of his notes, he said he handed them all over to the special prosecutor and doesn't have a copy. Seems like a stupid thing to do.
What became very clear today it little donnie had absolute no interest or comprehension of what the russian interference in our election means to our democracy.
ReplyDeleteIt came up at least THREE times that he never asked about it. Now why was that? I believe because he colluded with the russians, they need to follow the money!!!!!!
No one asked what was trump’s demeanor, his body language or tone of voice when making these requests. Obviously Comey had a gut feeling because he wrote the memos, I have a feeling a lot of it was because of trump’s demeanor, was he pointing his finger in his face, was his face turning all red (oops I mean dark orange) from anger etc.
As for Donnie Jr. he must believe the same as daddy, exercise causes your brain to deplete like a battery because his brain is depleted.
At least Comey had his day "in court", now we have to wait for little donnie's response at 3AM
I have to wonder if at some point the House or the Senate will ask the IRS for Trump's tax returns. I believe they have the power to request them.
DeleteLittle donnie’s damage control is continuing to state that everyone is out to get him and that he is not under investigation. Then they go on to smear Comey again.
ReplyDeleteNot once as president has he said it is important to find out how the russians are meddling in our elections. NOT ONCE !!! Why is that? Guilty conscience?
=======================================
Chris Wallace On Comey Testimony: 'Was Very Damaging To The President'
...... Wallace said, "Politically, I thought it was very damaging to the president. Repeatedly, James Comey called the president a liar, said he lied about the FBI was in disarray, that he defamed him, defamed the FBI, said that the reason he kept those kinds of notes in the first place is that he thought this was the kind of man who would lie about those kinds of things."
"It's not good stuff to have on national television," he said.
James Comey called Trump a liar five times during the open hearing.
Wallace then put forth a theory about Flynn that you don't hear on Fox News often.
"I found his strongest point about Flynn and why it was so improper what the president said about Flynn in that Oval Office meeting on February 14th, why on earth would you kick out the attorney general, the vice president, and the chief of staff if it was going to be something innocent?"
Yes, why would Trump kick everyone out of the room to privately talk to Comey if he didn't have a nefarious reason for doing so?
Wallace went on, "Michael Flynn did not come out well. Comey indicated, the first to my knowledge that there was an open criminal investigation of Michael Flynn as to whether or not he lied to the FBI, and he also raised the possibility and this raises a question about why the president might want him to drop the investigation."
He said, 'look, was there a relationship between the Flynn investigation and what he said to the FBI and Russia, he said sometimes someone has criminal liability, you can squeeze them and flip them to testify in other regards, so perhaps the reason to not want Flynn to be investigated and that prosecution pursued is because you don't want him to turn state's evidence."
Wallace is pointing out that Trump is worried Gen. Flynn might flip on his administration and give up damaging information about their people in regards to Russia since he was a valued member of Trump's team.
Remember, Comey sent a warning to anybody who may have helped Russia during the election.
"If any Americans were part of helping the Russians do that to us, that is a very big deal."
So many pundits and politicos have been asking why Trump has been so staunchly behind Gen. Flynn, who lied to his camp, especially since he's thrown his own team repeatedly under the bus.
Wallace's rationale is a valid point to make and should not be dismissed.
http://crooksandliars.com/2017/06/chris-wallace-comey-tesitmony-politically
I have to wonder if all of Comey's testimony will be a side note and the main reporting coming out of today's testimony will be McCain's off the wall, demented line of questioning.
ReplyDeleteThe Republican Party is all about deflection and misdirection now.
While everyone is distracted with Comey they're busy repealing Dodd-Frank and fast-tracking their Death Care bill.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bank-regulation-choice-act-house-vote_us_5939af49e4b0c5a35c9d91d8?section=us_politics
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/james-comey-obamacare-repeal_us_593946bee4b0c5a35c9cb4a4?section=us_politics
Life lesson 1: You never threaten or back into a corner someone who has nothing to lose. Because they will burn your ass, truthfully, fully and smiling all the while. Life Lesson 2: You never ask a question to which you do not already know the answer. Dumb asses.
ReplyDelete