I'm predicting that Cohen's "explosive" testimony will result in jack squat.

[Miles Archer]

What's NEW here? Nothing. The only way the GOP will take action is when THEIR NAMES show up in the "explosive testimony." What the hell would it take for "impeachable offenses" that pass the House to also pass in the Senate? Everything Cohen is going to "reveal" sounds like escapades that have been in the public domain for decades.

The former Trump Organization attorney will reveal to the House Oversight Committee some of the president’s private financial statements and accuse Trump of manipulating the value of his net worth for business and personal reasons, such as avoiding taxes on his property, reported the Wall Street Journal.

The financial statements were created by the president’s accountant, and Cohen is expected to testify that he personally witnessed “lies, racism and cheating” by Trump.

Cohen is expected to describe racist remarks Trump made to him, such as questioning the intelligence of black Americans and criticizing their lifestyles.

The testimony will provide “evidence of criminal conduct since Mr. Trump became president,” but a source told the newspaper only that the testimony would cover a hush money payment to Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels.

https://www.rawstory.com/2019/02/cohen-will-accuse-trump-criminal-conduct-office-explosive-congressional-testimony/

[panader0]

1. Sadly, I agree.

[bearsfootball516]

2. I firmly believe that our best chance to get get Trump out is by voting in 2020.

If Mueller or someone else brings him down, great, but I'm not banking on it. Anticipate him heading the ticket, and start working to defeat him next year.

[MH1]

4. Yup, then start the very long road of repairing what damage we can.

Some things - some of the damage to the environment, for example - will be irreparable.

Meanwhile, in 2020 we need 2 things (after a decent candidate):

1) everyone who gives a shit and knows how this works, votes for the Democratic candidate, even if it isn't our favorite, even if they haven't always had a D by their name. (that last is tough for me but I absolutely will do it if I have to)
2) everyone in 1) needs to do their damndest to NOT alienate potential D voters who haven't figured out 1) yet. Even if it means biting their tongue until it bleeds. We have to win this and we need everyone on board.

[Miles Archer]

5. I've held that opinion for at least the last year.

Year one, I figured that once the dirt came out, he could be removed from office.

What dirt is left?

The sickening part is that he will tell every lie he needs to tell to his base in order to keep them in mortal terror of anyone but Trump at the reins. The Democratic candidate is going to need to stand on agenda, agenda, agenda...we cannot resort to the Karl Rove tactic of getting the opponent on the playing field that the Republicans have defined, chasing their tail in constant "defensive" mode. I saw this happen with a local political candidate I attempted to help in Nevada. I witnessed the exact moment in which her opponent crushed her in front of a gathering of locals. I saw the bloodlust on her opponent's face, I saw her take the hit, and I saw the audience react. I knew it was over. She blinked and she lost. We can't blink, for any reason. I'll support whatever candidate is chosen, but that said, it's going to be a knife fight in a back alley, and I hope that the selection criteria includes an awareness of that.

[MH1]

3. Yup.

Can't get "Fitzmas" out of my head. Keeps coming back like a bad cold.

[Miles Archer]

7. We were led to believe the Mueller report was going to drop in "Early February"

Then we were told that it might not make it past the Attorney General.

Then we were told that it may not include anything that "incriminates" Trump.

Of course, all of that was fed to us by the White House, so I no longer know what to believe.

[NewJeffCT]

6. Fox News and Republicans in Congress

have been preparing for Cohen's testimony for weeks now. Look for coordinated attacks with similar talking points (admitted to perjury, liar, dishonest, etc)

Hopefully, leading Democrats can counter at least some of that

[UniteFightBack]

9. He is also going to bring proof and name names. nt

[NewJeffCT]

10. facts, proof and evidence don't mean much to most Republicans

They'll use one minor slip to claim it invalidates everything he says.

[UniteFightBack]

8. I predict that there will be more investigations opened because of his testimony. Sing it Cohen. nt

[bigtree]

11. jack squat isn't the least bit accurate

...you're still reasoning as if we have a republican Congress.

More importantly, it makes no sense at all to dismiss efforts like these by House committees to uncover crimes and abuses and put them in the realm of more than just news reports.

What have we come to if congressional testimony (under penalty of perjury) is regarded as inconsequential? Everything short of impeachment may well be seen by some as meaningless, but we have elections coming and the public will see officials charged in our democracy with holding the Executive accountable taking names and kicking ass.

This cynicism is ridiculous.

[Firestorm49]

12. Agreed.

It’s a dog and pony show and a flimsy attempt to appease the public. 1) He’s a proven liar. 2) He claims to have been threatened by “individual 1” 3) Mueller’s report has not been released. He’s sure as schmidt not going to jump Mueller.

I’ll be surprised if anything new or disturbing comes out that we don’t already know.

[FakeNoose]

13. The important thing is to get it all on the record

Maybe rumors and innuendo have been flying for the last 2+ years, and certainly we've seen plenty of it here on DU. That's OK but it's now time to set it down on the record before documents, testimony and other proof disappears.

Just remember what Devin Nunes did to the Congressional Committee report last year, and realize that could all happen again if it weren't for our 2018 election. The House is blue again because the good guys won! In 2020 we need to do the same for the Senate and the White House. But for now the serious House investigators will archive the proof of crimes and serious damage the Chump administration has done and continues to do.

If you don't think that's enough, well neither do I, but it's a very important first step.

[manor321]

14. Why do people post depressing things like this? Just wait for tomorrow.

[Joe941]

15. Revealing criminal activity could start impeachment hears immediately.

In my opinion.

[miyazaki]

16. jack squat and his cousin diddly. nt