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Beating Them at Their Own Game
It’s not a game. It’s war. And the Democrats think they are entitled to set the rules of engagement. I have a message for Jerry Nadler. No matter what you call this obsession of torturing the Republicans through your Impeachment Hearings or Impeachment Inquiries or Impeachment Interviews, it is an affront to this country and its citizens.
The latest warrior (what else would be an appropriate label?) to take on the House Judiciary Committee was Corey Lewandowski. Now I’m not a fan of Lewandowski; he’s struck me as a hothead and his pushing a reporter (or whatever he did that led to his firing) was unwise, at the very least. But I was impressed with how he handled himself at his hearing yesterday, and essentially controlled the dialogue with the Democrats. Although others have pushed back on the committee in the past (interim Attorney General Matthew Whittaker, for one), Corey is now a private citizen and was savvy enough to know how far he could push the committee. Others who are called up before the Judiciary Committee should take notes. Here’s what I observed:
- When they insult you—don’t be defensive. When one representative accused him of being “chicken” (a very dignified characterization) when he didn’t communicate a request from President Trump to AG Sessions, he said he’d decided that taking his kids to the beach was a higher priority. He not only pushed back, but he was making a statement about the lack of seriousness in the workings of government.
- When they try to lecture you—about your lack of disclosure, decorum, or cooperation, interrupt by asking them to express their questions. Let them know that you’d rather not be a victim of their grandstanding and insults.
- When they attack the President—remind them that the Mueller Report didn’t find any evidence of obstruction or collusion. They already know this truth, but it’s a valuable tactic to remind the viewing public that the hearing is a sideshow.
- When they ask you to remember a situation described in the Mueller report from months ago—ask them to refer to the page and paragraph. This tactic will not only annoy them, but it will remind everyone that the committee is going over the same information that has already been covered, in an effort to intimidate others they may interview in the future.
- When they question your motives—remind them that you came willingly to the hearing, and that you’ve come before them several other times. (The fact that it bolstered his image when he may be running for Senate in New Hampshire, was, well, a bonus.)
There are probably many other lessons from Corey Lewandowski’s testimony that we can glean. I believe that it’s important not just to annoy the committee or make their job more difficult, but to demonstrate to citizens that the Democrats’ actions are wasting the money of citizens, are hyper-political, and are preventing a group of Representatives (Democrats and Republicans) from doing the jobs for which they were elected: governing the country.
Then again, they are helping us win this war.
What else have we learned from yesterday’s hearing?
Published in Politics
he’s struck me as a hothead and his pushing a reporter (or whatever he did that led to his firing) was unwise
The “pushing” accusation has been pretty well debunked by the video. He was fired by the Trump kids who thought he was inexperienced in convention maneuvering and they hired Manafort whose convention experience was 20 years out of date.
That people waste their time watching Congressional hearings?
I liked his response to Sheila Jackson Lee.
I think that “just a rant” line could come in handy during future Congressional hearings.
The only way the “President Swalwell” comment could have been better would have been for him to preface it with “With all due respect”.
I rather liked this.
Please note that I said, “or whatever he did that led to his firing.” I’m not surprised that Trump’s kids overreacted.
Just to be clear I only saw blurbs on the news. That might have been a waste too, except I got the idea for this post!
I completely agree!! Thanks, @drewinwisconsin!
Susan, I think game might be the perfect word to use. The Right is a competitive bunch, so I don’t think amending our vocabulary will diminish the need to win. In fact, I think anything that can be done to lessen the churlishness of the Right, without taking the eye off the prize, will be conducive to success.
For the record, I find grumpy conservatives to be exceptionally entertaining, but I’m not sure that it’s a consensus view.
We’re certainly not used to taking on that role! Maybe we call it a game for conservatives and war for those on the Left!
These are strange times, indeed! But the Left is surely doing its best to play at crusaders, and it doesn’t seem to be going well.
O’ Brave New World. How Swell!
These lessons are not new. Recall in 1986, Fawn Hall, secretary to Ollie North basically telling the Iran-Contra Senate panel to shove it. Attractive, loyal and tough. North’s attorney Brendan Sullivan’s famous “what am I a potted plant” when Sen. Inouye tried to stop him from advising his client while being questioned. The look on Inouye’s face was priceless. Senators are used to receiving deference 24/7, especially senior committee chairmen.
Pomposity and dishonest sound bite generation should ALWAYs get a defiant response. It is the American way.
The Senate Democrats were so determined to get TV time and a sow trial, they immunized North and Poindexter who could have easily done jail time otherwise. And the show trial was a bust. Kind like Russiagate.
Yes, David French. This is what fighting looks like.
Indeed. Well said.
I like when he refused to be their puppet and recite a document for them. He told them, you know how to read it yourself.
I’ve never understood why anyone shows up for these things. Are they legally compelled to?
This all happened when I was a young officer and all of us were briefed that LtCol North wore a USMC uniform and was technically a Marine Officer, but that all of his actions were done as part of the administration and that was the answer we should give if anyone asked us.
I’ve never seen much good about Oliver North. He’s a loud mouth who did much damage to our reputation and wrapped himself in the flag like a scoundrel. He still does.
I believe he said he would have shown up voluntarily, but I think they sent him a subpoena. I think the purpose it serves now is to demonstrate how bizarre, obsessed and foolish the Left is. I think that part is working. Plus Corey got to plug his interest in possibly running for Senate.
Noted, but that’s the insidious part to all of these swampy smears: He didn’t actually do anything unwise yet you’re still holding this smear against the person who was smeared! I’m not blaming you either, but it’s a pretty good illustration of what we’re up against. Even when you didn’t actually do anything wrong it’s still part of your persona even for people who aren’t rabid progressives or the widely disinterested.
I am beginning to see hope that the Republican Party will retain that fighting spirit after Trump has left in 2025, and not Bush out the way it did after Reagan left.
Lindsey Graham, of all people, seems to be getting the message.
I hope so, but I suspect it’s more likely that he’s just releasing some well-timed rants without doing much about any of it.
I wouldn’t say he’s my favorite, but every time I see Graham in action I think that he’s the best option the Right has for a post-Trump candidate.
Mystified as to how the legislature has subpoena powers.
I would find it hard to do any of these when my emotions make me want to tell them to “Eat s___ and die” . . .
But you have a lot more class (and restraint) than I do!
And he beat them on their playing field without a Marine uniform and chest full of medals.
No, he’s not. He chairs Senate Judiciary Committee. Where are the interrogations of Clapper, Brennan, Etc?
North and Poindexter were out of their depth. The collective ego of Senate Democrats saved them by granting immunity. Your assessment is harsh but not without merit.
I thought Grassley chaired that committee.
Yes. Congress has almost unchecked power to carry out its oversight, investigative, and legislative functions. It is barely limited by the boundaries of its proper powers and relevance of the target’s testimony to Congress doing its job.
See this clearly written article for explanation.
Vile.