By Edwin Cooney
There were several very telling aspects to the House Judiciary and House Intelligence Committee hearings last Wednesday.
The first was Robert Mueller's very appearance before those committees despite their foreknowledge of the nature of his testimony. It was obvious to me that Mr. Mueller was a very reluctant witness. After all, in spite of all the performance and testimonial reviews afterward, Bob Mueller wasn't on trial. What was on trial were the political expectations of his inquisitors. When all was asked and answered, it was those expectations that were really found wanting. As I see it, it was the objectives of both pro and anti Trump investigators that were on trial and neither was sustained.
Because Congress knew what it could and couldn't expect from Robert Mueller, it is obvious that Wednesday's hearings were little more than what's often been labeled a political “dog and pony show." Congress has not only the right but even the obligation to investigate, but congressional investigations are supposed to produce legislation rather than merely that which satisfies some political group’s preconceived explanations of what did or didn't happen to create an unacceptable situation. Additionally, because most members of Congress already know that Russian intervention in America's political campaigns has already begun and is continuing, any ongoing investigation of the 2016 campaign without substantial additional information as to who was behind it is worse than silly.
There's a significant irony in this whole situation. Historically, Republicans are more suspicious than Democrats of Russia's motives and intentions in foreign affairs, while the Democrats often take the long view of Russian attitudes and actions. Even more to the point, Republicans are historically suspicious of those who may be closely associated (as Mr. Trump clearly appears to be) with Vladimir Putin, a former low level officer in the Soviet Union's KGB. One wonders (although not too intensely) if candidates Clinton or Obama would get the same assumption of innocence from the GOP as President Trump!
Finally, unless Congress intends to impeach President Trump, and that would be a legitimate if risky venture, it's time for Congress, as an institution, to get off his back. (Note: I'm not suggesting that presidential candidates or the Democratic Party get off his back, I'm addressing Congress! As far as I'm concerned, the people can crawl all over him!)
Exactly 20 years ago, Conservative Republicans raised their hands in horror about an immoral presidency. They insisted that Bill Clinton's moral and illegal misbehavior was clearly the legitimate motive behind their impeachment effort. At the same time, liberal Democrats, including probably most of the would-be presidents in 2020, insisted that Bill Clinton's behavior was purely a private matter. This included feminists, the ACLU and, to some degree, libertarians. Today we see the above constituencies on opposite sides when it comes to presidential behavior. Conservatives and fundamentalist Christians insist that they didn't elect a “Boy Scout" and that President Trump's behavior can be forgiven so long as he "makes America great again” and disassociates himself from any Socialist or non Free Market doctrine. (As I've written many times in these pages, I don't know about anything that's free in a money market — do you?)
What I find amazing as I compare Bill Clinton's and Donald Trump's respective presidential crises is how little any principle has to do with them. President Clinton lost a civil suit to Paula Jones which cost him about eight hundred grand plus lawyers' fees, but it didn't cost him his office. (Had I been in the Senate, I'd have convicted him on the obstruction of justice charge!)
The bottom line, or if you prefer, the home “roost” is that there's historically little principle behind presidential impeachment efforts. Andrew Johnson defied a law the Supreme Court later declared unconstitutional. (That was the Tenure of Office act requiring the president to get the Senate's permission for him to dismiss a cabinet member.) Bill Clinton was impeached over a civil suit and Donald Trump, if Congress continues to be bullheaded about it, would be impeached basically because so many people think he is "an S.O.B.”! And believe me, that's purely political.
Remember, impeachment is neither criminal nor civil. Impeachment is political as is the upcoming 2020 presidential campaign. Hence, I assert the following:
Congress, drop impeachment efforts. They are no longer your business.
Conservatives and Liberals, forget your “principles." History shows you haven't any. All you have are Republican and Democratic agendas.
Finally, for better or worse, it's all up to the people. Of course, you'll do your best to manipulate the outcome, but at its worst both saints and self-serving jerks have a home in American politics.
Thus, hello again, Chickens! Welcome back to your roost!
Oh! I wonder, was that an egg or something more messy that just dropped into my open hat?
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
EDWIN COONEY
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