Aug. 18 Open Thread: If Power Corrupts, What Does It Do to the Already Corrupt?
Michael Gerson, the Bush speechwriter turned conservative WaPo columnist, writes a “no shit, Sherlock” column for the ages: Our republic will survive Trump, he intones, but it will never be the same. He offers this as a lament rather than a call for a Constitutional amendment to restrict the powers of the presidency. As we can all see, a president who gains the office by unlawful means can then use the power of the office to suppress the investigation against him. (The framers, ever mindful of the fate of all other democratic-based governments, hoped Congress’ desire for power would keep the executive from amassing too much, but failed to anticipate a Congress in thrall to a cult of personality, even though that’s exactly what doomed the Roman Republic.) An amendment preventing a president from pardoning himself or any potential witnesses against him would be hard to argue against.
Speaking of potential witnesses, Lucian Truscott observes that Trump’s vengeance targets don’t constitute an enemies list as so much as a witness list. He also points out all the times they said they couldn’t answer a question in open Congressional hearings because it would reveal classified information.
Joke of the day comes in a court filing from Trump’s lawyers in the emoluments suit against him, who claim they shouldn’t have to reveal his finances for the hotel he’s not supposed to own because — this is so great — it would be “a distraction from his Constitutional duties.” Given how distracted he is already, isn’t that what lawyers call a moot point?
How do Republicans intend to keep this clownish administration and the party that enabled it in office? By making it impossible for blacks to vote, as they’re doing so frantically in Georgia.
This plan will be put to the test in November, with polling analysts like FiveThirtyEight forecasting a 75% chance of Democrats taking the House. Slate takes a look at seven of the hottest races around the country.
Corporate America again flaunts its cowardice, with ESPN announcing that it won’t televise the national anthem on any of its football broadcasts, college or pro, this season. Because why further the public dialogue when you can sell stuff instead?
