Pauly3 said: "I don't disagree McConnell went against the process and decorum in 2016. I hold no praise for how that was handled by McConnell. Would Schumer have acted differently? I don't think so. Would Schumer have acted differently this time around in 2020? I definitely do not think so."
I think Schumer's ineffectual opposition to Amy Coney Barrett proves he would've acted / would act differently. I know Republicans always had the votes for Barrett and there was little Senate Democrats could've done to prevent, postpone, or derail her confirmation, but Schumer never goes nuclear. Feinstein didn't go nuclear. Their idea of protest is boycotting the procedural vote out of the Judiciary Committee. These guys never play hardball, and they need to learn how like... yesterday. My point is Schumer would never not proceed with a hearing on a nominee because, until McConnell, it would seem unfathomable. The game has changed under McConnell's tenure and we better all be ready to play on that new turf.
We clearly won't agree on the military comments, so I'll just say two brief things: one, the fact that––as you say––few would be surprised Trump said it bodes very poorly for him holding onto and building on his military support from 2016; he's said and done enough that it doesn't take a leap to hear those comments in his voice in one's head; and two, the fact that John Kelly did not unequivocally deny Trump made the comments also speaks volumes, and he just recently called Trump "the most flawed person [he's] ever met." I'd think even if he wants to remain apolitical that he could set the record straight on Trump's comments if he never said them. It indicates to me he likely did.
Updated On: 10/27/20 at 03:38 PM