Trump without strategy in fast-moving impeachment inquiry

[brooklynite]

CNN

New York (CNN)Questionable rapid-pace decisions spurred by President Donald Trump himself have left some allies wondering if there's a cogent strategy in place to counter Democrats in the wake of the fast-moving impeachment inquiry.

Some people close to him believe the President is in denial about the gravity of his predicament.

A depleted West Wing now faces another storm that's likely to distract from the few policy goals aides were hoping to accomplish by year's end. And the President himself -- even after months of anticipation -- has nonetheless taken the impeachment developments hard.

...snip...

At a fundraiser Wednesday night, Trump greeted some of his longtime friends, who'd paid thousands of dollars to attend, with disbelief at what had unfolded since he arrived into town three days earlier, according to a person who was there. After two-and-a-half years of weathering incremental developments in the Russia investigation that did not trigger an impeachment inquiry, the speed at which the Ukraine scandal unfolded has left Trump and his aides whiplashed.

Many White House officials said they were in disbelief at how rapidly Democrats have sped up their impeachment inquiry against Trump. For years, the constant drumbeat of impeachment loomed over the White House, but officials now feel like the ground has shifted beneath them.

[Coventina]

1. How sweet it is!!!

[pandr32]

2. Good!

He will be reactive instead of strategic and will make things worse for himself. This may cause people surrounding him and Republicans to start breaking away.

[yonder]

5. +1. On their heels.

[empedocles]

3. Dems beating trump on strategy and skills. Pelosi and Schiff outgunning trump and nunes.

[brewens]

4. Trump can't do much. It's all him now. With all the leaks, it has to be clear to him that he

is surrounded by rats, snitches and flippers, exactly what he despises. He can trust no one, not even his family. They won't go to prison to protect him. Hell, they probably figure he won't be around much longer anyway. I really hope that's what Trump thinks he's dealing with.

[gratuitous]

6. Trump isn't accustomed to answering to others

He's used to dictating events, changing them on a whim, and making others scramble to keep him happy. Being responsive, especially on matters not to his advantage, isn't something he's used to doing. Sure, he had to write that $25 million check in December 2016 to make that Trump University unpleasantness go away, but that's not his usual method of operation.

The questions are only going to get more pointed.

[vlyons]

7. It's autumn and the fruit of his karma is quicly ripening

He planted the seed and nurtured it. All his very own doing. But I doubt that he will ever realize the truth of karma. The outcome of bad deeds is always pain and suffering. He could begin today choosing behavior that benefited others, rather than just himself. He could resign for the good of the country and vow never to extort anyone anywhere ever again. But he won't.