Why McCarthy's reference to a possible Pence pardon stands out

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/mccarthys-reference-possible-pence-pardon-stands-rcna25606?cid=sm_npd_ms_tw_ma

*snip*

McCarthy added, “Now, this is one personal fear I have. I do not want to get in any conversations about Pence pardoning. Again, the only discussion I would have with [the then-president] is that I think this [impeachment resolution] will pass. And it would be my recommendation that you should resign.”

Part of what made this so notable is that McCarthy and his office explicitly argued yesterday that he did not say what the audio recording clearly showed him saying about encouraging Trump to resign. But let’s not brush past the sentence that preceded this: The minority leader referenced possible conversations with then-Vice President Mike Pence about a pardon?

Politico reported this morning:

McCarthy’s reference to a Pence pardon adds credence to the speculation that Trump might have willingly stepped down early, on the condition that then-Vice President Mike Pence pardon him for any potential criminal acts. That McCarthy thought this was a subject Trump might bring up raises questions about the GOP leader’s belief that criminal acts may have been committed.

This did not escape the attention of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack.

On the contrary, Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, a member of the bipartisan panel, told The Washington Post’s Greg Sargent this morning, “It just seems clear that McCarthy, like other members who lived through these events, understood that Donald Trump had committed grave crimes against the Union.”

*snip*

[Hoyt]

1. Sure hope this is not the "evidence" the Committee members think will convict trump.

[Nevilledog]

4. Seriously, what are you trying to establish with all your posts today?

There's nothing in this article that even mentions that this statement is somehow evidence the Jan 6th Committee will be basing any arguments on. It's a discussion about a statement McCarthy made and how it adds to the overall picture.

Sounds to me like you think nothing will ever be presented to justify anything, anywhere, against anybody. It's all just a big waste of time.

[Hoyt]

10. Was referring to last 2 paragraphs in OP. Do you think all your

posts about Select Committee will help convict trumpet , if they are lacking hard evidence?

trump is unfit for office, but that is not criminal. If they have the evidence, it’s time to present it. If not, time to acknowledge it and let’s get back to governing.

[Nevilledog]

11. This post and article was about the McCarthy recordings.

The importance you are putting on the last 2 paragraphs is misplaced IMHO.

I think I rarely post specifically about the Jan 6th Committee. As far as I'm concerned, the public hearings (now delayed until June) will determine the effectiveness of the committee. The report will only be important to those who actually take the time to read it.

[Hoyt]

12. Unless they have hard evidence, the public hearings will be seen as partisan.

Days worth of attempting connecting unconnectable dots won’t win over the public.

If that was goal, should have continued momentum from last summer, rather than taking a break.

[Nevilledog]

13. Okay. You're a NAY on whether anyone will face consequences for Jan 6th.

Noted.

[Hoyt]

14. I believe they might get Roger Stone, the Proud Boyz, etc. They have actual evidence.

If they find hard evidence on trump and anyone else, present it to people.

Since a small percentage of Independents will likely decide next elections, this is what I worry about:

?w=1024

And, I'll bet it is even more skewed toward "partisan exercise to gain political points" 6 months later.

[Nevilledog]

15. That poll is only as good as the question.

[Hoyt]

18. OK, you find one that shows the majority of Americans see the hearings

as necessary for democracy at this point.

[Nevilledog]

19. You're more than welcome to hang your hat on polls. You do you.

And no, I'm not wasting my time looking up polls because 1) polls are too easily manipulated, and 2) no polls could possibly measure the effect of something (the hearings) that haven't even started.


I'm just not a big believer in polls.

[Carlitos Brigante]

17. Listen, unless Trump, or really anyone rich is explicitly on tape saying

"Hey let's go "criming" tonight!! Yes, it is I Donald J. Trump. My social security number is ######. Has all the money been properly laundered? Rudy, are you on the line?...... "

And even then. I expect the same willful ignorance and lack of spine.

[maxsolomon]

9. The J6 Committee will issue a report on their investigation.

They are not the DOJ and they are not prosecutors.

If there is a recommendation to the DOJ to prosecute, it will be for specific actions. They're not fools.

[Mme. Defarge]

2. K&R!!!

Très important!

[SoonerPride]

3. In retrospect, if he would have also agreed to nevrer run again and step down

In exchange for a pardon, I would be in favor of it.

At the time I would have said hell no.

But since it looks extremely doubtful that he will be prosecuted and most likely will be the nominee with a great chance of "winning" via cheating through flipped elector stunts in a dozen swing states, having him precluded from running again would have been worth it.

[Claustrum]

5. If he resigned, I think his prospect to be the 2024 republican nominee would be way less

than right now. Like it or not, when you resign, there is some guilt associated in people's mind so I think a lot of the republican base would then distance themselves with TFG. It would be a "who's TFG" and "I didn't vote for TFG" moment much like when you ask if anyone voted for Nixon.

So I don't think we need an agreement that he doesn't run again if he were to resign.

[Mr.Bill]

6. The problem with that is Trump never holds up

his part of a bargain. I would never make any kind of a deal with him at any time. Period.

[SoonerPride]

7. That's true. The only way to stop him was impeachment.

And we knew that was doomed.

[gratuitous]

8. Listening to a clip of McCarthy's remarks

I thought it was interesting that McCarthy brought up a possible pardon without even being asked. As if this had been a topic of conversation long before this.

[dalton99a]

16. Republicans agreed that the piece of shit had committed a grave criminal act