Encore of Revival: America, December 23, 2019

Trump’s popularity is soaring. The impeachment this week helped the popular president even more—well, if an “impeachment” that the House speaker chooses not to transfer to the Senate is an actual impeachment. In the words of Sen. Mitch McConnell, the House doesn’t demonstrate much leverage by not, “sending us something we do not want.” Not sending the Senate something the Senate does not want has made Trump even more “popularer”.

Whether Democratic or Republican, everyone should think the House is an embarrassment to the country. Even Putin thinks the House is laughable. Smart Democratic voters won’t want their politicians barking up trees, starting fights that help the other team. But, there is a danger—power corrupts and supermajority corrupts “superly”. Democrats are handing the nation a supermajority Republican party by 2022, when the third round of Senate elections for Trump’s tenure take place. That is when our freedom will be at more risk than it has ever been; when good people no longer have accountability they are no longer good.

Fortunately, while many Democratic voters don’t value the Constitution that started the trend of ending slavery for the first time in human history, at least they know the power of gridlock. Democrats like checks and balances when they don’t have power. That might be enough to save freedom.

Election

Poll: Trump leads Biden by 6, Sanders by 26, Warren by 30, Buttigieg by 41 // WA Examiner

Trump

McConnell: Pelosi gains no ‘Leverage’ by ‘Refraining From Sending Us Something We Do Not Want’ // legalinsurrection.com

Mitch McConnell declares Donald Trump’s impeachment trial is ‘at an IMPASSE’ // Daily Mail

Trump impeached by the House for abuse of power, obstruction of Congress // NBC News

Trump impeachment vote: Articles of impeachment approved by House today // CBS News

More anti-Trump rhetoric
Trump Got Tough on China. It Didn’t Work. // The Atlantic

Russianewsgategate

Former Trump Official Anthony Scaramucci Names Four Witnesses Whose Senate Testimony Would Force President To Resign // Newsweek

Vladimir Putin says Trump was impeached for ‘made-up reasons’ // CNN

Flashback…
Putin jokes that Russia will meddle in 2020 US elections // CNN

Ex-FBI lawyer Lisa Page explains ‘insurance policy’ texts, defends Russia probe in TV interview // Fox News

Trump sends scorching letter to Pelosi ahead of House impeachment vote // CNN

Maria Bartiromo: FISA abuse scandal will ‘blow up’ bigger than it has thus far // Fox News

FBI & Inspector General Report: James Comey Evades and Dodges in Chris Wallace Interview // National Review

Trump hints at jail time after Comey says ‘I was wrong’ about FISA process // Politico

Soc Media, Econ, Tech

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai gets raise, $120m in stock grants, and more // CNBC

North America

Mexico fumes over labor enforcement details in trade bill // Politico

NATO Focus

Lying by Bush, Obama over Afghanistan is a new Pentagon Papers // NY Post