Video of that contentious exchange earlier between @ChuckGrassley and @alfranken during Rosenstein hearing https://t.co/U7uMzv1fkL
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) March 7, 2017
Good for Senator Franken, and shame (as though they could feel any) on the Repubs. Per the Washington Post:
A tense moment erupted Tuesday between Sens. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, leading Grassley to bang his gavel and abruptly end an argument over recent comments by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Grassley, the chairman of the committee, accused Franken of asking Sessions a “gotcha” question during his confirmation hearing in January. Franken insisted he did no such thing.
“It was not a gotcha question, sir,” Franken said.
“It was, from the standpoint — he didn’t know what you were asking about,” replied Grassley. Then, Grassley banged his gavel and called on Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Franken was not finished presenting his perspective…
The exchange was the most explosive at the closely watched confirmation hearing of Rod J. Rosenstein, President Trump’s nominee for deputy attorney general, and Rachel Brand, his pick for associate attorney general. If confirmed, Rosenstein would assume responsibility for any investigations involving the Trump campaign — including any ties between Trump and Russia — after Sessions recused himself from such matters last week…
A few minutes before Tuesday’s fiery exchange, tensions were already building as Franken questioned Rosenstein about Sessions and other matters.
“I think Senator Sessions should come back. I think he owes it to this committee to come back and explain himself,” said Franken, pointing his forefinger for emphasis…
Rosenstein soon interjected to say he did not know anything about investigations the Justice Department was undertaking beyond what he had read in press accounts. “I don’t know anything but what I’ve read in the newspapers at this point,” he said…
Of course, Steve “Pig Muck” King had to — as ever — defend his title as the Worst Person in Congress:
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa: 'Rogue intel' figures may have tapped Trump phones https://t.co/GZLzOqBYJa via @scj
— William Petroski (@WilliamPetroski) March 7, 2017
SIOUX CITY | Iowa 4th District Rep. Steve King on Monday defended President Trump’s startling assertion that the Obama administration tapped phones in Trump’s New York offices in the runup to the 2016 election, suggesting “rogue intel” officials may have eavesdropped on calls even if President Obama did not personally order the wiretapping…
King said the tweet indicates Trump was not referencing the former president specifically.
“To me, that says the Obama administration,” King said.
King said his assessment is that Trump’s assertion is apt.
“There is a string of evidence that supports it,” he said….
There’s a string of spittle hanging from Mark Levin’s flapping jaws, more like. I hear that as long as Rep. King pays sufficient obeisance to the CAFO agricorporations in his district, he’s got the seat for as long as he wants it — but is there any sense in sending some money to Kim Weaver’s 2018 campaign?
Jerzy Russian
Christ, what an asshole!
Patricia Kayden
Good on Franken. May Democrats give as good as they get and put Republicans in the hot seat.
PS. King never fails to bring the stupid. Racist pig.
Jeffro
How much fun would it be for a happy-go-lucky type to move to* either King’s or Chaffetz’s district, establish residency, and then pummel the absolute shit out of either GOP wanker for an entire year? You KNOW the outside money would just pour in…I’d have a bake sale every Saturday.
*This is assuming that an adequate candidate can’t already be found in either district of course. Who knows? But we ought to take a shot at it just as an object lesson to the brainless sewer rats that comprise the modern GOP House.
efgoldman
That’s “Old Cantaloupe Calves” Steve King, right?
THERE’s someone credible, alright.
He was making shit up while Cheetoh Combover was just another person on teevee I never watched.
Omnes Omnibus
These people are not good people.
Anne Laurie
@Omnes Omnibus: So you recognized the title quote, right?
amk
but they are their best peeps. fucking morons.
Omnes Omnibus
@Anne Laurie: I am going with a different aspect. Good/bad vs best/worst.
Jerzy Russian
@Jerzy Russian:
Referring, of course, to the Iowa senator and the Iowa congressman.
kindness
I never want to read or hear the word ‘principled’ wrt any current Republicans in office. Principles are not malleable. Honor is not something that can be sold, borrowed or bought. The Republicans we have today should be ashamed of themselves. Look at what they are actively covering over just because they think they can.
efgoldman
@kindness:
When they register with the party, they have a mandatory shame-ectomy; also an empathy-ectomy and a common-sense-ectomy.
amk
@kindness: if murkkka ever again sets foot in another country preaching democracy, the peeps should bring out their rusty pitchforks.
randy khan
Sessions is going to come back to that committee approximately never.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@randy khan: Since they approve his budget, he’ll be back.
Buskertype
Idiots Out Walking Around
Villago Delenda Est
@kindness: They are honorless curs. When they are finally cut down, no quarter should be shown. They deserve none.
Thru the Looking Glass...
Grassley’s defense defies belief…
On the other hand, I suspect you could ask Sessions ‘What day of the week is it?’ or ‘And what did you have for breakfast?’ or ‘Did you or did you not have help tying your shoes this morning?’ and Jefferson might not be able to answer any of those either…
randy khan
@?BillinGlendaleCA:
I bet the Republicans will accept a deputy so as to avoid awkward questions. So he’s probably safe until at least 2019.
stinger
We HAVE the best people. We just don’t send them to Congress.
efgoldman
@Villago Delenda Est:
What have you got against curs?
lumpkin
Jeepers, I thought Franken was a lot more articulate than that. I figured him to be part of the team of progressives who could effectively fight back against the gop.