What Went Down On Day 1 Of The Impeachment Hearings

Goldman, the counsel, is lingering over Sondland’s use of “stalemate” with Taylor as a euphemism for quid pro quo. Even though Sondland explicitly said Trump said there was no quid pro quo, he goes on to describe one and Taylor seems to have understood it as such.

Thinking about what these hearings are normally like without staff questions — so much more grandstanding, way fewer questions. It’s nice to get the back-and-forth.

I know that impeachment is not a criminal proceeding, but it seems to me that it would be helpful to Democrats’ efforts if they used the text of the Constitution more directly. The Constitution says, “The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” Maybe ask bluntly if this is bribery? I’m not a lawyer but that seems like a good soundbite.