The new talking point for liberals in the media is that Senate Republicans just aren’t paying attention to the brilliance of the House Democratic impeachment managers. CNN and MSNBC pushed that on Wednesday. On Thursday, CBS This Morning co-hosts worried about lazy, sleepy GOP senators not following the case for removal.
Talking to New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, co-host Gayle King hopefully wondered, “You and your colleagues are laying out what some are calling a detailed, extraordinary, and some would say excruciating case to remove the President. Do you think you are you getting through to any Republicans who are listening?” All the questions echoed this talking point.
King demanded, “I’m curious about how do you cut through when the defense is saying, the President in particular, ‘It’s a hoax, there’s nothing to see here. It’s a sham.’ How do you cut through what appears to be one big talking point?”
Co-host Tony Dokoupil pushed the idea that lazy Republican senators just couldn’t be bothered to pay attention: “Congressman, when you make that case and you look out on the floor of Senators we've seen reports that some are doing crossword puzzles, some dose off. Do you feel you have their attention and they are receptive to the evidence you're bringing forth?”
It should be pointed out that Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar debunked the idea of the lazy Republicans: “To defend them and our side, I didn't see that.”
Dokoupil wouldn’t let go of this concept of bored GOPers: “But you can tell when you’re addressing a crowd, I mean, you can tell if people are paying attention you or not. Do you get the sense that people are paying attention?”
In other words, CBS seems to be wondering why the Democrats haven’t won yet?
A transcript of the questions are below. Click “expand” to read more.
CBS This Morning
1/23/2020
8:03 AM ETGAYLE KING: Well, there are seven House impeachment managers presenting the Democrats case. One of them is New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. He joins us from Capitol Hill in an interview you'll only see on CBS This Morning. There he is. Good morning to you Congressman.
CONGRESSMAN HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Good morning. Great to be with you.
KING: We're very glad you are here. You and your colleagues are laying out what some are calling a detailed, extraordinary, and some would say excruciating case to remove the president. Do you think you are you getting through to any Republicans who are listening?
...
KING: We heard this. We have heard this. I’m curious about how do you cut through when the defense is saying, the President in particular, “It’s a hoax, nothing to see here. It’s a sham.” How do you cut through what appears to be one big talking point? I think people say, Congressman, “We've heard all of this before.”
...
TONY DOKOUPIL: Congressman, when you make that case and you look out on the floor of Senators we've seen reports that some are doing crossword puzzles, some doze off. Do you feel you have their attention and they are receptive to the evidence you're bringing forth?
JEFFRIES: Well they ultimately will have to decide the question of receptivity.
DOKOUPIL: But you can tell — when you addressing a crowd, I mean, you can tell if people are paying attention you or not. Do you get the sense that people are paying attention?
...
MASON: Congressman, the big, lingering question whether there will be additional witnesses in this senate trial. There was some discussion essentially a witness swap with John Bolton and one of the Bidens. Senator Schumer said today has said that's off the table. Is there possible deal out there that would put witnesses before the Senate, do you think?
...
MASON: Is there any chance the House could still subpoena John Bolton?
...
KING: All right. “Well, if you don’t know. Now you know.” Were you trying to provide a moment of levity or making a point? Quoting Biggie.
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KING: All right, Congressman Jeffries. We’re going to have to leave it there.
