Didn't get a lot of work done today. The news was too interesting to not watch, especially Jake Tapper on CNN ping-ponging between coverage of the Michael Cohen court proceeding in Manhattan and the verdicts in the Paul Manafort trial in Alexandria.
Unlike some of my friends, I don't think this is the end of the Trump Presidency but it might be the beginning of the beginning of the end. As the people he's chosen to surround himself with go to jail, it's going to be harder and harder for his supporters to convince themselves that it's all Fake News and a big Witch Hunt. And everyone who works for Trump has to be thinking about Industrial Strength Ass-Covering and what they have to bargain with if/when it comes down to plea bargains.
I was struck by contrasts. They keep moving articles around on the front page of Talking Points Memo but a little while ago there, I read this statement from Michael Cohen's attorney, Lanny Davis…
Michael Cohen took this step today so that his family can move on to the next chapter. This is Michael fulfilling his promise made on July 2nd to put his family and country first and tell the truth about Donald Trump. Today he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election. If those payments were a crime for Michael Cohen, then why wouldn't they be a crime for Donald Trump?
And right under it was this statement from Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani…
There is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government's charges against Mr. Cohen. It is clear that, as the prosecutor noted, Mr. Cohen's actions reflect a pattern of lies and dishonesty over a significant period of time.
Sounds like Rudy borrowed one of Paul Manafort's ostrich jackets and buried his head in the sand.