Three quick takeaways from Cohen hearing

I am posting this brief item while former Donald Trump lawyer and friend Michael Cohen is talking to the House Government Oversight Committee.

What I’ve heard today gives me three items to take away. So far . . .

  • Cohen told committee members that he has “lied, but I am not a liar.” Actually, by definition Cohen is a liar. He lied to Congress, he pleaded guilty to the felony and will serve some time in prison beginning in May. Liars lie. You cannot assert that you are not a liar after you have lied.
  • Committee member Carolyn Maloney’s questioning of Cohen included continual references from her to the witness as “Michael.” The Democratic lawmaker kept referring to him by his first name, which I consider to be highly unusual and unbecoming. It speaks of a certain disrespect for the proceeding, which is delivering a blistering account by Cohen of his relationship with the president of the United States. The “Michael” reference needs to end.
  • Cohen’s 30-minute opening statement contained at least three direct apologies to the House and Senate for his lying to both bodies. He has atoned for his indiscretion. He has admitted to wrongdoing. Still, committee Republicans keep repeating what Cohen himself has said. They are trying to restate the obvious, which is something that Cohen has already stated. Get off it, GOP members!

It will continue for the rest of the week as Cohen reveals to the world what he believes to be the truth about the president of the United States.

This is what I call gripping public affairs programming.

I’ll have more to say as this saga continues.