Conflict of Interest: Warren, Sanders and Klobuchar

Discussion in 'Political Opinions & Beliefs' started by TOG 6, Jan 15, 2020.

  1. TOG 6

    TOG 6 Well-Known Member

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    Per OED:

    con·flict of in·ter·est
    noun
    noun: conflict of interest; plural noun: conflicts of interest
      • a situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity.
        "Watson quit his job after questions about a possible conflict of interest"
    Sanders, Warren and Klobuchar, all sitting US senators, currently still in the hunt for the Dem nomination to run against Donald Trump this November now sit in a position of judgement in Trump's impeachment trial.

    In this, they have a clear and obvious conflict of interest in that they are in a position to use their official capacity for personal gain - that is, to possibly remove Trump from office and disqualify him from running against them in November and therefore greatly enhance their own chance for victory

    As such, the three of them must, at the very least, publicly volunteer to recuse themselves in their participation in the impeachment trial. Senate rules may not allow them to do so, but in the interest of honesty and transparency, the effort must be made.

    I am sure Democrats and liberals will disagree.
     
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  2. Daniel Light

    Daniel Light Well-Known Member

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    Every Republic Senator has a conflict of interest because if Trump is convicted it hurts their chance for re-election. Didn’t think of that, did you.
     
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  3. TOG 6

    TOG 6 Well-Known Member

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    I don't see where you disagree with my premise and/or demonstrate its invalidity.
    Must mean you agree.
    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2020
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  4. Daniel Light

    Daniel Light Well-Known Member

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    Then you agree that every Republican Senator must recuse themselves as well as their re-election might hung on their vote.
     
  5. TOG 6

    TOG 6 Well-Known Member

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    The fact you are forced to address the issue with a red herring says all that need be said.
    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2020
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  6. PPark66

    PPark66 Well-Known Member

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    It’s not a red herring. Senators Johnson and Portman knowledge and actions (communications) are a clear conflict that normally would call for their recusal. They’re potential witnesses. To my knowledge they haven’t sought ethics advice on the matter much more have we heard a peep concerning recusal from either or the Majority Leader.
     
  7. TOG 6

    TOG 6 Well-Known Member

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    All I see here is you agreeing with the premise.
     
  8. Jestsayin

    Jestsayin Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Actually, if ol' Mitch plays his cards correctly, he can keep those three lugs off the campaign trail and in hearing briefings for the next three months. Then just watch them scream.
     
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  9. TOG 6

    TOG 6 Well-Known Member

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    I'm sure that's why Pelosi, et al, set this up to be over with in a hurry.
     
  10. Jestsayin

    Jestsayin Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    It is still up to Mitch as to how to make them look even more idiotic than they already are.
     
  11. nra37922

    nra37922 Well-Known Member

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    But they're not running for the office of President are they?
     
  12. Quantum Nerd

    Quantum Nerd Well-Known Member

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    Trump fans whining about COIs is kind of ironic.
     
  13. cd8ed

    cd8ed Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    No, but virtually all are receiving campaign contributions because of trump, many have said they are not impartial, and many more would be negatively damaged if they choose to remove.

    Should they all recuse themselves?
     
  14. nra37922

    nra37922 Well-Known Member

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    Yes...…….
     
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  15. kriman

    kriman Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    You could argue that every person who voted in the 2016 election has a conflict of interest or who has any interest in politics would have a conflict of interest. However, Warren, Sanders and Klobuchar have a very direct conflict of interest since they may or may not be running against him in an election and they have already stated publicly that he should be removed from office.

    Or they should just cancel the whole thing because there is no way to find an unbiased jury.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2020
  16. cd8ed

    cd8ed Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Do you believe they have more of a conflict of interest than the republicans that are relying on him for campaign funds or the republicans that have vowed to ignore evidence and find him innocent? Or the ones that are openly colluding with the White House?

    Just let everyone that hasn’t taken money, hasn't said they are not impartial, hasn’t colluded with the White House, or isn’t running against him vote, does that seem fair? I am fine with that personally.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2020
  17. kriman

    kriman Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Since they are hoping to be running directly against him in an election and have already stated their opinion very publicly in democrat debates, very much so. Not much different than what you are accusing Trump of doing.
     
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  18. cd8ed

    cd8ed Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    So people receiving money from trump, colluding with the defendant and saying they have already determined his guilt should be able to vote but people that are running against him should not be allowed to vote...

    If you switched the rolls — it was a Democrat being tried — would you feel the same way?
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2020
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  19. kriman

    kriman Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    They have a direct tangible benefit just like you are accusing Trump of doing.
    I have no idea. I rarely respond to hypotheticals because they are usually contrived and can never really match the situation.

    However, I don't really care whether they serve or not. They would have voted for removal whether they were running for president or not as will most democrats. It is political. and that is how the votes will end up.
     
  20. cd8ed

    cd8ed Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    The question though is should these individuals recuse themselves from voting, should Republicans that have a tangible benefit also recuse themselves?
     
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  21. kriman

    kriman Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Who has the most to lose or gain? A person running for president against Trump or someone who represents his own district which most likely agrees with him?
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2020
  22. cd8ed

    cd8ed Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    That isn’t how a conflict of interest is determined, it is an individual metric not based on others and who has the most to gain.

    Care to answer the question?
     
  23. TOG 6

    TOG 6 Well-Known Member

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    You lack of meaningful response is well noted.
     
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  24. kriman

    kriman Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    If a person has no way to gain or lose, there cannot possibly be a conflict of interest.
     
  25. TOG 6

    TOG 6 Well-Known Member

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    And thus, you draw the distinction.
    All of the senators have the same "re-election" conflict - it is inherent to their office.
    THREE senators have a -clear- conflict beyond that inherent to their office - and thus, the difference.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2020

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