So, I listened to quite a bit of the hearing. Now, I will say this, Cohen did sound convincing. He was clear and concise and didnt seem to waffle a lot on his answers.
Having said that, it could be that he was playing a part in order to try and lighten his sentence, or it could be that he is telling the truth. While this hearing really didnt address much on the topic of Russian collusion, I'd be curious to see if the Mueller report, if it is released, covers any of the topics discussed in the hearing today, and how they align in regards to accuracy.
The hunch I have is that the mueller report will never be released and the left will try and use Cohen's testimony as their basis for impeachment proceedings.
A couple of things that did stand out to me, however, is that in regards to the stormy daniels payment, Cohen admitted that he has no proof that trump authorized that payment and he only has his own testimony as evidence.
Also, one of the members of the ways and means committee was asking questions about trumps taxes, which was followed up immediately by ocasio cortez also asking about if Cohen believed trumps taxes should be looked at. My initial though on this is that it shows that the left doesnt have anything to warrant trying to subpoena trumps taxes, and they are going to try and so they are going to use Cohen's testimony as the justification to pull trumps tax records.
And lastly, several times Cohen said he did things, not because trump told hin to, but because he felt that's what trump would have wanted. Now, I admit, after you worked with someone for a long time, you do tend to get an idea of how they think, but you cant offer as evidence "I did something because I think he would have wanted it". When it comes to trying to investigate someone, you can only really use things that trump actually said. Regardless if trump probably would have authorized those actions, you cant indict someone based on your assessment of what they would have done, you have to go on what they did do.
Sidebar: Keep in mind that Cohen's head legal counsel is a longtime dear friend of the Clintons', Lanny Davis.
The same Clintons who started this whole shitshow in the first place!
Yes, I know that. One of the reasons why I'd give credence to Cohen's testimony is, barring some sort of deal offered by the left, he has no reason to lie at this point. He is already going to jail, albeit a light sentence for the things he's done.
It's not unreasonable to think maybe he feels since he is already being punished, he didnt flip and is going to tell the truth. Maybe he holds resentment against trump because he feels his time with trump got him into this mess. Granted, he could have left trumps employment at any time.
Perhaps he thinks this will grant him an easier sentence or get out early.
Or, maybe, as you have mentioned, his ties with Clinton and Davis, this is all intended to hurt trump in 2020.
Hard to tell. Yes, we know Cohen has lied in the past, but again, barring some sort of deal, what would be his motivation to lie now? Especially since he knows the committee will be watching with extra scrutiny, and if he is caught in lies to congress again, it could potentially increase his jail sentence.
...any day now...any day now...any day now...any day now...any day now...
