December 18, 2019 | by Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski
An awful day for Washington
They came in droves.
Every 90 seconds or so another member of the House stepped up to the microphone to bless or condemn the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
Hour after hour (after hour) it went on. Familiar faces. Not-so-familiar faces. Angry people. Somber people. A moment of silence for Trump voters. Citations of Scripture.
But it was also a telling glimpse of where our politics is -- and a glimpse into what it will look like for the near future.
As soon as one Republican would finish slamming the articles of impeachment as a product of a Democratic Party that has never been able to get over its loss in 2016, a Democrat insisting that Trump had knowingly sought to pressure a foreign power for his own benefit would begin.
It felt like watching two different movies at the same time. There was lots of talking, lots of accusations and no listening. And most of it just seemed like noise, noise, NOISE.
The only thing the two sides ever seemed to agree on was that this was a big day in Washington (and the world) -- and that there would be long-lasting consequences from how each of them voted. Republicans repeatedly warned Democrats they could kiss their House majority goodbye in the 2020 election. Democrats told Republicans that history would judge them very poorly for their support of a corrupt President.
The Point: This was Washington at its absolute worst. A real low point for a congressional body that has seen a lot of them over the past few years.
-- Chris
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"During that sham trial, Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than the Democrats have afforded this President in this process."
-- Georgia Rep. Barry Loudermilk, on the House floor, compared the impeachment proceedings to the trial of Jesus.
IMPEACHMENT Q&A
All your impeachment vote questions, answered
We asked for your questions on the impeachment ahead of the House vote and the impending Senate trial. Chris has your answers!
There's a chance Trump could be onstage at a campaign rally at the same time the House votes to impeach him.
Trump will be in Battle Creek, Michigan, tonight for what is sure to be an especially fiery rally, set to kick off at 7 p.m. Eastern.
That puts Trump on a timing-based collision course with the House itself. After a full day of debate, the votes on the two impeachment articles are expected in the 7 p.m. hour.
Trump will likely have his say, and a whole lot more, onstage in Michigan.
LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL LATEST
Elizabeth Warren: Has been endorsed by more than 200 veterans of Barack Obama's campaigns and administration.
Michael Bloomberg: Doesn't have to file his public financial disclosure with the Federal Election Commission until February, thanks to a 45-day extension from the FEC.
Cory Booker: Won't be on Thursday's debate stage, but he is planning to visit all four early voting states between December 30 and January 4.
Andrew Yang: Picked up an endorsement from actor-singer-rapper Donald Glover, known as Childish Gambino.
ONE BIG BROOCH
Notice Nancy Pelosi's unique brooch? It's a replica of the House of Representatives' mace, used by the sergeant-at-arms to inspire decorum in the chamber.
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