WH Spins Barr No-Show: ‘Frankly It’s Pathetic’ Dems Can’t Ask Own Questions

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The White House went out of its way on Thursday to spin the fact that the attorney general refused to appear before the House Judiciary Committee by lobbing an attack on Democrats’ intelligence.

During an interview with Fox News, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called it “frankly pathetic” that Democrats couldn’t question Attorney General William Barr themselves. Democrats voted Wednesday to allow extra time for a staff lawyer to attend the hearing to question Barr. The attorney would question Barr in addition to lawmakers. Barr refused to appear if it meant he’d be questioned by staff attorneys.

“The Democrats, frankly, they saw what happened yesterday and they’ve decided they are incapable of actually asking questions of the attorney general,” Sanders said. “Look, I lost confidence in Jerry Nadler a long time ago, but I was unaware that he had lost confidence in himself and his ability to do his job and that is to ask questions. The fact that he needs to staff that out is unbelievable. Frankly it’s pathetic. Democrats have to step up.”

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Notable Replies

  1. First, GOPers used someone outside the committee in Kavanaugh hearings. Second, even if lawmakers are incapable of asking questions themselves and ask an attorney for help, it’s a good sign that they know their limits and are not afraid to make the hearing professional.

  2. SHS is such a pathetic human being. I can’t even listen to her. It’s bad enough reading what she says and hearing her voice in my head.

  3. Also pathetic: Barr refusing to subject himself to tough questioning.

  4. I move to skip the lawyers doing block questioning, just give it to AOC.

    Then they can’t complain.

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