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Then you simply have not been paying attention. The Republican base was full throatedly calling for the release of the files mere months ago. They were sitting

by gryfft 1y ago

Then you simply have not been paying attention. The Republican base was full throatedly calling for the release of the files mere months ago. They were sitting "on Bondi's desk." Releasing them then would not be seen as caving. Your argument is nonsensical.

rkomorn 1y ago
My take is democrats called the republicans' "bluff" (because republicans never actually intended to release everything) and backed them into a corner of having to actively oppose the release because democrats don't. Now, even if those files end up being a nothingburger (because republicans will just shrug off whatever makes them look bad), it'll be on republicans if they let the release happen. My main point is: republicans aren't opposing the release because "they're on the list", they're opposing it because it'll look like a loss if the release happens.
- gryfft 1y ago
  > because republicans never actually intended to release everything All you did was hide my previous point in here and then pretend it's not there. These mental gymnastics must be exhausting.
  - rkomorn 1y ago
    Fair. I thought there was difference because I thought your stance was that republicans are afraid that the files themselves contain things that make them look bad (eg Trump or some other big-name republican was mentioned in them), and I don't think that's the case. Edit: well, I don't think they're afraid of it, not that there's nothing that makes them look bad. > These mental gymnastics must be exhausting. Not sure what makes you feel that's a necessary thing to say, TBH.
    - HaZeust 1y ago
      >"I don't think [Republicans] are afraid of [The Epstein Files]" With the scope of approach the House, Senate, and Executive cabinet are taking to avoid any release or mention of the Epstein files, I truly believe anyone who says such a thing are either not presently politically-literate, or are less than honest with themselves and others. I simply see no other avenue, and I've heard no coherent logic that steelmans the Republican position on this matter for ANY motivation besides fear of, at the very least, members of their cohort being implicated for child sex crimes. Nonetheless, I'll be happy to hear a shot taken again at it.
      - rkomorn 1y ago
        I'll accept accusations of being too cynical, but I come at it from the "(lack of) past consequences" side. For the past ~25 years I've paid attention, and in particular since 2008, virtually no scandal has cost the GOP any tangible support. I see no reason to expect that anything in these files would have different results, so I see no reason for republicans to think differently and fear the release based on the contents of said files. Whatever comes out would get brushed off with the mix of "deep state", "lying victims", "locker room talk", "circumstantial means nothing", etc, we've already seen, and it would be effective.
        johnnyanmac 1y ago
        I'm cynical but I also see the numbers. This is by far one of trumps worst polling issues. It may not be the Watergate release that ends the term, but this will absolutely tank the GOP's midterms and add more fuel to a congress that might want to try to impeach Trump again in 2027. The numbers as is are really bad for so much of the GOP. Maybe no one holds them accountable now, but these sentiments aren't easily forgotten when it's out in the blue. Ford pardoned Nixon nearly Day One of taking over and that pretty much forever sealed his chances at re-election.
        rkomorn 1y ago
        I guess my problem is that I'm strictly in a "I'll believe it when I see it (and no sooner)" mindset when it comes to election results (as opposed to polls).

by gryfft 1y ago

rkomorn 1y ago

My take is democrats called the republicans' "bluff" (because republicans never actually intended to release everything) and backed them into a corner of having to actively oppose the release because democrats don't. Now, even if those files end up being a nothingburger (because republicans will just shrug off whatever makes them look bad), it'll be on republicans if they let the release happen. My main point is: republicans aren't opposing the release because "they're on the list", they're opposing it because it'll look like a loss if the release happens.

gryfft 1y ago
> because republicans never actually intended to release everything All you did was hide my previous point in here and then pretend it's not there. These mental gymnastics must be exhausting.
- rkomorn 1y ago
  Fair. I thought there was difference because I thought your stance was that republicans are afraid that the files themselves contain things that make them look bad (eg Trump or some other big-name republican was mentioned in them), and I don't think that's the case. Edit: well, I don't think they're afraid of it, not that there's nothing that makes them look bad. > These mental gymnastics must be exhausting. Not sure what makes you feel that's a necessary thing to say, TBH.
  - HaZeust 1y ago
    >"I don't think [Republicans] are afraid of [The Epstein Files]" With the scope of approach the House, Senate, and Executive cabinet are taking to avoid any release or mention of the Epstein files, I truly believe anyone who says such a thing are either not presently politically-literate, or are less than honest with themselves and others. I simply see no other avenue, and I've heard no coherent logic that steelmans the Republican position on this matter for ANY motivation besides fear of, at the very least, members of their cohort being implicated for child sex crimes. Nonetheless, I'll be happy to hear a shot taken again at it.
    - rkomorn 1y ago
      I'll accept accusations of being too cynical, but I come at it from the "(lack of) past consequences" side. For the past ~25 years I've paid attention, and in particular since 2008, virtually no scandal has cost the GOP any tangible support. I see no reason to expect that anything in these files would have different results, so I see no reason for republicans to think differently and fear the release based on the contents of said files. Whatever comes out would get brushed off with the mix of "deep state", "lying victims", "locker room talk", "circumstantial means nothing", etc, we've already seen, and it would be effective.
      - johnnyanmac 1y ago
        I'm cynical but I also see the numbers. This is by far one of trumps worst polling issues. It may not be the Watergate release that ends the term, but this will absolutely tank the GOP's midterms and add more fuel to a congress that might want to try to impeach Trump again in 2027. The numbers as is are really bad for so much of the GOP. Maybe no one holds them accountable now, but these sentiments aren't easily forgotten when it's out in the blue. Ford pardoned Nixon nearly Day One of taking over and that pretty much forever sealed his chances at re-election.
        rkomorn 1y ago
        I guess my problem is that I'm strictly in a "I'll believe it when I see it (and no sooner)" mindset when it comes to election results (as opposed to polls).