We’ve collected here some of the more interesting, infuriating, and insightful Tweets about the profound injustice of the McDonnell verdict, from all sides. Presented Twitchy-style.[read_more]
This was really a terrible injustice. Bob McDonnell and his wife did unethical things, and exhibited (while in office and certainly while on trial) some horribly human weaknesses. But arranging a meeting for a donor and friend, or introducing people to that same donor and friend, shouldn’t be a felony. If you can’t see that, you’re wearing some moral blinders.
Sadness is the common theme to most Tweets. The photo accompanying this Tweet from NBC 12’s Julie Carey speaks volumes.
A sad chapter in #Virginia history written today w/ convictions in #McDonnell corruption trial http://t.co/Y2TsH7sHrW pic.twitter.com/UhUngA8Uzt
— Julie Carey (@JulieCareyNBC) September 5, 2014
MT @David_Culver: Two jurors wiped away tears as guilty counts were read and #McDonnell family sobbed in hysterics.
— RTD Politics (@RTDPolitics) September 4, 2014
Only description of Bob and Maureen #McDonnell I can muster – they looked horrified, literally horrified, guilty after guilty verdict read
— Mike Valerio (@MikeNBC12) September 4, 2014
MT @MikeNBC12: Seeing Bob #McDonnell cry is something I'll never forget — face turns red when guilty after guilty verdict is read
— RTD Politics (@RTDPolitics) September 4, 2014
The terribly painful courtroom moments as McDonnell processes verdict http://t.co/HMmBcJTWvy #RVA
— CBS 6 WTVR Richmond (@CBS6) September 5, 2014
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell sobs as guilty verdict read on corruption charges. http://t.co/G13BUjNu4m pic.twitter.com/0BCmp0fWZG
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) September 4, 2014
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell cries and children sob as guilty verdicts read http://t.co/Y1HspTdzwH
— PilotOnPolitics (@PilotOnPolitics) September 4, 2014
For some, “sad” is an opportunity to observe “sad irony”:
MT @MSchmidtRTD: Sad irony: In 2011, #McDonnell signed into law bill that denies retirement benefits to public employee convicted of felony
— RTD Politics (@RTDPolitics) September 5, 2014
Lots of (probably premature) commentary about the impact of the verdict on politics going forward:
#McDonnell verdict called "dynamite charge through heart of #VA political culture." http://t.co/aMpxreS0Hd #vagov pic.twitter.com/H4HMmpnbuI
— RTD Politics (@RTDPolitics) September 4, 2014
The #McDonnell verdict is effectively a TOTAL gift ban for state executive and legislative branches. Legislation is not required.
— Chris Saxman (@saxman8091) September 4, 2014
An excellent question about the priorities and focus of the Eric Holder Justice Department:
Stephen Hayes: WaPo did excellent job reporting on the McDonnell story. If only it would pay the same attention to the IRS scandal.
— Ken Gardner (@kesgardner) September 4, 2014
DOJ official: Bob McDonnell's corruption betrayed the people of Virginia http://t.co/uQKBUBVKE9
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) September 4, 2014
The Virginia Pilot focuses on the circus atmosphere:
Photo: Bob McDonnell mobbed by reporters leaving court http://t.co/UFJxqGfl24
(Associated Press image) pic.twitter.com/LRuEbV4AJL
— PilotOnPolitics (@PilotOnPolitics) September 4, 2014
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell gets into his car after being found guilty of multiple corruption offenses http://t.co/IF1wYgXRZk
— The Virginian-Pilot (@PilotNews) September 4, 2014
And then there are the vindictive, smug, and gleefully ironic Tweets:
DOJ official: Bob McDonnell's corruption betrayed the people of Virginia http://t.co/uQKBUBVKE9
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) September 4, 2014
Bob McDonnell's defense strategy of blaming his wife won him more guilty counts than her
http://t.co/8ZVyggm8DX
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) September 4, 2014
Resurrected Quote: "When someone commits a crime, they must be justly punished." – Bob McDonnell, May 2013. http://t.co/Waa2HlmRLz
— A. Barton Hinkle (@ABartonHinkle) September 4, 2014
MT @MSchmidtRTD: Sad irony: In 2011, #McDonnell signed into law bill that denies retirement benefits to public employee convicted of felony
— RTD Politics (@RTDPolitics) September 5, 2014
The pathetic and predictable end for Bob McDonnell. http://t.co/ZZ9Z45V661 pic.twitter.com/3RUf6VnFoh
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) September 4, 2014
Remember Mcdonnell rejected a plea offer to face 1 felony charge, get wife off completely. Arrogance. http://t.co/kkJfVJ4Y2V
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) September 4, 2014
Bob McDonnell got his hands (and his wife) caught in the cookie jar and thought he could get away red handed. NOPE!
— David Robertson (@101flyboy) September 4, 2014
This one is a particularly classless celebration of a family’s pain. “Dreamteam” indeed.
#McDonnell Dreamteam @David_Culver @JulieCareyNBC @ryanobles @NathanNBC12 @PhotogDwight @alana_austin @AshleyMonfort pic.twitter.com/Om9LTiPHAr
— Mike Valerio (@MikeNBC12) September 5, 2014
Ben Tribbett has some observations about what he believes were ugly reactions to Sen. Mark Warner’s well-advised remarks:
Can't believe the nasty comments on @MarkWarnerVA's facebook wall after a classy post about the McDonnells.
— Ben Tribbett (@notlarrysabato) September 5, 2014
As well as comments about some juror-related intrigue:
Got some questions on this juror- he was dismissed around day 8 or 9- McDonnell was seen teary eyed after conf with judge about dismissal.
— Ben Tribbett (@notlarrysabato) September 5, 2014
The one juror who got busted running his mouth on how dumb this case was changed the course of VA political history.
— Ben Tribbett (@notlarrysabato) September 5, 2014
Appeal appears in the offing:
Bob #McDonnell attorney says the fight is far from over and 'of course we plan to appeal.'
— Kathy Adams (@kathymarievb) September 4, 2014
Bob #McDonnell attorney says the fight is far from over and 'of course we plan to appeal.'
— Kathy Adams (@kathymarievb) September 4, 2014
Bob, Maureen #McDonnell have substantial grounds for appeal, legal experts say. http://t.co/IzAvXBh529 #va #vagov pic.twitter.com/yrftsOzETm
— RTD Politics (@RTDPolitics) September 4, 2014
Here’s hoping that last one is right.
3 comments
As Andy McCarthy told Mark Levin, “If this were a democrat governor, it wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow.”
Levin himself couldn’t believe the verdicts when it was clear that Jonnie Williams got NOTHING in return. (And I’m not a McDonnell fan.)
Cop to a plea, and your wife goes free! That must look delicious in retrospect. McDonnell and his legal team badly misjudged the case.
He can thank that genius John Brownlee, the guy McDonnell wanted for AG. Now McDonnell is dead broke and owes his team big bucks for getting him and his wife convicted on many counts. What a mess.