‘One party seems to have lost its way’

The difference between Democrats and Republicans was nicely demonstrated in the difference between the opening statements of two California congressmen, Adam Schiff (Democrat) and Devin Nunes (Republican). One party believes in democracy. One party seems to have lost its way, if not its mind. It has definitely lost its ability to tell right from wrong, truth from fiction and American interests from Trump’s interests. — LT, Chicago

‘Shoot-from-the-hip cowboys’

What amazes me about yesterday’s testimony is not just the evidence of quid pro quo, but also the White House’s willingness to send shoot-from-the-hip cowboys like Rudy Giuliani to the front lines of ultrasensitive regions such as Ukraine, undercutting the best people the U.S. has to offer. — DJD, Germany

‘My eyes crossed and my head spun’

Once again, the Democratic elites are tone-deaf. They have no idea how the hoi polloi think or feel. I watched a couple of hours of the hearings. My eyes crossed and my head spun. Who could keep track of all the names and places, events and times? The Democrats are very much mistaken if they think these hearings will increase support for impeachment. Most people will have the same reaction I did and tune out. To change minds, they’ll have to do more than expose the facts. They’ll have to educate voters as to why the facts matter. — Ron Cohen, Waltham, Mass.

‘They are playing to an audience of one’

Jim Jordan (“motormouth delivery”) kept claiming that aid to Ukraine was given by “this administration.” Actually, aid was given by Congress, which holds the purse strings. Trump, however, contrary to law , was holding up this congressionally authorized aid — dangling it — while pressuring the vulnerable new chief executive of a small, beleaguered country to do his bidding for his own personal reasons. This needs to be said again and again, and every ploy the Republican representatives throw out needs to be named and shamed. They did themselves no favor appearing so aggressive, aggrieved and irritatingly hostile. They are playing to an audience of one, and choosing tactics likely to displease other viewers, of which I was one. — TheraP, Midwest

‘ Real -world consequences beyond politics’

It needs to be emphasized that Trump’s attempted blackmail had real-world consequences beyond politics: for Ukrainian soldiers, the security of Europe and U.S. security. Thank you to Ambassador Taylor, George Kent and the American officials there on the ground trying to do their part to help a free Ukraine stand up against the Russian threat — and thanks to all those who risked their careers to alert the public and Congress to the perversion of our foreign policy goals. — Kevin, Washington

‘Shredding the Democrats’ arguments’

Rep. Jim Jordan is absolutely shredding the Democrats’ arguments, to the point that they look silly. The notion that these proceedings will sway voters still holds, but not in the direction that Chairman Schiff and others in his party had hoped. Moderate Democrats in the House are now at risk. At what point will they say, “Enough?” — Mike, Mason-Dixon line

‘Where are the Goldwaters?’

I came of age, politically, watching the Watergate impeachment hearings. I was 14. Although teens of the era were taught to distrust older Americans, we’d watched in awe as Sam Ervin, John Sirica and Peter Rodino led the effort to defend the rule of law. And we were grateful to the three senior Republicans — Barry Goldwater, John Rhodes and Hugh Scott — for meeting with Nixon to advise him to resign, which he did the following day. But where are the Goldwaters and the Scotts now, the men who put their loyalty to the Constitution above their loyalty to party? — The History Prof, New York