Ohio Republicans and Democrats Express Different Takes on Ambassador Volker’s Impeachment Inquiry Testimony

Beth Lear

 

As the impeachment inquiry continued this week, several members of the Ohio Congressional delegation spoke out on social media. Congressman Warren Davidson (R-OH-08) shared his thoughts on Twitter and with The Ohio Star. Republican viewpoints varied, while the Democrats all appeared to be reading from the same page.

Davidson tweeted earlier in the day his frustrations with those employed by the Administration who have been speaking out against the President. “Executive Branch employees swear to faithfully discharge the duties of their office. If they disagree with #POTUS they should resign, not join in a ‘resistance’.”

On that same topic, the Congressman told The Ohio Star, “During these partisan impeachment hearings, Americans have heard the views of career civil service bureaucrats on the Trump Administration’s Ukraine policy. Taking counsel from one’s advisors is prudent, but the President ultimately makes decisions and appointments.”

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH-04) placed a portion of the hearing, where he questioned Ambassador Volker, on Twitter. He continued to hammer home the point there was no “quid pro quo.”

Q: In no way shape or form… did you receive any indication whatsoever that resembled a quid pro quo. Is that correct?”

Ambassador Volker: “That’s correct.”

Montgomery County’s Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH-10) is also a member of the Intelligence Committee. The House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA- ) posted video of Turner’s question and answer session with Ambassador Volker.

WATCH —> Amb. Volker just took apart Democrats’ ENTIRE case. @RepMikeTurner: Did he ever say to you that he was not going to allow aid with the US to go to Ukraine unless there were investigations into Burisma, the Bidens or the 2016 election?

VOLKER: No he did not.”

Ohio Democrats all focused on Lieutenant Colonel Vindman – not on his testimony, but on his military service. “It’s sickening to watch this administration and Republicans attack Lieutenant Colonel Vindman. LTC Vindman has spent his entire life serving our country and he deserves more respect than this,” he tweeted.

Former Democratic Presidential candidate Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) also focused on LTC Vindman’s role in the military rather than the substance of his testimony. Ryan wrote, “Thank you for your service, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman.”

A third Ohio Democrat used social media to comment on Tuesday’s hearing. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03) retweeted another Congresswoman’s post, again focusing on Vindman’s military service.

Another Ohio Republican and military member, Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH-02), serves on the Intelligence Committee. He, like the Democrats, focused on LTC Vindman, but his comments were based upon the contents of Vindman’s testimony.

Contrary to the narrative that painted Vindman as an honorable man simply because of his military service, Wenstrup tweeted, “As an officer in the military, I know the importance of following the chain of command. Today we saw what happens when the chain of command is ignored.”

Congressman Davidson had a final comment for The Ohio Star: “These witnesses may disagree with President Trump’s engagement with Ukraine, but philosophical disagreement is not a basis for impeachment. If an executive branch appointee’s doubts are so opposed to Administration policy, they should resign.”

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Beth Lear is a reporter at The Ohio Star.  Follow Beth on Twitter.  Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Kurt Volker Testimony” by CSPAN. 

 

 

 

 

 

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