Most Democrats avoided any questions on the substance of the allegations, focusing instead on everything from systemic racism to the use of the term "two-tiered system of justice" and, of course, Donald Trump. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) often goes where wiser members fear to tread. On this occasion, Goldman may have delivered one of the most damaging moments for the Democrats.
Goldman pressed veteran IRS investigator Gary Shapley about his suggestion that Joe Biden discussed the foreign dealing with his son. Shapley eagerly said he would be happy to explain, but Goldman cut him off and said he did not have time for such explanations.
At this point, most lawyers would have reversed engines out of troubled waters, but Goldman plowed full speed ahead. He said the references to Joe sitting next to his son do not mean that they actually discussed his business.Goldman then pounced and said slyly, "Now let me ask you something, that doesn’t sound much like Joe Biden was involved in whatever Hunter was doing with the CEFC if Hunter Biden is telling him that he is trying to do business with them, does it?"
That is when Shapley stated the obvious: "No, but it does show that he told his father that he was trying to do business and ..."
Goldman finally heard the train whistle and tried to get off the track: "OK, well, that is true that Hunter Biden does try to do business, that is correct."
Too late.
Goldman was citing the testimony of Walker that Joe Biden not only came to lunch on Hunter’s foreign dealings but did so after being told that Hunter wanted to lay the foundation for such a deal.
Unfortunately, that is when Goldman’s time ran out.
A few more minutes and we might have had an open-and-shut case for the appointment of a special counsel.