Did Zelensky have an option to admit to pressure?

This is a good part of the republicans argument yesterday.  Zelensky publicly stated that he did not feel pressure from Trump.

Here's one article on the pressure:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ap-sources-ukraines-zelensky-was-feeling-pressure-from-trump-administration

What would his option have been with Trump sitting right next to him?  Here's what he said:

“You heard that we had, I think, good phone call. It was normal. We spoke about many things. And I — so I think, and you read it, that nobody pushed — pushed me,” Zelensky said in the appearance with Trump on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York.

“In other words, no pressure,” Trump spoke up to add.

So Trump jumped in to stress the no pressure part.

Did Zelensky have a choice at this point?  It sort of reminds me of the Republicans unable to publicly admit to any of Trump's wrongdoing in the whole process for fear that they would lose their leader.

Zelensky - protecting aid and doing what's best for his country.

Republicans - protecting their leader and control of the executive.

Both are pure protectionism moves - to admit anything otherwise would show weakness in the eyes on their base.  

jamie said:

So Trump jumped in to stress the no pressure part.

Did Zelensky have a choice at this point?  It sort of reminds me of the Republicans unable to publicly admit to any of Trump's wrongdoing in the whole process for fear that they would lose their leader.

Zelensky - protecting aid and doing what's best for his country.

Republicans - protecting their leader and control of the executive.

Both are pure protectionism moves - to admit anything otherwise would show weakness in the eyes on their base.  

does a hostage in video have an option not to read the script?

There was no upside for Zelensky to do so.

ml1 said:

does a hostage in video have an option not to read the script?

 You usually know the hostage is a hostage.  I guess the Fox and republicans optics of Zelensky saying "nobody pushed me" will be #1 piece of documented proof that Trump did nothing wrong.  So, how do you convince the Trump/Fox mindset otherwise - it's impossible.  Will this be the mantra of the republican senators as well?

Here's a decent overview of the republican talking point to exonerate Trump:

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/11/12/20961073/trump-impeachment-hearings-republican-testimony-strategy

jamie said:

 You usually know the hostage is a hostage.  I guess the Fox and republicans optics of Zelensky saying "nobody pushed me" will be #1 piece of documented proof that Trump did nothing wrong.  So, how do you convince the Trump/Fox mindset otherwise - it's impossible.  Will this be the mantra of the republican senators as well?

Here's a decent overview of the republican talking point to exonerate Trump:

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/11/12/20961073/trump-impeachment-hearings-republican-testimony-strategy

 just because the person doesn't feel pressured to pay the bribe, it doesn't make it any less of a bribe. 

jamie said: So, how do you convince the Trump/Fox mindset otherwise - it's impossible.  Will this be the mantra of the republican senators as well?

Impossible is right. No one has ever convinced the Trump/Fox mindset of anything that Trump has done wrong. Why should this be different?

Its a waste of time trying to engage them. The thing to be done is to unite for their defeat at the polls.