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kentuck

(111,079 posts)
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:17 PM May 2019

Contrary to what many fear about impeachment...

It would not increase the turnout for the Trumpsters and it would not decrease the turnout of the Democrats. In my opinion, it would be the exact opposite.

The secret is to get out as much facts and information as possible before the election. Trump wants people to believe it was all lies about him, that there was a coup against him. He is a certified paranoid kook who has lied more than 10,000 times, How foolish to believe such a liar!

There is nothing they can say or do to increase their turnout once the facts come out in an impeachment proceeding. There is a possibility that it could be a political massacre. There is no win for them.

The Democrats would take the US Senate by a large margin. The fears of a Democratic defeat because of impeachment are totally unfounded and
are not realistic. It is nothing but fear feeding upon itself.

Do not fear impeachment. It is a political goldmine for the Democrats, if they decide to take that route.

To compare it to the Clinton impeachment is a mistake. They are as
different as night and day.

The key to winning with impeachment is to keep feeding them the facts,
whether they like them or not. Denial is their problem, not ours.



91 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Contrary to what many fear about impeachment... (Original Post) kentuck May 2019 OP
K&R, There are no longer any cogent political reasons not to impeach. Polls show higher impeachment uponit7771 May 2019 #1
Agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t RKP5637 May 2019 #2
There is literally no reason not to start impeachment proceedings manor321 May 2019 #3
"It would not increase the turnout for the Trumpsters " TwilightZone May 2019 #4
the base is going to turn out no matter what. Grasswire2 May 2019 #5
They didn't turn out in 2018. TwilightZone May 2019 #13
2018 was a midterm and impeachment will not cause them to turn out anymore or less standingtall May 2019 #18
Yes, everything pivots on turning out OUR sizable majority DemocracyMouse May 2019 #49
They actually did turn out in 2018 bearsfootball516 May 2019 #21
They weren't voting for him / who will reside in KPN May 2019 #80
Nothing you will say will motivate them anymore than they already are.. kentuck May 2019 #6
Nonsense. TwilightZone May 2019 #8
Nonsense. kentuck May 2019 #12
Those aren't mutually exclusive. TwilightZone May 2019 #15
No one really knows for sure. It seems irrational Laura PourMeADrink May 2019 #57
Why do you think that not impeaching right now is "doing nothing"? StarfishSaver May 2019 #65
It's difficult to argue for delay when the obstruction is at the degree it is now... kentuck May 2019 #67
I'm not arguing for a delay StarfishSaver May 2019 #70
The present problem with that theory is that the White House is stone-walling.... kentuck May 2019 #74
You think they won't stonewall an impeachment inquiry? StarfishSaver May 2019 #77
Not true...easier to get docs via impeachment. Laura PourMeADrink May 2019 #86
How exactly do you think that works? StarfishSaver May 2019 #89
By nothing, I mean anything that is or is likely to be effective, and the the mass public Laura PourMeADrink May 2019 #84
I agree, Laura.... kentuck May 2019 #66
I admire you so much, for keeping the fight up Kentuck ! Laura PourMeADrink May 2019 #87
Last poll I saw 66% of Dems favored impeachment. What about demoralizing them?? Laura PourMeADrink May 2019 #85
"you seem to fear" TwilightZone May 2019 #10
Totally irrational. kentuck May 2019 #14
Post removed Post removed May 2019 #16
What "reality" are you referring to? kentuck May 2019 #17
In 2016, the people that decided in the last week NewJeffCT May 2019 #19
decided in the last week? stopdiggin May 2019 #24
1 voter in 8 according to this Washington Post article NewJeffCT May 2019 #30
I've read it too stopdiggin May 2019 #38
Some watched The Apprentice and went for the goon. Some were alert and saw Hillary's name somewhere. DemocracyMouse May 2019 #50
I wonder if some of that 10-15% were the people coming out from under a rock Laura PourMeADrink May 2019 #88
I can't imagine running a campaign on not pissing off the other side. HopeAgain May 2019 #34
Come on. They are going to turn out in droves for KPN May 2019 #78
I can not see impeachment... tonedevil May 2019 #7
They will claim exoneration for Trump no matter what standingtall May 2019 #22
Where is the justice... tonedevil May 2019 #25
Democrats could blame the Senate for acquittng Trump standingtall May 2019 #62
They only hold those cards... tonedevil May 2019 #63
Sorry, disagree completely. NewJeffCT May 2019 #23
Brilliant! wryter2000 May 2019 #28
I'm sure I missed other crimes as well NewJeffCT May 2019 #32
The emoluments violations are grotesque... kentuck May 2019 #45
If the process can be extended... tonedevil May 2019 #31
Yup wryter2000 May 2019 #33
I think the... tonedevil May 2019 #39
Ye gods wryter2000 May 2019 #43
Even though they would likely be voting with the minority after the impeachment proceedings? kentuck May 2019 #46
I Agree With Your Timeline Here.....nt global1 May 2019 #40
***OP WORTHY*** uponit7771 May 2019 #72
+1000 wryter2000 May 2019 #29
With impeachment Bettie May 2019 #37
The danger is... tonedevil May 2019 #42
I don't think that's how it will work StarfishSaver May 2019 #64
+1 Laura PourMeADrink May 2019 #90
Hmm. Ask Clinton if the "impeached" with his name Laura PourMeADrink May 2019 #58
Which word do you suppose... tonedevil May 2019 #61
Don't need Senate to hurt Republicans post impeachment, the party of the impeached never fares well uponit7771 May 2019 #71
After the Clinton impeachment... tonedevil May 2019 #73
Trump will say he has 3.2 arms and 5 legs, Trump is not sane so we should not pay attention to ... uponit7771 May 2019 #75
If donald... tonedevil May 2019 #79
Historically your first sentence has never been the case for nearly 200 years. Trump will NOT be ... uponit7771 May 2019 #81
OK /nt tonedevil May 2019 #82
Recommended. H2O Man May 2019 #9
Don't fear the reaper abqtommy May 2019 #11
K&R BeyondGeography May 2019 #20
K&R Kurt V. May 2019 #26
"The secret is to get out as much facts and information as possible before the election." wryter2000 May 2019 #27
At the present time, they are being stonewalled... kentuck May 2019 #47
I agree Bettie May 2019 #35
I wonder if reluctance is due to the following scenario: Basic LA May 2019 #36
One letter shy of bingo... pbmus May 2019 #53
In other words expect a political outcome instead Laura PourMeADrink May 2019 #91
Because you say so? (nt) ehrnst May 2019 #41
I am not the only one. kentuck May 2019 #48
Impeachment should be carried out asap, depending on House continuity on the subject. nt yaesu May 2019 #44
Sure wryter2000 May 2019 #56
And be unable to have a second bite of the apple StarfishSaver May 2019 #59
Impeachment or not, it will be the voters that say whether or not Trump has been exonerated. kentuck May 2019 #60
Make the GOP Senators stand shoulder to shoulder w/Trump as the truth comes out that he ... Botany May 2019 #51
One would have to put a lot of faith in propaganda and PR... kentuck May 2019 #52
They've been doing it so far wryter2000 May 2019 #55
Fear is the destroyer patphil May 2019 #54
Thank you Kentuck Poiuyt May 2019 #68
Poiuyt.. kentuck May 2019 #69
I agree it's the media narrative because they want another horse race instead of a wipe out kimbutgar May 2019 #76
Not impeaching would be worse. muntrv May 2019 #83

uponit7771

(90,335 posts)
1. K&R, There are no longer any cogent political reasons not to impeach. Polls show higher impeachment
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:21 PM
May 2019

... percentage for Red Don than Nixon and that was after Nixon tapes and Saturday Night Massacre.

Impeachment has never been a political positive in elections for the party of the impeached.

TwilightZone

(25,464 posts)
4. "It would not increase the turnout for the Trumpsters "
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:25 PM
May 2019

There is no basis for this assertion. None. These are the same people that got out to vote because Hillary (accurately) called them deplorables. You really think they wouldn't use an impeachment as motivation?

If the first 10,000 lies didn't change their minds, you think exposing a few more will? That's just not realistic.

If we're going to impeach him expecting it to change the minds of the die-hards, we're going to be bitterly disappointed.

Grasswire2

(13,568 posts)
5. the base is going to turn out no matter what.
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:28 PM
May 2019

But he can't win with his base only.

The numbers just aren't there.

TwilightZone

(25,464 posts)
13. They didn't turn out in 2018.
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:35 PM
May 2019

This is not an all-or-nothing proposition. Impeachment *will* increase turnout of the rubes. I find it difficult to believe that people have somehow convinced themselves otherwise.

But then, it's the same people who think we're going to change a bunch of their minds by detailing a bunch of the lies everyone knows Trump has already told and that the rubes already ignore.

If we're going to impeach him, changing the minds of the rubes should be the last thing on our minds, because it's simply not going to happen.

standingtall

(2,785 posts)
18. 2018 was a midterm and impeachment will not cause them to turn out anymore or less
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:42 PM
May 2019

in 2016 they hit their ceiling and still lost the popular vote, because there is more of us. Not impeaching Trump could depress our base. We can use impeachment to motivate our base. If 2020 is a battle of turnouts we should be able to win it.

DemocracyMouse

(2,275 posts)
49. Yes, everything pivots on turning out OUR sizable majority
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:54 PM
May 2019

(And signaling we support our Constitution and the rule of law is our duty)

bearsfootball516

(6,377 posts)
21. They actually did turn out in 2018
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:48 PM
May 2019

The difference was independents and swing voters flipped from voting Trump in 2016 to Democratic in 2018.

kentuck

(111,079 posts)
6. Nothing you will say will motivate them anymore than they already are..
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:28 PM
May 2019

Fortunately, they are not the huge majority you seem to fear?

kentuck

(111,079 posts)
12. Nonsense.
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:35 PM
May 2019

It would "jack up" those voters that care about their country and cannot wait to get rid of this criminal cabal. Except for the nuts, no one is going to rush to join this cesspool of traitors.

TwilightZone

(25,464 posts)
15. Those aren't mutually exclusive.
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:37 PM
May 2019

It would motivate both sides. That you can't see that and just assume only Dems would be further motivated is mind-boggling.

It's also ludicrous.

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
57. No one really knows for sure. It seems irrational
Tue May 14, 2019, 04:32 PM
May 2019

on the surface, that a president labeled as "impeached" wouldn't lose at least some degree of support. Only the most rabid trump fans would blame us... and they will vote anyway. At a minimum a wash.

On our side, if we do nothing I KNOW it will suppress our side to some degree. Letting him get away with everything and not standing up, win or lose, will be the.most detrimental IMHO.

 

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
65. Why do you think that not impeaching right now is "doing nothing"?
Tue May 14, 2019, 05:49 PM
May 2019

This isn't a binary choice. First, the House is not "doing nothing." They're doing plenty. And impeachment at this very moment is not the only possible good approach and not doing it at this very moment doesn't mean it won't ever happen.

kentuck

(111,079 posts)
67. It's difficult to argue for delay when the obstruction is at the degree it is now...
Tue May 14, 2019, 06:03 PM
May 2019

It is unpredictable.

Do we really wish to gamble with an unstable person in the White House? Perhaps he is not "unstable"?

 

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
70. I'm not arguing for a delay
Tue May 14, 2019, 06:35 PM
May 2019

And the House isn't delaying anything.

They are doing exactly what they would be doing in an impeachment inquiry - only doing it with more resources and tools that they wouldn't necessarily have if they consolidated everything into an an official impeachment inquiry at this point. Not to mention that once they start an official impeachment inquiry, a clock starts running and within minutes, they'd be getting bombarded with "Why are they TAKING so long?! When are they going to FINISH?!"

And I'm not sure why you think that starting impeachment hearings right now will mean that anyone is "gambling with an unstable person in the White House." And unstable person is in the White House and will likely be there - impeachment or no impeachment - until at least January 2021 since, even if he is impeached tomorrow, there's scant chance the Senate will remove him from office. However, the stronger the case built by the various committees outside of the impeachment process, the more likely it is that we could get enough Senators to vote to remove him or, at the very least, enough Senators so that a majority of the Senate votes to oust him, which would be huge, even if doesn't actually remove him from office.

kentuck

(111,079 posts)
74. The present problem with that theory is that the White House is stone-walling....
Tue May 14, 2019, 07:36 PM
May 2019

...and preventing people from testifying before the Congress. If they can get no documents, no tax returns, no witnesses, no nothing, from the White House.

Ideally, that might be the best route to go? But we are not in ideal times.

If the Courts begin to rule in Congress' favor over the White House, that might be a good sign?

In the end, they might just say that it is between the Executive and the Legislature?

What to do, in that case?

It seems to be somewhat of a fluid situation?

 

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
77. You think they won't stonewall an impeachment inquiry?
Tue May 14, 2019, 07:58 PM
May 2019

The House doesn't need to have impeachment hearings to go to court to get documents, tax returns, testimony, etc. In fact, as you can see, they're already going to court now and are laying the proper legal groundwork for more court challenges.

Impeachment isn't a magical door that opens into rooms full of riches (or documents, tax returns and testimony) and with a golden door that will lead us into the Promised Land.

 

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
89. How exactly do you think that works?
Tue May 14, 2019, 10:24 PM
May 2019

There is no special process for getting documents through impeachment than in any other oversight process. As Adam Schiff has said, a subpoena is a subpoena and it works the same way in court regardless whether the documents are being sought for an impeachment inquiry or other oversight inquiry. In fact, some documents can ONLY be obtained OUTSIDE of an impeachment process. For example, tax returns can be obtained only through the Ways and Means Committee.

It's possible that a judge can be convinced that a request is more urgent if it comes as part of an impeachment inquiry, but the opposite is just as true - and there is no legal requirement or practice compelling any judge to move a matter more quickly because it's coming out of impeachment than he or she would for any other matter involving a Congressional subpoena.

The notion that documents and testimony are easier to obtain through the impeachment process or that judges will treat requests with much more urgency in an impeachment than if they arise from another proceeding is mostly a myth with no basis in fact, law or procedure.

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
84. By nothing, I mean anything that is or is likely to be effective, and the the mass public
Tue May 14, 2019, 08:54 PM
May 2019

is watching. Hell, I bet 1/2 of us don't even know the status, nor put very much weight on it. I would venture to guess that a very small percentage of the public even know anything is going on. And, to what end? DOJ's not gonna take up any prosecution, duh.

No, our time to pounce is almost over. Most effective time WOULD have be the very day the Mueller Report came out. when people were watching. Trump's approval dropped to 37% shortly after. But, what did we do? Well.....gotta think about it.....gotta investigate more.... Jeez, the guy investigated with the full power of the govt law enforcement for what, 18 months straight with a big team of the top prosecutors in the country laid it all out ! Now, if we come out and say - we want to impeach for the obstruction Mueller laid out, people think, what the hell, why didn't you do that the day it came out. At least announce the start.

Why DUers who are pleading for an edgy left of left to run for prez (nothing wrong with that) agree to be led by people who are way to cautious in the new world of trump, way too unmedia-savvy and political is beyond me.

No one is clamoring for impeachment. Why are people clamoring not to impeach? sounds very fishy to me.




kentuck

(111,079 posts)
66. I agree, Laura....
Tue May 14, 2019, 05:53 PM
May 2019

Somehow, if Democrats do not stand up for themselves, then it could hurt the entire Party.

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
85. Last poll I saw 66% of Dems favored impeachment. What about demoralizing them??
Tue May 14, 2019, 09:24 PM
May 2019

If we end up not impeaching, I will be completely demoralized. Will limp to polls in the end. JHC, if we can't fucking stand up to 10 counts of obstruction of justice, wth can we stand for??

TwilightZone

(25,464 posts)
10. "you seem to fear"
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:33 PM
May 2019

Who said anything about fear? I'm not the one ignoring reality when it's staring you right in the face.

Response to kentuck (Reply #14)

NewJeffCT

(56,828 posts)
19. In 2016, the people that decided in the last week
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:43 PM
May 2019

overwhelmingly broke for Trump. I forgot what percent of the electorate decided in the last week, but 10-15% rings a bell in my head.

I think a good part of that is the Comey letter leaking and the media uproar following it.

If they had broken to Hillary by a similar amount, it would have been a landslide. Heck, if they stayed home, it would have been a landslide.



stopdiggin

(11,296 posts)
24. decided in the last week?
Tue May 14, 2019, 02:16 PM
May 2019

I won't argue your stats, but I've always had a problem with the supposed "on the fence" voter. The person who just couldn't quite make up their mind given the stark contrast of Hillary vs Trump. Am I allowed to call BS here? If there are such individuals out there (and I really doubt it), is it really possible that they could find their way to the polls? On the right day?

I know .. polling numbers crashed on Hillary, etc. etc. But, cmon' .. a lot of those people were with Trump a LONG time before actually copped to it.

stopdiggin

(11,296 posts)
38. I've read it too
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:22 PM
May 2019

Yeah, I know. But, like I said .. who ARE these people? If you just can't make up your mind between Donald and Hillary ... You need help! AND, I think a lot of voters HAD made up their minds .. they just weren't admitting it. But I freely concede you have the footnotes. I don't.

DemocracyMouse

(2,275 posts)
50. Some watched The Apprentice and went for the goon. Some were alert and saw Hillary's name somewhere.
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:58 PM
May 2019

Sadly, much of this boils down to name recognition and personality types.

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
88. I wonder if some of that 10-15% were the people coming out from under a rock
Tue May 14, 2019, 10:02 PM
May 2019

to vote for Trump? I saw it in my red state, working the polls. You could tell, they had never voted before - they were walking around talking to everyone about how trump should be prez.

My point is, that I read that there is a factor (these people who don't typically vote) that will come out for him. To allow for this, they came up with a benchmark of 45% approval for trump (and he will win). That's what I have been waiting for new approval numbers in MI, WI, PA, NC, NV, FL, AZ and TX. And there is no reason in the world we can't discount the probability that trumpco will rig it. He can never keep a secret and he blamed HRC of cheating which translates to him who was cheating.

HopeAgain

(4,407 posts)
34. I can't imagine running a campaign on not pissing off the other side.
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:15 PM
May 2019

Really? That's what we are down to?

KPN

(15,642 posts)
78. Come on. They are going to turn out in droves for
Tue May 14, 2019, 08:07 PM
May 2019

Chief Bumf*** anyway. Fearing their energy is exactly what he and they want. No way should we fulfill their desires. Geesh!

 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
7. I can not see impeachment...
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:29 PM
May 2019

without removal as anything but a losing proposition. When Barr declared there was nothing to see here regarding the Muller Report the one conclusion from the report that he did include was that the report did not exonerate donald. Right out of the box donald told us that the report exonerated him completely. That is the narrative donald and the Republicans are pushing with more success than it logically should. Extrapolating from that I foresee the Senate acquitting donald and that will be the story they will push from then until eternity. If the Senate votes down the articles any inquiries by Democrats after that will be deemed illegitimate, I think the media will go that way as well.

standingtall

(2,785 posts)
22. They will claim exoneration for Trump no matter what
Tue May 14, 2019, 01:49 PM
May 2019

and it will be even more effective if Democrats do not impeach, because it will leave the impression Democrats did not fight hard enough. There is no debate Trump committed impeachable offenses.

“Shall any man be above justice?” “Shall that man be above it who can commit the most extensive injustice?” A presidential candidate might bribe the electors to gain the presidency." “Shall the man who has practiced corruption, and by that means procured his appointment in the first instance, be suffered to escape punishment by repeating his guilt?” George Mason

 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
25. Where is the justice...
Tue May 14, 2019, 02:58 PM
May 2019

if donald is impeached yet not removed from office? As I pointed out when Barr specifically said the report does not exonerate donald, donald came right out and said it totally exonerated him. So I agree that there is no action or inaction that will stop donald and the Republicans from declaring complete vindication. I just think that if the Senate acquits the actual words not guilty will have been pronounced in relation to the charges. That will be major for not only donald and the Republicans, but all the news media as well. Sending articles of impeachment to the Senate without the votes to kick the fucker out is an endeavor such as those of Don Quixote.

standingtall

(2,785 posts)
62. Democrats could blame the Senate for acquittng Trump
Tue May 14, 2019, 04:49 PM
May 2019

The house holds all the cards concerning impeachment. They can take as much time as they need to before actually holding the impeachment vote. They could decide to impeach Trump 3 weeks before the election if they want to and if they do that I suspect the Senate will not vote on it until after the election. Voting to acquit Trump will be a pretty tough vote for Susan Collins and Cory Gardener in an election year.

 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
63. They only hold those cards...
Tue May 14, 2019, 05:17 PM
May 2019

until they send articles to the Senate. That's why I'm for dragging out the investigations it's the only way we control the narrative.

NewJeffCT

(56,828 posts)
23. Sorry, disagree completely.
Tue May 14, 2019, 02:09 PM
May 2019

The entire Watergate process took well over a year and there were far fewer crimes to expose.

The first televised hearings were in May of 1973 and Nixon resigned in August of 1974

1) Late May/early June 2019 - have Robert Mueller testify about obstruction of justice
A week or two later, have 3 or 4 of Mueller's top lieutenants testify over a period of a week or two.
Have Jim Comey testify as well. (fired by Trump)
Sally Yates (fired by Trump)
Preet Bharara (fired by Trump)
Bring in telegenic legal experts to testify as well

Later in June - Don McGahn testifies

2) Then, in July start hearings on Collusion/Conspiracy/Aiding and Abetting
Mueller testifies on this part of his report
Then, have some other lieutenants testify about this aspect as well
Bring in Don Jr, Jared Kushner and (if he can testify from jail on video) Michael Cohen

3) In the Fall, have hearings on Trump Tax Returns and bribery/emoluments
Bring in some financial experts to explain how Trump is not rich and is in debt to Russia, or Russian connected banks/mobsters

4) Around the holidays, have follow ups on Obstruction and Collusion with anything additional done by Trump, and having some good witnesses come back to expand/follow up.

5) have people come in to testify in early 2020 about the Trump inauguration scamfest with whoever SDNY is pursuing

6) Spring 2020, have the campaign finance crimes - paying off Stormy Daniels and that other woman, maybe more from Pecker and the National Enquirer?

7) Summer 2020, have the parade of women that accused Trump of groping, assaulting, grabbing, etc over the years testify.

These televised hearings will be the top news stories and keep Donny on the defensive. It will allow Democrats to control the narrative instead of reacting to Trump craziness.

When the process started with Nixon, America was heavily against impeachment. By summer of 1974, a solid majority favored impeachment. With the more serious and more numerous crimes of Donny Dollhands, I think the number supporting impeachment will be even higher than it was for Nixon.






kentuck

(111,079 posts)
45. The emoluments violations are grotesque...
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:46 PM
May 2019

...would need to be addressed in a hearing, in my opinion.

 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
31. If the process can be extended...
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:10 PM
May 2019

something like what you lay out that will be the best scenario for us I think. Where I think we have the fully loaded gun ready to take out several of our own toes is if articles of impeachment go to the Senate. If it goes to the Senate we lose control of the narrative. The Senate will vote to acquit and that will be pointed to as evidence that the Democrats are illegitimately pursuing donald.

kentuck

(111,079 posts)
46. Even though they would likely be voting with the minority after the impeachment proceedings?
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:48 PM
May 2019

They could claim no great victory or vindication, no moreso than AG Barr can claim vindication or total exoneration for Donald Trump. The people have facts now that they did not have in 2016.

wryter2000

(46,037 posts)
29. +1000
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:07 PM
May 2019

With impeachment, we get one bite of the apple. Then Trump declares he's been exonerated. End of story.

Bettie

(16,089 posts)
37. With impeachment
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:20 PM
May 2019

we start with investigations and hearings. That can go on for many, many months.

Those hearings with the word Impeachment attached to them are what get eyes on screens, they are what the media pays attention to.

 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
42. The danger is...
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:27 PM
May 2019

impeachment being in the hands of Senate Majority Leader McConnell and then the words on the screen will be acquitted and not guilty.

 

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
64. I don't think that's how it will work
Tue May 14, 2019, 05:47 PM
May 2019

Once a official impeachment inquiry begins, it becomes a finite "thing" that the public and media will expect to have an end. If the House uses the impeachment inquiry to do a lot of wide-ranging investigations and hearings, it will become or appear to be a fishing expedition, not a true impeachment process. There'll be tremendous pressure on the Judiciary Committee in particular and the House in general to move it along and get it over with.

Not only that, the Judiciary Committee is not in a good position to conduct the broad range and depth of investigations that need to be done. That is being done now and must continue for awhile to be handled in the respective committees of jurisdiction - e.g., Oversight, Intelligence, Ways and Means, Financial Services AND Judiciary, among, possibly others - which have the expertise, wherewithal and staffing to conduct thorough investigations. If everything is consolidated into a single impeachment inquiry, not only will Judiciary be over-burdened and probably unable to effectively handle all of the investigations and hearings that need to take place, it will give Donald Trump ONE single foil to attack and demonize instead of having to deal with incoming on all sides. That's exactly what he wants and needs.

Trump can't fight all of these committees conducting investigations up and down and on all sides of him. But he probably CAN take on the Judiciary Committee by turning all of the focus on it and making it the boogeyman while parrying everything they throw at him because it's coming from one source.

The committees need to continue building the case - it won't take long. And when they do, they can pull everything together and give the Judiciary Committee plenty to work with so that, instead of having to conduct a wide and huge investigation beyond its normal jurisdiction, it can focus on pulling together and presenting the case for impeachment based on the information already gathered.

But launching an impeachment investigation in the Judiciary Committee right now and expecting it to go on for "many, many months," just isn't realistic. Fortunately, Pelosi and Nadler know that and aren't rushing to jump into that briar patch.

 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
61. Which word do you suppose...
Tue May 14, 2019, 04:47 PM
May 2019

will be used more frequently on MSNBC or CNN and do you even need to guess with FOX. MY strongest suspicion is despite impeachment President Clinton would have won reelection and in fact VP Gore would have had a stronger campaign if he hadn't runaway from the Clinton administration. donald has an extra trick up his sleeve he is incapable of feeling shame.

uponit7771

(90,335 posts)
71. Don't need Senate to hurt Republicans post impeachment, the party of the impeached never fares well
Tue May 14, 2019, 06:40 PM
May 2019

... in the next election post impeachment

 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
73. After the Clinton impeachment...
Tue May 14, 2019, 07:02 PM
May 2019

the Democratic party backed away from him significantly. Many Democratic Senators and Congresspeople made statements to let us know they did not support his shenanigans. When Al Gore ran in the next election cycle he picked Fucking Joe Lieberman and distanced himself as much as he could from the Clinton administration. I think that was a huge mistake and Gore would have been stronger with out Lieberman and embracing the great work done by the administration which he should rightly have been proud of.
If the Senate votes to acquit donald he will not show any contrition nor will he shrink from bragging how the "Witch Hunt" has been proven to be illegitimate and he has been cleared of all wrong doing. The news media won't think twice about following that exact same line of thinking. It may be to the determent of the Republican party, but I don't think it will be much of a negative for donald. If donald is reelected there will be a number of things to blame, but if he can get acquitted by the Senate I think that will be one of them.

uponit7771

(90,335 posts)
75. Trump will say he has 3.2 arms and 5 legs, Trump is not sane so we should not pay attention to ...
Tue May 14, 2019, 07:48 PM
May 2019

... what he says to his narrow band of sycophants.

Donald Trump is part of the republican party, impeachment will hurt him too

 

tonedevil

(3,022 posts)
79. If donald...
Tue May 14, 2019, 08:07 PM
May 2019

is impeached without being removed from office his path to reelection will be considerably easier. All he will have to say, and I am certain he will say it, is they took me to court and I was acquitted. The news will make that same claim for him, consider if you will Chuck Todd.

uponit7771

(90,335 posts)
81. Historically your first sentence has never been the case for nearly 200 years. Trump will NOT be ...
Tue May 14, 2019, 08:16 PM
May 2019

... able to expand his narrow base if he's not removed by the republicans senate.

The non removal of Clinton was bipartisan, that wont be the case for Red Don.

Chuck Todd's influence is more narrow than Red Don, he appeals to people who got A's in civics class not the average voter.

Also

Clinton's popularity went up by so did the number of people who thought he was dishonest, another reason Gore ran away from him.

The SUBSTANCE of the Clinton impeachment was the issue among voters not just the fact that Clinton was impeached and not removed.

wryter2000

(46,037 posts)
27. "The secret is to get out as much facts and information as possible before the election."
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:03 PM
May 2019

Exactly!

Which is why we should have multiple investigations going on at once with no immediate end in sight. What we're currently doing will accomplish that. Impeachment won't.

However, I do absolutely support immediate impeachment hearings for Barr, Mnuchin, and others who are illegally defying legitimate requests/subpoenas from Congress. Also, putting them in jail/prison, if at all possible.

kentuck

(111,079 posts)
47. At the present time, they are being stonewalled...
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:52 PM
May 2019

...the White House is ignoring all subpoenas and requests for documents. Unless the Courts rule in the Democrats favor, the only way to get those is with the impeachment process.

The Courts will be hesitant to get involved in a dispute between the Executive and the Legislative, in my opinion.

There may be no other option?

Bettie

(16,089 posts)
35. I agree
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:19 PM
May 2019

Frankly, "impeachment will make more Trumpkins come out of the woodwork!" is the new version of "reaching out to Trump voters so they'll vote for us".

 

Basic LA

(2,047 posts)
36. I wonder if reluctance is due to the following scenario:
Tue May 14, 2019, 03:19 PM
May 2019

The Dems open impeachment proceedings that last a few months. It's gripping & damning.
Then it goes to the Mitch & Lindsey senate acquittal hearings, where they turn it into Dem bashing for an equal length of time. They'll probably drag Hillary & maybe even Obama in for attacks. This drags on until the senate completely exonerates Trump just in time for the election.
Could this be what Speaker Pelosi is thinking?

pbmus

(12,422 posts)
53. One letter shy of bingo...
Tue May 14, 2019, 04:14 PM
May 2019

The letter is P...and it stands for PERSECUTION of our beloved leader...

The entire faux news cycle and all Sinclair radio and television will broadcast the persecution narrative

 

Laura PourMeADrink

(42,770 posts)
91. In other words expect a political outcome instead
Wed May 15, 2019, 12:13 AM
May 2019

of doing what is right. Trump and GOP is ALREADY declaring exoneration. So you'll have 1 1/2 of that !!?? And without any reiteration of his crimes in a formal setting that many will watch? No brainer.

wryter2000

(46,037 posts)
56. Sure
Tue May 14, 2019, 04:22 PM
May 2019

Get it over with 18 months before the election so we all can have moved on to something else.

kentuck

(111,079 posts)
60. Impeachment or not, it will be the voters that say whether or not Trump has been exonerated.
Tue May 14, 2019, 04:47 PM
May 2019

They will have the second bite of the apple.

Botany

(70,490 posts)
51. Make the GOP Senators stand shoulder to shoulder w/Trump as the truth comes out that he ...
Tue May 14, 2019, 04:05 PM
May 2019

... is a grifting traitor to America.

kentuck

(111,079 posts)
52. One would have to put a lot of faith in propaganda and PR...
Tue May 14, 2019, 04:09 PM
May 2019

...to believe that McConnell and the Trumpsters could escape the facts and the truth.

patphil

(6,169 posts)
54. Fear is the destroyer
Tue May 14, 2019, 04:15 PM
May 2019

Roosevelt said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself".
The people saying the Democrats will be big losers if they attempt to impeach Trump are most likely Republicans trolling this, and other sites.
It's their fear of having Trump unmasked as the lying, dishonest, sack of shit he is.
And of having the people of this country realize that his base is not strong enough to win his re-election.
Timid will always be the could of, should of, but didn't way of true losers.
The stakes are too high. We need heroes. We need leaders who take it to the Republicans.

kentuck is absolutely correct.

Patrick Phillips

kimbutgar

(21,130 posts)
76. I agree it's the media narrative because they want another horse race instead of a wipe out
Tue May 14, 2019, 07:53 PM
May 2019

There are more of us who are disgusted and angry at fat donnie for destroying the rule of law and moral civility in this country. He has destroyed our institutions and agencies to the point I wonder if they can be repaired. And what he has done to our foreign relations is appalling.

There are more of us sick of the hate in this country perpetrated by his supporters.

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