General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHow long can the "impasse" go on?
And who does it benefit politically?
The animosities between McConnell and Schumer seem to be very intense. If ending the impasse is left to them, then it may go on for a long time?
The last polls that asked if the Senate should call witnesses for the impeachment trial were at about 70% in favor. The other poll shows 55% of the people support conviction and removal of Donald J Trump.
Republicans are saying their polls show they are gaining ground in battleground states. We have not seen those polls.
The big question is : How long will Pelosi hold on to the Articles before she passes them to the Senate?
One thing we know about Pelosi is that she is very patient. She is not known to pull the trigger until the time is right. Her political instincts are very, very good.
Will she turn the Articles over soon after the Senate returns on the 6th? Much will depend on whether she believes there are enough votes to request the testimony of witnesses?
She will follow her heart and gut to get the best answer for the American people. If the Republicans insist on a quick trial and acquittal, they will suffer the political consequences of voting against 70% of the American people. It may end up being a pyrrhic victory for them?
pwb
(11,292 posts)They all suck canal water.
TheBlackAdder
(28,226 posts).
.
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)is discussed. The professional AG interviewed,seems to think this can go on for a while and be fine constitutionally, they were discussing Trump's financial records Supreme Court case.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Maybe that long.
OnDoutside
(19,977 posts)kentuck
(111,110 posts)After all witnesses and court decisions come out, it's going to be a much rougher road for Trump and the Republicans, in my opinion.
OnDoutside
(19,977 posts)it matters what terms are set, as long as Trump wins by 51 votes or more, he's going to claim victory. He will create that narrative over the following 9 months. Where Nancy has him now, is optimum for Democrats. Park this impeachment and wait for those other court cases to work their way through.
kentuck
(111,110 posts)It is still not nearly the 67 votes needed to remove him, but it is also not a majority acquittal. It's hard to sell as an "exoneration".
OnDoutside
(19,977 posts)here before, he's nothing if not predictable. Don't expect him to come out with his hands up. If I were the Dems, I would very quickly go full on with some other scandal to distract, it's what Trump would do.
kentuck
(111,110 posts)That's why he is attacking Pelosi every day.
He doesn't know what is going to happen.
OnDoutside
(19,977 posts)pwb
(11,292 posts)Very slowly please.
TheRealNorth
(9,500 posts)WhiteTara
(29,728 posts)there's no impasse. We can have this discussion on 1/8/2020 when they have been back at work one day.
comradebillyboy
(10,177 posts)Baked Potato
(7,733 posts)she is satisfied her conditions are met. That puts enormous pressure on Moscow Mitch.
MineralMan
(146,336 posts)this question in earnest. Right now, there's nobody in DC to make the decisions. Is there a genuine impasse? We don't know, really.
kentuck
(111,110 posts)As far as we know?
MineralMan
(146,336 posts)What is going on privately we don't know. The Senate is in recess, but that doesn't mean that conversations are not going on. But, we're not privy to them.
McConnell is probably getting some pressure, both from Republicans and Democrats. Will he compromise? I don't know. Who influences him? Well, Trump, probably. Putin, maybe, but perhaps he's staying out of this particular nastiness.
Maybe money will talk in some way, but we won't hear about that, either.
PRETZEL
(3,245 posts)McConnell and Shumer's staffs are talking, at least in general terms. At least that is my thought.
As we get closer to them returning to session, let's see if Murkowski (maybe Romney etc.) continue their calls for evidence and witnesses. If those voices continue to be heard, then maybe there will be some form of a fair trial.
If they go silent (which something in the back of my mind is telling me they will), then it will be McConnell's show and no matter what Speaker Pelosi says, she'll end up looking like one holding up the trial.
underpants
(182,940 posts)Uh huh. Sure they are.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)And this may be a good strategy for us Dems.
Time's on our side in this. The longer the impeachment stays in the news, the more people learn about it, the more that facts about Trump's conduct end up on the news, and the worse the GOP looks when they've been caught openly bragging about turning the Senate trial into a kangaroo court with a pre-conceived outcome. And the more that Trump looks like a manbaby when he whines about them in his toilet tweets.
My vote is that Pelosi hold on to those articles at least for weeks or even months. Sure, the end-result may be acquittal, but I say make sure that acquittal happens after Super Tuesday.
OrlandoDem2
(2,070 posts)The Reps have been arguing process in the House, now Nancy is arguing process in the Senate. She needs a simple, quick, easy to understand rebuttal or she may play into their hands.
I trust her instincts, though. Shes the best.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)Short, simple, fits on a bumper sticker.
Virtually everyone knows that you need to be able to present evidence and call witnesses in a proper trial. Yet Moscow Mitch wants a trial with no witnesses, no evidence, just a short period of politicians emitting hot air, followed by a lockstep vote to shut it down.
Mitch really fucked up when he bragged that he was going to shut the impeachment down in the Senate, when he's one of the people on the jury, who will be under oath.
I'd say Pelosi's winning right now. That impeachment is hanging over Trump and the GOP like a dead skunk, and Pelosi just denied Mitch the way to make it go away.
forthemiddle
(1,383 posts)As soon as it starts, Mitch will change the Senate rules, and end the trial. Even if it means taking a short term hit, the spin machines will be out declaring Trump acquited.
Right now, with the Christmas break nothing needs to be done.
Because, ultimately, this is now in the Senate hands, Mitch can determine the outcome.
aikoaiko
(34,185 posts)I think it was a good idea to hold off on transmitting the article until after the winter recess, but then there are only diminishing returns after that unless you're waiting for a majority in the Senate.
Midwestern Democrat
(806 posts)like in January. I don't see how dragging this thing out into February, March, April is in our best interests - under normal circumstances, our presidential candidates and eventual nominee can expect to get a lot free publicity during the primaries/caucuses - I really don't see how it benefits us to have an impeachment trial where acquittal is certain drowning out a lot of this coverage. Pelosi basically decided to engage in a Mexican standoff with McConnell - but her gun is loaded with nothing but blanks.
kentuck
(111,110 posts)...and nothing else would come out, that might make sense. But I suspect the Courts may come down with two or three decisions against Trump, as well as the release of documents, as well as the testimony of firsthand witnesses.
I think it is good for Democrats.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)And polling that we have seen suggests that the public knows that Trump is guilty.
There is only one reason that Trump refuses to allow anyone from his Administration to testify, and 70% of the public knows why.
In my view, Pelosi should stand form, as should Schumer, and the appropriate House Sub-Committees should continue to investigate and allow the court proceedings to continue as well.