Impeachment will break the Republican Party.

[Renew Deal]

Impeachment for insurrection will break the republican party. That's why they're begging Biden to call off the vote.

Individual Republicans have two options:

Vote to convict and piss off every lunatic on their side, likely fracturing the party, but maintaining some integrity.
Vote to acquit, and lose ALL CREDIBILITY, likely fracturing the party.

Both options are terrible for political futures. That's why they might beg Pence for mercy and get him to invoke the 25th amendment.

Realistically, the republican party needs to take out their trash, starting with Trump, Hawley, and a bunch of others but they don't have the appetite for that.

[msongs]

1. they riled up over nothing, impeachment means nothing really. there will be no conviction nt

[Claustrum]

7. Exactly. I don't get why people would expect the republicans to suddenly change their tunes now

They would rather be hiding for 12 more days and focus their fire on Biden instead. Doing anything on impeachment is career-ending for them.

[LiberalLovinLug]

83. Yes. I mean, they could be instead focusing on Biden's impeachment.

I'm only half kidding

[Silent3]

22. Maybe there wouldn't be a conviction...

...but at this point, they don't want to be on record as voting either yes or no on that, and they NEED to be forced to take a stance on that.

So even if the 25th is invoked, impeachment should proceed.

[SheltieLover]

50. Absolutely!

They don't want to have to commit!

And HELL YES, 25th or not, he must be impeached & prevented from ever holding office again!

Not that he would, but I
would think if prevented from doing so, any effort on his part to fund raise for that purpose would be fraud.

[wnylib]

57. He would only be prevented from holding

office again if he was convicted.

I agree that impeachment is important to get his crime of insurrection on the record, as well as the record of votes for or against conviction.

I heard a guest on NPR say that there isn't time before the 20th to have a trial in the Senate. The Senate would have to reconvene, requiring a unanimous vote, which will not happen.

However, I think the new Senate, under Schumer's leadership, can hold the trial even after Trump's term is over. It would be worth doing it for two reasons. First, it gets votes on the record. Second, if they do manage to convict Trump, he will lose his pension and his Secret Service protection, not to mention being the first president in history to be convicted.

[wnylib]

86. Because there isn't time for a Senate

trial before the 20th, but if it goes to the new Senate after Georgia's 2 new Senators are sworn in, Schumer will be majority leader, not McTurtle. It was McTurtle who refused to have a trial last time.

[Captain Zero]

61. 2 impeachments makes great campaign ads

Against him in 24. If he's alive and out of jail he will try to run.

Makes great ads against the Republicans too.
Look who forgot to take out the trash.

[brush]

29. I disagree. A party with its last president twice-impeached is considerably weakened...

and divided which can lead to a split. And what's even better, impeachment of trump stamps out the political ambitions of all his spawn and spawn-in-laws.

Also we can never let a fu_king attempted coup to nullify the results of an election go unpunished. That would be the biggest mistake we could ever make as it would leave that option on the table for other miscreant administrations in the future.

I say ahead full on impeachment.

[servermsh]

2. I agree it will put great pressure on them

IMHO, we really do have a chance of seeing significant damage to the Republican party, which would be awesome.

[Blue Owl]

3. Proceed

[exboyfil]

4. The 25th doesn't preclude impeachment

It just takes the immediacy of it away. The Democrats should couch it as "Do you ever want him to hold a federal office again". It is actually beneficial to them since it takes candidate Trump off the table for 2024.

Continue the impeachment even after he leaves office.

[Renew Deal]

9. I agree, but Democrats are saying they won't impeach if Trump is removed another way.

I would love to continue the impeachment.

[Claustrum]

17. While republicans would love not to see a candidate Trump in 2024,

they also don't want to piss off his cult followers right now. They still need their votes in 2022 and 2024. I personally don't think 25th or conviction in the senate is going to happen. I would love to be wrong about the republicans though. But I will remain with my opinion that they are all spineless until they prove me wrong.

[crickets]

74. Another reason for impeaching him anyway, and seeking Senate conviction

is that this man has committed a crime against the country so grave that merely removing him from office is not enough. There were far too many orchestrated elements involved in the events that transpired, far too many high echelon moving parts that did not move as they should have. The level of outright disloyalty displayed by trump and all others involved will require massive investigations and legal repercussions. Heavy repercussions. I know, I know. "He gets away with everything. He'll walk away." Not this time. Not for this. It will be a kindness if he spends the rest of his life in jail.

[exboyfil]

75. It is looking more likely a Ferdinand Marcos or Idi Amin

Exile in another country.

[crickets]

79. Point taken, and until this week I would have agreed with you.

But neither Marcos nor Amin lived in an era of mass media like this one. If trump could get out of the country, and after Wednesday that's a big if, who would want him? He would never stop stirring the pot, grifting and making a loud mess wherever he goes.

There is also the issue of his crushing debts. He owes far too much money to far too many people.

Who knows, though? You may be right. He may try to skip town after all.

[roamer65]

5. 25 or IMPEACH.

[Generic Brad]

36. 25 AND impeach!

Let’s break these lying motherfuckers once and for all.

[roamer65]

37. THIS.

[MontanaMama]

56. I want that in a tshirt.

25th AND Impeach.

[Dem2theMax]

58. THIS! 👆 nt.

[leftieNanner]

6. They could beg Pence for mercy

But he has political aspirations too.

They ALL reap what they sow.

I hope both Cruz and Hawley are trounced in 2024, or better yet, they are pushed out of the Senate before. Both of them have been ravaged by their home town newspapers.

[Renew Deal]

12. Pence is done and he knows it.

Just look at how the magats are treating Graham.

[Nasruddin]

65. He's like the guy falling from skyscraper

"OK so far!"

I'll bet he doesn't know it, & even if told so, doesn't believe it. These deceivers are masters at deceiving themselves first.

[Squinch]

8. They really shouldn't have painted themselves into that corner, then. But they did.

[RockRaven]

10. That is, I believe, what is called a "bonus"

Do the right thing.... AND break the Republicans?

Yes please!

[Phoenix61]

11. I know!!! Let's make it happen! nt

[milestogo]

13. One can hope.

[The Roux Comes First]

14. How in the World Do You See Voting to Acquit as "Maintaining Some Integrity"?

Furthermore, most of these folks have spend decades becoming savants at seemingly painlessly sustaining cognitive dissonance, err, hypocrisy.

I don't share your optimism, though I would like to.

[Renew Deal]

19. Sorry, had it out of order.

Fixed.

[The empressof all]

15. I strongly believe Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant

Televised Impeachment Hearings and Subsequent Trial will be widely watched and start the road to getting the truth of the massive Con Trump has played on his followers. Republicans have no reasonable defense to their complicity and can only begin to redeem themselves by accepting Trumps guilt and repenting for their own. We need a public trial otherwise the truth will be swept under the rug.

[LuvNewcastle]

16. That's why Nancy is pushing for impeachment.

She knows it's the only way to eliminate him. If she pushes for impeachment, the Republicans will beg Pence for the 25th, and he'll likely do it.

[UpInArms]

18. Lay down with dogs

Wake up with fleas

[Buzz cook]

20. The daddy party always rises again.

I've been told the republican party is dead several times in my life. But it never happens. It always gets rehabilitated in a matter of months, if not weeks.

If republicans vote to impeach they will be the "good Germans" and the media will fall all over themselves praising their courage. If the vote against impeachment and it fails, the media will blame the democrats for over reaching.

[Renew Deal]

24. I agree.

If broken, it will eventually be fixed.

[brush]

39. This could lead to a split though. There are the never-trumpers...

there's Romney who's coming out smelling like a rose, Murkowski is threatening to go independent, there are the Lincoln Project people who have left the party. I say there has to be a reckoning in the GOP with some being purged even, or there will be a split. I mean who wants to be a part of the party that tried to overthrow the government and was unsecessful.

[Salviati]

21. Then they better start leaning on pence

[William769]

23. You nailed it.

[badboy67]

25. GOP is all in on the coup. Republicans are hoping to just run out the clock; Trump has other plans.

Trump's got 11 days left to try and seize the White House back from the incoming Biden Administration, and I have a feeing that Wednesday was only a dress rehearsal.

[littlemissmartypants]

73. Exactly. A trial run. nt

[crickets]

76. I don't think all of them are, but enough are far too sanguine about what happened.

It's a huge tell, and even letting the clock run out will not save them. Nancy is white hot angry for good reason. It's unprecedented to have a Speaker of the House from the opposing party go to the military to warn them that their CIC is no longer to be trusted, and to receive cooperation rather than rebuke.

Wednesday was only a dress rehearsal.

Agreed. Social media being blocked and outright taken down in days after - it is way too real right now.

[C_U_L8R]

26. Up or down vote.

You're either for terrorism, violence and insurrection
Or you're not.

Choose wisely Republicans.

[Renew Deal]

28. This is why I think he will be convicted.

I think a lot of them will be forced to vote for it. Something else interesting that can happen... 300-350 votes for impeachment on Tuesday or Wednesday. That signals that he is likely to be convicted in the senate. It might change the calculus for everyone in that last week.

[BGBD]

27. The Republican Party is already broke

Half of their base wants to literally murder their own VP and most of their congressmen.

I just don't see how they can win anything nationally or in competitive districts right now. How will they find candidates who can satisfy both sides of the Republican base? If they aren't trumpy enough that side will not show up for them and if they are everyone who isn't a trumper nut will show up to make sure they lose.

[dweller]

35. This 👆🏼

read all the way through this to post what you did ...

✌🏻

[crickets]

71. Nailed it.

Wednesday's events drew a sharp line right down the middle of the Republican party. The word 'petard' comes to mind; I can't imagine why.

[stopbush]

30. Rs could simply not attend the Senate trial. Conviction happens with a 2/3 majority

of Senators PRESENT, whether all 100 or only 50.

[Renew Deal]

32. That's an interesting concept.

Though that is basically a vote to convict.

[stopbush]

33. It's a non-vote. Lawrence Tribe was on Lawrence last night.

He said the Constitution is clear that it is a 2/3 vote of the Senators in attendance, not all 100 Senators.

[2naSalit]

31. Okay, cool.

[TwilightZone]

34. Wishful thinking.

Many tend to forget that heavily red states *want* their Senators to vote for acquittal. Their political future is in doing so.

Same with the GOP House voting to overturn the election. That's what their constituents want - voting that way was in the interests of saving their jobs as representatives.

Look at the polls. The majority of the GOP supports the insurrection, for heaven's sake. You really think voting to acquit Trump is going to cause them to lose credibility with these idiots?

We need to stop looking at things from a rational perspective (or from our own perspectives) and look at them in context.

[getagrip_already]

45. careful with those polls......

When they say 40% of republicans, it's only about 10% of registered voters, and because polling is so inaccurate, it's probably a lot less because they reach people who want to be heard.

Not saying most republicans aren't terrorist sympathizers, just that the number of registered republicans is fairly small (only about 23% right now).

[littlemissmartypants]

78. Things I've looked at actually show the Independent contingent gaining ground

and the Republicans losing members. Some are becoming outright Democrats but many are changing affiliation to Independent. Which is unfortunate because I fear the Libertarian contingent isn't ideal. Progressives have a row to hoe. The changing dynamics are at the least, interesting to watch. But we need all the help we can get.

[flotsam]

84. Suppose 25 or thirty of them suddenly had a family emergency

or better still a "positive" covid 19 test-see, not their fault!

[KayF]

38. they definitely don't want it

they want to get credit for useless condemnations in the media. A legal proceeding, where everything is under oath and all the evidence is laid out, is a different story.

[mgardener]

40. Elise Stefanik R-NY 21

Is my Rep and she is defiant.
She thinks she did nothing wrong by questioning the election.
She needs to go!

[monkeyman1]

41. trade deal

ya want to trump cry like a brat - trade trump to iran for nuke deal !!!!

[Ani Yun Wiya]

67. Now there is an idea

that works really well. Imagine the quality of acceptance of such a peace offering.

[bucolic_frolic]

42. As usual the world's in turmoil over Trump's drama

I doubt he'll resign. No way. As for impeachment or 25A, it will go right down to the wire. I'm thinking it will be 25A after a few more days of elevating frustrations and twisted attempts to resurrect his 2024 candidacy. Today's report that Pence spoke with Biden and will attend the inauguration is a tipoff to what's going on.

[SunSeeker]

43. Republicans need to do what they did with Nixon.

They need to go tell Trump he needs to resign or they'll convict him in the Senate.

[Renew Deal]

47. That only works if republicans agree to come back early for impeachment.

I'm not convinced that will happen.

[GulfCoast66]

52. They can still vote to convict after the Biden takes over.

And Schumer will control the Senate so evidence could be shown.

They still won’t convict, but it puts them on the record. That’s their biggest fear.

[Midnight Writer]

44. I don't think the worst is here yet. We have no choice but to impeach.

We are in danger of mass casualty events.

[yaesu]

46. 3rd option, they can skip the vote which would make it easier for Dems to reach the 2/3rds threshold

[flibbitygiblets]

51. Exactly 👆 Don't show up-- claim you got the 'Rona if you have to

Stay off the record but still manage to do the right thing. You know that deranged mofo will do literally anything at this point while he still can. He doesn't give a FUCK. How much more proof do republicans need?

[littlemissmartypants]

77. Chaos is the goal. He's a psychopath. It's a feature not a bug.

He loves it. He can't help himself. He's going to keep facking up regardless. Plus he's got support from his fellow psychopaths, Meadows, Miller, et. al. He's going to keep trying it on regardless. We need him neutered at the very least.

[BadgerMom]

48. "...but they don't have the spine for that." FIFY

[world wide wally]

49. A life of ruin for a known buffoon

GOP's new slogan

To bad you were all too fucking stupid to get the joke

[Vivienne235729]

53. Exactly. They need to own up to their part of this mayhem. Silence is not going to cut it.

They can't ignore it away. Enact the 25th Amendment and start taking back their party from the crazies.

[bucolic_frolic]

54. The public will not drop this subject for years to come, there is too much to come out

It's just dawning on the news media that insurrection is the term to use. That wasn't the case on Thursday. And we don't know half the particulars, not a quarter, yet. This will be a steady drip, drip. COVID will fade by summer as numbers come down and vaccines work their magic. Not so with insurrection. We are a nation shaken to its core. People will take new interest in politics, the implications of their decisions, and public life.

[NHvet]

55. Impeachment needs to happen

If for no other reason then to strip Trump of all the money, SS protection and benefits that will be afforded to him post-presidency for life. He shouldn't profit one cent from his actions. And we all money is all he cares about.

[ToxMarz]

59. A lot of these treasonists who only seek power and money

can very easily trash can their main obstacle (who they hate for emasculating them and making them kiss his ass) by voting to impeach "as patriots". Good for now, but they are as bad as he is and intend even more harm. Take what you can get, and be inspired to fight even harder. It's never going to end with one battle, but everyone you win emboldens you to see the war will eventually be won decisively.

[Nasruddin]

60. I like the way you think

It's possible you're right. I said long ago here (or somewhere else?) that Mr Trump was purely a Republican problem to solve[*]. We already had him all figured out & there was no working with him, but getting him out of office would take more than the Democratic party.

I don't really think Republicans are concerned about integrity in the sense we think. They're concerned about electability. The Republican party is currently made up of Trumpers and the old Republican tribe. The latter have their limits on how much criminality they want to be associated with. I don't know how big a number they are but I'm betting many of these legislators are unelectable if they have to rely solely on the Trumpers and the Republican tribe members flee to libertarians or other 3rd party candidates.

Asking Mr Pence for mercy is asking him to fall on his sword for all of them. He might as well but altruism is not big in Republican culture (let alone anyone else's).

I don't happen to believe impeachment has any more power to inflame the cultists than they are already, but I could be wrong and that would change the calculation.

[*]The presidential election has already shown there were a fair number of crossover votes but whether they are the margin of victory I don't know (perhaps the Dems won it without crossover help - I just don't know).

[Kablooie]

63. You discard all your values for short term gratification and someday the payment will come due.

[keithbvadu2]

64. Convict him or not, I don't care. Get their vote on record.

Convict him or not, I don't care.

Get their vote on record.

[GETPLANING]

66. FINISH THEM.

The Republican party has made it their mission to destroy the Democratic party for the last 30 years.
The nation as a whole has suffered under their war on democracy.
Already Mitch McConnell is calling for "bipartisanship."
It's the same story from them, every time. It's the Frog And The Scorpion, Lucy And The Football.
FINISH THEM. FASCISM NEVER RESTS.
It can only be killed, and now is our chance.

[NCjack]

68. Get them on their knees and kick the living shit out of them. That's what they

have been doing to DEMs in NC. If you don't do it, they know that their bad behavior will be absorbed by us.

Important: House DEMs are kicking them, be sure that they understand why.

[BobTheSubgenius]

70. Calling for the 25th to head off impeachment is a brilliant idea,

but unfortunately, it's a great idea for them. Ipso facto, a bad idea for our side.

I want every bad thing possible to happen to them, and in the worst way possible.

[littlemissmartypants]

72. Fracture away! They deserve nothing less. nt

[Xolodno]

80. Lie down with dogs...

...wake up with fleas.

They laid down with Trump...

[burrowowl]

81. Good take on the repukes and impeachment!

[Historic NY]

82. I want the entire 140 on paper history demmands to see how they stand

This conspiracy started with congressman Hice and Brook meeting

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/21/trump-house-overturn-election-449787]

[Quixote1818]

85. What if they don't show up for the vote? nt

[Vivienne235729]

87. No. Crazy republicans broke the republican party. They need to own up on the monsters they created.

This is like freaking Jurassic Park here

[Renew Deal]

89. I agree

This will never end until that happens. I'm not counting on it.

[Vivienne235729]

90. Me neither. I think they fundamentally feel that if they admit any wrongdoing whatsoever

That it is going to destroy their entire existence. Their modus operandi is to double down and keep repeating their lies until they force everyone into submission and believe it. It's not just heavy handed, it is just a really f*cked up way to govern. Their karma is coming home to roost and they STILL haven't figured out they need to DO something other than what they've been doing. SMDH...

[AntiFascist]

91. GOP senators can just stay away from the trial for conviction...

since what is needed is 2/3 vote of those who are present.

[malaise]

92. GOOD

Rec