I Think Pelosi is channeling FDR.

[bitterross]

So, this opinion may be because I watched the Ken Burns series on the Roosevelts this weekend.

One of the things FDR did, brilliantly, was always made it appear to the nation he was PULL-ed into a decision by overwhelming circumstances. That he had little other choice. Rather than it being him PUSH-ing the nation into a decision/situation because of his politics.

He KNEW that if he were perceived as PUSHing then it made it so much easier for the position to be attacked and minimized as political.

This didn't happen with just the Pearl Harbor attack. It happened over several key issues. Before Pearl Harbor there was the law for the draft. Although he was very much for it, he let the GOP take the heat on proposing it and then agreed it was a matter of defense that was clearly common sense.

Some may say this was cowardly behavior. That he should have stood up for everything from the start. To those who believe this - you have no idea how the world and politics work.

I think Pelosi is doing the same sort of thing. She's not jumping up and down for impeachment because as soon as she states a preference for impeachment it will be Pelosi's Crusade Against Trump. Facts will be discussed even less than they are now. It will become a matter of personalities and politics.

I think she's doing the right thing by making sure all appearances are she is being PULL-ed into a conclusion and decision for which she really has no other choice.

There will be more GOP Reps and Senators who join the call. There will come a time where the damn will break. When it does, it will be best if it is seen as her HAVING to respond to the flood rather than having caused it.

[Ilsa]

1. I think Donny Deutsch explained her decision-making

pretty reasonably: she and the democrats have plenty of time to impeach. They should exhaust all means of acquiring the information they need before opening up proceedings that allow trump to scream, "look! They're trying to impeach me" for the next 18 months. And if they try impeachment and cannot provide all of the evidence, the Ds are screwed politically.

[bitterross]

2. Okay. Pretty close to the same thing I said. /nt

[Me.]

5. I Thought He Was Pretty Sane And Smart Regarding This

how rushing to impeach would give traitor trump the perfect victim hood..."look what they're trying to do to me, they're after me"

Also, they should accumulate as many subpoenas/witnesses who refuse to show up as they can.

[Chin music]

9. PSsssst.

The dude plays the damn victim everyday of his life. Who cares? It's time to act. Not acting lets trump make us look worse in 2020. He'll be gone by then. My prediction.

[Me.]

12. OMG, You Don't Even Know

how it can be ramped up. I believe he will go in 2020 because the pile on and weight will be too great

[Chin music]

14. At least we arent reacting anymore ME. We'll be driving.

That's what excites people to vote. FIGHTING for each other. Let's roll em.

[StarfishSaver]

4. Yes!

This has to be the people's choice, not something pushed on them. They have to feel like it's their idea.

That's exactly what FDR did in the lead up to WWIi.

[mopinko]

6. thought the same today. she is saying- make me.

i suspect there are more in the caucus that are reluctant than we would like to admit. she wants the people to make them do it, too.

[bitterross]

7. She cannot allow it to become Pelosi v Trump

That's what Trump is gunning for. He WANTS her to move to impeachment now so he can make it about HER. About HER popularity and HER voting record. How impeachment profits HER politically.

She's playing the game much better.

She knows it will become Pelosi's impeachment of Trump. She's waiting until the time comes the decision will be much more clearly one of Constitutional obligation upon her part. Not a decision seen as politics and personalities.

[watoos]

8. I think Justin Amash is owed a lot of credit.

It took guts to do what he did. I would never vote for him but he gave stronger reasons, more coherent reasons to impeach Trump than any Democrat gave. I mean AOC was to the right of Amash because she didn't want to buck Speaker Pelosi. I think that Amash pushed Pelosi into impeachment. Even Steny Hoyer (who?) came out today with a lukewarm statement to impeach.

Game on.

[Chin music]

10. Indeed...

GAME ON. Let's 'a GO!!

[Me.]

13. I've Been Amused To See A Lone Con

becoming the expert and...Nancy doesn't get pushed into anything

[watoos]

15. Everything the Con said about impeachment was spot on

his libertarian agenda is another story.

Is it 60 days since the Mueller report and Democrats have gotten zero documents and zero subpoenas honored.
Maybe pushed was the wrong word to use, but the natives were getting restless.

OT a bit but I was right about how an impeachment hearing would lead to the release of the grand jury information, that will mean a lot. There should be a lot of juicy info in the grand jury report.

Congress would never see the grand jury info without an impeachment hearing.

[bubbazero]

11. NO VICTIM HOOD FOR DONALD

If the purpose of opening impeachment inquiry is to get information there are other methods....subpoenas followed by enforcement action as explained by starfishsaver....of which inherent contempt may be quickest way to SCOTUS....but don't let "UNO THE TINY" play victim

[watoos]

17. Fining and jailing would be a stretch

Congress can cut off funds to departments until people comply.
We lucked out with the subpoena for Trump's financial info because the law is firmly stated and the judge expedited his ruling and disallowed a stay. Even if this goes to the SC we should see it before the election.
Without an impeachment hearing Trump could have stalled the other subpoenas right up to the election.

If we don't impeach, Trump will claim that Democrats didn't have the evidence. He is already claiming a witch hunt and investigating the FBI and Democrats.

[UTUSN]

16. I like it.

[CaptainTruth]

18. I'll just leave this thread right here ...

THREAD: I'm not a Lawyer, but I have a particular view when it comes to Impeachment.

When I worked for Warner Bros. Legal and Business Affairs, we had a simple guideline for pursuing litigation. First, we'd send the offending party a 30 day cease and desist letter... 1/12

When that didn't work, we'd send them ANOTHER 30 day cease and desist letter...and if that didn't work, we'd send a THIRD 30 day cease and desist letter... 2/12

But on day 91 of that process, we'd initiate litigation.

Inevitably we'd be in court, and the Judge would ask us, "Okay, but have you given the offending party every chance to comply with your wishes?" 3/12

And we'd be able to say "Yes, we have your honor. Here is our first 30 day cease and desist, here's our second and here's our third. All documented, and transmitted, all ignored by the Offending Party." 4/12

Suddenly, we weren't the ones having to prove anything, it was the guys we were suing. The Judge would look at them, and say "So what about this counselor? Why have you ignored their lawful request??" 5/12

In terms of Impeachment, we are on the second 30 day cease and desist letter, metaphorically speaking.

The Democrats are bound for court and are now collecting documentation to show how much the Administration is acting unlawfully. 6/12

We are going after Tax Returns via Ways and Means.
We are going after Bank Records via Intelligence and Finance.
We are after Testimony via Judiciary and Oversight.
All of which we have a right to.
All of which have been subpoenaed. 7/12

So when you see the Chairmen of these various committees "not going fast enough" remember, they are collecting documentation with each of these extended deadlines. 8/12

When the Democrats face a judge, they'll be able to say "Look, your Honor, we gave the Administration EVERY CHANCE to comply with the law."

What you call slow and ineffective, is what a Lawyer would call crossing every "t" and dotting every "i" before going into court. 9/12

Because it's a dead cinch lock that the Judge will rule in our favor once those "t"s & "i"s are taken care of...because what I expect to happen...and what I think every Democrat expects to happen is that Trump will then defy whatever ruling the Judge hands down... 10/12

...and once that happens, once Trump defies a Federal Judge's ruling (which I expect to happen 100%), well the pressure to impeach won't be on the Democrats. It'll be on the Republicans. 11/12

So, if you're patient, this is going to play out the way you want. Trump can't help himself. 12/12 END

[Thekaspervote]

21. Great post!! Thx

[Wounded Bear]

19. Pelosi is 2d in line for the Presidency...

If she is perceived as pushing for impeachment, it will be spun by the RW echo chamber that she is trying to install herself as President. First Trump, then Pence, then voila! Madam President Pelosi!

I know most of us would consider that a good idea, but we don't need to motivate the Trumplodytes by handing them a full blown conspiracy theory.

Yes, it is best for Ms Pelosi to play this deliberately.

[MasonDreams]

23. We are stuck with a repuke president 'til 2020

Remove dotard and pence is sworn in and appoints VP , Senate confirms, before considering the impeachment of pence. OR take out VP then dotard appoints VP , Senate confirms.
Can't get them both at the same time.

[JoeOtterbein]

20. No, she is waiting too long. I just hoping it's not too late. nt

[Merlot]

22. Impeachement needs to look like it's the next logical step

and not a political vendeta. She's walking that line.

And, with all the financial evidence piling up, the's probably weighted in the option that he could resign and that would save the country an impeachment.

[MasonDreams]

24. Pence can't pardon NY state crimes! Only federal offences

So orangutan gets an orange jump suit.