To Try or to Delay Trying Trump Right Away?

[MineralMan]

There are arguments that could be made on both sides of that question.

On the immediate trial side, there is the forgetfulness of voters. If there is not a trial that takes place soon, the impact of the impeachment will fade, slowly but surely. By next November, it might be just a faint memory for most voters.

On the delay side, there is a tiny chance that a delay might convince some GOP Senators to change their minds and vote to remove Trump. I'm not convinced that is actually possible in numbers high enough to actually remove him from office.

So, what to do? I think the House leadership should temporarily delay sending the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, but only until early January. In the interim, they should work to point out the pre-judgment that is taking place on the part of Mitch McConnell, stressing the oath that Senators will take to be impartial. Whether they can back down McConnel's prejudiced rhetoric or not, though, the Articles should be delivered to the Senate in January, perhaps toward the end of the month, just before the Iowa Caucuses.

I do not believe any delay longer than that will be of benefit at all. In fact, I think a long delay will put the impeachment out of the minds of voters as they begin to consider the 2020 election.

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

1. If they stall this out trumps slobbering base

Will reelect the moron. Imo

[MineralMan]

2. Not if we bring out anti-Trump voters in huge numbers.

Trump's idiot base would vote for him no matter what. They do not, however, make up a majority of voters. Our job will be to make sure that plenty of voters turn out to vote for our candidate and outnumber Trump voters by a substantial margin.

Timing with this impeachment will play a role, much as I described above.

[Thomas Hurt]

3. There might some merit in waiting until the SC hears the tax and subpoena cases.

Might to get to add some articles...

[MineralMan]

4. I doubt any articles will be added.

Additional information, however, could influence some Republicans.

I think the Republican Senators should be reminded frequently that removing Trump gets them Pence. That might ease their anxiety a little. It would be OK for us, too, since Pence doesn't have it in him to win the presidency for himself. He's just not all that, really.

[PRETZEL]

5. Don't disagree that there are points to be made for either position,

but given the big topic of conversation this morning with regard to the position of the Speaker that she needs the rules to be agreed upon so that she can appoint the managers most appropriate was, in my opinion, brilliant.

McConnell had no intention of entertaining the trial until January anyway. Let's see how the Senate votes on the rules and calculate next step from there.

If the committee comes back with purely partisan rules, then let McConnell and those Senators who will have to justify this come November be on the record.

If there are enough Senators that could block this (assuming some R defections) and the rules are agreed that are fair and equitable, then the Speaker has gotten all she could ask for and the Articles could be presented that same day.

McConnell has a choice to make and quite honestly, neither one of them will look good.

[MineralMan]

6. Well, I don't think there is any real rush to submit the Articles.

I also don't think that a long delay will be a good idea. Let McConnell stew in his own juices for a little while.

But, don't forget that time dulls people's awareness of everything.

[PRETZEL]

9. In a sense, I do think there has to be a semblence of urgency to get the Articles to the Senate

because one of the major points of proceding at the pace the did to pass the Articles would effectively be neutered and that would take a great deal of leverage away from Senator Shumer in his negotions with McConnell. But the Speaker framed this perfectly in that in order to do the necessary preparation, she needs to know what the groundrules will be.

[guillaumeb]

7. Continue the investigations, and delay sending the Articles.

Continuing investigations will keep the issue fresh, and keep Trump and McConnell on the defensive.

[BuffaloJackalope]

8. This.

Pelosi should wait for public assurances from the Senate that the trial will be a true fair hearing.

[MineralMan]

12. Any such assurances will be bogus on their face.

This is a partisan thing, completely. The Republicans are in lock-step.

[Shrek]

15. And if those assurances are not forthcoming?

If this impeachment is so lacking in urgency that the House will sit on it indefinitely, then that works for Trump almost as well as an acquittal does.

[guillaumeb]

16. Polling suggests the opposite.

Polling shows that voters want a trial.

[Maeve]

10. Personally, I'd rather have it hanging over his holidays

With the investigations remaining on-going.

[MineralMan]

11. Well, there's no chance anything will happen until January.

Congress goes home for Christmas as soon as they get done with a couple more bills. After they return is as soon as anything can start up again.

[jayfish]

13. Strike While The Iron's Hot.

IMO.

[MineralMan]

14. Well, nothing will happen until after New Years Day.

Congress is going into recess very shortly. There is just a bill or two to be dealt with, and then they're all flying away to their states and districts. So, no action will occur until after the holidays.