Thoughts about whether Trump being impeached would be a good thing or not.

[DanTex]

I still think it's extremely unlikely that the GOP (and it would have to be the GOP) will impeach him, and even more unlikely that the Senate would vote to convict. But still, it's being talked about, so one question is: do we want this to happen?


Pro-impeachment:
Trump is, obviously, crazy, and could start a major war.

Trump has, in fact, committed high crimes and misdemeanors, and so out of principle, he should be removed from the presidency.

Trump's unprecedented level of corruption and violation of norms of government threaten our democracy in a way that could have implications for the functioning of our government for many years in the future.

Trump is a racist and despicable human, and having him as president is not just depressing, but it emboldens white supremacists and hate crimes, gives a horrible example to children, and embarrasses Americans around the world.


Anti-impeachment:
Although Mike Pence is not crazy, his policy positions are every bit as horrible as Trump's.

Pence would likely be more effective in working with the GOP congress to pass things like tax cuts, deregulation, cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

Having Trump to run against, especially if he stays embroiled in scandals and his poll numbers stay low, will help Dems in 2018 and 2020 elections.


I can see both sides of the argument, but I'm leaning towards anti-impeachment. Why? Well, first, I don't think the risk of a nuclear war is really that big. I could be proven wrong on that, but I think that someone around Trump will stop him before he does something world-ending (hopefully...). And, besides a nuclear war, I think the most important thing is to stop the GOP from passing their legislative agenda. Trump's unpopularity and incompetence are helpful on that front. So, by my calculation, it's actually better to have a historically corrupt and mentally unstable president than it is to have Mike Pence.

[LonePirate]

1. The Deplorables are fiercely loyal to 45, much less so for Pence.

There is no way Pence could motivate them to the polls like 45 did.

[MedusaX]

2. 45 & his whole Klan need to be forcibly extracted immediately if not sooner...

IMHO, the OP is simply another piece of propaganda...
Waving of the "Pence is so horrible" flag as a way to get Dems to back off of impeaching 45...

I am sure KGOP & Koch Bros & for sure Russia would love it if Dems were dumb enough to save 45 from impeachment ..

The REAL issue is:

By 2018 there will not be a recognizable democracy left to save.

The Russia Sanctions from 2014 ...
which are those that Exxon Rosneft & Putin want lifted........
Are set to automatically EXPIRE in March/April 2018

The only way to extend those sanctions is either by Executive Order or by passing Senate Bill 94...
Before March 2018

Either way ... it requires the POTUS to sign / approve....

So... if 45 is still around you can bet your ass those sanctions will expire....
no action required for that to happen

At which point, this little exercise in
how to turn a democratic republic into a full on Autocracy / Trumptopian Nightmare...
Will be so entrenched & so well financed that it will take a revolutionary army/ militant uprising to get him out...

[Whiskeytide]

6. I tend to lean toward NOT impeaching now...

... for several reasons. The slow drip of scandal has not let up yet, and I don't expect it will. It has them somewhat paralyzed, or at least impaired. I happen to believe that the only thing worse than a dysfunctional republican government is a functional one --- and I fear Pence would lead a functional republican government.

I understand it's not a perfect scenario. But last November 10, I don't think any dem envisioned a perfect scenario for the next 4 years.

But I have a question. What do you think Pence would do that is better - for the Country or for dems - than what Trump and Co. are doing? Why would you prefer him?

[Aristus]

3. I think your view has a lot of merit.

I just wish he would resign. That would leave us with Pence, but that's just one option on a long list of bad options with no good ones.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

4. Trump gets impeached, and everyone associated with him is tainted. Most importantly, Mike Pence....

....who will either have to pardon him or sit back and watch his former boss potentially be subjected to criminal prosecution.

That will suck royally for Mike Pence, who will be a walking, talking reminder to the American people of disgraced Ex President Donald Trump.

But it should be great for us in 2018 and 2020.

Bottom line: Impeach the bastard.

[Bleacher Creature]

5. I go back and forth, but typical settle in the same place as you.

Republicans deserve to have him as an anchor on their electoral prospects for the next three and a half years, but only if we're sure the damage won't be too great to overcome in 2021 (or sooner if Dems can take back Congress, or at least the House, next year).

I posted something like this last week and got blasted by people who believe we need to get rid of him ASAP for the sake of the country. It's a valid point. That said, can anyone honestly see House Republicans having to play the role of impeachment manager in the Senate? To see someone like Bob Goodlatte or Jim Sensenbrenner serving in the role of lead "prosecuted"? And even if it gets that far, 2/3 is an awfully high threshold in this day and age.