Cory Booker: 'I'm not going to rush to impeachment'

[TomCADem]

Source: Washington Examiner

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker on Sunday said he and members of the Democratic Party should hold back from talking about impeaching President Trump.

"I just wanted to tell you right now, I'm not going to rush to impeachment. I think we need to deal with this in a very sober way. This can't be a relitigation of an election that's now passed. This has to be an objective assessment about the facts that are going on right now," Booker told CNN "State of the Union" guest host Dana Bash.

Booker, speaking from Poland, praised Hillary Clinton's commencement speech at Wellesley College Friday. He called her remarks "inspiring" overall and criticized those who have focused on her linking in the speech Trump to former President Richard Nixon, who resigned from office before being impeached.

"First of all, cut Secretary Clinton some slack. People might want to rush to criticize her. Listen to the whole speech. It was a very beautiful speech," Booker said.

Read more: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/cory-booker-im-not-going-to-rush-to-impeachment/article/2624365

---

It is interesting that folks on the left, including Cory Booker and Bernie Sanders, are being cautious on impeachment despite the direct evidence of obstruction of justice on the part of Trump when folks on the right, like Ted Cruz, were to raise impeachment at every opportunity. For example, here is Bernie making the same point a few weeks ago:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-not-ready-to-impeach-trump-yet_us_591be801e4b0ed14cdda9050

Perhaps the folks on the right were just playing to their base relying on the latest fiction from Breitbart or WND while the potential charges against Trump are far more serious and far more real, thus folks on the left actually need to convince folks outside of the left that Trump has actively violated the law, and build a rock solid case against him.

[ClusterFreak]

1. Okay Cory, it's like this...

...and stop me if you've heard this before...

...you can either LEAD, FOLLOW, or GTF OUT OF THE WAY.

Is that 'sober' enough for ya?

[TomCADem]

8. Bernie Sanders Is Not Ready To Impeach Donald Trump

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-not-ready-to-impeach-trump-yet_us_591be801e4b0ed14cdda9050

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) appeared on CNN Tuesday night for a town hall discussion that largely focused on President Donald Trump’s latest alleged scandal.

Just one week after Trump fired James Comey, The New York Times reported the now-ousted FBI director had detailed in a memo that the president asked him to cease investigating Michael Flynn. Flynn resigned in February amid reports that the former national security adviser discussed sanctions against Russia with a Russian diplomat before Trump was sworn into office.

The first question at CNN’s town hall asked if Kasich and Sanders believed there was “sufficient grounds for impeachment” and if either politician would support such an effort.

* * *

Sanders agreed, saying that officials right now are trying to determine if there was collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election. “I don’t think you want to make that leap to impeachment until you follow a path that leads us there,” Sanders said. “Maybe it will maybe it won’t. But I’m not there at this point.”

[cstanleytech]

13. Even if they wanted to impeach him today they totally lack the votes needed to do it

unless a shit ton of Repugnants decided to get on board and if that were to happen my money is on it being a stunt staged by the Repugnants and it would fall atleast 1 vote short shy of impeaching him because they want the moron in office and they arent going to give him up for anything.
Hell he could pull a Cheney and shoot an old lady in the face on national TV for no reason and they wouldnt impeach him.

[still_one]

50. Gee, it seems that many are unaware that the republicans control the majority in both houses if you

read through some posts in this thread.

You are correct, impeachment will NOT happen unless the republicans allow it, and it won't even get to the first step until an investigation, and evidence has been presented.

2018 is our best chance to stop this madness

[Raster]

51. There you go with facts... there is NOTHING the Dems can do until *hopefully* 2018...

...We don't control either house in Congress. As far as the GOP is concerned, the tRump* pResidency is the political unicorn. I agree with you cstanley, the rethugs will not impeach, but rather *maybe* make a reasonable showing for the rubes back home.

I wouldn't rush to Impeach either. This must be carefully crafted. Every Constitutional scholar needs to be able to say we did the right thing, at the right time, AND BY THE BOOK.

And most of all, we need to be prepared to hang the Dead Chicken tRump* around EVERY RETHUGLICANS NECK in 2018 and 2020.

The Rethuglicans know their agenda is a failure (short term and long term), their base is dying and they just threw the most vile "Hell Mary" in letting tRump* get elected.

We must do EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLE CAN to mitigate the damage, but our best shot comes in the next two elections. YES, some of the Congressional districts are apallingly gerrymandered, and yes, the rethugs are wielding voter supression like a battle axe.

[cstanleytech]

57. Unfortunetly even if we won all the senate seats up for grabs in 2018 we would

still be 13 seats short and the odds of us winning all the 8 Repugnant seats while not losing a single Democratic one are low so pretty much we are stuck with Donald until 2020.
However we can and should use him like an anchor to hang around the neck of every single Repugnant in office from the lowest county position to the the Senate and use him to drag them down.

[Raster]

62. Not an anchor, a DEAD CHICKEN...

...Old down-home Southern lore... Only one way to break a chicken-killin' dog... take one of the chickens the dog just killed and tie it around it's neck. Make sure it's tired securely enough that the dog won't be able to undo it. Make the dog wear the dead chicken for several days AT LEAST. The goal is to make sure that chicken-killin' dog understands that every time it kills a chicken, it will wear it. If after wearing the chicken for a few days, and the dog goes back and kills another chicken, this time make the dog wear the chicken until it rots off.

Yes, disgusting. No, don't advocate doing that to dogs. HOWEVER, I do advocate doing that to republicans. Donald tRump* is the dead, rotten chicken. It's time to make EVERY RETHUGLICAN WEAR IT until it rots off.

And yes, 2020 is probably our year... however we can lay the groundwork for 2018 and capitalize as much as possible.


VOTE. EVERY. RETHUGLICAN. OUT. OF. OFFICE.

[angrychair]

34. It about 2018 and 2020 elections

They will resist impeachment at all cost.
They have done the math and figure having republican45 and a republican congress is going to help Dems win more elections.

We are being sold out to win elections.

[cstanleytech]

58. We arent being sold out the Democratic leadership is simply doing whats logical since there is

zero, repeat zero chance to get Donald impeached without the Repugnants getting on board and the Repugnants are not going to do that not as long as Donald signs what they order him to sign when they order him to sign it.

[angrychair]

59. I would agree if that was their messaging

But it's not. For far to many Dems their messaging is "there isn't enough evidence yet". Obviously not all Dems in congress but more than I am comfortable with at this point.

If president Obama had done, much less said, any one of the dozens of things that loathsome piece of shit has done and said, the republicans would be howling at the moon to impeach.
I mean they complained and filed complaints non-stop over Marian Robinson living in the WH to help care for the kids yet trump's daughter is running WH meetings, that included members of congress, making actual policy decisions and crickets. Nothing.

If their messaging is supposed to be "we cannot do it because of fascist...I mean republicans...control congress" than say that.

There is more than enough legitimate evidence of collusion and graft and profiteering from that office. Most of that evidence is just not public but it is no less real. It's just a matter of commitment to citizens and doing their jobs.

[cstanleytech]

61. They are simply being honest as right now there is no evidence that Trump has done anything

that is beyond a shadow of doubt would call for his impeachment.
I know, some will argue about the emoluments clause but it's never been invoked on a sitting president and while the Democrats could try to push the issue I suspect alot of Repugnants would fight it in court probably and they could very well win and it could hurt the Democrats chance to retake the House and Senate.

[brooklynite]

26. ...snd the smart "leadership" is not to blindly barge into a political strategy doomed to fail

There is NOT a consensus (unlike Nixon) that Trump has committed a crime, or that his behavior warrants impeachment. Watergate took TWO YEARS to reach that point. If you rush into this and Trump is "acquitted" (e.g. there aren't 2/3 of the Senate ready to convict), you've made him stronger than before.

[Jacquette]

28. & at that point there are other "Options".

Just saying...

[7962]

32. And those would be?

[Jacquette]

37. Are you familiar with the story of Henry II of Englangd?

...."who will rid me of this turbulent priest"

[7962]

40. Oh i see. So you're calling for death.

[Jacquette]

41. No. You misunderstand. Just like Henry I'm

calling for someone to rid the country of this embarrassment. Before he does something irreparable.

[7962]

42. But you also know the result of Henry's request!

the murder of Beckett

[dawn frenzy adams]

44. Here's how you do it.

The South Koreans protested for 45 days straight until their president was impeached.

[7962]

31. Exactly. And makes the party weaker because of it, IMO. nt

[bresue]

43. LOVE IT!!!

[Lithos]

47. That is rather simplistic

There is one good shot at this, and going too early will only help Trump. This is a lawyers game, not a charge up the middle...

L-

[leftofcool]

2. In other words, cut Trump some slack?

[Chakaconcarne]

3. Good strategy since the GOP tends do everything opposite of democrats.

They might just take it upon themselves.

[Bradical79]

4. Can't impeach without the Republicans anyway

I suppose it also gives time to take down as many people as possible at once. I just hope we can survive in the meantime. The current version of the Republican party needs eliminated.

[Phoenix61]

5. If the Dems say little to nothing

until the facts come out, and we know they will, the Repubs will move as soon as they can just to save their party and their own asses. They are already nervous about the negative impact Twitler is having on them. Why do you think they are dodging town halls and distancing themselves from him. This is a game of chicken, a very serious one, but it's a game of chicken. There aren't grounds for impeachment, yet. I like the way the Dems are responding. They know we can move fast. Look how quickly the Women's March came together. I'd rather they keep it low key until we can actually do something to remove him from office.

[BumRushDaShow]

15. And to add to what you wrote

as much as I want it... the GOP would only use it as an excuse to rally their deplorables to double-down and vote in 2018. If it is left to linger casting a pall as more illegalities are revealed, maybe a bunch of them will give up, sit home next year, and crawl back under their rocks.

It IS a game of chicken because as much as they threatened to do the same to Obama, they knew the minute they crossed the line and started the process, they would have been completely wiped out in 2014. Instead, they went after Obama's appointees (Hillary & Eric Holder) with the endless "investigations". Plus they decided to go with the total obstruction of appointees/policies route. And with that, we did gain some seats in 2016, but not enough to regain control... but it was movement. If they had seriously talked impeachment, we probably would have retaken the Senate at least and made a bigger dent in the House.

[Chemisse]

17. I agree. If Dems are screaming for impeachment and Repubs are silent,

It becomes a partisan issue, when it really shouldn't be.

Better to be more subdued, get the facts out (clearly there is plenty on the way), and act upon them in concert with the Republicans.

[Lotusflower70]

6. Key takeaway

"I think we need to deal with this in a very sober way. This can't be a relitigation of an election that's now passed. This has to be an objective assessment about the facts that are going on right now,"

He's right. If there is a rush, it will be viewed as bias. And rushing causes mistakes. So the impeachment talk gives hope to some, it's important to examine how realistic it is. I think this is going to be a long, drawn out thing in the hope that the 2018 elections help the balance or some Republicans decide to put principles over party. The likelihood of impeachment is slim to none.

[Honeycombe8]

10. Agreed. Except for one thing.

I think that the likelihood of impeachment is pretty great, actually. More than 50%.

But of course none of us really know how things will end up.

[Lotusflower70]

19. That would be good news

If the likelihood of impeachment is that high. But at this point, I don't see how it can be that high with the Greed Over Principles majority.

[Honeycombe8]

7. My feelings, too.

The story can't become the Dems are pushing it because they're sore losers. Don't give Trump fodder for that meme. He'll continue to say it, anyway. But Dems in power should be careful not to jump on board too quickly. They should choose their words carefully, IMO, sticking to facts and possibilities and probabilities.

But the Dems in power should hammer the possible treasonous behavior and not let up. It's only with pressure that things will be done about what's going on.

Now, the rank & file public should say anything they want...push for impeachment or carefully choose their words. They are not in Congress, so it's less important what the citizens say.

Just like Trump & Lindsay Graham used a supposed prior statement by Schumer that Schumer thought Comey should be fired, as part of the support for Trump firing Comey. Don't give them that soundbite to exploit.

[bucolic_frolic]

9. Impeachment is not on the table until the turkey is cooked

Timing public and political opinion to match the deed is an artful and slow dance

Recall the sombre nature of the Watergate hearings, and contrast that with the
media hype over Monica's red dress, or the weak case against Andrew Johnson

Impeachment to be carried out must have legitimacy, logic, procedure

We are not there yet no matter how much it is mentioned

We don't want to go there without a compelling case for conviction

because we must get this done

[Honeycombe8]

11. +1. Except...Monica's dress was BLUE!

How soon they forget.

[riversedge]

12. You are right. We must have cold, hard facts first.

[JudyM]

24. Definitely. Restraint will build credibility. Let's not fall into their "reactionary liberals"

narrative.

[MedusaX]

14. Still too early MATHEMATICALLY to successfully impeach in House.

How *45 responds to the Kushner situation should be a huge message to all of the complicit KGOP's in House....

He has not yet defended Jared...
if he kicks him to the curb or
Even simply leaves him to fend for himself,
then the complicit KGOP
-- who are not even 'family' by marriage to *45 -- should get the picture that they are totally on their own.

It would suck hard
to (prematurely) call for impeachment vote in House and have it FAIL...

Then what?
Effectively that would kill the
whole justification
for the current (federal level) investigation
of the Russian related issues --

Yes, every minute *45 remains in power allows for additional damage and destruction to take place...

But there will only be ONE
chance to get him out..
We can't afford to fuck it up
just because we are tired of waiting

Same logic applies here
as it does to RR crossings and red lights...
Just because there's no visible train
or no oncoming traffic
does not mean you should ignore the warning lights
and proceed
Just because you are tired of waiting ...
or "need" to go forward so you won't
be late to an appointment ....

[bettyellen]

16. You can tell who has higher aspirations for office by their low key moves now....

They don't want to appear to politicize it for their own sakes. It already is political.

[bettyellen]

39. I think having those Dems closest to the investigations being most outraged makes sense...

[tomp]

18. the main problem I see with impeachment is...

...the chain of succession. the entire administration and most people down the line of presidential succession are complicit. The media will spin pence as better than trump and he will make carrying out the republican agenda easier.

With trump remaining in office, opposition to the republican agenda will be at its height. And trump's administration is about to be hamstrung by upcoming Russia investigations. I believe the republicans will eventually favor impeachment as their best option. We should not hand them their best option on a silver platter.

[pnwmom]

20. That's a perfectly fine public statement. WE can be the bad cop to his good cop.

He is projecting the message that he will be FAIR and JUDICIOUS. So when he DOES call for impeachment, he can say he wasn't running around half-cocked.

But we can keep screaming our heads off.

Remember, Senators represent their whole states, including Republicans. They need to appear even-handed and fair -- not purely partisan.

[dogknob]

21. Get more than just impeachment

Get the VP; the cabinet; the unelected spawn; the illegal income; the dubious, unqualified SCOTUS troll; Turdle, Lyan et.al... Make him pay for Mar-A-Lago/Trump Tower/Golf trip-security out of pocket. Get prison.

Get (back) international credibility.

[diva77]

25. It does seem like it's a combo of dominoes & three dimensional chess at stake here

I'd rather wait a little longer and have the whole cockroach nest removed rather than one or two that scurry across the floor when you turn on the lights!!!

[Ccarmona]

22. Reality Is

Keep Impeachment on the the front page to keep the pressure on the Trump Admin. They are amateurs in politics and will keep making unforced errors that will expose the facts in spite of their obstruction.

[karynnj]

23. I would suggest that the Democrats cautious speech is both a respect for process and because this

may be a real case where impeachment should happen. For anyone in government, the seriousness of needing to use the remedy that impeachment provides should cause a sense of seriousness. The charge here may well be a major party candidate colluding with a hostile foreign country to win an election. This is an incredible charge that most of us thought more the province of dsytropricies, not something likely to happen here.

While, in a sense this is just one more step from where we were in the past, when Republicans colluded with ultra right billionaires, who poured millions into ads speaking lies to influence people to distrust decent candidates or distort issues, it is a VERY VERY big step. What it shows is that our very democracy is at risk. I know that since Adams and Jefferson, people supporting one side have smeared the other. This is as scary as can be.

The caution of everyone from Bernie to Booker might be because this is not similar to Cruz speaking of impeachment - which he knew was neither justified by Obama's actions or at all likely to happen. It is not even similar to the calls for GWB to be impeached, where we all know the actions why he could have been charged, but likely not impeached. At this point, this feels very very different. These are not normal times - and I assume almost every politicians wish they were, albeit with the Republicans ones, they would want a different Republican President.

[SJMULE]

27. Could it be that Booker and others in the DNC

just want the GOP to continue stepping on their dicks and die of self inflicted wounds? It could be seen as an indication of the information they have seen that will destroy 45 and the RNC?

[Still In Wisconsin]

29. I think that's it.

When your opponent is in the process of self-destructing, why get in the way?

[7962]

30. Finally, a voice of common sense. And possibly the next POTUS.

Rushing this will likely only result in failure, which will set the party back and be of NO help in '18.

[SergeStorms]

33. Sure, no hurry.

In the meantime Trump will continue to dismantle the Democracy we've held so dear for over 240 years. Trump will continue to erode the civil liberties we all enjoy. Trump will continue to fan the flames of hate and intolerance for anyone who's not white, or not of the "correct" religion.

Sure, no hurry.

BULLSHIT! HURRY, ASSHOLE, BEFORE THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO SAVE!

[NurseJackie]

35. I like the way he thinks. Calm, measured, calculated, planned, strategic. I've had enough...

... of the screaming, shouting, flailing, bit-chomping, hand-wringing, arms-waving, foot-stamping, hair-on-fire, eyes-bulging, LUNATIC overreacting that always ends up in failure and disappointment.

Sure, I get it. I understand the emotion and the visceral call-to-action in the hopes that something can be done to resolve everything as of yesterday. But, it's naive for anyone to presume that they can achieve anything without a carefully conceived and well-executed plan of action. These things take time.

He (and Nancy Pelosi) are voices of reason. I trust them both.

[PSPS]

36. He's right.

Crippling Trump is the best, and really only, way to handle this now because a president pence would be far more dangerous. Until the House and Senate get wrested from the Kremlin's control, there's nothing (legal) that can be done.

[geek tragedy]

45. Better to vote the filth out of office nt

[Gore1FL]

46. Short of cheerleader, what is Senator Booker's role in a House of Representatives process? nt

[mulsh]

48. I never call elected reps "leaders" for many reasons, primarily because they f-ing work for us

and should follow constituent wishes, even constituents that I don't agree with if they're the majority. A close second is that with damn few exceptions none of these bozos, even Rachael's old class mate, appear to have a significant spine.

I look to reps like Wyden, Brownback, Harris, Lee (CA), Waters and even young Mr. Sasse for reps with significant back bone and leadership skills.

I don't have a political leader but I'm fortunate to be represented by Barbara Lee and Kamala Harris.

[Bucky]

49. This may not be popular on DU, but I admire his caution

It's not a thing to be considered lightly. I'd like Trump to be gone as much as the next patriot, but you have to do it on legal grounds, not political ones.

[Raster]

52. As do I.

[itcfish]

63. Yes I agree

But I just read on Politico that the Kushners (Ivanka) is holding a fundraiser for Corey. Don't know how reliable the source is. Could this me a conflict of interest?

[dlk]

53. Given the Rules of Succession...

If Trump were impeached today, it might be worth thinking about who would be next in line:

Speaker of the House: Paul Ryan
President Pro Tempore of the Senate: Orrin Hatch
Secretary of State: Rex Tillerson

[EX500rider]

55. VP would be 1st in line

[yurbud]

54. I'm not a Booker fan, AND I'd like to see Trump gone but there's room for debate on how best to

defeat Trump and the right.

The argument against impeachment is that as soon as Trump is gone, the Republicans will automatically look more reasonable just because Pence has basic impulse control and knows his way around Washington.

And since people have short memories, the sooner Trump is gone, the sooner he is no longer a liability to the GOP.

[yurbud]

64. I amend my earlier comment. If Booker took money from them, his view is tainted

[yurbud]

65. this is the problem with the centrist way of doing business...I mean politics

When you are chasing the big bucks 24/7 and crafting your positions and actions based on what those folks want to hear, it's tough to take care of average Americans or even appear coherent.

[Kablooie]

56. Impeachment can't happen until 2/3 of Senate agree.

So everyone has to wait until the evidence comes out that convinces at least 20 Republicans to support it.
Otherwise it will be a waste of time and make it harder to convince Republicans.

[Blue_Tires]

60. That's fine...

I'm perfectly okay with making sure the case for impeachment is 100% unfuckwitable airtight before proceeding...

Don't want to rush this thing and give Trump a loophole to slip out of because of sloppiness...