General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: IMPEACHMENT WHEN [View all]Fiendish Thingy
(15,611 posts)I have never said IMPEACH NOW!, as in, file articles of impeachment and move to a full House hearing and vote, now.
What I have consistently advocated for is aggressive, relentless investigations, subpoenas, etc. By Congress with the ultimate goal of creating a convincing (of the American public), undeniable, irrefutable case to proceed to filing articles of impeachment.
Convincing the American public (minus 25-30% die hard Trumpers) will be key in shifting the math in the Senate, just as happened in Watergate.
The suggestion that our only option is to vote them out is ludicrous and irresponsible. The Democratic controlled Congress has tremendous power, and I expect them to use it to its maximum.
Thats why, In the past week or so, I have been quite vocal about advocating for Congressnto take aggressive action; in particular, around the stonewalling around providing Trumps tax returns. This refusal is a clear violation of law, and Congress should not waste time going through the courts- they should make criminal referral for Mnuchin and Rettig to DOJ; if, as expected, Barr refuses to prosecute, then Congress must initiate impeachment hearings against Barr, Mnuchin and Rettig.
If in the course of these hearings, it becomes clear that the stonewalling and obstruction involved the direction or participation of Trump, that would be evidence for an article of impeachment against the president. The media coverage of this process would exert tremendous pressure on the GOP senators- would it be enough to change the math? That is not clear, but to throw up ones hands and say well just have to vote them out when the rule of law is quickly eroding day by day is the height of spineless defeatism, not pragmatism.
If Congress moves aggressively, again, not waiting for things to play out in the courts, its not inconceivable (and I do know the meaning of that word) that the tide in public sentiment could turn by late summer/early fall.