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In reply to the discussion: Check In if You're One Of The "Small Number Of Democrats" Calling For Impeachment [View all]neohippie
(1,142 posts)171. Good read on Impeachment linked here
This article is great
https://crooked.com/articles/a-plan-to-win-the-impeachment-fight/
more at link above
Despite the protestations from Democratic Leaders and handwringing from pundits and consultants, it seems like House Democrats will vote for an impeachment inquiry sooner rather than later. The moral and constitutional arguments for impeachment are much stronger than Yes, Trump committed crimes, but we cant impeach him because politics or something.
With that in mind, Democrats need a plan to manage the politics and maximize the spotlight of an impeachment inquiry. Impeachment is undoubtedly the politically riskier path, but also the one with greater upside for the country and the party. If Democrats are united behind a smart strategy, they can use an impeachment inquiry to prosecute a devastating case against Trump that increases the likelihood that Democrats win the White House, expand our House Majority, and take the Senate.
First, Democrats need a message. They need a concise and compelling argument for what Trump did wrong, how his misdeeds connect to the lives and concerns of voters, and why this merits the extraordinary response of impeachment.
My suggestion for that message is:
Donald Trump has abused his power to hide multiple crimes and massive corruption. He has used the Presidency to punish his enemies, reward his friends, and enrich himself at the expense of the American people. No one is above the law, not even a rich politician.
This narrative (or one like it) needs to be repeated over and over again by every Democratic Member of Congress and talking head. The Democratic SuperPACs should run ads. The grassroots organizations should be delivering this message at the door, on the phone, and in townhalls. The Democratic presidential candidates should make it part of their message. No voter should be confused about why this is happening and what is at stake.
Second, the impeachment inquiry should be broader than the crimes outlined in the Mueller report. A narrow focus on Trumps obstruction of the Russia investigation makes it easier for the Republicans to accuse Democrats of trying to relitigate 2016, and deprives Democrats the opportunity to introduce evidence of additional impeachable offenses that Trump has committed since taking office. An impeachment inquiry should look broadly at Trumps abuse of power: his politicization of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies, his refusal to protect our elections and our country from foreign sabotage, and the rampant corruption in an administration where everyone from the president on down enrich themselves at the expense of American taxpayers and Americas security.
Third, an impeachment inquiry should be plotted out more like a TV show than a trial. The star witnesses and high-profile hearings should be spaced out and timed for maximum impact. They should tell a story about Trumps misdeeds. There should be no rush to get this over with quickly or to meet some artificial timeline. The audience for this show is not the Senate. Its not Twitter and its not the panel on Morning Joe. The audience is the American people specifically the new and sporadic Democratic voters who came out in 2018, or the independents and Republicans who say theyre most concerned about Trumps conduct. Our job is to persuade them, not the DC pundit class.
Fourth, turn the relative unpopularity of impeachment into an asset. The polls are clear that impeachment is unpopular. Majorities oppose it. While that fact may change over time, Democrats should make a virtue of the fact that theyre taking a principled position out of conviction, not calculation or convenience.
Fifth, use Senate Republicans as a foil. Mitch McConnell has already indicated that no matter what crimes Trump may have committed, he will do everything in his power to ensure that the president escapes accountability. Democrats should view this as an opportunity to pressure Republican Senators who are vulnerable in 2020. If Cory Gardner or Susan Collins or Martha McSally refuse to hold Trump accountable, paint them as Trump flunkies who put party over country. Every one of them is aiding and abetting the presidents corruption and criminality.
Finally, Democrats must show the public that they can walk and chew gum at the same time. At Trumps unhinged statement in the Rose Garden last week, he previewed his response to impeachment. Trump wants to run against the Investigate Everything, Do Nothing Congress. Democrats should rob this argument of its political potency by laying out a detailed legislative agenda that focuses on the kitchen table issues that matter most to voters. Pass these bills in the House, and then hold public events demanding that McConnell give them a vote in the Senate. None of these bills will become law, but theyll give Democrats a platform to run on, as well as a response to Republican attacks and media handwringing.
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Check In if You're One Of The "Small Number Of Democrats" Calling For Impeachment [View all]
berni_mccoy
May 2019
OP
The votes in the house are not there to impeach says James Clyburn.. I think he knows!!
Thekaspervote
May 2019
#115
You have it EXACTLY right!! Start the impeachment process NOW... there's no time to waste!!
InAbLuEsTaTe
May 2019
#226
An "ironclad case?" We have more than enough solid evidence of obstruction of justice.
Nitram
May 2019
#212
Something tells me Pelosi doesn't care too much what a few posters on DU think/want
bearsfootball516
May 2019
#2
Certainly most of the Democrats I talk to & most of the top-tier Democratic presidential candidates.
InAbLuEsTaTe
May 2019
#139
You do realize that you are not in a demographic that is typical of most voters in
PufPuf23
May 2019
#173
Something tells me Pelosi doesn't care too much what a few posters on DU think/want
LenaBaby61
May 2019
#39
African-American Voters, Middle Eastern Voters, Latino Voters, POC Voters in General....
LovingA2andMI
May 2019
#101
impeachment ***PROCESS*** not impeachment ***VOTE***. The KGOP is working hard to conflate
uponit7771
May 2019
#5
+1, they can announce impeachment process's and not consolidate other investigations.
uponit7771
May 2019
#12
"anyone still on the trump train should be tested for signs of electrical activity in the brain."
orleans
May 2019
#45
It may not be clear yet to you, but it's clear to every would-be dictator in the country,
marylandblue
May 2019
#46
Decades of experience, the confidence of her democratic peers to lead them for years.
ehrnst
May 2019
#194
responding to Mueller one of our candidates said if tRump continues on this path we must impeach
yaesu
May 2019
#47
And Justice John Roberts, presiding over the Senate trial, will just be the one to remind them
ancianita
May 2019
#70
Anyone who says to wait for the election to get him out of the White House
FightingIrish
May 2019
#80
Her official statement today was great. Her statement re only a small number of Democrats are
KPN
May 2019
#98
Here's the problem. She needs 218 votes for an inquiry of impeachment and so far,
pnwmom
May 2019
#121
Remember, they can charge him, but the Republicans in the Senate can let him walk.
Lady Freedom Returns
May 2019
#122
K&R. Use it or lose it. Don't expect a Democratic president to be afforded this same mercy
ck4829
May 2019
#128
Can't remember who said it but if they don't use it for Trump, it will probably never be used again
pdsimdars
May 2019
#157
Just call them investigation hearings and start with public testimony from Mueller.
Lonestarblue
May 2019
#159
Peolsi needs to catch a clue ... traitors need to be impeached, all of them!
NotHardly
May 2019
#183
IMPEACH - even if we fail, history must show we attempted to do the right thing.
Runningdawg
May 2019
#190
I wrote my Dem congressman and told him I trust Nancy to know what she's doing. (nt)
ehrnst
May 2019
#196
It is so far past time... He should never have been allowed to take office to begin with!
debsy
May 2019
#218
What would we gain? Removal won't happen and we could lose the house and the presidency in 20.
Demsrule86
Jun 2019
#234
We continue the investigations...and kill him with 1000 cuts which is what they did to Hillary...and
Demsrule86
Jun 2019
#238
We will gain credibility and uphold the Constitution which calls for it.
Evolve Dammit
Jun 2019
#236
And what do you suppose will happen to the constitution if Trump gets another term? No thanks...I
Demsrule86
Jun 2019
#237
Say it loud and say it proud...Hey, hey, ho, ho...the ass ferret has got to go!!!! (n/t)
Moostache
May 2019
#223
Not calling for impeachment...when there is no chance to remove the idiot, and we could
Demsrule86
Jun 2019
#233