Jennifer Rubin on Pelosi and impeachment

[MBS]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/03/12/pelosis-right-forget-about-impeachment/?

The key is "unless."

.

. .There is zero indication so far that Republicans are going to break with him so, even if the House were to impeach him, the Senate wouldn’t reach the two-thirds threshold required (and probably not even a majority) to remove him. Trump would then declare victory and Democrats would look feckless. Unless there is overwhelming and bipartisan consensus that Trump should be removed, it’s not worth seriously considering, she says. Well, that is a very significant qualifier. Impeachment is a monumental undertaking so you better have reason to do so. This is an appropriate analysis since impeachment, undoing an election via Congress, is contemplated as a political, not legal, process and requires a super majority for removal. The American people must be convinced that he cannot remain in office. If there is some atrocious smoking gun and/or the accumulated evidence is so weighty, then even Republicans’ minds might be changed. . . .
. . .
But, you say, this means he’ll “get away” with it! Nonsense. As soon as he is out of office, he can be prosecuted like any American at the federal or state level — and on any number of possible charges including obstruction of justice, campaign finance violations and a host of financial crimes involving his business and/or foundation. Why bother with congressional hearings? Well, it’s important for the voters to know what Trump has been up to so they can hold him accountable at the polls in 2020. In addition, other people’s crimes or noncriminal wrongdoing may be revealed. The very act of congressional investigation is critical to reestablishing democratic norms and the separation of powers. Moreover, let’s remember that Congress is supposed to investigate lots of things that aren’t crimes — e.g., a disastrous child-separation policy, conflicts of interest, carelessness in handling security clearances, receipt of foreign emoluments, incompetent foreign policy. That is what we do in a democracy. (I know, it’s difficult to remember after Republicans did nothing.) We insist government be transparent and we hold those responsible to account for their conduct. Finally, remember that both the special counsel and Congress are investigating a counterintelligence matter — who, if anyone, cooperated/conspired with the Russians. If Trump, members of his family or current officeholders did it, or were negligent in preventing others from doing it, we need to know.

Interestingly, though Pelosi dismisses impeachment, she has no problem pronouncing Trump “unfit."

I mean, ethically unfit. Intellectually unfit. Curiosity-wise unfit. No, I don’t think he’s fit to be president of the United States. And that’s up to us to make the contrast to show that this president — while he may be appealing to you on your insecurity and therefore your xenophobia, whether it’s globalization or immigrants — is fighting clean air for your children to breathe, clean water for them to drink, food safety, every good thing that we should be doing that people can’t do for themselves. You know, I have five kids, and I think I can do everything for them, but I can’t control the air they breathe, the water that they drink. You depend on the public sector to do certain things for the health and well-being of your family, and he is counter to that.

Trump’s fitness for office is a matter for the voters. They made a horrible judgment in that regard in 2016. Next year, they’ll have to consider the past four years and render a different judgment.

[wryter2000]

1. Happy to rec this

Excellent analysis.

We can, and should, investigate all his crimes and abuses (like separating children from their parents) without impeaching him. The Watergate hearings didn't start out as impeachment hearings. IIRC, they never became impeachment hearings because Nixon resigned before that happened.

Expose Trump and company, and expose the Republican complicity, by all means, and hammer them with it in 2020. We can't remove him from office before then. Period.

[MBS]

2. Really good reminder that Watergate hearings didn't start out as impeachment hearings

Thanks! - that's an excellent and pertinent point.

[wryter2000]

13. Believe me, I watched them all

I'm that old. Plus, I was on leave from my job. They started as fact-finding.

IMHO, what we really should be investigating is the child/parent separations. Lord knows Trump has committed crime upon crime, but this is the closest to a crime against humanity.

On edit, of course, we should investigate all of his crimes. I didn't mean to suggest we should limit investigations.

[iluvtennis]

4. +++ agree

[gibraltar72]

3. Sunlight won't be kind to this Cockroach.

[aeromanKC]

5. Regardless, this will not end well for Trump and his cabal

I have to believe there is some pretty juicy there there under those redacted black lines in the Mueller indictments, but regardless, the SDNY and NY AG are going to F Trump up bad!! Government issue orange will be Trumps new cheeto orange and of course asset forfeiture RICO!! The Trump brand will smell like ass when everything is said and done.

[wryter2000]

14. Yup

He will regret the day he ever decided to run for President. If he has enough neurons, he might even figure out Putin used him.

[murielm99]

6. Even if he is never impeached and removed,

even if he dies or never faces trial for any number of reasons, he can be bankrupted.

His corrupt family members may not get off as easily. They may face many fines and years behind bars. I would be just as happy to see the three children and Jared in jail. I would be thrilled to see them broken financially.

[djacq]

7. I sense cunning in Speaker Pelosi.

[MBS]

8. Me too .

She knows what she’s doing.

[PWPippinesq]

12. Her daughter said something like "she'll cut your head off before you know you're bleeding.

She's brilliant, very savvy, and knows where the levers and skeletons are. At 76, I am pushing and excited for the younger blood coming in - and am relieved we have her at the helm right now to show the way to get things done. She speaks "softly and carries a big stick".

[Firestorm49]

9. "The American people must be convinced that he cannot remain in office."

Only if we are given information (Mueller report) that would reasonably allow us to come to a consensus - but even that seems unlikely. So, I guess we'll see.

By the way, whose country is this, anyway?

[Sprite]

10. Keep the faith everyone.

Something’s got to give. 🇺🇸

[MBS]

15. + 100 n/t

[CaptainTruth]

11. We need to look at the big picture & be strategically smart.

The 2020 election is the way to get rid of Trump, & Pence, & their entire administration.

Then we can watch Trump get buried under indictments & lawsuits for the rest of his life.