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In reply to the discussion: Impeachment is a lost cause at this point. Focus on 2020. [View all]Mister Ed
(5,945 posts)We on DU have quibbled for months about whether impeachment is "political" or not, without anyone really defining what that means. I've used the term to mean, "having to do with elections", and yes, that is one of its dictionary definitions. By that standard, impeachment, as set forth in the Constitution, is not a matter of politics - or, at least, it shouldn't be.
I concede, though, that the broader and more common definition of "political" is "having to do with governance", and by that standard, impeachment certainly would be "political".
Now, it doesn't escape my notice that you've deftly substituted the term "judicial" for my term "law enforcement". That sets up a straw man that is easily knocked down, because of course impeachment is not a "judicial" matter - that is, it is not a matter for the courts or the judiciary. But "judicial" here is your term, and not mine.
I repeat - and surely you agree - that impeachment is "the only means the Constitution provides to enforce the law on a criminal president". It's for that reason that I call it a matter of law enforcement.
I assure you that I understand very well that impeachment does not mean "removing a president from office", which of course is the result of conviction in the Senate, and not impeachment in the House.
I can also assure you that I understand very well that conviction will never occur while Mitch McConnell is Senate Majority Leader. Bad enough, to my way of thinking, that Mitch McConnell runs the Senate, without having him run the House as well. I don't think the House should make its decisions by asking themselves what Mitch will say. I'd much rather they ask themselves what the Constitution says.
I also understand that the House may conduct impeachment without ever sending the matter to Mitch at all. That might well be what House leaders have in mind with the impeachment process they've already started.
I'll finish now where I started off: by stating once again that those who say that Democrats need to forget about impeachment and focus instead on the next election are presenting a false choice. It's not either/or. The party can certainly do both.
I look forward to your further thoughts on the matter - but, going forward, could you kindly dispense with the condescending tone? Thank you.