I’m worried about the politics of a president who can act on his dark and terrible whims with total impunity.
Whether you agree with Warren’s politics or not, she has stones.
Wait, is that the Michael Cohen?
Edit: actually, probably can’t tweet from prison.
rei
4020
Fuck. Trump & Co. need to die in prison.
So they say, but at this point I think they’re just trying to have their cake and eat it too. The impeachment process has begun, they say to Dems that want impeachment, but it isn’t going to finish, they say to everyone else.
Preet Bharara’s podcast this week with Susan Hennessey is a must listen. (well, his pod is always a must listen) Lot of discussion of this topic and Lawfare’s podcasts on the Mueller Report. She’s a passionate patriot and whip smart.
I’m not sure why this is surprising. He flat out said in an interview months back that he would have no problem working with foreign governments on opposition research and wouldn’t even alert the FBI.
I don’t think any of us are surprised. Disheartened that it still doesn’t seem to be making a dent in the opinions of his lingering supporters? That’s where I’m at. Please note, there’s zero surprise there as well, just sadness for my fellow countrymen and a consistent anger at the social mechanisms which have propped up this movement of corruption and bigotry currently using him as its face.
Such bullshit. Hey Nancy, DJT could livestream himself strangling a baby than devouring it alive and you wouldn’t see GOP votes. Do your fucking job or make way for someone who will.
Quaro
4029
I think I’m finally convinced impeachment is the way to go, after not being sure about it. Make the Republicans defend their votes defending Trump blackmailing Ukraine into manufacturing political dirt against political opposition. I do still think it could backfire spectacularly though and end up boosting Trump. That is still a real risk.
Ms. Tumulty suggests censure:
None of this would end the argument over impeachment, but it would prove to the American people that at least part of their government sets a higher standard of behavior than our current president does. It also, finally, would force Republicans to answer a question that they have been dodging: Is there anything this president does that you will not tolerate?
Oghier
4031
They need to do something to keep this story in the headlines and to interest those parts of the public that do not follow politics on a day-to-day basis (which is almost the entire public – just not us).
If Censure will do that, then get it rolling.
Strollen
4032
I agree there is certainly a risk. But there is also an opportunity that traditional Republican voters would become so disgusted with the magnitude of Trump’s corruption and the spineless reaction of Republican congress critters they’d stay home in droves.
After Nixon resigned in 1974 the Democrats picked up 49 seats in the House, 4 in the senate and 4 governorship. The American people were pretty disgusted with Republican, and I think it is very possible that even if the Republican’s had rallied behind Nixon and he stuck it out that the midterms would have been worse for them.
But impeachment is the right thing to do and that counts for a lot.
I begin to think the Dems showing some spine overrides all other concerns, even the 2020 election outcome.
There is some merit to that idea. If Trump leaves office having never faced any accountability of any kind for his crimes in office, then it is the new normal. Future presidents will surely follow his lead when it comes to using power illegally to retain office, or profiting personally through transparent bribery schemes, or retaliating against civil servants who try to uphold the law.
(Yes, some people think he will be prosecuted afterward, but I’m deeply skeptical. When he leaves office, the sigh of relief will be so great that it’s possible no one will have the political will to go after him.)
