Impeachment is vital -- but will be bitterly fought!
I have expected the many outrages committed by Trumpsky to lead -- sooner rather than later -- to the fucker's impeachment. Now, in a disturbingly good piece on the prospect in the current New Yorker, I'm frankly worried. Do look at it, dear readers:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/05/28/will-the-fervor-for-impeachment-start-a-democratic-civil-war
First, to address the above URL, let me say that I do not know whether that is large-D Democrat or small-d voter of any stripe. (The problem was occasioned by URLs not allowing capital letters, and this ten-word summary is not in the magazine's text...)
As if that were the only uncertainty on the subject. In fact, impeachment for Trumpsky is much trickier than one might imagine. (Or than one might take from billionaire Tom Steyer's impressive TV commercials urging impeachment -- which are somewhat distinct from Democratic Party policy at this moment.)
As Toobin explains, the two recent impeachments (Nixon in 1974 and Clinton in 1998-9) give pause. Nixon was opposed by some Republicans, whereas there is depressingly near-unanimity in the GOP now. As for Clinton, there was much debate whether the acusations met the "high crimes and misdemeanors" requirement of the Constitution.
Citing pros and cons on the latter, Toobin seems to think there are adequate grounds today, but sees the eventual debate over "emoluments" and other arcania as ugly and unending. He hopes that Mueller's eventual report will be crystal-clear, OR that Trumpsky will say or do something more egregious than he has yet done -- for example, firing Mueller or Deputy AG Rosenstein.
One big question Toobin cannot answer is how the November elections will affect public opinion. He seems to think Republican Congressional candidates will fight their opponents on where they stand on the issue. He quotes Sen.Ted Cruz (running for re-election) attacking Dems' leader Nancy Pelosi saying she doesn't currently support impeachment. He insists she'll personally launch proceedings in the House the day she's sworn in: "The passion on the left is too great."
In short, the mid-term elections are where impeachment will be fought out. And whether or not Mueller has released his report by then will become the focus.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/05/28/will-the-fervor-for-impeachment-start-a-democratic-civil-war
First, to address the above URL, let me say that I do not know whether that is large-D Democrat or small-d voter of any stripe. (The problem was occasioned by URLs not allowing capital letters, and this ten-word summary is not in the magazine's text...)
As if that were the only uncertainty on the subject. In fact, impeachment for Trumpsky is much trickier than one might imagine. (Or than one might take from billionaire Tom Steyer's impressive TV commercials urging impeachment -- which are somewhat distinct from Democratic Party policy at this moment.)
As Toobin explains, the two recent impeachments (Nixon in 1974 and Clinton in 1998-9) give pause. Nixon was opposed by some Republicans, whereas there is depressingly near-unanimity in the GOP now. As for Clinton, there was much debate whether the acusations met the "high crimes and misdemeanors" requirement of the Constitution.
Citing pros and cons on the latter, Toobin seems to think there are adequate grounds today, but sees the eventual debate over "emoluments" and other arcania as ugly and unending. He hopes that Mueller's eventual report will be crystal-clear, OR that Trumpsky will say or do something more egregious than he has yet done -- for example, firing Mueller or Deputy AG Rosenstein.
One big question Toobin cannot answer is how the November elections will affect public opinion. He seems to think Republican Congressional candidates will fight their opponents on where they stand on the issue. He quotes Sen.Ted Cruz (running for re-election) attacking Dems' leader Nancy Pelosi saying she doesn't currently support impeachment. He insists she'll personally launch proceedings in the House the day she's sworn in: "The passion on the left is too great."
In short, the mid-term elections are where impeachment will be fought out. And whether or not Mueller has released his report by then will become the focus.