President Donald Trump

[Sour Masher]

I don't want to get my hopes up, because I've let myself believe before that Trump would be held accountable for his actions to no avail, but....anyone think this Ukraine thing, where he used 100s of millions of aid money as leverage to try to get them to investigate his political rival might finally lead to his impeachment? How can anyone defend these sorts of actions?

[B-Fly]

I don't want to get my hopes up, because I've let myself believe before that Trump would be held accountable for his actions to no avail, but....anyone think this Ukraine thing, where he used 100s of millions of aid money as leverage to try to get them to investigate his political rival might finally lead to his impeachment? How can anyone defend these sorts of actions?

Impeachment? Maybe. Trump is essentially daring...almost begging...for the House to do it. But he'll never be convicted by the Senate. And it will ignite his base to go all out to stop/counter the "coup attempt", so I'm still uncomfortable with it from a practical political standpoint. I think all energies need to go into defeating him in 2020, as that's the only way I see to successfully remove him from the White House.

[Sour Masher]

Impeachment? Maybe. Trump is essentially daring...almost begging...for the House to do it. But he'll never be convicted by the Senate. And it will ignite his base to go all out to stop/counter the "coup attempt", so I'm still uncomfortable with it from a practical political standpoint. I think all energies need to go into defeating him in 2020, as that's the only way I see to successfully remove him from the White House.

I used to think that, but with this latest scandal, I wonder if the political damage ends up being more for the Republicans than the Dems with an actual vote. I don't think history will judge Trump kindly, and all those who vote to keep him in office despite what he has done--I think that will haunt them, at least some of them in some districts.

Also, Trump will invent reasons to energize his base no matter what. His base is coming out to support him no matter what. I don't see a bunch of moderate fence sitters jumping up to put MAGA hats on because of impeachment at this point. Not impeachment is basically condoning his behavior.

[Steve 2.0]

Life continues to astound me.

How the holy hell did Donald Trump ever get elected to anything? I mean I wouldn't let him walk my dog. (and I don't have a dog)
How the holy hell is Donald Trump remaining in office? I know impeachment is just the first step in the process but this dude is a criminal (IMO) and a lunatic (IMO).

Ah....being able to use terms like "holy hell" freely.

Oh.....and Happy Holidays!

[GwynnInTheHall]

There are people in this country who wouldn't care if he raped a woman in the street at noon in Times Square--hell there are people who'd cheer him on.

THIS is the saddest part of the Trump saga, that we live among people of such vile character.

[DMT]

Impeachment? Maybe. Trump is essentially daring...almost begging...for the House to do it. But he'll never be convicted by the Senate. And it will ignite his base to go all out to stop/counter the "coup attempt", so I'm still uncomfortable with it from a practical political standpoint. I think all energies need to go into defeating him in 2020, as that's the only way I see to successfully remove him from the White House.

No disrespect, but this is typical Democrat fear-polling inaction IMO. Yes I made that word up but it's a truly bizarre calculus IMO. It's quite clear the dude needs to be impeached and the Democrats have looked absolutely pathetic with their inaction. Pelosi needs to pull her head out of her ass and get the ball rolling. If they do nothing now, it only emboldens him to keep testing the limits. Anyone who has raised kids should know how to deal with a toddler, even if he happens to be POTUS.

[DMT]

There are people in this country who wouldn't care if he raped a woman in the street at noon in Times Square--hell there are people who'd cheer him on.

THIS is the saddest part of the Trump saga, that we live among people of such vile character.

Is it really all that surprising though? In a country built on the evil dual pillars of genocide and slavery, why would you expect its citizens to be good characters? Obviously I'm not condemning all of us, but clearly there is a large segment of this country that wants to retain their privilege and could care less what it means for those not so fortunate. And they've been there for centuries.

[Steve 2.0]

No disrespect, but this is typical Democrat fear-polling inaction IMO. Yes I made that word up but it's a truly bizarre calculus IMO. It's quite clear the dude needs to be impeached and the Democrats have looked absolutely pathetic with their inaction. Pelosi needs to pull her head out of her ass and get the ball rolling. If they do nothing now, it only emboldens him to keep testing the limits. Anyone who has raised kids should know how to deal with a toddler, even if he happens to be POTUS.

Some good points.....kinda unfair to toddlers....but some good points.

[GwynnInTheHall]

Is it really all that surprising though? In a country built on the evil dual pillars of genocide and slavery, why would you expect its citizens to be good characters? Obviously I'm not condemning all of us, but clearly there is a large segment of this country that wants to retain their privilege and could care less what it means for those not so fortunate. And they've been there for centuries.

yes you are right, but I guess it just hasn't been shoved in our faces as much as it seems to be today.

[Art Vandelay]

There are people in this country who wouldn't care if he raped a woman in the street at noon in Times Square--hell there are people who'd cheer him on.

THIS is the saddest part of the Trump saga, that we live among people of such vile character.

hy·per·bo·le
/hīˈpərbəlē/
Learn to pronounce
noun
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

[B-Fly]

No disrespect, but this is typical Democrat fear-polling inaction IMO. Yes I made that word up but it's a truly bizarre calculus IMO. It's quite clear the dude needs to be impeached and the Democrats have looked absolutely pathetic with their inaction. Pelosi needs to pull her head out of her ass and get the ball rolling. If they do nothing now, it only emboldens him to keep testing the limits. Anyone who has raised kids should know how to deal with a toddler, even if he happens to be POTUS.

I will admit that I am absolutely afraid that he will be re-elected in 2020. As well as certain that impeachment proceedings will not result in his removal from office while the GOP controls the Senate. I am, however, open to being convinced that the benefits of initiating impeachment proceedings would outweigh the costs.

[DMT]

I will admit that I am absolutely afraid that he will be re-elected in 2020. As well as certain that impeachment proceedings will not result in his removal from office while the GOP controls the Senate. I am, however, open to being convinced that the benefits of initiating impeachment proceedings would outweigh the costs.

As I mentioned above, a failure at this point to initiate proceedings will only embolden Trump to continue breaking the law. I honestly don't know enough about the legal details, but won't initiation of impeachment proceedings give Congress greater investigative powers? It will also force all of the Republican Senators to go on record defending him if he's impeached by the House. Public opinion wasn't in favor of impeaching Nixon when they started with him, so why are Democrats afraid of polling now? Of course the majority of the public isn't in favor of impeachment right now because they don't yet have all of the information. That will change as more and more information comes to light of his gross malfeasance.

[Sour Masher]

As I mentioned above, a failure at this point to initiate proceedings will only embolden Trump to continue breaking the law. I honestly don't know enough about the legal details, but won't initiation of impeachment proceedings give Congress greater investigative powers? It will also force all of the Republican Senators to go on record defending him if he's impeached by the House. Public opinion wasn't in favor of impeaching Nixon when they started with him, so why are Democrats afraid of polling now? Of course the majority of the public isn't in favor of impeachment right now because they don't yet have all of the information. That will change as more and more information comes to light of his gross malfeasance.

Excellent points, especially the point about how people were against impeachment of Nixon at first. People can be convinced as more evidence comes to light.

[B-Fly]

As I mentioned above, a failure at this point to initiate proceedings will only embolden Trump to continue breaking the law. I honestly don't know enough about the legal details, but won't initiation of impeachment proceedings give Congress greater investigative powers? It will also force all of the Republican Senators to go on record defending him if he's impeached by the House. Public opinion wasn't in favor of impeaching Nixon when they started with him, so why are Democrats afraid of polling now? Of course the majority of the public isn't in favor of impeachment right now because they don't yet have all of the information. That will change as more and more information comes to light of his gross malfeasance.

Agreed. These are all good points. Does anyone have a sense of what the timing would probably look like if proceedings were initiated within the next week or two?

[revo]

hy·per·bo·le
/hīˈpərbəlē/
Learn to pronounce
noun
exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

The man/monster himself said he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and not lose a vote. Now maybe that's hyperbole, but you have to admit it's not far from the truth.