Trollminator wrote:
Flagpole - what would you prefer? A) Impeachment proceedings with a low probability of success for the sake of doing the right thing. If he’s cleared here he’d probably get away with everything, or B) wait it out with Dems winning the Senate and presidency in 2020, plus the ability to go after Trump for crimes later. IMO those are the two likely options. The reality is given their positional power, POTUS is above the law, and impeachment is a political and not a judicial process. So unless Mueller’s report is super air tight there is little chance of prevailing because Trump will not speak under oath.
What is right isn't necessarily what I would prefer...that's where integrity lies. I am a rule of law person, and believe we should follow Constitution.
There is no guarantee that what you provide as givens will happen.
Impeaching a President hurts not only the President but the party. There is no guarantee that this will embolden him and people who like him. In fact, this led to the election of a Republican President after Clinton was impeached.
These are the reason I believe the House impeaching Trump is the right thing to do (again only if the Mueller report shows impeachable actions):
1) Shows we just don't allow our President to do what he wants with no consequence. And being impeached even if he then is not convicted by the Senate is a consequence. This is part of the reason Americans disliked Hillary so much. I would be fine with that kind of dislike being handed down to his children...children who have expressed an interest in running for President. We don't need that or any other Dictator wannabe candidates.
2) There is a right side and wrong side of history. If Senate Republicans don't convict Trump based on what I believe will be a very telling harsh report of Trump's crimes, they will be on the wrong side of history, and they will suffer the consequences of that.
Mainly though, I don't view this through a political chess lens. If a person in power commits crimes, they should be charged with those crimes, or in this case have to go through the impeachment process. Not to do so shows a willingness to allow it to happen.