Thread by @peterdaou

THREAD — THE BAD #IMPEACHMENT NEWS

I'll start by saying that I always have hope justice will prevail. And the worse things get, the harder we should fight. So this isn't about losing hope or giving up, but about a dose of reality.

#Impeachment should have started months ago...

Impeaching Trump was an imperative from the day Dems took the House. A bold, brave declaration that our democracy is alive and that the rule of law stands.

By dithering and dodging, Dem leaders have turned the #impeachment process into a political game, undermining its power.

#Impeachment is not a magic solution to the GOP's authoritarian takeover. Any hearings will be hijacked by Republicans to smear and attack the "real culprits," i.e. Hillary, Obama, the FBI, Comey, etc.

Never underestimate the GOP's capacity for gaslighting and projection.

We should have no illusions. The extremist assault on our values/rights will continue unabated whether or not Dems #ImpeachTrump. Migrant kids will be abused. Women's health will be criminalized. Teachers will be armed. Oligarchs will get tax cuts. The sick will lose healthcare.

The value of #impeachment is simple: It will leave a permanent mark on Trump's presidency, a message that we didn't back down when our democracy was attacked. But the GOP has cemented its power in the courts and in state and local govt. The rightwing media apparatus is powerful.

We must be prepared for a long, bitter, daunting fight ahead. We need to take care of one another. We need to be willing to step up and lead, to demand more of ourselves and our elected officials. It's going to get worse but we can't be demoralized or discouraged. We CAN prevail.