Thread by @MontyBoa99

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo There are some false assumptions in Pelosi's strategy:
A. The only purpose of impeachment is to prepare an iron-clad case for conviction.
B. If the Senate fails to convict, Dems will lose their House majority.
C. An iron-clad case is needed to start impeachment proceedings.
1/

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo A. The only purpose of impeachment is to prepare an iron-clad case for conviction.
No.The purpose is to *investigate* to determine whether evidence exists to suggest that a trial for high crimes or misdemeanors is warranted.
It is also to educate the public on the findings...
2/

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo A...
Educating the public occurs *as evidence is uncovered*, as with John Dean's revelations of a conspiracy during the Watergate hearings, and Alexander Butterfield's disclosing the existence of the Nixon audiotapes.

*The evidence need not all be known prior to the start.*
3/

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo B. If the Senate fails to convict, Dems will lose their House majority.
No. After the specious and partisan Whitewater probe, which spun out of control after Ken Starr failed to prove Clinton involvement in the fraud, and resorted to provoking perjury from Clinton...
4/

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo B..
.. by grilling him on his affair with a consenting adult (not an impeachable offense, America decided), Clinton was acquitted.
The GOP lost only 5 seats after that travesty.

If Dems show good cause, and GOP Senators put party over country, why would Dems lose seats?
5/

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo C. You need an iron-clad case to start impeachment proceedings.
No. That's only to start a *trial in the Senate*.

Starting impeachment doesn't require proof beyond reasonable doubt, or even probable cause that a crime has been committed.
The standards are up to Congress.
6/

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo There is sufficient evidence to convict POUTS on:

- Obstruction of justice
- Misuse of position
- Misappropriation of funds
- Maladministration
- Failure to obey the Take Care Clause by Hatch Act violations, not defending the ACA, etc.
- Defying subpoenas
- Self-enrichment

7/

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo Given these facts, there can be only 3 justifications for Pelosi's delaying tactics:
A. She thinks the GOP/Fox Noise/Kremlinbots echo chamber will fool the American public (and media) again, or
B. She fears threats of mob violence by extremist POUTS supporters,
or...
8/

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo C. Pelosi plans another impeachment first, such as Mnuchin's. (He violated the 1924 Revenue law that grants the Ways & Means Cmttee unfettered access to anyone's tax returns, without preconditions or justification.) If so, it would have to happen at breakneck speed. Unlikely.
9/

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo The potentially fatal flaw in Pelosi's delaying strategy is that Americans will pay full attention to an impeachment proceeding, but most won't devote more than 5-10 minutes a day on ordinary oversight hearings.

10/

@girlsreallyrule @DHStokyo To control the national stage vs the GOP propaganda machine, Pelosi must create a Congressional marketing campaign.

She also needs a spokesperson to overcome her halting, jargon-laden, and sometimes unintelligible delivery. Reps Swalwell, Raskin and/or Himes seem promising.
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