,
14 tweets,
4 min read
Read on Twitter
There is no shortage of commentary about why impeachment could hurt Democrats. The arguments are plausible, sound, and reasonable. There are huge political risks for Democrats if they undertake the process. But the picture which this viewpoint paints is incomplete./1
In general, starting an impeachment process should not be made based on political calculations. The process is too important and too traumatic to become a political tool. Normalizing impeachment as a partisan weapon would be a terrible idea./2
In the case of @realDonaldTrump, however, there is more than enough evidence to justify an impeachment inquiry. Most Democrats seem to agree. So too does one Republican, @justinamash./3
But there are also a number of ways in which an impeachment process could be politically beneficial to Democrats going into 2020. During my conversation with the always insightful @CapehartJ on @whyyradiotimes, a few thoughts came to mind./4
First, taking the risk of starting the impeachment process could shine a light on Democrats as a party that stands on principle. This can certainly help rally Democratic voters, and maybe independents, who believe in the balance of power./5
As Speaker Pelosi just told @mkraju on impeachment: “It’s not off the table. I don’t think you should impeach for political reasons, but I also don’t think you should NOT impeach for political reasons.”/6
Second, an impeachment process could define the Republicans as the party of corruption, certainly not a great way to go into Election Day. The process could do more than the Mueller report to expose the president's wrongdoing./7
Republican Senators voting against removing a president that the House impeaches--on sound grounds and with extensive evidence of abusing power--would enable Democrats to highlight the complicity of the GOP in supporting a corrupt administration./8
Third, an impeachment process would energize the Democrats who are most needed to mobilize, organize, and turnout the vote. POTUS is counting on low turnout to win. @jbouie has a terrific piece on this./9
Fourth, the process will goad Trump into his worst behavior. As the investigations have ramped up, the president has been unable resist escalating his cascade of vitriol that have continued to drag down his national approval ratings./11
Finally, the process would keep attention focused on the wrongdoing that POTUS actually committed rather than the accusations he will be tossing into the national airwaves from now through the election. If Democrats aren’t talking about corruption, the president will be./12
Once again, the risks of impeachment are serious. The Speaker's fears are grounded in real world calculations. But it is crucial to see that there are many ways that the process can unfold and some very strong reasons--politically--for Democrats to move forward./end
@threadreaderapp unroll
