Thread by @SallyAlbright

Politics is not a dirty word. It does not suggest self-interest or nefarious intent.

Politics is the process by which we make the rules for society to live by.

If we don't win, we have to play by rules set by the other side. There's no glory in letting GOP make the rules.

1/

When we say something is political, like the impeachment process, it means the voters create the consequences.

The will of the people must be considered, because they have the ultimate say. That's how democracy works.

2/

When an elected Democrat makes political calculations about their reelection, it means they are concerned about keeping their voters happy.

Getting Democrats reelected is not about one individual's job, it's about keeping the Democratic party in power.

3/

When Joe Manchin votes to save his seat instead of standing on symbolism, that's not about him, it's about his voters.

We may not like it but he doesn't answer to us. He answers to West Va. His votes keep him in office and keeps his seat in Dem hands. We're lucky to have him.
4/

We are lucky to have a Democrat who can win in WV. We are lucky Joe Manchin chooses to stay a Democrat. He could switch parties any time and embrace the majority. His voters would love that. But he stays. We might not like his record, but he's never been the deciding vote.
5/

All the Democrats who crossed their voters and opposed against Kavanaugh lost their seats, giving GOP more power. And Kavanaugh was still confirmed.

I say all the time, we have to trust Members to do what they need to do to keep their seats. To keep their seats in Dem hands.
6/

That's what it means to be a good politician - making the right calculations to stay in office. We should celebrate that ability. The ones who get it wrong lose, the other side picks up their seat.
7/

Sometimes it is about more than that. It's rare, but sometimes it is. Those "blue dog" conservative Dems everyone hates so much? They crossed their voters to pass ACA. They knew they were sacrificing their seats, Dem seats, for the greater good. As Obama said, it was worth it.
8/

But the price was high. That was a census election too. Democrats were destroyed up and down the ballot over ACA. We lost legislative control over redistricting. GOP increased gerrymandering and consolidated more power. See here: sallyal.ink/REDMAP
9/

ACA saved millions of lives, but there were a million negative consequences. Life is choices.

Now imagine if those Members had lost their seats, then ACA had not passed

Nancy made sure she had the votes before asking anyone to walk the plank. She made sure it was worth it.
10/

2020 is census election again, and this time we are faced with a different choice.

This time it's even more important to make sure a rash decision does not hurt Democrats standing for reelection. Not because of individuals, but because of the party. Because of redistricting.
11/

Nancy and House Dems have to weigh the relative value of impeaching the president with the risk of losing legislative control.

What's more, they have to make sure they even CAN impeach the president. Are the votes even there? Would we sacrifice seats while gaining nothing?
12/

So when we say it's political, this is what we mean.

Nancy is not deciding if Trump's crimes are impeachable. Of course they are.

She is deciding if impeaching him, with everything on the line in a census election, is worth it.

Again, see here: sallyal.ink/REDMAP
13/

As it stands now, her calculation is that it is not worth the risk. The votes might not even be there. We know they aren't there in the Senate. Trump will not be removed. His policies will not end.

It's not ACA. "Sending a message" does not save millions of lives.
14/

Nancy does not guard power for her own self-interest. It's about keeping Democrats in power and all the good Democrats can do with their power.

Not to mention the very real fear of what GOP will do if they have the power to make gerrymandering worse. sallyal.ink/REDMAP
15/

Of course public opinion can change. We all hope it does.

And when it does, Members will change their positions.

And when the votes are there to impeach and remove the President from office, it can and should be done.

But not now. It's not worth it.

16/

Standing up to public outcry does not make one popular, but caving to populist fury is not leadership. We have to wait until the moment is right.

And there is no one who will know sooner, and with more certainty, when that moment has arrived than Nancy Pelosi. #TrustNancy
17/17

Here's a chart outlining all the different impeachment scenarios

Here's a list of what is already being done to stop Trump