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I'm not sure it's risky. It may be his best move.
💠2/3 vote in the Senate is required for removal from office.
💠Less than 2/3 vote in the Senate will allow Trump to claim he was acquitted and fully exonerated.
💠Many (or most) Senators will vote with their constituents.
1/
💠2/3 vote in the Senate is required for removal from office.
💠Less than 2/3 vote in the Senate will allow Trump to claim he was acquitted and fully exonerated.
💠Many (or most) Senators will vote with their constituents.
1/
💠Trump's solid base (about 33%)* is not evenly distributed. His base is concentrated more heavily in the small, rural states more heavily represented in the Senate.
💠 He can't prevent impeachment. He's looking for a Senate "acquittal."
2/
💠 He can't prevent impeachment. He's looking for a Senate "acquittal."
2/
That 1/3 comes from lots of places, including psychologists who tell us that about 1/3 of the population has what used to be called an "anti-democratic personality" and is now called an "authoritarian personality."
See, for example: researchgate.net/publication/31…
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See, for example: researchgate.net/publication/31…
3/
I totally agree that this strategy of doubling down on his base means the Republicans to lose by a landslide in 2020.
But I don't think Trump is thinking that far ahead.
He's trying to save his presidency.
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But I don't think Trump is thinking that far ahead.
He's trying to save his presidency.
4/
We've known for a while that impeachment is coming.
We've also known that the bigger challenge is removal in the Senate.
This is why Pelosi and Schiff are working to create an airtight case that will make it difficult or impossible for GOP Senators to side with Trump.
/end
We've also known that the bigger challenge is removal in the Senate.
This is why Pelosi and Schiff are working to create an airtight case that will make it difficult or impossible for GOP Senators to side with Trump.
/end
Adding questions and comments.
It seems to me that if McConnell wants Trump out, he'll try to get a secret vote.
If McConnell wants Trump to be able to declare himself fully exonerated, he'll have an open vote.
McConnell will decide based . . .
It seems to me that if McConnell wants Trump out, he'll try to get a secret vote.
If McConnell wants Trump to be able to declare himself fully exonerated, he'll have an open vote.
McConnell will decide based . . .
. . . on what he thinks will save the GOP.
The key is building an airtight case in the House, making it hard for the Senate to acquit.
That authoritarian 1/3 will believe any lie he tells. See my slate article: slate.com/news-and-polit…
The Senators, though, will know he's lying.
The key is building an airtight case in the House, making it hard for the Senate to acquit.
That authoritarian 1/3 will believe any lie he tells. See my slate article: slate.com/news-and-polit…
The Senators, though, will know he's lying.
Another comment⤵️ …
We're in uncharted territory, so who knows?
The Constitution doesn't give many guidelines, just that the Chief Justice presides, and 2/3 is required to remove.
The understanding is that the Houses of Congress devise their own rules.
We're in uncharted territory, so who knows?
The Constitution doesn't give many guidelines, just that the Chief Justice presides, and 2/3 is required to remove.
The understanding is that the Houses of Congress devise their own rules.
Exactly right:
By openly calling for other countries to investigate Biden, Trump
💠plays the part of the strongman, unintimidated by the Dems, and
💠invites his base to say, "So? What's wrong with that?" (remember they buy the lies about Biden.)
By openly calling for other countries to investigate Biden, Trump
💠plays the part of the strongman, unintimidated by the Dems, and
💠invites his base to say, "So? What's wrong with that?" (remember they buy the lies about Biden.)
Agree completely. This has been my refrain for months. The Democrats won in 2018 by 8 points. Do that in a presidential election, and it's a landslide.
Cheating works with close elections.
Everyone can help with 2020. Want to know what you can do? . . .
Cheating works with close elections.
Everyone can help with 2020. Want to know what you can do? . . .
See my list ⤵️terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
Twice I've gone to Texas as a volunteer lawyer with
@RAICESTEXAS offering legal assistance to migrants.
For the next 14 months, all my volunteer time will be in voter protection. That's where I feel I can do the most good.
Twice I've gone to Texas as a volunteer lawyer with
@RAICESTEXAS offering legal assistance to migrants.
For the next 14 months, all my volunteer time will be in voter protection. That's where I feel I can do the most good.
@RAICESTEXAS Yes.⤵️
Think where we'd be if the House had impeached last summer, when people were making dire threats (If Pelosi doesn't impeach Right Now it Shows She is Corrupt and Compromised.
It would be like a prosecutor bringing charges. The jury acquits. . .
Think where we'd be if the House had impeached last summer, when people were making dire threats (If Pelosi doesn't impeach Right Now it Shows She is Corrupt and Compromised.
It would be like a prosecutor bringing charges. The jury acquits. . .
@RAICESTEXAS . . . (like the Senate finding the president Not Guilty), and then the prosecutor says, "Wait! I have more evidence! Let's have another trial!"
They can't keep impeaching.
They have one shot.
Pelosi didn't want to throw it away.
It isn't like the Ukraine thing has been secret.
They can't keep impeaching.
They have one shot.
Pelosi didn't want to throw it away.
It isn't like the Ukraine thing has been secret.
@RAICESTEXAS Legally they can keep impeaching.
Politically it would be nuts. They'd be a laughingstock and lose credibility.
Now they look like the adults. "It's a sad day for America. We didn't want this. But the president left us no choice."
From yesterday⤵️
Politically it would be nuts. They'd be a laughingstock and lose credibility.
Now they look like the adults. "It's a sad day for America. We didn't want this. But the president left us no choice."
From yesterday⤵️
@RAICESTEXAS Exactly. The likely outcome is that the Senate acquits and the Republicans lose in a bloodbath in November.
If the Democrats get the House, Senate, and White House you'll see much of the Trump damage rapidly reversed.
If the Democrats get the House, Senate, and White House you'll see much of the Trump damage rapidly reversed.
