The Soapbox

Hoo05Dave

Joined: 05/07/2007 Posts: 1643
Likes: 1359


I'm looking forward to the day that Trump is kicked from the oval office,


but I wouldn't vote to impeach him for what I've seen. Not from some political calculation (i.e. I'd do it if I didn't think it'd backfire), and not because I view Trump's actions as acceptable, but because I'm distressed by how comfortable we've become violating political norms.

And the most basic norm in society is that regardless of how much one detests an elected official, you should respect the outcome of the vote. It's why so many, correctly, heaped opprobrium on Trump for saying he might not accept a loss, and why democrats boycotting his inauguration with claims of an illegitimate election were so outrageous.

Furthermore, I'd be looking to vote against politicians who did vote to impeach if given an appropriate opportunity (obviously I wouldn't vote out of spite if I view their opponent as too harmful to support).

Impeachment should be for serious examples of criminality, and/or corruption. And I don't see it here.

Trump's campaign delighted in Russian attacks on HRC, but they did not partake in executing that attack directly. It's just one of many breeches of decorum which still don't rise to the level where I'd be willing to remove a president from office, nor tolerate votes toward that end. The list is long and distinguished... insulting a Gold Star family, undercutting US interests / global standing*, mocking McCain and other POWs, the Charlottesville response, fear and loathing at our southern border... I could go on.

*Suggesting that we may not uphold Article 5 responsibilities under NATO.
The Helsinki summit
Handling of trade relations
Claiming Russia's political assassinations are bad, but hey, the US kills people we don't like too
("There are a lot of killers. We have a lot of killers,” Trump said. “Well, you think our country is so innocent?”)

So toss the documentation of Trump cheering a foreign propaganda campaign on top of the pile of deplorable actions. But we can't just fall back to plan B when conspiracy didn't pan out. Lacking a motivating factor for obstruction (an underlying crime Trump was trying to hide), the argument quickly becomes one of tortured logic. To be frank, I view the cacophony over obstruction as a thinly veiled partisan opportunism; a plan B. And I think it would be widely viewed as a partisan act by the electorate.

The bottom line is that this is what we elected in 2016. Trump's myriad flaws should serve as a bad example to correct in 2020, not as an excuse to abandon norms and follow suit.



(In response to this post by hoolstoptheheels)

Posted: 04/25/2019 at 11:47AM



+5

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Current Thread:
  If Rashida Tlaib is leading the Ds, they're screwed -- Capital City Hoo 04/25/2019 12:21PM
  Unless you are Candace Owens ** -- Tuckahokie 04/25/2019 3:16PM
  Poor Candace. What a dimwit. ** -- Seattle .Hoo 04/25/2019 3:21PM
  John Edwards was charged with a felony for what Trump did -- WahooMatt05 04/25/2019 12:19PM
  Trump can dole out pardons -- DanTheFan 04/25/2019 10:53AM
  Just waiting for him to pardon himself ** -- Hoo TV 04/25/2019 10:55AM
  By Twitter ** -- 757 04/25/2019 11:11AM
  Or name his favorite horse Chairman of the Fed. ** -- WahooRQ 04/25/2019 11:05AM
  Impeachment for what? ** -- ryno hoo 04/25/2019 10:31AM
  High crimes and misdemeanors -- DanTheFan 04/25/2019 10:53AM
  Trumpistanis are okay with that ** -- Hoo TV 04/25/2019 10:57AM
  ...being Trump mainly ** -- Tuckahokie 04/25/2019 10:49AM
  That's not true, if we are being honest. -- hoolstoptheheels 04/25/2019 11:02AM
  But in a way I agree with Tuck. is anyone really -- 111Balz 04/25/2019 11:36AM
  Ok, I see your point. Sorry Tuck, I retract! -- hoolstoptheheels 04/25/2019 11:43AM
  Or the first time! ** -- 111Balz 04/25/2019 11:48AM
  Don't go asking the tough questions. ** -- Hoodafan 04/25/2019 10:47AM
  Taking your stapler ** -- 111Balz 04/25/2019 10:42AM
  You should burn down the building ** -- 111Balz 04/25/2019 11:49AM
  The 2020 candidates shouldn't be talking impeachment -- WahooMatt05 04/25/2019 10:23AM
  I don't believe it changes the subpoena process at all. -- hoolstoptheheels 04/25/2019 11:24AM
  Cant do both? ** -- Hooddihsm 04/25/2019 10:11AM
  How did it work in '18? ** -- HowieT3 04/25/2019 10:06AM
  Back when Trump was Russian? ** -- hoothat 04/25/2019 10:09AM

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