Democrats had a big win on Tuesday…and it just keeps getting better. Even the losses were so close that the Republicans are frantic about holding them.
But that has brought me full circle on Trump. I no longer want him impeached. He is the Democratic ticket back to power.
The insane reaction to the thumping his Party took on Tuesday is vintage Trump. He still tried to claim victory. He criticized the Republicans who lost for not embracing him more. He is totally clueless on expanding the Republican tent. It is obvious that his rhetoric and attitude will continue to shrink it. And still, Republicans embrace him – even though their ranks keep depleting.
So, with the Democrats in charge of the House in January, we now have that all important check on Trump. Unfortunately, the map was just too negative for Democrats to retake the Senate, but they are now strategically well positioned for 2020. And if Trump runs again, and I imagine he will, the election will be even more favorable for Democrats once again.
And I would encourage Democrats to not even make Trump a campaign issue. Run on your values. Run on your bread and butter issues. Trump will find another caravan to embrace or some ridiculous immigration nonsense to yell about, or continue his “build the wall” meme. All I can say about that is, Oh, Please do, Mr. President.
A clueless Minnesota GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan tells us she is convinced that Trump can build on the gains he made in Minnesota 2016. Really? Did you notice the election results? Not a single statewide win – only two very close Congressional seats that will go back to the Democrats in 2020 with Trump at the top of the ticket….and a reversal of control in the MN House, with a Democratic Governor. Trump is going to reverse all that and build on 2016? Delusional? But please, by all means, keep thinking that way. Embracing a deeply unpopular President in Minnesota is just the ticket for Democrats.
Yes, we will probably have to endure two years of gridlock. Democrats will work to pass legislation in the House, only to have it stalled in the Senate or vetoed by Trump. But the committees will have an investigative voice. They can expose more of the corruption in this administration. Hopefully, they will be careful to use moderation in this matter, because too much of it could get tiresome for the American people, even though there are unlimited opportunities of things to investigate. The number one priority is to protect the Mueller investigation. That will take care of itself if allowed to proceed.
Yes, Trump has already done enough to warrant impeachment – but after the election something else has become more important. He, and his ideas, must be humiliated at the ballot box. All of it needs to be repudiated in the most democratic of terms….a landslide election.
I not only want Trump impeached, I want to see him criminally convicted.
And after my anger that crooked Sick Nixon was pardoned for his treasonous conduct, I want to see Trump executed by the government for selling the country out to the Russians. Public execution seems about right for the reality t.v. star. The rest of his crime family can rot in jail.
To paraphrase the former Indianapolis Colts coach, Jim Mora who famously said
”Playoffs?? you kidding me??? playoffs??? i just hope we can win a game”
”Impeachment?? you kidding me??? impeachment??? i just hope we can restore a fairer tax system, promote fair wages and protect DACA, immigrants and ObamaCare.”
Obviously, a coach knows the score … and so should the fans.
In the impeachment game a “victory” requires a two-thirds vote (67 senators) to remove Trump from office.
Coaches also know history … and the history is clear on impeachment. 50 senators voted to remove Clinton on the obstruction of justice charge and 45 voted to remove him on the perjury charge; no member of his own Democratic Party voted guilty on either charge.
Without knowing what the charge would be (“treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors”), there may be a case … but the case would have to be so overwhelming for even one Republican to vote to remove Trump from office.
I say the best thing that the House can do is to quickly vote on some bills that should be approved quite easily (although considering the make-up of the Republicans in the House still may not get any support but maybe John Katko or Fred Upton )
like
– HR 947 Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act
– HR 2417 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
– HR 1869 Paycheck Fairness Act
– HR 4505 Restoring Overtime Pay Act
– HR6545 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
The other theme that Democrats should focus on is campaign finance reform and gerrymandering. Dean Phillips seems to be focused on taking money out … now, can he get Democrats to join him ?
It’s time to hold hearings and vote on bills like
– HR 4077 Honest Ads Act
– HR 6188 Prevent Election Hacking Act of 2018
– HR 6663 Secure Elections Act
Regarding the future, replacing Stauber and Hagedorn will be difficult in 2020. Dan Feehan had a good resume but was unknown to the district while Hagedorn was well known. Hagedorn won many of the precincts by over 15% and Housley, Wardlow, Howe and Myrha all beat thier DFL challengers in the First … the district went for Trump in 2016, while Walz barely beat Hagedorn.
And if you didn’t notice it, but the First District gave Hagedorn more votes in his 2018 election victory than Walz got in his governor’s election.
Who really is in a precarious district is Angie Craig. While she may benefit from the expected increase in voters in a 2020 presidential election, she will have to show some accomplishments … ’cause the Republicans will make her a target.
Which leads to the real problem for Democrats … redistricting. Not just what will happen shaping the districts, but will Minnesota lose a seat ? The 2022 election could feature a Hagedorn-Craig contest … and that would be tough one to win.
A final comment … did you see what happened in Ohio ? The Republicans retained their control over the statewide offices and exhibited strength in the federal elections (albeit Sherrod Brown won).
And as well as Democrats did in Iowa defeating two GOP Congressmen, Democrats fell short of the 10 seats they needed to win control of the Iowa House and were unable to win the governorship.
Trump and the Republicans still have strong supporters … who show up on election day.
An impeachment attempt will only excite his voters.