Let’s go with what conservative pundit George F. Will called “censure plus” in Bill Clinton’s case. (Let’s also go with what conservative pundit thinks about Trump: “our shabbiest president”, and “an embarrasing wreck of a man.”)
Or we can look at that third option, the one that Hillary Clinton suggested in her Washington Post op/ed of yesterday:
Not a “do nothing and let him get away with it.”
Not a quick up-or-down impeachment vote like the Republicans did to Bill Clinton in 1998 (though no one is suggesting that)
But rather a deliberative impeachment inquiry: open the inquiry. Compile the facts and evidence and go where those facts and evidence lead, as in the successful Watergate example from 1974. And that was the way that worked! (Which is exactly what Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris are proposing.)
When the evidence was compiled, Republicans — who had just re-elected Nixon 20 months earlier in one of the greatest landslides of all time (carrying 49 states, in contrast with Trump who didn’t even get the most votes) — agreed that they would join with Democrats in a bipartisan vote to convict, and Nixon decided to save face by resigning instead. Something unimaginable less than two years earlier, and which could not have happened without the full investigative hearings.
So follow the Watergate model. Deliberative hearings. Shine the light on the facts and evidence. And then, if the evidence is there, it will be Republicans having to “pick their poison”: a principled vote to convict or run for reelection after refusing to hold an obviously guilty criminal accountable.
And remember, best in 2020, but even in 2024 (if we’re still around as a nation, or as a world), he will no longer BE a sitting-President, and he WILL be subject to trial.
House impeachment that brings charges before the Senate for trial, is not a failure. Failure of the same Senate confirming the worst possible culls to the courts to convict on obvious proven obstruction and other charges, is politics not law or Constitution.
While gone soon is best, a successful re-election for a second term would be putting over 300 million Americans on board the most Titanic disaster in history.
Cute cartoon… but “let him get away with what?” … Robust economy and low unemployment? Exposing the bias of our national media? Trying to control our nation’s borders? Resisting false charges of colluding with the Russians? All that to you is “poison”?
Get away with what? Yes, High Crimes and Misdemeanors are whatever Congress decides, but the simple reality is that Mueller couldn’t find anything that comes even close to an indictable crime.
The above comment is the solution. Even if the Senate refuses to convict the full report will be in the public record. And people will remember those Senators who refuse to act. This is the best option for the country as a whole. And those young voters will punish the Democrats if they roll over on this. It will confirm to them the idea that politicians are more concerned about being elected than actually doing their job.
Mr. Rogers, this cartoon implies that “impeachment” means removal of the president from office.
The cartoon would be more accurate if the House ass was standing directly in front of a jug saying, simply, “impeachment”, while a smiling Senate elephant stood behind the jug saying “let him get away with it”.
Godfreydaniel almost 5 years ago
Let’s go with what conservative pundit George F. Will called “censure plus” in Bill Clinton’s case. (Let’s also go with what conservative pundit thinks about Trump: “our shabbiest president”, and “an embarrasing wreck of a man.”)
DD Wiz Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Or we can look at that third option, the one that Hillary Clinton suggested in her Washington Post op/ed of yesterday:
Not a “do nothing and let him get away with it.”
Not a quick up-or-down impeachment vote like the Republicans did to Bill Clinton in 1998 (though no one is suggesting that)
But rather a deliberative impeachment inquiry: open the inquiry. Compile the facts and evidence and go where those facts and evidence lead, as in the successful Watergate example from 1974. And that was the way that worked! (Which is exactly what Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris are proposing.)
When the evidence was compiled, Republicans — who had just re-elected Nixon 20 months earlier in one of the greatest landslides of all time (carrying 49 states, in contrast with Trump who didn’t even get the most votes) — agreed that they would join with Democrats in a bipartisan vote to convict, and Nixon decided to save face by resigning instead. Something unimaginable less than two years earlier, and which could not have happened without the full investigative hearings.
So follow the Watergate model. Deliberative hearings. Shine the light on the facts and evidence. And then, if the evidence is there, it will be Republicans having to “pick their poison”: a principled vote to convict or run for reelection after refusing to hold an obviously guilty criminal accountable.
Godfreydaniel almost 5 years ago
Whoops! I left out “George F. Will” in my second “conservative pundit” mention, but I hope it was clear.
walkingmancomics almost 5 years ago
And remember, best in 2020, but even in 2024 (if we’re still around as a nation, or as a world), he will no longer BE a sitting-President, and he WILL be subject to trial.
Dtroutma almost 5 years ago
House impeachment that brings charges before the Senate for trial, is not a failure. Failure of the same Senate confirming the worst possible culls to the courts to convict on obvious proven obstruction and other charges, is politics not law or Constitution.
While gone soon is best, a successful re-election for a second term would be putting over 300 million Americans on board the most Titanic disaster in history.
Radish the wordsmith almost 5 years ago
Everything Trump offers is poison.
Ontman almost 5 years ago
The antidote is the election.
newyorkslim almost 5 years ago
Cute cartoon… but “let him get away with what?” … Robust economy and low unemployment? Exposing the bias of our national media? Trying to control our nation’s borders? Resisting false charges of colluding with the Russians? All that to you is “poison”?
Radish the wordsmith almost 5 years ago
YOU’RE WELCOME, AMERICA:
WORKERS GOT A ONE-CENT BONUS THANKS TO TRUMP’S TAX CUTS
Buy yourself something nice, sweet cheeks.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/04/workers-got-a-one-cent-bonus-thanks-to-trumps-tax-cuts?fbclid=IwAR2EcgWPdKaEOavZCI40h-RjcafJFSBbaBvTRe6Vb8nmZm-_GnyDEuJU84E
robnvon Premium Member almost 5 years ago
The Republican Party has devolved from untrustworthy car salesmen to a man no one would trust to pour even a drink.
Andylit Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Get away with what? Yes, High Crimes and Misdemeanors are whatever Congress decides, but the simple reality is that Mueller couldn’t find anything that comes even close to an indictable crime.
ED CANTWELL almost 5 years ago
The above comment is the solution. Even if the Senate refuses to convict the full report will be in the public record. And people will remember those Senators who refuse to act. This is the best option for the country as a whole. And those young voters will punish the Democrats if they roll over on this. It will confirm to them the idea that politicians are more concerned about being elected than actually doing their job.
Cerabooge almost 5 years ago
Mr. Rogers, this cartoon implies that “impeachment” means removal of the president from office.
The cartoon would be more accurate if the House ass was standing directly in front of a jug saying, simply, “impeachment”, while a smiling Senate elephant stood behind the jug saying “let him get away with it”.
Zebrastripes almost 5 years ago
Pick your poison….? LOLOLOL I. R. O. N. I. C.