Why Democrats Aren’t Ready to Impeach

Impeachment talk is on the rise in a variety of political circles. However, there are many Democrats who are simply not up for the challenge, especially given that the GOP controlled Senate is unlikely to convict President Trump in the trial and he will not be removed from office which could further embolden him. Impeachment might feel good for the Democrat base but it’s politically difficult, especially the way the Mueller report has been obfuscated in the public discourse.

The report was clear that Trump has committed crimes in regards to the 2016 election and I have talked about the emoluments clause violations on Twitter. For those that don’t know the emoluments clause in Article II of the U.S. Constitution states that no public official can profit from their office, offer special access, or make money from being in office while in office. Trump, by not divesting of his companies and routinely spending lavishly at his own resorts has violated this clause from the earliest days of his Presidency.

There are 3 reasons why the Democrats shouldn’t and most likely won’t Impeach.

It Could be Politically Disastrous 

This is a classic case of what is good for the country versus what is good for the party. Impeachment will be very good for base Democrats. However, for many other Americans who aren’t Democrat party faithful or who simply center-right or right-wing, Impeachment will be simply disastrous. Most Americans are not ready to see the President impeached and it does not poll very well except among Democrat voters. If the Mueller report had been a fuller indictment of Trump and his actions and if William Barr had not written that terrible letter which created a narrative that the report came out with nothing, then things might be different. The Mueller report was hyped as the thing that would take Trump down and the fact of the matter is that thanks to clever spin, it did not such thing leaving many Americans to see the Left as bitter and desperate.

It Looks Desperate

Many on the right and moderates do believe the Trump narrative that the Left is still bitter about 2016. That may not be the case, but that is what people perceive and perception is the reality. For many, an impeachment proceeding at this point will only seem desperate and yet another sad attempt to remove Trump from power by any means necessary. The Impeachment process was made for this moment in history. The Founders feared someone like Trump would one day gain power and they knew that there needed to be a way to nullify that decision, however misguided, by the voting public. This is the situation for impeachment but because of the political environment as it is, it just looks desperate and desperation reaks like week old fish.

It Will Solidify Trump Voters

Democrats are trying to woo back Trump voters in time for 2020 elections. Impeachment is not the way to do it. Creating Trump as yet another enemy will solidify his base and will certainly cause those on the fence to shift their fortunes around Trump. Many Americans believe that you have to support the President, no matter what. For those people, the great silent majority, it will come off as an attack and that will make things an uphill battle for whoever the Democrats pick to go against him in 2020. In this way, Nancy Pelosi is a saavy political operator. I imagine that these are the thoughts moving through her mind.

Impeachment is a tough thing. It is not to be taken lightly. Despite people like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Kamala Harris coming out in favor of it, there has to be a fire-proof case for it and it has to be politically viable as an option. Fighting two political uphill battles, impeachment, and an election, is not to the Democrats advantage at this time. It is the right time from a perspective of principle but it is not the right time politically and in this day and age political considerations rule above all.