The Implications of a Failed Trump Impeachment for Democrat Effectiveness and Republican Tenacity
Gee, that's a good question, Skippy. Let's break down why the outcome of a potential impeachment and its subsequent failure to remove Trump from office might not reflect on the Democrats' effectiveness but rather on the Republicans' willingness to overlook evidence and adhere to partisan interests.
The Republican Consensus on Trump's Acquittal
Heres why because the Republicans have decided that the truth does not matter to them. They have determined that they would acquit Trump regardless of the evidence, just like they did during his previous impeachment trial. In their view, steering arguments away from the objectively proven guilt of Trump (admitted by several) towards whataboutism, and a dispensable video of Democrats using a word, exposes their disregard for facts and their commitment to any means necessary to achieve their goals, including illegal, unethical, or immoral actions.
Impeachment vs. Effectiveness: A Matter of Design
The question you pose assumes that the impeachment process itself is a measure of the Democrats' effectiveness. However, it is important to understand that the very design of our constitutional system is for each co-equal branch of government to hold the other accountable to the will of the people. This accountability is happening, regardless of the outcome of the impeachment proceedings. It is a democratic process that informs the public, and it may very well be partisan, but it serves the purpose of ensuring transparency and accountability.
As a centrist, I do not blindly follow one party or the other. With that in mind, it is fair to say that I would have expected Republicans to hold the Obama administration accountable. While I believe they overlitigated and politicized the Benghazi incident, they did their job in setting a precedent for government oversight. The Democrats are now tasked with the same responsibility, and their efforts to investigate Trump should also be seen as part of this democratic process.
Republican Resilience and the Threat to Democracy
It is crucial to recognize the implications of the Republicans' refusal to convict Trump, even in the face of a mountain of evidence. It signals a potential slide towards a dictatorship, where the law is not applied uniformly, and democracy is undermined. The refusal to hold a sitting president accountable for a crime of magnitude sends a dangerous message about the rule of law and the integrity of our political system.
A Failed Impeachment and Its Consequences
When we talk about the Democrats' effectiveness, the focus should be on the process of impeachment itself, not the outcome. Generally speaking, they have gathered ample evidence to support an impeachment case, and they will only call for a vote if they are confident about securing the necessary votes. Therefore, even if the Senate does not convict him, the impeachment process would have severely damaged Trump's reputation and political standing, virtually ensuring his non-re-election.
Truly, whether or not Trump is convicted by the Senate is a different question. It depends on whether it serves their personal interests to remove him from office or retain him as a liability. However, the mere fact of the impeachment process and the evidence presented would already have a profound impact.
The Future of Business and Political Standing
Moreover, the reputation of an impeached president, whether convicted or not, would significantly damage the business opportunities and public perception of the Trump family. No one would want to do business with or use the name of an impeached president. This alone would be a deciding factor in Trump's non-re-election and the long-term damage to his political and economic legacy.
In conclusion, the impeachment process, regardless of its success, serves as a crucial democratic check on power. Its effectiveness lies not in the immediate removal of a president but in the broader impact on the perception of accountability and the rule of law. Whether Democrats succeed in removing Trump from office or not, the process itself sends a strong message to future leaders and the public about the importance of adhering to the law and holding those in power accountable.