# Is this finally it? Is this finally the series of events that will end Trump's presidency? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 22, 2018, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028 "2018-08-22T06:04:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2019, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/281 "2019-09-21T23:47:24Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > My bet is he made military assistance to Ukraine contingent on looking for dirt on Joe Biden Jr. Notice the White House suddenly approved the aid package last week? Even if they have a recorded phone call detailing such, the Republicans will just say “oh you know how Trump is, you can’t take what he says seriously.” > [@SlackerInc](#): > > It’s hard to imagine it’s anything that extreme, and if it were shown to be, I think you would see the defections of 10 to 20 Senate Republicans. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Nah. > [@JRDelirious](#): > > **Is this finally the series of events that will end Trump’s presidency?** > > Default answer: “No” > > For whatever value of “this”. What **ThelmaLou** and **JRDelirious** said. ---
**Author:** ![Caldris\_bal\_Comar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Caldris\_bal\_Comar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caldris_bal_Comar)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/282 "2019-09-22T00:33:45Z")
Has [Betteridge’s Law of Headlines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge%27s_law_of_headlines) been cited yet? I think it applies here. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/283 "2019-09-22T00:51:54Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > To paraphrase Edwin Edwards, it may be that the only thing that can sink Chump is to get caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy. It’s a great saying, but I honestly don’t think either of those things would move the needle. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/284 "2019-09-22T21:58:53Z")
[sarcasm] Ooooooooh it’s double secret probation investigation time! [Sarcasm] WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday called on the Trump administration to promptly turn over a secret whistle-blower complaint said to relate to President Trump’s attempts to press Ukraine to investigate his leading Democratic presidential rival, warning that a refusal to do so could force the House to open a new phase in its investigation of him. > **[As Trump Confirms He Discussed Biden With Ukraine, Pressure to Impeach Builds...](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/trump-impeachment-whistle-blower.html)** > > Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned of a “new chapter of lawlessness” and a turning point in the House investigation of President Trump. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/285 "2019-09-22T22:38:36Z")
Heh! I’m going to try that on my son, when he’s a teenager and commits some serious transgression: “Don’t you make me have to OPEN A _NEW PHASE_!!” ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/286 "2019-09-22T22:40:25Z")
Chump is now admitting he “mentioned” Biden during the phone call, and Mitt Romney is saying it’s an impeachable offense if the Orange Cheez Doodle did exert any pressure. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/287 "2019-09-22T22:49:44Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Chump is now admitting he “mentioned” Biden during the phone call, and Mitt Romney is saying it’s an impeachable offense if the Orange Cheez Doodle did exert any pressure. Which, given how cautious Romney is, is actually news. Maybe. If he doesn’t back away from it in his next interview. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/288 "2019-09-22T22:52:00Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Chump is now admitting he “mentioned” Biden during the phone call, and Mitt Romney is saying it’s an impeachable offense if the Orange Cheez Doodle did exert any pressure. If I thought Romney had a spine, I would be impressed by this. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/289 "2019-09-23T01:06:29Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > It’s a great saying, but I honestly don’t think either of those things would move the needle. If he was found with a live boy, Republicans would compare him to the ancient Greeks and would find every obscure liberal who defended any Catholic priest accused of sexual abuse. If he was found with a dead girl, they’d bring up Ted Kennedy. ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/290 "2019-09-23T02:24:43Z")
[_Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose …_](https://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2019/09/plus-ca-change-plus-cest-la-meme-chose.html) Or as Lily Tomlin put it, “No matter how cynical you get … it’s impossible to keep up.” ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/291 "2019-09-23T13:50:27Z")
> [@mjmlabs](#): > > [_Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose …_](https://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2019/09/plus-ca-change-plus-cest-la-meme-chose.html) I think about that strip from time to time. The difference is, if Nixon **had** knocked over a bank, he’d have resigned almost immediately in the face of certain impeachment and removal. Just like he did when the ‘smoking gun’ tape was released, unequivocally proving that he’d obstructed justice. The problem now is that Trump keeps doing the equivalent of knocking over banks, and the Democrats don’t do anything about it. And given that, it’s damned hard to get mad at the Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/292 "2019-09-23T13:58:08Z")
Perhaps some House Dems think that impeachment is yet another dish that is best served cold. And well past its “Best Before” date. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/293 "2019-09-23T14:19:17Z")
Is there any question as to whether presidents 1-44 would have been forced out of office had they done half the stuff that DT has done? Can you imagine the outrage if Obama had extorted a foreign government to manufacture dirt about Mitt Romney? I think Pelosi has to say “yes we are starting impeachment investigations right now”. I think they know the whistleblower’s identity and I would bet that they (two people who resigned very soon after this all went down) would be quite willing to come in and give public testimony. Republicans are afraid to squeeze the boil because it would hurt. But this pus must be drained. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/294 "2019-09-23T15:27:21Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > That “hardcore rank and file” is 90% of republicans. > > Trump is more consistently popular among self-described Republicans that Obama was among self-described Democrats. Roll that around in your head for a while. I don’t see that as really surprising. Sure, the guy himself is a clown. But under him - with a heathy assist from his turtle sidekick, conservatives have been getting all manner of policy they seem to want. Removal of regulations on industry and protecting the environment, the rich are getting richer, demonization of liberal causes - and don’t EVER underestimate the importance of hundreds of young, far right federal judges. Hell, I REALLY liked Obama - but I regret that he did not get more of a liberal agenda enacted. So whaddya prefer? Someone you like and respect, or someone who gets done what you want done? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/295 "2019-09-23T15:39:39Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I don’t see that as really surprising. > > Sure, the guy himself is a clown. But under him - with a heathy assist from his turtle sidekick, conservatives have been getting all manner of policy they seem to want. Removal of regulations on industry and protecting the environment, the rich are getting richer, demonization of liberal causes - and don’t EVER underestimate the importance of hundreds of young, far right federal judges. Other than demonization of liberal causes, I think you’re talking about stuff that keeps him popular with Republicans who are either rich or in industry or in politics, or are political junkies like us. Owning the libs, and beating up on all the people that rank-and-file Republicans want him to beat up on, **that’s** what keeps his popularity up among conservatives who don’t follow politics closely. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/296 "2019-09-23T19:02:04Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > The problem now is that Trump keeps doing the equivalent of knocking over banks, and the Democrats don’t do anything about it. And given that, it’s damned hard to get mad at the Republicans. That’s absurd. The democrats aren’t impeaching because they know even if they prove every crime anyone has ever thought Trump has committed, the Senate won’t convict anyway. And they feel like it’s a bad move politically to have a failed impeachment attempt. I think they’re wrong and that they need to do this anyway, but your conclusion of it being “hard to get mad at Republicans” for being the reason that Trump can never come to justice is inexplicable and bizarre. How in the world do Republicans look better, to you, because they’ve created an environment so toxic and so self serving that they wouldn’t carry out their duty no matter what? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/297 "2019-09-23T19:36:59Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > That’s absurd. > > The democrats aren’t impeaching because they know even if they prove every crime anyone has ever thought Trump has committed, the Senate won’t convict anyway. And they feel like it’s a bad move politically to have a failed impeachment attempt. > > I think they’re wrong and that they need to do this anyway, but your conclusion of it being “hard to get mad at Republicans” for being the reason that Trump can never come to justice is inexplicable and bizarre. > > How in the world do Republicans look better, to you, because they’ve created an environment so toxic and so self serving that they wouldn’t carry out their duty no matter what? “…the Senate won’t convict…” This is a given. Someone who is FOR impeachment please explain to my why impeachment is a good idea RIGHT NOW if “the Senate won’t convict.” Just a gesture? A publicity stunt? Just so the Dems can be seen to be “doing something”? A rerun of the Mueller Hearings that were supposed to bring down Former President Trump\*? Seriously, what is to be gained by a futile, useless, empty attempt at impeachment? Not a rhetorical question. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/298 "2019-09-23T19:42:27Z")
It’s the only tool they have, and it’s the right thing to do. Lots of examples in the world of doing the right thing, even if the end result isn’t the best end result. Should a cop only arrest criminals who are certain to be convicted? ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/299 "2019-09-23T19:57:51Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > “…the Senate won’t convict…” > > This is a given. Someone who is FOR impeachment please explain to my why impeachment is a good idea RIGHT NOW if “the Senate won’t convict.” Just a gesture? A publicity stunt? Just so the Dems can be seen to be “doing something”? A rerun of the Mueller Hearings that were supposed to bring down Former President Trump\*? > > Seriously, what is to be gained by a futile, useless, empty attempt at impeachment? Not a rhetorical question. DISCLOSURE: Anti-Trump registered Democrat whose views re: impeachment have tracked pretty solidly with Speaker Pelosi’s thus far; to wit, “it’s seemed like a losing battle up until the past 10 days or so, but things might be changing.” I think I can answer the question nonetheless. A) History/Precedent. If this isn’t impeachable, then nothing ever will be – speaking in terms of pragmatic political machination. 100 years from now, some future official caught doing \ can make the case “Hey, even _Trump_ never got impeached, so why are you picking on _me_? Very unfair. Sad!” B) Current political ramifications. At present, I remain optimistic that all the voters who stayed away from the polls in droves in 2016 – thinking “there’s no way Trump wins, why should I go stand in line?” – are determined to vote Trump out. The 2018 midterms were a good indication of how fired-up the Resistance is, IMHO. But if the Dems don’t step up to the plate for this, those voters may well become disheartened and/or disgusted. C) 2020 ramifications, pending future events. As noted previously, much of the electorate didn’t really grasp the 448(?) pages of the Mueller Report, and the Barr Inoculation seems to have done its job in the weeks prior to the public release. But 13 months of hearings, investigations, testimony, etc., might be the best way to both fire up the Resistance and peel off some disillusioned Trump 2016 voters. The key will be to make sure that the investigation remains open, and the Senate hasn’t been given the opportunity to exonerate Trump, until after the election. So yes, let’s move ahead with “all deliberate speed,” I say. (As an aside, I remain optimistic about 2020 for three reasons that don’t get much airtime. One, the 2016 “we got this, why bother?” complacency is no longer operative. Two, there must be some substantial fraction of 2016 Trump voters who said “Hey, give him a shot, who knows?” who are now appalled by what he’s done. And three, no matter who the Dems nominate, s/he certainly won’t have three decades of Repugnican smears absorbed into the subconscious of the electorate the way Hillary did.) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028/300 "2019-09-23T20:02:21Z")
> [@mjmlabs](#): > > … But if the Dems don’t step up to the plate for this, those voters may well become disheartened and/or disgusted. > … I think this point should not be overlooked. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-finally-it-is-this-finally-the-series-of-events-that-will-end-trumps-presidency/820028.md?page=16)