# The Trump Impeachment Inquiry **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 24, 2019, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771 "2019-09-24T20:23:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/241 "2019-09-25T17:17:57Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I guaranty that if Trump were caught committing perjury about a private affair the Dems on this board would completely ignore that it was his private life and come out with their pitchforks and torches and demand impeachment because perjury is a high crime or misdemenor no matter what the subject is. Why consider hypotheticals? Dems on this board are coming out with pitchforks and demanding impeachment because of traitorous activities with foreign governments and attempted election manipulation. Who the fuck cares what we’d do about private affairs right now? Talk about what’s happening right now, not what might happen in your head. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/242 "2019-09-25T17:19:33Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I guaranty that if Trump were caught committing perjury about a private affair the Dems on this board would completely ignore that it was his private life and come out with their pitchforks and torches and demand impeachment because perjury is a high crime or misdemenor no matter what the subject is. If someone lies under oath, it’s no longer a private affair. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/243 "2019-09-25T17:21:26Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I guaranty that if Trump were caught committing perjury about a private affair the Dems on this board would completely ignore that it was his private life and come out with their pitchforks and torches and demand impeachment because perjury is a high crime or misdemenor no matter what the subject is. May I direct you to the Stormy Daniels hush-money payoff? What was your reaction when you found out about it? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/244 "2019-09-25T17:24:33Z")
> [@troutman](#): > > why consider hypotheticals? Dems on this board are coming out with pitchforks and demanding impeachment because of traitorous activities with foreign governments and attempted election manipulation. Who the fuck cares what we’d do about private affairs right now? Talk about what’s happening right now, not what might happen in your head. Huh. “ZOMFG, IF IT WEREN’T FOR THE REAL CRIMES THE TRUMPS ARE ADMITTING TO, YOU GUYS WOULD JUST SIT THERE AND WHINE ABOUT PAYING OFF STORMY DANIELS WITH CAMPAIGN FUNDS!!” ---
**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 25, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/245 "2019-09-25T17:25:52Z")
The bar was set with the Clinton impeachment. Lying under oath is an impeachable offense. I can live with that. It’s also why Trump was afraid to have a sit down with Mueller. Violating the oath of office is also impeachable; there you are, Trump. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/246 "2019-09-25T17:26:18Z")
oK, so I didn’t see Elvis’s post. GMTA and all that. ---
**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 25, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/247 "2019-09-25T17:26:25Z")
I finally had a chance to read the memo. Not that anyone asked, but here’s my read: [ul] [li]Trump is known for being Putin’s bitch[/li][li]Trump has stalled military aid to Ukraine[/li][li]Ukraine is being bullied by Putin[/li][li]Trump starts the call saying, “you know I’m your friend. I do a lot for you.”[/li][li]Zelenskyy says, “yes, you’re a great friend” and asks for help defending himself from Russia.[/li][li]Trump says, “Sure, but first I need you to find that DNC server.”[/li][li]Zelenskyy says, “yes.”[/li][li]Trump says, “and I need you to investigate Joe Biden Jr.”[/li][li]Zelenskyy says, “yes.”[/li][li]Trump says, “I look forward to seeing you at the White House.”[/li][/ul] This strikes me as a textbook protection racket. It’s a **fucking obvious quid-pro-quo!** It’s a Mario Puzo scene for god’s sake! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/248 "2019-09-25T17:29:29Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > oK, so I didn’t see Elvis’s post. GMTA and all that. It was just the most obvious response to the latest iteration of “Well, you guys would have done the same thing because you’re no better than us because nobody could be!” - as if the facts weren’t what they are. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/249 "2019-09-25T17:31:04Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > 1. [Quick search](https://www.challengergray.com/press/press-releases/age-metoo-more-companies-crack-down-ceos-top-leaders-consensual-relationships) Your cite does not support your original claim. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > 1. Double bullshit back to you. THAT Article of Impeachment (number III) was the one he was acquitted of. The Senate held the position that criminal conviction does not lead to an automatic impeachment/conviction and that the Senate sits as an independent jury and that impeachment charges are decided on their own merits. The guy was in prison. It is not analogous to Clinton’s impeachment for this reason. Your perjury is perjury view lacks nuance. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/250 "2019-09-25T17:32:01Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I don’t see any evidence of that. If you have some, I’d love to see it. > > Harris pulled briefly ahead after her attack on Biden in the first debate, but it was very short-lived. If she had the chops, don’t you think she should have been able to hold onto that lead? They’re in 4th and 5th place. I assume, but have no polling evidence to back it up, that Biden’s supporters would be more likely to go to Harris and Buttigieg than they would be to go to Warren or Sanders or one of the other candidates who is even further back in the pack than Harris and Buttigieg are. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/251 "2019-09-25T17:35:57Z")
Polling evidence from “second choice” polls suggests that Sanders and Harris would be the primary beneficiaries of a Biden dropout. But certainly it would also be a golden opportunity for Buttigieg and, really, every other candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/252 "2019-09-25T17:40:58Z")
“No quid pro quo! No quid pro quo!” What a flimsy defense. He was holding the military aid package - already approved by congress (the keepers of the purse strings)) - behind his back while laying out his wish list. No quid pro quo. Ferchrissakes. When I make my dog sit and stay and walk ten feet away, there’s no discussion of the treat in my hand; he just knows that when I say “come” he gets what I’m keeping from him. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/253 "2019-09-25T17:41:56Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > I finally had a chance to read the memo. Not that anyone asked, but here’s my read: > > [ul] > [li]Trump is known for being Putin’s bitch[/li][li]Trump has stalled military aid to Ukraine[/li][li]Ukraine is being bullied by Putin[/li][li]Trump starts the call saying, “you know I’m your friend. I do a lot for you.”[/li][li]Zelenskyy says, “yes, you’re a great friend” and asks for help defending himself from Russia.[/li][li]Trump says, “Sure, but first I need you to find that DNC server.”[/li][li]Zelenskyy says, “yes.”[/li][li]Trump says, “and I need you to investigate Joe Biden Jr.”[/li][li]Zelenskyy says, “yes.”[/li][li]Trump says, “I look forward to seeing you at the White House.”[/li][/ul] > > This strikes me as a textbook protection racket. It’s a **fucking obvious quid-pro-quo!** It’s a Mario Puzo scene for god’s sake! Serious Q…im obviously not a lawyer…is it a crime? And what’s the crime? ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/254 "2019-09-25T17:42:37Z")
Actually, new polls posted today in the Bernie thread suggest that Warren and Sanders are now nearly tied (28-26 Warren) as the second choice of Biden voters, with Harris back at 10% and Buttigieg presumably somewhere below that. But this is kind of a hijack in this thread. Back to the pitchforks and torches! ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/255 "2019-09-25T17:43:01Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Polling evidence from “second choice” polls suggests that Sanders and Harris would be the primary beneficiaries of a Biden dropout. But certainly it would also be a golden opportunity for Buttigieg and, really, every other candidate. Kamala Harris might get a little bump as a result of this because an exchange she had with Barr back in May is trending a bit… Harris: Has the president or anyone at the W.H. ever asked or suggested that you open an investigation of anyone? Barr: Um. Harris: Seems you’d remember something like that and be able to tell us. Barr: Yeah, but I’m trying to grapple with the word suggest. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/256 "2019-09-25T17:43:08Z")
Who cares if it is a crime? If the President threatens to drone strike Merkel unless she invents some oppo on Pete Buttigieg, does that warrant impeachment only if it is a crime? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/257 "2019-09-25T17:43:24Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Serious Q…im obviously not a lawyer…is it a crime? And what’s the crime? “High crimes and misdemeanors” is not specifically defined in the Constitution, and thus it’s up to Congress (when it comes to the President). If you’re asking if this would be a crime for some random non-Prez official to do, I don’t know the answer. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/258 "2019-09-25T17:44:19Z")
I’ll accept your representation, **Thing Fish**. But he’s not going to drop out, and that’s simply a political reality. Best to deal in reality, I think. Don’t get me wrong. I love Harris and Buttegieg. But this is a realpolitik election, and for me, that alters the calculus enormously. ETA: Agree about the hijack. There are better threads in which to have this discussion. Gimme a pitchfork, please! ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/259 "2019-09-25T17:44:27Z")
The White House mistakenly sent their [talking points](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/09/the-white-house-accidentally-sent-democrats-its-ukraine-call-talking-points.html) on how to downplay the call summary out to House Democrats. Four dimensional chess! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2019, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/260 "2019-09-25T17:44:33Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Who cares if it is a crime? If the President threatens to drone strike Merkel unless she invents some oppo on Pete Buttigieg, does that warrant impeachment only if it is a crime? Obviously not (meaning that yes, this would obviously warrant impeachment). But it would be good to know whether this would be a crime if it were done by some random diplomat or other official – that might help an impeachment case be more successful, politically speaking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=14)