# 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:** 52
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1021 "2019-09-28T03:39:34Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > As previously noted by **galen ubal** , McConnell is relentlessly partisan, amoral, and seeks only power – but he’s not stupid. He does not want to give Trump the opportunity to destroy the country by disputing the results of the 2020 election, which we all know he will. “Rigged,” just like 2016. _But a clean removal by the Senate Republicans is indisputable. Trump will not be able to fight against it._ Whew, that’s some weapons-grade optimism right there. This depends on McConnell believing that politics as usual is still a real thing. I feel like the Republicans are hell-bent on riding the Trump rocket wherever it takes them, even if it’s right into the ground, even if it destroys the country. I hope you’re right but I’m not seeing it. ---
**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 28, 2019, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1022 "2019-09-28T03:41:58Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Is it, though? Isn’t he just betting on a Senate no-removal vote, which would be interpreted by the base and presumably enough “independent” voters as “total exoneration”? People who affiliate as Republican have dropped 17% since the 2016 election. Trump has lost women, including white suburban women, as well as minorities. He’s upside down in most of the red states he easily won in 2016. He can’t win, but he _can_ drag down Senate Republicans with him if he runs. All the talk about a “close election” in 2020 is just a way to keep ratings up in the corporate media. It isn’t going to be close. Dems are going to thrash the shit out of them. McConnell knows this. I loathe Moscow Mitch, but he does know when to fish. And when to cut bait. He’s cutting bait pretty fast just now. ---
**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 28, 2019, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1023 "2019-09-28T03:43:26Z")
As happy as I am to see Trump finally being held to account, all of this Trump in the past tense, what will they do after Trump bullshit is just a tiny bit premature. I mean, it’s a LOT bit premature. ---
**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 28, 2019, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1024 "2019-09-28T03:43:28Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Whew, that’s some weapons-grade optimism right there. This depends on McConnell believing that politics as usual is still a real thing. I feel like the Republicans are hell-bent on riding the Trump rocket wherever it takes them, even if it’s right into the ground, even if it destroys the country. I hope you’re right but I’m not seeing it. I will admit I am almost always the most optimistic person in the room. \ ETA: What’s the point of gritting your teeth to install all these Republican-friendly judges if you’re just going to destroy the country, and it doesn’t matter anymore? ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1025 "2019-09-28T03:46:37Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Even a tame dog will turn into a dangerous animal when cornered and in fear of his life. Maybe he would normally never do such a thing, but are we confident on how he would behave as the walls crumble around him? That’s the basis of my question. He is most unlikely to go gently and he sure does not want to die in prison. How terrible can his resistance be? I suggested launching as a worst-case nightmare. How about simply declaring martial law on a pretext? Round up dissidents, filter the media, restore order and security, the usual. Cf. Erdogan. ---
**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 28, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1026 "2019-09-28T03:47:16Z")
Aspenglow: Maybe. But the electoral college still helps Trump (or any Republican nominee)…and that 41.7% approval has stayed remarkably steady. It’s hard to admit one is wrong, when one has so much emotionally invested in the Orange God. Actually, that’s the barometer I might watch most closely…Nate Silver’s aggregate, moving-average approval rating. It seems to have just started to reflect the Ukraine developments, with a bit of a down-tick as of this morning. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1027 "2019-09-28T03:50:03Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > He is a congressman, not a senator, if we can get some gOP senators- that would be _absolutely enormous news_.😃 In what world are senators not members of congress? ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1028 "2019-09-28T03:54:09Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > That’s the basis of my question. He is most unlikely to go gently and he sure does not want to die in prison. How terrible can his resistance be? I suggested launching as a worst-case nightmare. How about simply declaring martial law on a pretext? Round up dissidents, filter the media, restore order and security, the usual. Cf. Erdogan. Pardon me for pointing this out, but everyone is forgetting something. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1029 "2019-09-28T03:57:12Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BD3my03ioio/maxresdefault.jpg "Ukraine Whistleblower, Transcript, Complaint & Impeachment -- Real Law Review") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD3my03ioio) I love LegalEagle’s videos. This is a great review and analysis of the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1030 "2019-09-28T03:57:12Z")
> [@Wolf333](#): > > In what world are senators not members of congress? They are, but in what world are US Senators referred to as congressmen? ---
**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 28, 2019, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1031 "2019-09-28T03:57:49Z")
One last point: Moscow Mitch has a pretty tough reelection campaign for his own seat, with Amy McGrath running against him. Many voters in Kentucky have indicated they’re ready for a change. His change of heart could be inspired by nothing more than that. (But I think it’s more than that.) ---
**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 28, 2019, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1032 "2019-09-28T04:00:23Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Actually, that’s the barometer I might watch most closely…Nate Silver’s aggregate, moving-average approval rating. It seems to have just started to reflect the Ukraine developments, with a bit of a down-tick as of this morning. I misspoke. This approval measure is actually UP a bit as of today, reflecting three polls — two of them given a “B” grade — conducted over the past two or three days. Not good, and it underscores my point that Aspenglow’s interpretation\* of Moscow Mitch’s willingness to consider a Senate trial may be erroneous. \*The one from a few posts ago, not the latest speculation. We’ll see. ---
**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 28, 2019, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1033 "2019-09-28T04:01:38Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > As happy as I am to see Trump finally being held to account, all of this Trump in the past tense, what will they do after Trump bullshit is just a tiny bit premature. I mean, it’s a LOT bit premature. Maybe. But think how much fun you’ll have pointing out that I was full of shit if I’m wrong. Of course… it will mean the end of the country as we know it if I am. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1034 "2019-09-28T04:09:48Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > I concur. > > * * * > > Everyone else, please drop this hijack regarding going rogue and nuking everyone that **RioRico** started (Welcome to the StraightDope!). This thread is about the impeachment inquiry and things related to that. > > [/moderating] Thank you for the welcome and I am glad to be here. I raised launching as a hopefully-improbable reaction by Tramp; I won’t mention it again. Less horrific but more likely reactions also terrify me. I urge readers to consider just how desperately he will react to the investigations. His history gives us little optimism. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1035 "2019-09-28T04:15:11Z")
[Support for Trump impeachment rises 12 points in new poll.](https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/463408-support-for-impeachment-rises-12-points-in-new-poll) > [@](#): > > A new Hill-HarrisX survey on Friday found support for impeachment proceedings against President Trump has risen 12 points compared to a similar poll conducted three months ago. > > The survey was conducted on Sept. 26-27, just days after House Democrats started a formal impeachment inquiry over a whistleblower complaint involving Trump’s communications with Ukraine. > The poll showed 47 percent of respondents support that decision, up 12 points from a similar survey in June, which asked whether Democrats should begin impeachment proceedings. For the record, I’m not completely optimistic - but I’m more optimistic than I was last week. Between what is known so far about the Ukraine mess, the fact that there are more memos on a secure server also covering phone calls with Russia and Saudi Arabia\*, and the apparent attempt by Trump to trade NRA funding for stepping back on gun-control measures…well. Once the dam breaks, it breaks _hard_. People will be throwing each other under the bus right and left, previously quiet people will decide it’s time to come forward, whether through a belated sense of honour or to save their own skins. My wife expressed the thought that we may be seeing a new president by next month; I think that’s optimistic, but not outside the realm of possibilities. \*moved there because aides were afraid the contents would leak… ---
**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 28, 2019, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1036 "2019-09-28T04:17:29Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Maybe. But think how much fun you’ll have pointing out that I was full of shit if I’m wrong. … I don’t do it like that. ---
**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 28, 2019, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1037 "2019-09-28T04:26:11Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I don’t do it like that. I wasn’t meaning to demean you in any way. More of a gentle tease. Apologies if you took it otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1038 "2019-09-28T04:27:21Z")
[Speaking of transcripts of calls between Trump & Putin:](https://www.rawstory.com/2019/09/russia-instructed-trump-not-to-release-transcripts-of-calls-with-putin-report/) > [@](#): > > Russia on Friday urged the United States not to publish Donald Trump’s conversations with Vladimir Putin after a growing scandal led the White House to release a transcript from a call with Ukraine’s leader. > > “As for transcripts of phone conversations, my mother when bringing me up said that reading other people’s letters is inappropriate,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters at the United Nations. > > **“It is indecent,” he said. “For two people elected by their nations to be at the helm, there are diplomatic manners that suppose a certain level of confidentiality.”** emphasis mine Ah, yes, that faux civility, so beloved by autocrats of all countries… ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1039 "2019-09-28T04:48:44Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > One last point: Moscow Mitch has a pretty tough reelection campaign for his own seat, with Amy McGrath running against him. Many voters in Kentucky have indicated they’re ready for a change. Many voters have indicated they’re ready for a change, you say? Why does that turn of phrase sound familiar? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2019, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/1040 "2019-09-28T04:53:55Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > I urge readers to consider just how desperately he will react to the investigations. Trust me, we’re about 10 steps ahead of you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=51) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=53)