Are Democrats willing to settle for a tactical victory (impeachment over Ukraine), or do we want to go for the jugular?
Today, Trump baited Speaker Pelosi with something along the lines of: unless the full House votes for an impeachment inquiry, no documents will be provided. I thought, hmm, a couple of possible responses:
1. Pelosi back-channels to Trump: OK, but, if I’m forced to do that, we’ll have no choice but to examine your finances as part of the impeachment hearings. (Let’s watch Trump’s reaction)
2. Pelosi takes the vote and states that Maxine Waters’ Financial Services Committee will have equal footing with the Intel Committee in submitting articles of impeachment. (My choice)
Think about it: what does Trump fear most? Ukraine? He’s thumbing his nose at us. Asked China to investigate Biden. Was so stupid he thought releasing the Ukraine telephone transcript would be exculpatory.
If Trump thought for a moment that releasing his finances/taxes would be beneficial, it would have been done long ago. He’s hiding something and, in this mind, it must be something big. Yuge. Likely involves his family. A formal impeachment process gives us a once-in-a-presidency-chance to short-circuit some of the subpoena refusals (at least according to the TV pundits). And if you think he’s unraveling over Ukraine, imagine the joy of watching him squirm as a black woman (Maxine Waters) chairs the committee that delves into his most private parts.
Even if the Maxine’s committee finds something that is impeachable, is it likely to result in a Senate conviction? Probably not. But, we’re approaching the 2020 election. We need all the ammunition we can get. Let’s think of Donald and all those adoring crowds. What will have the most impact?
1. Obstruction of justice charges? YGTBK
2. Using the presidency to investigate political opponents? His message: I’m the president, I have the right to do whatever I want. Crowds will love it.
3. Trump is exposed as a fraud (worth nowhere near what he claims) and a cheat. Yeah. Kind of hard to use the “I’m the president and I can do whatever I want” excuse for that one.
My gut feel is that exposing his financial malfeasance will have more of an impact on voters than the other stories. It’s like the moment the Wizard of Oz is exposed. If Speaker Pelosi wants to take down Trump, follow the money.