Another common objection to impeachment is, "It'll hurt us in the election."
It's a convenient one because it fits the currently fashionable model of timidity seeking bi-partisan cooperation, sounds vaguely sophisticated (because it's contrarian), and is untestable and therefore irrefutable, at least until it's too late.
But, wait, is it untestable?
Not at all.
Seems that in the rush of excitement that's surrounded Vermont's steps toward endorsing impeachment, I had failed to take notice of something that has since been brought to my attention by Anne from Vermont: there are at least two other states whose Democratic Party organizations have adopted resolutions calling for impeachment: Wisconsin and Nevada. In fact, Nevada adopted it as part of their 2004 state party platform (pdf).
So what does that tell us? Well, that gives us a data point with which we can at least begin to address the concerns of those who worry about how the impeachment issue might affect Democratic candidates at the polls in November. Nevada Democrats have actually gone through an election cycle with impeachment as a part of their platform.
So what are the results?
Nevada's state legislature has a total of 63 seats: 42 in the House, and 21 in the Senate. The 2004 election results? A net gain of two seats for Democrats: +3 in the House, and -1 in the Senate. Not too bad.
How about federal candidates?
Well, it turns out that 2004 Democratic Congressional candidates outperformed (by percentage
of votes cast) the 2002 Democratic candidates in every district in the state.
NV-01
2002:
Shelley Berkley (D) 54%
Lynette Boggs McDonald (R) 43%
2004:
Shelley Berkley (D) 66%
Russ Mickelson (R) 31%
NV-02
2002:
Jim Gibbons (R) 74%
Travis Souza (D) 20%
2004:
Jim Gibbons (R) 67%
Angie Cochran (D) 27%
NV-03
2002:
Jon Porter (R) 56%
Dario Herrera (D) 37%
2004:
Jon Porter (R) 54%
Tom Gallagher (D) 40%
So that's something to consider. Yes, it's just one state, and just one election. And a presidential year versus a mid-term, too. But data is data. Anyone want to place a small wager on whether or not there were Nevada Dems wringing their hands in early '04, worrying that endorsing impeachment -- and this is pre-NSA, pre-Katrina, pre-McCain amendment nullifcation, and pre-DPW -- would cost their guys at the polls?
Is it possible -- just possible -- that we can "concentrate on winning the elections" and also be clear about impeachment, too?
Anyone know any Nevada Democrats who still have doubts? Anyone? A Nevada Democrat? No?