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talkpolitics After Robert Mueller spoke on Wednesday, I was left, like a lot of people, with more questions than answers. But unlike most folks, I have access to the Wayforward Machine. So I logged in there, and poked around, and found something that cleared it up for me.
It's a published interview with him, which will appear [redacted] years in the future. After I read it, I felt that I understood the current situation a lot better. Maybe you will, too.
It's in PDF format, and on a different site. Here's the URL:
people.well.com/user/edelsont/politics/mueller-speaks.pdf
I hope this helps. (Seriously. All kidding aside, that's why I wrote it.)
people.well.com/user/edelsont/politics/mueller-speaks.pdf
I hope this helps. (Seriously. All kidding aside, that's why I wrote it.)
(no subject)
Date: 1/6/19 06:54 (UTC)They have to make a political analysis rather than do what is right for the nation. The checks and balances break down in this situation. The constitution may require a certain set of actions which are politically inexpedient.
Why does party always matter more than proper behaviour? The Dems have made such good choices recently, haven't they.
What I do find amusing is that even in this situation the Dems are the ones at fault. Trump is just being Trump; he has no notion of good behaviour, probity, rectitude, or any of those other statesman-like qualities - he does what he does, and a section of the US public adore him for it. The Dems are sitting as the patriotic opposition, blatantly ignoring their duty because it will cost them the 2020 election.
I have news for them; they've already lost SCOTUS for a couple of decades. Losing to Trump, even the once, has damaged them for quite a time. Ginsberg can't last forever, which will make things even worse. The Dems lost the political tempo and will struggle for years to get back on to an equal footing; even were they to win the next three elections in a row.
costs vs. benefits
Date: 2/6/19 21:16 (UTC)But will it (or rather, would it)? This has somehow become close to received wisdom, but I am, to say the least, not so sure.
Of course, one can't be (justifiably) sure of the contrary, either. Prediction is hard, and all that. But it isn't *just* a hunch: I have arguments for it.
I will not share them just yet. The topic deserves its own top-level journal entry (post). That should be coming soon, unless some rabid Trump supporter shoots me first.
Re: costs vs. benefits
Date: 4/6/19 23:48 (UTC)Does that mean that I am now convinced that it will, indeed, hurt their chances? No, not that. It's more like this: if you are beating the drums for impeachment, and part of your argument is that the impeachment process will *help* defeat Trump at the polls, then you are walking into a trap. Trumpists will reply: "Oh, so this so-called "impeachment" is really just part of your 2020 campaign? Impeachment is way too grave a matter to be abused in that way."
Come to think of it, Trump himself has already said something rather like this. Is he right? No: impeachment, if it happens, will certainly not be "just part of the campaign." But let's not make it easier for Trump and his gang to fool people into thinking that it is.
So I guess my position ends up being, for practical purposes, very like that of Mr. Fingers (if I understand him correctly): Impeachment is the right thing to do, so do it. And try to stay clear about the fact that you are doing it *because* it's the right thing to do.