Trump's Ukraine Behaviour...

[bae]

Setting aside for the moment dress code issues, procedural issues, and such:

*If* Trump did engage in the alleged behaviour that is claimed (by whistleblowers, direct witnesses, his own Chief of Staff on national TV, and perhaps from his own lips) - trading US aid to foreign powers the for personal benefit of having his political opponents investigated:

Should he be impeached? Convicted, if the evidence shows the claims? Thrown out of office on his ear?

Starting timer...

[Teacher Terry]

All of the above)

[JaneV2.0]

I think proper procedures should be followed as laid out in the Constitution.

I'd like to see him escorted out of office in handcuffs by US Marshals because I believe that's what he deserves, but I doubt that will happen.

[LDAHL]

Starting timer...

This isn’t Jeopardy and you aren’t Alex Trebek, but I think the process should proceed.

If the promised bombshells turn out to be squibs yet again. The Democrats will pay a price. If not, the President should pay some kind of price Given that in this case the House is a grand jury packed with sworn enemies and the Senate is a trial jury packed with friends, I would think that price will be more political than legal.

It looks like Joe Biden is already sustaining some collateral damage. Even if he wins out in the primary process, his enemies will play the video of him bragging about using loan guarantees to pressure Ukraine to fire a prosecutor. Sort of the way the swiftboat group kept playing John Kerry’s words over and over.

[Alan]

I think the articles of impeachment need to be prepared and sent on to the Senate where that august body will find the means to conduct a fair and impartial trial. If the evidence fits the charges and he is convicted, he should be immediately removed from office, if there is any hint of political shenanigans in this attempt to remove him he should be promptly acquitted and let the voters decide if he deserves to remain in office a year from now.

It's the impartial trial that will be the tricky part.

[catherine]

It's the impartial trial that will be the tricky part.

I found it interesting just how partisan the vote was, with ALL the House Republicans voting NO and ALL BUT TWO House Democrats voting YES.

[jp1]

It's the impartial trial that will be the tricky part.

Indeed. Moscow Mitch has already made it clear that he will do whatever's necessary to insure that that won't happen.

[Rogar]

I'm currently undecided about removal from office, but assuming all the evidence collaborates the existing stories, it would be in error to let him get away Scot free. Unfortunately I don't know of any other punitive measures available. Not only would it indicate a failure of our system of checks and balances, but it would set precedent for either party to seek personal gain by using the office of the president to bribe, intimidate, or extort favors from foreign countries.

I listened to the introductory remarks by both parties before the vote to proceed today and to expect this will have an unbiased and objective vote in the Senate is pure humor.

ETA: Changed impeachment to removal from office. Our republican senator replied to my email of concern today. Cory Gardner has been in the national news a couple of times since we are a swing state. Basically lip service, but he emphasized the severity of removal from office and that the senate has never removed a president from office. I pretty much know where that's headed barring the unforeseen.

[JaneV2.0]

I'm currently undecided about impeachment, but assuming all the evidence collaborates the existing stories, it would be in error to let him get away Scot free. Unfortunately I don't know of any other punitive measures available. Not only would it indicate a failure of our system of checks and balances, but it would set precedent for either party to seek personal gain by using the office of the president to bribe, intimidate, or extort favors from foreign countries.

I listened to the introductory remarks by both parties before the vote to proceed today and to expect this will have an unbiased and objective vote in the Senate is pure humor.

Word is that all Trump's big money donors are already bribing Republican senators to vote "correctly."
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-commi...-trial-1468946
I hope this corrupt bunch of jackals is thoroughly routed in the 2020 elections. At least during Watergate, their were honorable Republicans. Such an idea seems quaint now.

[Alan]

At least during Watergate, their were honorable Republicans. Such an idea seems quaint now.

As I recall, during Watergate no one began preparation for impeachment before Nixon had a chance to assume the office. In this case the Impeach Trump Leadership PAC was created during his first month in office and was tasked with getting the job done. I've lost track since then but I believe there were at least 3 formal requests by honorable Democrats to begin impeachment proceedings before they were able to latch onto a reason that resonated with the public (after being given the proper buildup). Now we're on at least the 4th attempt and those pesky Republicans are not impressed enough with the Democrats honorable intentions to make it easy for them. Damn Republicans!