The Democrats are divided on the issue of impeachment. Here are the best arguments on both sides:
PRO
- Given his corruption, his incompetence, and his authoritarian personality, Trump is uniquely dangerous to the American political system. Although there are risks to impeachment, they have to be taken, given the magnitude of the threat.
- There is a viable case for obstruction of justice against him. Precedent has been established that obstruction is a legitimate legal basis for impeachment. To do nothing is to move the bar in a negative way.
- It fires up the base.
CON
- It can’t succeed, and it will lead to a backlash and political disaster.
- Based on what we know to date, Trump’s actions were both highly improper and clumsy, but they didn’t really endanger the country. They were only “low crimes and misdemeanors.”
- Normalizing impeachment will invite retaliation, paralyze the government, and further divide the nation.
This is a 60-40 situation, not 90-10. On balance, I still think the con arguments carry more weight, but the pro arguments are too strong to completely ignore. If Mueller has compelling evidence of a quid pro quo with the Russian government, that would change the picture, and my opinion would change.