DU survey

[H2O Man]

Do you think that the topic of impeachment should be addressed by Democratic candidates in the 2018 elections? Should this be up to the individual candidates, or should it be part of a party platform?

There are no right or wrong answers. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, I think that today's events may result in more people believing it is an issue for open discussion. Others may believe that candidates should wait for Mr. Mueller to issue a report. Both are valid viewpoints.

This is a strange and dangerous time. Stay strong. We shall overcome.

Thank you for your consideration.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Individual Candidates

Malinowski is winning on what his beliefs, values, and level of integrity are. He will serve the 7th's interests but bring his strong Human Rights background to the table.


I don't think he needs that to win. If Leonard Lance jumps the shark and says he's for impeachment - then Tom can say it. But I don't think he will.

[H2O Man]

3. Thank you.

I think it is up to the individual, based on where they are running. What is good in one district or state may not be in another.

[panader0]

2. I'll go with party platform.

Can there be any doubt of Trump's guilt now? To not make this a major plank would
make the Democrats look wishy-washy. Or worse. The line is clearly drawn, only the
worst of Trump's backers will still back him, the deplorables.....

[H2O Man]

5. Thank you.

It is hard to believe that Trump was so openly treasonous today. Even for him, this was off the charts. I can't see how anyone but the alt-right could not think he needs to be impeached.

[JustAnotherGen]

10. I agree with this - I'm just too

Hooked in on the ground level GOTV for our district to see it making much of a difference.

Districts where the Republican House Candidate and Trump BOTH won in 2016? I would agree with you. What do we have to lose?

Districts where the Democratic House Candidate and Clinton won in 2016? Full steam ahead.

Districts where the Republican House Candidate and Clinton won? We need to give them the room to delight 'em, grab 'em, and keep 'em.

Before today - Malinowski out raised Leonard Lance:

https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/malinowski-outraises-lance-in-7th-district-raise/

He doesn't need to unequivocally state that he will vote to impeach. Being employed by Obama kind of says that.

What is your district looking like this election?

[brooklynite]

4. At this point, any candidate who advocates Impeachment loses my financial support

There is not yet valid evidence to support Impeachment, and there is definitely not political support sufficient to ensure conviction. Impeachment as an issue risks losing seats we might otherwise pick up, and distracts a Democratic-controlled House from dealing with issues voters actually care about.

[H2O Man]

7. Thank you.

I respect that everyone has the right and responsibility to invest their resources in campaigns they support. I respectfully disagree about individual candidates who do call for Trump's impeachment, as there are districts where this is safe.

[lpbk2713]

6. The (R) moral compass should be challenged.

If not for their active participation in all things sleazy then for standing back and watching it happen without saying a word. And they did participate to a degree by maintaining their silence.

[H2O Man]

8. Thanks!

Very well said.

[haele]

9. The focus of that topic depends on the location - all politics is local.

However, in places where liberals are considered wild-eyed anarchists, at the very least, any Democratic Candidate must bring up Trump's comments and appearances of cozying up to dictators should be brought up as a serious concern and threat to the democracy that has enabled constituents and "forefathers" to prosper and thrive in freedom because of the Constitution of the United State; that "their freedoms" should never be contingent to keeping in their place as "good little lap-dogs" in a political football game.
Or words to that effect.

The GOP has turned making corporate profits off complacency and fear a high art - and that there is no "liberal media", there is only corporate media with a local mask in some places. And that needs to be pointed out time and time and time again.

Haele

[H2O Man]

12. Thank you!

This is the type of response that makes DU a great place for meaningful discussion. I appreciate it!

[Dem_4_Life]

11. From my interactions with republicans in my area...

...it is best to wait until after Mueller's finding or after the 2018 elections. Any time anyone mentions impeachment it set's off some internal alarm calling on them to organize more around their candidates. By just allowing them naturally to see how they are getting screwed they are either a) just watching and cheering the republican party on or b) getting fed up and actually volunteering, donating and vowing to vote for Democrats this November. They are not necessarily wanting to switch parties but I have never seen this before.

We need to mobilize voters and start talking to republicans that are on the fence to get them to vote democratic.

[H2O Man]

14. Thank you.

Valid points. Very valid points.

It's encouraging to see thoughtful responses, such as you added here.

[Tatiana]

13. It is a proscribed constitutional remedy for the crisis we face.

I think advocating impeachment will gain us a lot more votes than it will ever lose.

We should stop playing defense and go on the offensive.

Stop the cheating and voter purges in "red" states and we could probably win using our message and not some kinder, gentler compromise messaging.

[H2O Man]

15. Thanks, Tatiana!

I agree that calls for impeachment will gain more votes than it might lose. The alt-right is already intent upon voting. There may be some conservative areas where it could cement support for the treasonous bastard, and I can understand why some individual candidates would take a "let's wait for Mueller" approach. But it would seem those are shrinking.

[redstatebluegirl]

16. As much as I would love to see it, no.

We need a strong "everyman/woman" platform. Talk about how the tariffs are hurting us, show graphs that drive home who benefits from the tax cuts and what it does to the deficit. Talk about quality of everyday life, can you afford a house, a car, a yearly vacation? We lose more than we gain talking impeachment. We just need to win and win big to castrate this administration.

[H2O Man]

17. Thank you!

I agree fully with you about the need for that strong platform. That is a really important point.

I respectfully disagree that we lose more than we win .....I think that overall, more Democratic candidates would gain support by discussing impeachment. Yet, there are other instances where it would likely be damaging.

Great response. Much appreciated.

[denbot]

18. It should be the litmus test for any D national candidate.

It is long past the point of relying on “thoughts and prayers”. To this veteran, we are clearly at war.

[H2O Man]

19. Thank you.

We are definitely at war. And not just against the Russians.

How in the heck can anyone support a president who openly sides with the enemy?

[The River]

20. Not Yet

Our candidates should focus on local issues and what a poor
job their Republican opponents are doing. The R's know we are
going to impeach/remove/restrain him but let's not make it an
issue until after November.

[RandomAccess]

21. I really don't know -- but I DO know this

They HAVE to exhibit a robust intention to stop Trump from doing bad things and do their best to UNDO what he's done wrong.

AND, they could add something like: hold him accountable or wrongdoings in whatever ways are appropriate.

As I've said before in response to one of your posts, the energy in the Dem base is all about thwarting Trump. To the degree Dem candidates don't show they're willing to do that, excitement dwindles.

And yes, they can also talk about all the other non-Trump related GOOD things Dems typically stand for and want to get done -- healthcare, living wage, etc.

[spanone]

22. I believe saving our republic is of utmost importance. It will have to be addressed....

the republicans will force it.

I think it's important that we have a coherent and strong retort.

We have to emphasize what is at stake which is our very existence as a nation.

[Voltaire2]

23. Yes. And treason ought to be the reason.

[Hortensis]

24. :) The "summit" has changed the situation. However,

how and how much?

If I were a political scientist, I wouldn't be watching MSNBC, I'd be giving the populace time for this to soak in and try to assess for change in them. However, watching MSNBC suggests to me that the Republican controlled congress is not to the point of impeaching. That could conceivably change any day now, or take months more.

Imo, gaining control of congress is infinitely more important at this point than pushing ineffectually for impeachment as a minority party would be, no matter how earnest and justified. So I'm going to say our candidates should take any stand that helps get them elected/reelected. If that means throwing up blue-dog arms and pantomiming horror at the very thought of impeachment, so be it.