House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler (D-NY) predicted on Sunday morning that his committee will draw up its articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump this week.
Nadler told NBC News “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd that the committee will begin its process on Monday by looking at the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation report, then it will work on drafting articles of impeachment.
“We’ll bring articles of impeachment presumably before the committee at some point later in the week,” he said.
WATCH: @RepJerryNadler: “We’ll bring articles of impeachment presumably before the committee at some point later in the week.” #MTP #IfItsSunday pic.twitter.com/iq2yG3OBOI
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) December 8, 2019
The Judiciary chair also expressed confidence in the Democrats’ case for impeaching Trump over his attempt to strong-arm the Ukrainian government into announcing an investigation into 2020 rival Joe Biden.
“We have a very rock-solid case,” Nadler said during an interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash on “State of the Union.”
“I think the case we have, if presented to a jury, would be a guilty verdict in about three minutes flat,” he added.
Nadler says Dems have a "rock-solid" case for impeachment: "I think the case we have, if presented to a jury, would be a guilty verdict in about three minutes flat." pic.twitter.com/iXohKqFWKl
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) December 8, 2019
On Saturday, the committee released its report outlining the constitutional grounds for impeachment.
“We have a very rock-solid case,” Nadler said during an interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash on “State of the Union.”
“I think the case we have, if presented to a jury, would be a guilty verdict in about three minutes flat,” he added.
I might add that Nadler’s estimation of time included transport to the deliberation chambers, seating, discussion of protocols, vote and return to the courtroom for announcement of verdict.
The Narrative is the Ball.
Josh made some good points in his article about how it’s time to push forward with impeachment now. Among his descriptions for getting behind the strategy, he used some combat and sports metaphors. “Keep your offense going” “keep them on their back foot” “Seize the high ground.”
And I can see how he came to his conclusions. But I differ. While I was among the “IMPEACH NOW – things are moving too slowly” camp, I was never “Get it done FAST”. The reason is simple.
Conventional wisdom among pundits (including Josh) seems to be that conviction in the Senate is an impossibility. Trump will be acquitted. The only question seems to be how quickly they’ll come to their already pre-arranged verdict.
So why the rush?
Anyone old enough to have been out of diapers at the beginning of the “Benghazzi Blitz” – knows they went on forever. And ever. And never ever turned up ‘anything’. There was no ‘there’ there. But it didn’t matter. Because the whole point of the hearings was to control the narrative. To keep the Dems, and Hillary in particular – on ‘defense’. If you’re explaining – your’re losing. Yes, she won the popular vote – but how many more voters stayed home because the “Crooked Hillary” narrative suppressed them? Or voted Stein in protest of her ‘corruption’?
The Narrative is the Ball.
Don’t turn it over.
I still don’t understand – specifically with the CW being acquittal in the Senate – why exactly – we’re in a hurry to turn over the ball. Why not keep it, control the narrative and then run out the clock?
Sure – I’ve read the arguments that “Keep it Simple, Stupid” is the way to go. That the Mueller report was too complicated for the public to follow. I favor the argument put forth by Amanda Marcotte that – as in the Weinstein case – one accusation doesn’t make the case. You need to pile on. @castor_troy roy argued ‘But that’s ONE CRIME – over and over. Rape.” Which I’ll concede does sound simple (It’s not) But for the sake of argument – I’ll go with it. And say “Fair enough – let’s pile on – with ONE CRIME – Obstruction of justice. Over. And Over. And Over.
Remember – Mueller kept the lid on his investigation. To the point that his results aren’t even available in their entirety. Meanwhile – the Narrative – “The Ball” was in the Republican’s hands. They unleashed their Right Wing Wurlitzer and the Bully Pulpit to pound the airwaves and the internet with “NO COLLUSION – WITCH HUNT – NO COLLUSION” 24/7. They controlled the ball – and effectively prevented any real offense from Muller on the field.
At the moment – ‘we control the ball’. The moment it goes to the Senate – the Republican’s do. And if they spike it – then Trump gets to control the narrative with “I WON - I’M INNOCENT’
No amount of protestation about having been ‘impeached in the house, but acquitted in the senate’ – just like Clinton – will make him seem… culpable.
Will ‘more hearings’ after the acquittal make a dent? Some think so. Some say ‘we can impeach him again and again’. But I think Pelosi won’t have it. She clearly finds the process abhorrent. You only get one shot at the King. We should be piling on the narrative – while waiting for the courts to rule on the various cases. We should hold onto the ‘high ground’ and keep them on the defense. If the objective is to depress their voters, enflame ours, then we must – keep his corruption front and center 24/7. Forget the argument that it ‘detracts from the House’s work’ . The House’s work is going to be crushed in the Senate anyway. Passing bills that die in the Senate – is not building a strong narrative. Pointing out Trumps crimes is a much more salacious media dominating strategy.
Don’t. Turn. Over. The. Ball.
Pile on the narrative.
Fixed it, because we all know how the Senate GOP is going to vote. It’s all a messaging game from here on out, I hope Democrats are ready for the media pushback that will be required by them when the Senate GOP finds Trump not guilty and it’s best to set up the premise that anyone voting that way is doing so in bad faith.
Let’s stop assuming we all “know” how the Senate GOP is going to vote. Instead, let’s find the ones who are in tight electoral spots and pressure them constantly (looking at you, DNC). Find any and and all means to “persuade” them it’s in their best interests to rid us all of this pestilence.
I think Nadler is only talking about timing regarding a possible vote in House Judiciary, not a vote of the full House. I expect they’ll wait until at least Friday to see whether SCOTUS chooses to hear the various cases related to Trump’s tax returns.
I see the merits of both sides also, but fall on the side of keeping this away from McConnell, and on a slow, steady boil in the House. There’s still more to uncover. Parnas, as one example, has significant knowledge of Trump’s direct involvement, I would presume.