Cynical political power players like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi get credit for at least one thing: they know a losing battle when they see it.
Pelosi and the rest of the Democratic Party leadership in the House of Representatives have been holding off on voting to move forward with an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. Allegedly, this has been to allow Democrats in Congress time to gather evidence to make an effective case against the president. But, even Politico is reporting that this is mainly a concession to Democrats in pro-Trump districts.
Red state Democrats up for re-election in 2020 have vehemently opposed the impeachment inquiry, rightfully pointing out that the divisive nature of the process would empower their Republican opponents. Pelosi herself has privately admitted that she is “agnostic” about the issue.
Of course, we know the real reason that Pelosi has been relegated to the village Fence Sitter: she has completely lost control of her own caucus. “Squad” members like Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar may not have the political power Pelosi does, but they have a much stronger position in the eyes of the Democratic Party’s progressive base. This impeachment is a move to appease them. This is why groups like the Justice Democrats, which helped AOC get elected in the first place, are moving to primary centrist Democrats all over the country.
Pelosi is stressing that the move to delay the vote can change, but it’s hard to see this as anything more than a desperate bid to buy more time. Republicans, on the other had, are boldly daring the Democrats to make a move.
Everyone in America knows that this is going to backfire on the Democrats. Pelosi took a gamble, and she’s going to lose. But, it might be too late for anyone to turn back now.
Here’s Tim Pool with the whole story, and what this means for the Democrats going forward.
