Nancy Peloisi on impeaching Trump, Rolling Stone interview

[Miles Archer]

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/nancy-pelosi-interview-696750/

What’s your thinking on impeachment?

I think it’s a gift to the Republicans.

Expand on that.

Because people really want to know how we will improve their lives. We don’t really know what Mueller has. We have a responsibility, if we have information, to act upon it. But we don’t know what Mueller has. Republicans in the House have completely blocked any investigations – to a stupid extent, in my view. But when I was elected speaker, people wanted me to impeach Bush. In the streets [chanting]: “Impeach Bush!” I thought the war in Iraq was sinful. I was Adam Schiff [the ranking member on the Intelligence Committee] at that time, going into the war. So I knew everything that they had. And they didn’t have anything that said Iraq was developing nuclear weapons. They didn’t have weapons of mass destruction! It would be like me saying there’s 20 puppies on this table. It wasn’t there! Nobody could show it to you. It was a complete lie. But nonetheless he got re-elected. Going into the [‘06] election, I said it’s off the table. I didn’t mean it’s off the table if you had some goods. If somebody has information, then we can act upon it. But from what we know now, it’s off the table.

Just to make sure I understand: You were saying that impeachment was “off the table” in relation to Bush? Or with Trump?

Even with Trump. If you got something, show it. But I’m not going after it. What we’re going after is the economic security of America’s working families.

[spanone]

1. well, I'm sure that paul ryan would have let Obama get away with colluding with Russia

[theaocp]

2. "But I'm not going after it."

Again, we try to sedate the electorate instead of invigorating them. You want to know how people will find their lives improved? Try impeaching 45. It's a pretty big fucking improvement. She may be a good rep. Leader? I'd look elsewhere.

[still_one]

3. How about winning the MIDTERMS FIRST, then bring it up. It amazes me just how naivee people seem to

to be.

1. The Democrats DO NOT HAVE THE MAJORITY, IN BOTH HOUSES. Until that happens it is REALLY a moot issue, unless of course you believe that the republicans in the House will vote for impeachment.


2. An impeachable crime is what CONGRESS DECIDES IT IS. That is the harsh reality of the situation, and unless the Democrats win the midterms, would someone PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW IT WOULD HAPPEN?

[DinahMoeHum]

5. +1000s

b/t

[Raster]

6. Of course win the Midterms and take back the House and maybe the Senate...

...it's what happens AFTER the Midterms that counts.

and SORRY Ms. Pelosi, If the Dems take back the House, and if the Mueller investigation shows that tRump* actively colluded with Russia to affect our Election THAN WE MUST IMPEACH. And frankly, Ms. Pelosi, if the required conditions are there, and you actively fight against impeachment, THEN YOU SHOULD STEP ASIDE.

Unfortunately, it seems that people who've been in Congress for quite awhile, FORGET the real world outside, populated by real people with real issues.

[still_one]

15. My point being that is when you bring it up

[Atticus]

7. I do not understand anyone to be urging impeachment now---at this instant. But,

there are millions of us who DO believe there are PLENTY of articulable reasons to impeach this "man" and we would like to know that WHEN we control the House, our leaders will pursue it. I don't hear Pelosi saying that. I hear her saying she "will not go after it."

And, for many, that is reason enough to stay home on election day because "What the hell is the use? They're all the same and the laws don't apply to the "big fish"! So, yes, impeachment is not possible now, but it damn well better be after November. And, if Nancy thinks it is"off the table" AGAIN, I am just one of the people who think she is past her "sell by" date.

[NCTraveler]

4. Win the midterms.

See what is in Muellers report.

That's how to do it.

[Kahuna7]

16. Exactly! That's what I keep saying. Stop the

impeachment talk. Wait for the Mueller collusion report. Then hold televised hearings based on the findings and put all the players on the hot seat under the threat of perjury, so that they will be compelled to tell the truth, sans spin and subterfuge.

I don't even care if that leads to impeachment because we wouldn't have the votes to convict. As long as the hearings keep trump from running again, I'm good.

[NCTraveler]

22. Well stated. I'm on board.

We need to keep this momentum going. That doesn’t mean these people are given a free pass. It means we bludgeon them over the head with material as it’s released.

[yallerdawg]

8. Mid-term Democratic campaign slogan: "Impeach and Imprison!"

Tom Steyer of Need to Impeach:

Why do you think Democrats should embrace impeachment as a campaign issue?

We feel it’s important to stand up for the American democracy. It’s not much more complicated than that. We believe fighting against a reckless and lawless president is not something that will turn off voters. In fact, doing that kind of thing is the way that you build faith and trust. The way we see impeachment is: We are telling the truth about the most important political issue of the day. I know Nancy doesn’t believe that this is a good idea. But we believe what we are doing will inspire people to vote who otherwise wouldn’t, and that’s not just a vague hope. We have 5.4 million people who signed our petition. We communicate with them all the time. Over 60 percent of them don’t vote. They’re registered voters, but they don’t vote.

Do you know why?

They say because our Democratic leaders are not standing for anything. They’ve lost faith and trust in the party. Look at the Women’s March – the largest protest in history. Look at Indivisible. Look at the 2017 elections in Virginia, New Jersey, Alabama. People are turning out to protect our democracy. To a very large extent this election will be a referendum on this president, this administration and their policies and behavior.

The concern is: “Are we going to energize Republicans?” – and I think that’s Nancy’s fear. Or are we going to energize Americans and Democrats and independents by doing what’s right?

[Kahuna7]

17. Steyer has been running those ads forever and they haven't been effective. nt

[yallerdawg]

19. Almost 6,000,000 have signed the petition.

That's a lot more people than it takes to elect Nancy Pelosi!

The organization is inspiring new and old voters across the country.

We are more informed on what it takes to remove the pig from office. Not to mention, treason and justice.

And that requires MORE Democrats in the House and Senate. We'll see in November.

Nothing - absolutely nothing! - off the table.

[Kahuna7]

21. So? At the same time, trump's approval is rising and

Mueller's is going down.

[mcar]

9. Smart answers

Impeachment is a gift to Republicans and their voters. Let the Mueller investigation proceed first.

[ebbie15644]

10. exactly, and she didn't say anything about not holding hearings and then they'll have something

[mcar]

20. The hearings, real hearings, are so important

They can't happen unless we take back the House, at least.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. I agree

plus running by raising people's expectations beyond what is likely to happen is probably not going to work out well. Removing Trump from office- short of him resigning or Republicans defecting from supporting him en masse- is not going to happen.

[NewJeffCT]

12. WRONG!!!!!!

In 2010, Republicans picked up 60 seats running solely on anger at Obama and Obamacare and repealing Obamacare.

She doesn't have to say that we're going to hold impeachment hearings on Day 1, but say that she will hold plenty of hearings to hold members of Team Trump accountable, and we'll let the facts speak from those hearings for themselves.

[Hekate]

13. Win the midterms first. See what Mueller has. Count the votes (a Pelosi specialty).

Some Dems talk like this woman just fell off the turnip truck.

I am not convinced there will be a blue wave, much less a blue tsunami, given the amount of sabotage on our electoral system. A lot of people don't seem to get that, and the premature gloating over our chances gives me the wim-wams.

Mueller is working awfully hard -- and fast, given the number of indictments. When he gets to Jarvanka, Trump won't be able to sleep at all.

[Blaukraut]

18. This! I trust Nancy Pelosi to know what she is doing. n/t

[Dem_4_Life]

14. Talking about Impeachment only fires up the Republican base

I have noticed when talking to republicans that when people start mentioning impeachment then they start getting more and more involved with trying to get republican candidates elected. If the Dems focus on getting more people elected and taking over the house and the senate then once they are in there and the Mueller report comes out then they can start talking about impeachment.