Impeachment hearings: One of the main goals is to change public opinion.

[shockey80]

The Democrats run out of excuses today with the committee vote. It is time to hold open hearings and a lot of them. We should see an avalanche of open hearings over the next few months. If that does not happen then we will know the Democrats are not serious about impeaching Trump.

There are so many people the Democrats can subpoena to testify. The Democrats should completely control the news cycle over the next few months with a constant stream of open hearings. That's how you inform the people and change public opinion.

If the democrats change public opinion and the majority of the people come out in favor of impeachment, that will make things very tough on the Republicans in the Senate.

When it comes to open hearings there are no more excuses.

[StarfishSaver]

1. Whom do you think the Democrats can subpoena who'll have valuable evidence and will actually show?

[shockey80]

2. The list is endless.

It's up to the Democrats and the courts to get people to testify. No more excuses. If the Democrats cannot do this then we longer have a democracy. What's the point of having an impeachment inquiry if people can simply refuse to answer a subpoena?

[StarfishSaver]

4. Care to share some names from your endless list?

[shockey80]

8. Everyone connected to Trump, his presidency, his campaign, his organization. How's that for a list?

You know the list and it is endless.

[StarfishSaver]

10. No, it's not good enough. I asked who would have valuable evidence AND show up to testify.

Who "connected to Trump, his presidency, his campaign, his organization" do you think will actually show up to testify if subpoenaed?

It's easy to proclaim what the Democrats oughta do. But you seem to be struggling to back up your demand with reality.

[shockey80]

12. What you are saying is we no longer have a democracy.

No one will ever have to answer a subpoena again. No president will ever have to cooperate with an impeachment inquiry again. I cannot except that and I do not believe the American people would go along with that either.

If Trump refuses to cooperate that is an impeachable offense.

[wasupaloopa]

14. So what are we going to do about it? Whitnesses don't show up because trump blocks them.

Doing so trump commits an impeachable offense. We hold hearings on that. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.

We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.
We hold hearings on the. Trump blocks witnesses for that committing another impeachable offense.

[StarfishSaver]

20. In other words, you are demanding the Democrats do something you can't even explain

Thanks.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

15. This is a false narrative. You are right, the list is endless

But to me the first step would be to determine what actions are considered impeachable offenses. There are likely actions that are more black and white that can be proven without begging witnesses to show up. But even if we need reluctant trump witnesses it will be quite impactful to present evidence and have them not show up to defend him or show up and refuse to answer.

This link is to a very comprehensive list of all trump actions and offenses.
https://www.mcsweeneys.net/columns/reasons-why-donald-trump-is-unfit-to-be-president
Gold mine.

My personal favorite is how trump reversed the regulation that President Obama enacted to stop coal companies from dumping sludge that contained cancer causing materials into our water! Subpoena the scientists who determined this. Bet trump doesn't even know he did it. How could they possibly justify this action? The public would be appalled. This is an example of criminal negligence.

[leftstreet]

3. Not just change opinion, but support current opinion

Trump's popularity is low for a reason

Failure to pursue investigations as part of their job is one thing, ignoring the wishes of constituencies they represent just adds to it

DURec

[shockey80]

5. The Majority of Americans are against impeachment at this time.

That could change quickly if the Democrats do their job and hold open hearings and get all these liars and crooks under oath.

[leftstreet]

6. That's what I meant

probably didn't come out right

He's already not popular. Open hearings would make more people say ugh, impeach his ass!

[Maxheader]

7. Imho, there is no chance of even a...

credible impeachment process, either successful or not...
without a high ranking gop group going along...

[procon]

9. First they have to get all these witnesses to show up

and give their honest and truthful testimony. Trumps minions have done a pretty good job of just ignoring House subpoenas so far. Why would they change their winning tactic?

[shockey80]

11. The very fact Trump is blocking an impeachment inquiry is an impeachable offense.

Play time is over. No more excuses. One of the articles of impeachment against Nixon was for blocking the investigation.

[wasupaloopa]

13. I doubt the hearings will change public opinion. 60% oppose trump and 40% favor him. Those numbers

are not going to change.

Those of us who oppose trump will not begin to like him and those who favor him don't give a shit what he did or does.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. That's probably true...but at least we had the courage to

Stand up for what is right. And we get it into history in a formal concise way.

[wasupaloopa]

19. I agree with that. If we don't, history will record we had the most corrupt person in the White

House and did nothing about it.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

22. Yes. And can't help but enjoy the thought of someone

telling trump (fox broadcast?) that he will go down in history as one of only three who got impeached!

[Nevermypresident]

21. +1000

[Martin Eden]

23. Are there no swing voters at all?

None who are still undecided, or who might dislike Trump but vote for him if they're susceptible to all the fearmongering against the Dem candidate?

Many voters are not as immersed in politics as we are, and really don't know the extent of Trump's criminality. Impeachment will be big news, bringing it to light.

Democrats need to go on the offensive, taking charge of the news cycle and putting Trump constantly on the defensive.

[TwilightZone]

16. The Senate GOP doesn't care about public opinion.

That's pretty obvious.

A dramatic shift in Trump approval that will suddenly convince Senate Republicans to vote to convict is highly unlikely. Most people already made up their minds about Trump years ago, and his floor is probably 30-35%. He's most of the way there already, considering recent polls.

If people are counting on impeachment to sway Republicans to support removal, they're going to be disappointed. They're pretty thoroughly entrenched, and the rest of us already disapprove of the idiot.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. Probably true. You have to just focus on the behaviors

that constitute impeachable offenses and set them forth with conviction.