The Ego of Impeachment

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I can think of another reason.

This is a pretty calculating move on Pelosi's part to energize Democratic voters next year.  When Trump is acquitted in the Senate, he's going to take it as a sign that he can do whatever he wants, which is going to enrage people who might otherwise have stayed home.  It's also going to piss off the 12% of Republicans who want Trump removed, so they may stay at home, or vote for a longshot Republican.  In this scenario, it makes it somewhat more likely that Trump will lose next year and the Senate will flip.

It makes sense if you realize that the goal isn't, necessarily, to remove Trump from office.

Boru

There is a lot of thought that it could go exactly 180 ° of that and cost them the election.


I would bet on that outcome.

I wouldn't.  Trump's behaviour plays to his base, and to his base only.  The more egregious that behaviour (and once his acquitted, that behaviour will become worse),  the sterner will be the opposition.  Given recent shifts in the electorate, Trump's base won't be enough to get him reelected, and he's never shown the slightest interest in trying to expand that base.

Boru