Trump Says Market Would Crash If He Gets Impeached

[downbeatplumb]

The only difference between Nixon and 45, is that Nixon admitted his crimes on tape. 45 thinks by doing this in public it is different. He's making a huge mistake underestimating the intel community he keeps attacking.

I don't think he is underestimating the intelligence community, I think he knows they are going to drop the hammer on him. First he tried to discredit the investigation so he could drum up support to fire Mueller and now the goal is to keep Republicans in office so he can try and avoid impeachment, he knows if he is impeached he will be indicted and he wants to stay in office long enough to pardon his son.

He's trying to make an environment where enough people think that his crimes aren't crimes that he'll get away with it.

There are some posters here who make me think this tactic may work. 

This is what years of inbreeding gets you.

[Mr.wizard]

I don't think he is underestimating the intelligence community, I think he knows they are going to drop the hammer on him. First he tried to discredit the investigation so he could drum up support to fire Mueller and now the goal is to keep Republicans in office so he can try and avoid impeachment, he knows if he is impeached he will be indicted and he wants to stay in office long enough to pardon his son.

He's trying to make an environment where enough people think that his crimes aren't crimes that he'll get away with it.

There are some posters here who make me think this tactic may work. 

This is what years of inbreeding gets you.

Because he knows if the public buys that it's a witch hunt, then there is no pressure on congress to impeach.

[Jehanne]

Is Trump mentally ill? Or is America? Psychiatrists weigh in.

In particular,

Exactly, as I said, sociopathy is (alone) inadequate.  He is also a malignant narcissist, (or has NPD if you prefer).  Totally agree!!

The question then becomes, is an unstable narcissist more dangerous than Mike Pence? Personally I'm torn.  Yes, it would be nice to have a pres who isn't tweeting insults at world leaders at 3am.  But Pence will methodically destroy more social nets and true religious liberties in favor of a Christian state.  On the other other hand, Trump is already pretty much doing all the things the Dominionists want him to do, so I guess better a stable dominionist than an unstable puppet?  IDK!!

Trump only caters to the far right; Pence is the far right.

[Angrboda]

Even if Trump had Cohen make payoffs to guarantee those women's silence, it's not clear it would rise to an impeachable offense. First, it's not clear that the expense wouldn't have qualified under the exemption for personal expense which says that any expenses that the candidate would have made even if he hadn't been running for office can be excluded. Second, it's not clear even if it is a campaign finance violation that it rises to an impeachable offense. Many times such violations are punished by a fine rather than criminal charges, and it's not clear that this violation goes beyond that. Also, since the Republicans currently control the Senate and the House, what matters is if they think it rises to the level of an impeachable offense. Impeachment and ultimately conviction would require Republican defections, and it's quite likely you wouldn't see that for anything less than the collusion charges.

Either way, given the control of both houses of congress, even if Mueller has something, I suspect he will wait until after the midterms. Given that his investigation still seems to have a lot of work left to do, I doubt he would even move that soon. But then, if midterms don't go well for Democrats, Kavanaugh's confirmation comes due, and Trump turns toward replacement of Jeff Sessions, there may be incentive for taking actions sooner rather than later.

ps. I hope you had fun at the beach, alpha. It's good to get away.

[Anomalocaris]

Exactly, as I said, sociopathy is (alone) inadequate.  He is also a malignant narcissist, (or has NPD if you prefer).  Totally agree!!

The question then becomes, is an unstable narcissist more dangerous than Mike Pence? Personally I'm torn.  Yes, it would be nice to have a pres who isn't tweeting insults at world leaders at 3am.  But Pence will methodically destroy more social nets and true religious liberties in favor of a Christian state.  On the other other hand, Trump is already pretty much doing all the things the Dominionists want him to do, so I guess better a stable dominionist than an unstable puppet?  IDK!!

Trump only caters to the far right; Pence is the far right.

Perhaps. But the far right think trump is god’s Tool, so his personal failings signify nothing. They may think pence to be a Christian, which subjects his speech and conduct to more constraints, not all of them for the better, admittedly.

[Mr.wizard]

Even if Trump had Cohen make payoffs to guarantee those women's silence, it's not clear it would rise to an impeachable offense.  First, it's not clear that the expense wouldn't have qualified under the exemption for personal expense which says that any expenses that the candidate would have made even if he hadn't been running for office can be excluded.  Second, it's not clear even if it is a campaign finance violation that it rises to an impeachable offense.  Many times such violations are punished by a fine rather than criminal charges, and it's not clear that this violation goes beyond that.  Also, since the Republicans currently control the Senate and the House, what matters is if they think it rises to the level of an impeachable offense.  Impeachment and ultimately conviction would require Republican defections, and it's quite likely you wouldn't see that for anything less than the collusion charges.

Either way, given the control of both houses of congress, even if Mueller has something, I suspect he will wait until after the midterms.  Given that his investigation still seems to have a lot of work left to do, I doubt he would even move that soon.  But then, if midterms don't go well for Democrats, Kavanaugh's confirmation comes due, and Trump turns toward replacement of Jeff Sessions, there may be incentive for taking actions sooner rather than later.

ps.  I hope you had fun at the beach, alpha.  It's good to get away.

There is no way they are bothering with Trump's inner circle, indicting, plea deals, granting immunity, to go after a crime where the worst outcome would be a fine.

[John V]

AM, I didn't insult you. 

I don't recall saying that you did, although I haven't reviewed.

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There are so many reasons they wouldn't talk impeachment yet.  They aren't the general public, they have to be more thoughtful and careful.

Plenty of dem congressmen have talked impeachment in the past.

1. They don't have a majority.  They would need 17 Republicans to stand with them at this time.  That's just this side of impossible, so it would just look like talking with no real strength to back it up.  Why bring up something you cannot possibly do? They may be waiting to see if they get majority after the midterms, so they will be taken more seriously.

That's exactly why they should be talking about it, if they think it's warranted - so that they get a majority this fall.

2. They may decide not to impeach Trump at any point for their own political reasons/goals.  I am not saying I support this, but it might be the case all the same.  Pence is demonstrably more stable and quite a bit smarter.  They may prefer a man they feel they can manipulate emotionally (Trump), and feel Pence is actually more dangerous in the long run.

In any case, the response of democrats is hardly reflective of the seriousness of what is facing Trump.  That's a terrible deflection that does not address the issues at all.

If the issues are that serious, dem leadership should be leading the debate, don't you think? You're excusing them for playing politics in what you guys generally think is a life and death issue, perhaps for the whole world.

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Either way, given the control of both houses of congress, even if Mueller has something, I suspect he will wait until after the midterms.  Given that his investigation still seems to have a lot of work left to do, I doubt he would even move that soon.  But then, if midterms don't go well for Democrats, Kavanaugh's confirmation comes due, and Trump turns toward replacement of Jeff Sessions, there may be incentive for taking actions sooner rather than later.

If that's true - that Mueller is timing release of information for poilitical purposes - don't you find that disturbing?

[Joods]

AM - I'm aware that you didn't say that I insulted you. However, I was just putting it out there because I sensed your frustration in trying to have a civil conversation. I was trying to be sympathetic.

[The Valkyrie]

AM - I'm aware that you didn't say that I insulted you. However, I was just putting it out there because I sensed your frustration in trying to have a civil conversation. I was trying to be sympathetic.

Wait.

Someone needs insulting?

Give me a name and butt hurt level!

[Fireball]

AM - I'm aware that you didn't say that I insulted you. However, I was just putting it out there because I sensed your frustration in trying to have a civil conversation. I was trying to be sympathetic.

Wait.

Someone needs insulting?

Give me a name and butt hurt level!

Not saying that you aren't up to the task, but you could use http://ravingatheists.com/forum/ as a source of invective. Some of the best invective I've ever seen is there. Just look around a bit.