Former DNC chairman Howard Dean believes Democrats’ efforts at impeaching President Donald Trump are doomed to fail as the Republican-led Senate is in his “grip.”
Dean held his view even after grilling from CNN’s Chris Cuomo on why Democrats are not pursuing impeachment of the president more aggressively.
(Video: CNN)
The two tackled the issue during “Cuomo Prime Time” Wednesday, after reacting to the president’s interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Wednesday, saying he would consider accepting opposition research information on a political opponent from a foreign power.
Trump stands up for son, says he would take intel on 2020 opponent from foreign country: ‘Give me a break’ https://t.co/Y93WfQww1y
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) June 12, 2019
Cuomo asked Dean if this didn’t present the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back for Democrats.
“What I’m asking you is this, for the Democrats that are on the fence, what else do they need to hear to make a decision about what they think is doing their duty here?” the CNN host asked.
But impeachment seemed like a long-shot for Dean who explained that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell plays a role in the scenario that cannot be ignored.
“The way I look at it is, what’s the easiest way to get rid of Trump? What’s the most likely way to get rid of Trump?” Dean said. “If you think Mitch McConnell is going to put his country ahead of his power, you are wrong. So we are not going to remove Trump from office by impeachment at this point.”
He noted that Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Jerry Nadler are “trying to build a case” against the president, however.
“Isn’t that their job?” Cuomo interjected. “Aren’t you supposed to do the job out of conscience and not consequence?”
“I think you’re supposed to do the job — I think you’re supposed to do the best job you can to be the most successful you can, and right now building the case is much more important than prosecuting the case,” Dean replied.
“We can’t win with a right-wing Senate that is in the grip of Donald Trump and not the people of the United States of America,” he added.
Dean may want to review how that “right-wing” Senate has repeatedly not had Trump’s back and has openly pushed back on some of his policy proposals. With the funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall far from being a done deal, Republicans on Wednesday just countered Trump’s plan to sell $8 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, rejecting the president’s use of emergency powers last month.
Cuomo, however, was not satisfied with Dean’s less-than-optimistic view of an impeachment process being launched by Democrats.
“But don’t you win if you bring out the truth – not just in the pages of the Mueller report, because, let’s be honest, people aren’t going to read it,” Cuomo pressed. “But giving them the faces and showing them the places that make clear and plain what was done and what wasn’t done.”
Dean explained that that is “exactly what they’re doing.”
“They’re going through this process to get Trump and his cronies in front of the Judiciary Committee to answer questions,” he said before Cuomo interrupted, pressing on why Democrats are dragging their feet on impeachment proceedings.
“My argument is, if that’s what they think their job is then they should do that and stop not doing it because they’re worried about the political consequences. Whether they do it or not is their call,” Cuomo said.
Dean replied that he looks at it “a different way.”
“If their job is to get rid of Donald Trump, who’s a threat to the nation, and the best way you can do that is the best way you can do that, you might be able to proceed with impeachment proceedings before you’re ready,” Dean responded.
“It’s not going to work given the intransigence of the Senate,” he noted. “So let’s build a case carefully so the American people can get rid of him a year from November.”
While Dean maintains that Trump has the GOP Senate within his ‘grip,’ there is plenty of evidence to suggest the contrary. While Republicans held both chambers of Congress little, if any, progress was made on the border wall.
Many would argue that if it weren’t for Trump, and his supporters, zero action would be taking place to secure the border.
"McConnell for Senate" fundraising off the "security crisis at the border" and the need for "a border wall."
Takes some gall, given @senatemajldr McConnell's inaction when GOPs had a majority in both house. Suggested contribution: $0
— Mickey Kaus (@kausmickey) June 7, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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