Biden on Democrats impeaching Trump: "I hope they don't"

[TexasTowelie]

Source: CBS News

Former Vice President Joe Biden said in an interview with "CBS This Morning" co-host Norah O'Donnell that if Democrats retake the House of Representatives, he hopes "they don't" impeach President Trump.

"I hope they don't. I don't think there's a basis for doing that right now," Biden said. He called for Democrats to wait until the conclusion of the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller.

"I think we should focus on all the terrible things that are happening now in terms of interest of the middle class people and working class people," Biden said, criticizing the Trump administration for "decimating" unions and "eviscerating" the Environmental Protection Agency.

"There are so many things to attend to immediately. Let's see where the investigation takes us," Biden said.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-says-i-hope-they-dont-impeach-trump-if-democrats-retake-the-house/

[C Moon]

1. :/

[Laffy Kat]

2. Hmmm. Wonder if what he says is actually what he feels? nt

[elleng]

3. 'wait until the conclusion of the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller. . .

"There are so many things to attend to immediately. Let's see where the investigation takes us."'

[WePurrsevere]

11. This! He's not saying to take it off the table, just to WAIT...

which, IMO, makes logical sense. If we're going to do this we need to do it correctly. To do so we need ALL of the facts and evidence of impeachable offenses that Mueller is hopefully digging up against Trump, etc during his investigation.

I'd dearly love to see the Liar-in-Chief, Don the Con, gone and the sooner the better, but I agree with Joe on this.

[elleng]

13. Yes, if we're going to do this we need to do it correctly.

[rogue emissary]

41. Thank you for providing the full quote.

I was going to post it as I heard it on the news. I just knew people would only quote the first sentence and not his complete thoughts.

We have to be careful the closer we get to the midterms. The MSM isn't going to do us any favors. If they can post a story with a quote that can cause Democratic infighting. They'll run with that article.

[elleng]

42. You're welcome.

I often try to locate the substance of things 'quoted,' especially if it appears there's more than the surface.

[Blue_Tires]

19. +1... What a shitty, clickbaity headline from CBS.

[riversedge]

54. That was my first thought, as I started to read the article.

[Fiendish Thingy]

24. So many things to attend to immediately...

Like launching Benghazi-style Congressional investigations into the corruption of Trump, his family, his administration, and his minions (yes, I'm talking about you, Nunes!)

Oh, and, if the Meuller investigation is ever released to the public, and contains evidence of "impeachable offenses", then sure, let's have some hearings on that, too.

[elmac]

4. i don't think they can

even if that take the house and senate they would still need repubs help.

[JaneQPublic]

9. Yep, need 67 Senate votes to convict.

Even if some GOPers vote to convict, that still leaves us with Pence.

[Fiendish Thingy]

25. Not having 67 Dems In The Senate is not a reason for Congress not to hold impeachment hearings

(That's kind of a triple negative, but still makes sense I think)

Once the Meuller report is released, or Congressional investigations reveal impeachable offenses, hearings should be held,regardless of the predicted outcome in the Senate at that time. It should be done because it's the right thing to do. If the Democratic Congress doesn't impeach Trump in an attempt to protect the Constitution, then what is the bar for impeachment?

[JaneQPublic]

36. That's true. Anything that politically hobbles Spanky is a good thing. (nt)

[IphengeniaBlumgarten]

38. to impeach but to fail to convict will make Trump stronger, I fear. nt

[LudwigPastorius]

12. Precisely...

The Republican Party is so corrupt and morally bankrupt today, they’d back Charles Manson if it meant another tax cut and Supreme Court seat. Of course they’d back Trump in an impeachment showdown.

Joe is looking at the big picture. Don’t give your enemy sound bite ammunition that will fire up their mouth-breathing base a couple of weeks before a major election.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

5. Prone to agree with Joe.

tRump may well prove to be Republican's worst enemy......ever.

If Pence were in his place, the county could fall into even worse complacency and stop paying attention to anything, just for relief post-Trump. Pence would continue the same policies and in some cases make things worse.

Thanks goodness a lot of people are starting to see Dotard for what he really is.

.........

[BlueTsunami2018]

6. It would be a pointless gesture.

Since there’s no way to remove him. All it would do is ensure his “re-election”. Seriously. Even if they have him bang to rights on high crimes, the GOP would never go along with it. I’m afraid the country is irreparably broken.

[C Moon]

8. +1

[pnwmom]

7. Since we don't know what she asked him, there's no way to judge his answer.

But it doesn't look like he ruled out impeachment forever. Just not instantly.

Which, of course, makes sense.

[BlueStater]

10. Yawn.

His answer is bullshit. The fact that he's woefully incompetent and clearly not qualified in any way, shape, or form to have this job is more than enough basis to remove him from office. That's precisely why an impeachment clause was put in the Constitution in the first place, because the Founders foresaw a scenario where this country could end up with an unqualified, deranged leader like this.

What Biden really means is impeachment would be impossible because Congress is full of corrupt, unpatriotic shitheads who don't give a damn that the POTUS is a mentally ill fraud with the emotional maturity of a five-year-old. As long as they get what they want from the lunatic, they'll keep him around no matter how badly he damages the country.

[pnwmom]

14. Do you understand that impeachment does nothing,

unless it is followed by a trial and conviction in the Senate?

And if the R's control the Senate, there is zero chance of that?

That is why we shouldn't be trashing centrists like Manchin and Jones, because if we managed to get a majority in the Senate -- with their help -- we'd have control over all the committees.

[Fiendish Thingy]

28. Impeachment draws a line in the sand - it's the right thing to do to protect America

Impeachment in the Congress would show Americans there is one party who will stand up to corruption and fascism, and another who puts party before country. If Dems don't take a stand against Trump and his administrations corruption, then how high is the bar for impeachment?

The Dems shouldn't *campaign* on impeachment, but once in power, should not shrink from it.

[pnwmom]

31. Impeachment can backfire if it fails, and leave the impeached President MORE POPULAR

than when he began -- like Clinton after his impeachment -- with Congress unable to mount another impeachment if even more serious crimes occur.

If there's no hope of conviction, it's better to just subject him to unending investigations till the pubic hates him so much they demand impeachment -- or he retires, like Nixon.

[john657]

33. You make very good points.

When the hell are people here going to realize that?

Impeaching Trump is useless if we don't have the votes in the Senate to convict and remove him.

[BlueStater]

43. Did you even read my post, specifically the second paragraph?

I understand the political reasons of why impeachment can't be done. What I object to is Biden saying there's no "basis" for it, which makes it sound like the bastard hasn't done anything to warrant being removed from office. That's horseshit.

[pnwmom]

45. And what I said is we don't know what question Biden was asked,

so it's difficult to judge his answer.

[bahrbearian]

20. Biden has always be part of the status quo, don't rock the boat.

[brush]

22. That's not it at all. Any impeachment move from the House has to go to the Senate...

for trial to remove trump. 67 votes in the Senate are needed to convict and remove.

Biden knows this and you should too. The repugs in the Senate will never vote to convict if the House impeaches.

Civics 101.

[JohnnyRingo]

15. In politics you don't try if you know you'll fail.

It just gives the appearance of partisan game playing with no upside.

Nancy Pelosi was a master at vote counting. She never attempted to pass a bill if she couldn't pass it. That's why McConnell shot daggers at McCain when he torpedoed him on the senate floor. McConnell looked like a total dick who didn't know how to do his job on live TV.

[Fiendish Thingy]

30. This isn't politics, it's the integrity of our government

If impeachment is treated like just another bill to get passed, rather than a last ditch effort to protect the Constitution and the integrity of the American system, then all is truly lost.

[JohnnyRingo]

37. The bottom line is it will fail.

It would be nothing more than a partisan show, and that would jeopardize future chances when there's irrefutable evidence. It may even be better to wait and use the 25th amendment's clause of removal. Patience, Grasshopper.

[Fiendish Thingy]

39. I'm not saying start impeachment on day 1

But if Mueller’s Report is suppressed, then it’s up to congress to defend the Constitution.

If no report is issued by Summer 2019, the Dems should proceed with impeachment based on the evidence from the investigations they should have started on day 1.

[john657]

44. And just how would you get a conviction in the Senate?

Even if we win all the races in the Senate, we'd still be far short of the 67 needed to convict and remove, what the hell does impeachment accomplish?

[Fiendish Thingy]

46. It's a matter of principle, of doing the right thing

If you don’t think the Dems should take a stand, and say this is wrong, it is corrupt, it should stop, and draw a distinction between the Dems and the GOP, who put party before country, then we will have to agree to disagree.

I am against politics as usual, I am against the attitude of only looking forward , not backward- we must look back to call out and hopefully prevent history from repeating.

[john657]

47. An impeachment without conviction is ludicrous,

it would alienate the american people, just like it did when the pubs impeached Pres. Clinton but failed to get a conviction in the Senate.

You want to do something because it feels good, but the end results would be for nothing.

[Fiendish Thingy]

48. So we should all just shut up and quit complaining

Because we don’t enough votes in the Senate to remove Trump...that’s the logic you’re using-

[john657]

49. Never said that.

So tell us what impeachment without conviction get us, other than a fired up pub base?

Your way would just piss off the pubs and get them to really come out and vote.

Trump will be gone in 2020, if not sooner, just be patient.

[Fiendish Thingy]

50. Impeachment hearing could ensure Trump is gone in 2020

Steady, measured hearings, with unrelenting questions into the corruption of the Trump administration, battles over subpoenaed witnesses, constant coverage in the MSM (can you imagine the nightly coverage by Rachel? Or even Anderson Cooper?) will chip away at Trump's approval and support, perhaps even giving a primary challenger a chance against him. Impeachment hearings will force GOP to take a stand - party before country?

I don't give two fucks about a fired up deplorable base- I'm more concerned about Trump fatigue among our base- impeachment hearings would galvanize the Dem base,many help to ensure a maximum turnout in 2020.

If you'll recall, I didn't say impeachment hearings should start on day 1; the Dems should definitely give Meuller until at least Summer/Fall 2019 (any later WILL appear to be timed for the election cycle in 2020.

If Meuller's report is quashed, or he is fired, then the Dems should move full steam ahead with impeachment.

I don't want the Dem's motto in 2020 to be "keeping our powder dry since November 2000".

[john657]

51. We'll just have to agree to disagree.

Have a good evening.

[madville]

16. It will consume the 2020 campaign

This will be the media's litmus test for all Democratic candidates.

[keroro gunsou]

17. he's right

as much as we (as a group) would love to see the president and his administration going down in flames, there are more pressing matters that need attending to. trying to impeach before the full report from the mueller investigation is a serious cart before the horse situation in my opinion. it also gives ammo to mr. trump and his republican allies to scream "partisan mob" and "witch hunt." all this will accomplish is whipping up their low-information brownshirts into voting and possibly turning off potential voters for democrat candidates. with the very real possibility of election monkey business we need a clean and clear majority to stave off hacking, gerrymandering, and other assorted mischief if we are to take back the house and hopefully a few more seats in the senate. doing that will accomplish a lot more than wasting time, resources, and political capital on trying to impeach mr. trump before the facts are in evidence. and losing the house and possibly the senate will piss that orange anus-pucker motherfucker off the rails. it's all about the long game.

i'm trying to remain calm and polite about all of this but it's hard... so very hard...

[Bernardo de La Paz]

18. He is smart (and many Ds). Talking impeachment now motivates Rs to vote. . . . nt

[SKKY]

21. Couldn't agree more.

Impeaching him, baring something criminal, is letting the suckers who voted for him off the hook. Elections have consequences, and sometimes people need to be reminded of that. And let me be clear, I hold everyone who voted for him in the same regard as those who didn't even vote. 80K votes people!!!! That's it would have taken. 80K votes across three states and none of the nonsense even happens.

[wysimdnwyg]

23. The cynical side of me says...

Biden is just saying this so he would have a better chance in the general election in 2020 (should he be the nominee).

The pragmatic side of me says this is smart. Dem candidates need to avoid pushing too hard for impeachment right now, as it will only turn off some independent voters. Politically conscious Dems are already voting for the "good guys" anyway. Besides, we all know there's very little chance of anything happening in the Senate without some pretty serious proof that Trump committed crimes. Wait for Mueller for now.



The idealist in me says "get the Tang-colored turd out of there asap".

[beachbum bob]

26. biden is bascially correct. We need to expose the corruption of trump and the GOP

and hammer that into the brains of 60% of americans and take back our state governments and make sure the GOP is gone for 50 years

[awesomerwb1]

27. Shitty bait question

Shitty answer to a bait question. The phrasing could have been a lot better.

Maybe something like this: "Listen, I'm not a member of congress. I'm sure the Democratic representatives will do the right thing for the country based on what the investigation shows or concludes when that time comes." Etc

[Socal31]

29. He's right.

I enjoy dancing (poorly). Putting American Taliban Pence in the incumbent position leaves our legal ability to dance, fornicate, and listen to jazz music in extreme peril.

[Raven123]

32. Exactly. Trump is merely the face of the GOP.

Their policies are real issue. Hold them accountable on the stump and at the ballot box.

[Bleacher Creature]

34. The headline (from CBS, not the OP) is misleading.

He's not saying to never impeach. He's just saying, in his actual words, to "see where the investigation takes us," which makes perfect sense.

I have no doubt that the investigation will unearth some incriminating evidence. And depending how bad that evidence is, resignation may become a more likely end game. That's all Biden is saying here.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

35. Well, that's a misleading headline if you ever saw one.

Biden on Democrats impeaching Trump: "Wait for the Mueller report"'

Fixed that for you, CBS

In other words, no shit.

No need to have the impeachment of Trump be like the 50 something times Republicans attempted to repeal the ACA during President Obama's presidency.

[still_one]

40. He is right, they need to wait until the conclusion of the Mueller report.

[Gothmog]

52. I agree with Joe Biden

I do not see getting 67 votes in the Senate

[Anza404]

53. I think he does not want to try and give Trump more fuel

Saying "Trump should be impeached" would just fire up his base more at the moment. Trump himself has spewed it many many time already.

Keep working towards the goal of taking back all branches of government then we give it the dotard. Focus on that end at some point his whole family will be going down running to Russia or in prison.