Sequels are loved by american audiences. If you loved or loathed the Mueller report, you may love or hate the sequel that is congressional November 13 as impeachment hearings begin. Donald Trump seemed to get away with”in your face” election interference in 2016. Can he do it again? If so, will he go for a fourth or third sequel?
But there is more. The episodes of trump are a replica of Nixon’s dramas in 1972 and 1968. Top officials and president Johnson knew that Nixon won election and got away with interfering in foreign policy in 1968. Although unknown at the moment, the Watergate break-in was a sequel in domestic policy to Nixon interference of 1968.
Three classes can be understood although their outcomes can’t be predicted at this time even as the results of the impeachment drama that was unfolding remains uncertain. But some themes and patterns recur, taking unexpected shapes which raise new dangers and possibilities as.
Lesson One: Parallelism. Nixon was captured for illegally meddling in an election he was sure to win. As the signs was sealed by President Johnson out of concern for national security, he had gotten away with meddling in the 1968 election. Donald Trump meddled before television cameras in the 2016 effort. The investigation into his actions were kept secret as the campaign was impacted by analyses of his rival. Trump damaged the effectiveness of the Mueller Report by attacking it. Despite signs that should have led to impeachment, it appeared that by meddling throughout the 2016 campaign, Trump’s re-election might not be prevented.
The parallel with Nixon becomes clear after the Mueller Report. By using aid funded by congress to extort the president of Ukraine, needing more help to acquire re-election, Trump started to drum up investigations into his most feared opponent in 2020. This wasn’t done before cameras but in the presence.
Seeming to have escaped meddling for a first term, as Nixon had escaped, Trump was caught doing the exact same thing. The whistleblower’s complaint had the effect of this botched Watergate break-in. Both events brought into the light events intended to occur in secret. Investigations then led to conscience-stricken individuals standing before cameras exposing underhandedness to the world.
Media commentators and scientists are behaving more like football announcers when they focus on political gamesmanship to forecast the results of this impeachment process. The outcome of the Bill Clinton impeachment became clear when Senate Democrats stood agreeing with the majority of the American people that he had done wrong but shouldn’t have been impeached. The result for Nixon, however, was not predictable. Because service collapsed to the point he resigned rather than endure the process he was not impeached or put on trial. If impeaching Trump fails, it is going to happen as Senate Republicans follow Mitch McConnell and hold the line. If impeachment succeeds, it will most likely take a course not being called at this time and will demonstrate the ability of Nancy Pelosi for negotiating scenarios.
This impeachment procedure depends on the competition between Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell. When the ACA passed with a Democratic majority mcConnell held the line in the Senate. Thereafter, Democrats lost one of those seats and it seemed the Senate version would never be accepted by the House that was certain. When Pelosi did the impossible, proving herself to be a closer when it 17, That’s – even if it meant losing the majority. McConnell used the ACA to defeat Democrats for four successive elections. But removal of the ACA only became possible after the success of 2016 with the success of Trump. That’s when public opinion turned as it became apparent there wasn’t any Republican solution to the benefits millions of people would lose.Mitch McConnell appears to have the upper hand if impeachment moves to trial in the Senate. Nobody doubts he intends to stand by the party rather than the nation – when he refused to support President Obama’s actions against 38, that he committed to this decision in the election of 2016.
However, before it goes to the Senate Nancy Pelosi has to handle the process. She has an impressive record of winning if she commits to fights and should not be underestimated. She has demonstrated her commitment to country more than party. It will almost certainly follow a route no one can forecast as hearings begin if her strategy leads to successfully bringing down Donald Trump.
Lesson Three: bat removal companies. Nixon meddled in two elections while we were in a war in Vietnam. We knew they were a proxy for China and Russia, although our enemy was Vietnam. Nixon was also extremely skillful in reorienting federal policies toward Russia and China in ways that did not undermine our alliances and promoted world peace.
Any real disciple of Nixon Republicanism has to be shocked that Roger Ailes, Paul Manafort, and Roger Stone’s Nixon revenge group used Russian help to select Donald Trump. While displaying to allies that we can not be trusted the meddling in Ukraine helps Russia.
Eisenhower, Nixon, and Reagan would roll over in their graves (if such a thing were possible) at the prospect of a Republican president cow-towing to Russia, attacking our European allies, undermining the confidence of South Korea and Japan, and sending our farmers into recession through a trade war with China that’s permanently undermined agricultural supply chains. If election meddling brings term to a Trump these achievements of the first term will be followed by catastrophes.
Conclusion. Lyndon Johnson hid that deed by the public out of concern for national security. Nixon had to resign to escape impeachment, was captured, and meddled in the election of 1972. Three Nixon followers out for revenge (Roger Ailes, Paul Manafort, and Roger Stone) helped Donald Trump win the election of 2016 with Russian assistance. The opponent of trump was known to be under FBI investigation but news of a investigation into Trump was kept confidential. The FBI investigation resulted in Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller’s work which was successfully blocked. The results of mueller played in a way that appeared to reward obstruction by the rules. With the help of a compliant Attorney General, it seemed like Trump had escaped. Then came news of a whistleblower, such as the news of the Watergate break-in. This motivated an impeachment inquiry and led to a succession of professionals telling the truth.
Like Nixon, Trump was captured with smoking gun from his hand. Both got away with murder the time. Will Trump escape the next time?
The answer depends on Nancy Pelosi and the people. The public is going to hear the truth. Will we demand removal of this president and recognize it? If impeachment succeeds, it is going to happen because of the insight and integrity of her team and Nancy Pelosi. And the result will be something none of us can predict as the hearings begin.