Your Opinion on Impeachment

 

I’d like to gauge the extent of support for, or opposition to, impeachment among the Ricochetti.  Here’s what I ask you to do: I’m going to set forth two questions, and if you’re interested in participating, I ask that you answer them in the comments.  This will work better if you refrain from commenting or arguing, and simply state your answers.

The two questions are:

  1. At this moment, do you support or oppose the impeachment and conviction of President Trump?  I recommend that you answer either “support impeachment and conviction,” “oppose impeachment and conviction,” or “undecided.”
  2. Have you changed your mind on the question of impeachment and removal?  I recommend that you answer either “I have changed my mind as events unfolded” or “I have not changed my mind as events unfolded.”  The purpose of this question is to gauge whether additional consideration, during the past 8 days or so, has altered any initial opinion that you may have formed.

I should add that, by answering question 1, I do not think that you should be bound to that answer in the future.  You may learn additional facts, or you may be persuaded by additional arguments, in either direction.

Prior to this recommended poll, I have two data points about the level of support for impeachment and conviction among folks on the political right:

  • Among the Ricochetti, the data suggest that we are close to 50-50.  Jon Gabriel posted (here) on January 6, stating that the President should be impeached, convicted, and removed, and that post currently has 47 likes.  I posted (here) on January 8, strongly criticizing the call for impeachment, and that post currently has 50 likes.
  • Among Republican Congressmen, 200 opposed impeachment, 10 voted for impeachment (with 1 absent and not yet determined).

My answers:  I oppose impeachment and conviction.  I have not changed my mind as events unfolded.

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There are 261 comments.

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  1. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    namlliT noD (View Comment):
    Both impeachments hinged on interpreting something President Trump said as the opposite, even with accurate transcripts available.

    Yeah. If facts and standards were involved, I think I’d welcome an impeachment merely for having been associated with the event. Or for talking like Pence had powers and responsibilities he doesn’t, leading his supporters astray. Or for believing in every Kraken with or without evidence.

    But yeah–I don’t think the violent disruption of Congressional proceedings was incited by Trump telling people who were somewhere else to go there later and peacefully cheer on the proceedings.

    • #121
  2. J. D. Fitzpatrick Member
    J. D. Fitzpatrick
    @JDFitzpatrick

    Oppose impeachment. Have not changed my mind. 

     

    • #122
  3. Dave L Member
    Dave L
    @DaveL

    I oppose impeachment.

    I have not changed my mind.

    • #123
  4. Sisyphus Member
    Sisyphus
    @Sisyphus

    I oppose impeachment and conviction.

    I have not changed my mind as events unfolded.

    • #124
  5. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    I oppose. 

    My views haven’t changed.

    • #125
  6. GlennAmurgis Coolidge
    GlennAmurgis
    @GlennAmurgis

    Trump’s behavior after the election deserves it,

    The manner in which he handled GA and trying to force Pence to override the Electoral College was gross

    I would rather seem him resign but his ego won’t let him 

    He deserves to go

    The only caveat is this fate should the same who pushed the Russian Collusion tripe in 2016

     

     

    • #126
  7. American Abroad Thatcher
    American Abroad
    @AmericanAbroad

    Undecided.

    • #127
  8. Pony Convertible Inactive
    Pony Convertible
    @PonyConvertible

    Ponder this.If the Senate convicts Trump in an impeachment trial, the Constitution clearly states that the President must be removed from office. Biden will be President by that time and therefore will have to be removed from office.

    • #128
  9. Sisyphus Member
    Sisyphus
    @Sisyphus

    Pony Convertible (View Comment):
    Ponder this.If the Senate convicts Trump in an impeachment trial, the Constitution clearly states that the President must be removed from office. Biden will be President by that time and therefore will have to be removed from office.

    Finally! A sensible proposition! But Harris and Pelosi aren’t exactly prudent leadership, either.

    • #129
  10. Gazpacho Grande' Coolidge
    Gazpacho Grande'
    @ChrisCampion

    It’s too early to impeach Biden.

    • #130
  11. Nanocelt TheContrarian Member
    Nanocelt TheContrarian
    @NanoceltTheContrarian

    I oppose Impeachment and conviction.

    I have not changed my mind as events unfolded, rather became more set in my opinion.

    • #131
  12. Chris B Member
    Chris B
    @ChrisB

    I oppose impeachment and conviction.

    I have not changed my position.

    • #132
  13. Chuck Enfield Inactive
    Chuck Enfield
    @ChuckEnfield

    I support impeachment, but started out undecided.

    • #133
  14. OldDanRhody's speakeasy Member
    OldDanRhody's speakeasy
    @OldDanRhody

    Oppose this impeachment [and possible(?) conviction]; Have not changed my mind.

    • #134
  15. PappyJim Inactive
    PappyJim
    @PappyJim

    I oppose I & C and I have not changed as events have unfolded.

    • #135
  16. EDISONPARKS Member
    EDISONPARKS
    @user_54742

    If you can impeach and remove from office a President whose term has expired and is no longer in office, then why can’t you impeach and remove from office a President elect before he takes office and who does not yet hold the office.

    • #136
  17. Full Size Tabby Member
    Full Size Tabby
    @FullSizeTabby

    Oppose impeachment and conviction (of Trump). 

    Have not changed my mind. 

    • #137
  18. JVC1207 Member
    JVC1207
    @JVC1207
    1. Oppose impeachment and conviction
    2. Was previously undecided, could probably go along with a censure…but as more information comes out (and more right-leaning voices are blatantly being silenced) – I’m increasingly opposed
    • #138
  19. Ida Claire Member
    Ida Claire
    @IdaClaire

    Oppose. Did not change my mind.

    • #139
  20. Caltory Coolidge
    Caltory
    @Caltory

    I support impeachment and oppose conviction.
    Michael Luttig’s op-ed in the Washington Post changed my mind regarding conviction.

    • #140
  21. Quintus Sertorius Coolidge
    Quintus Sertorius
    @BillGollier

    I support Impeachment but not for Insurrection….I support Impeachment for the Georgia Call; The Dereliction of Duty for spending too much time watching it on TV and not getting the mob under control by calling in support….deaths could have been avoided…..

    If charged on the above then yes for conviction as well

    I have changed my mind in regards to what the impeachment charges should be…..

    • #141
  22. EDISONPARKS Member
    EDISONPARKS
    @user_54742

    To those who support impeachment:

    Do you sincerely believe the Congress’s time and resources are well spent impeaching a President who will be out of the office in 5 days, 2 and a half business days to be exact?

    Still reminds me of the Monty Python Twit of the Year Contest event of shooting the dead rabbit tied down:

    UPPER CLASS TWIT OF THE YEAR RABBIT SHOOTING SCENE MONTY PYTHON'S Stock Photo - Alamy

    • #142
  23. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    1. Oppose.  I despise anything the communists are doing, including and especially the destruction of our government.

    2. Haven’t changed my mind. 

     

    • #143
  24. Eridemus Coolidge
    Eridemus
    @Eridemus

    I oppose impeachment and conviction, just out of a sense of proportion and justice (given the far graver destructive and hypocritical overall performance of the Democrats and the press by demonization of Trump & indoctrination of the people for 4 years). My postion has been reinforced thinking about this while Portland and Seattle are still in rubble with an incoming VP who cheered it on….all context. So on changing my mind, also no. Too much laser focus on one event and man, and danger of empowering leftists.

    Related comment: Outside of the D.C. theater, the attacks on basic freedom of speech by private corporations has reinforced my mind that we are seriously off course in fundamentals that are more important than anything Trump.

    • #144
  25. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    A serious impeachment is impossible in a week.  The house action was dishonestly absurd.  I can’t believe any honest person who has paid any attention to anything could support the kind of impeachment that just occurred. Anyone who wants the Senate to join in or to follow up after Biden takes over has serious problems.

    • #145
  26. Gromrus Member
    Gromrus
    @Gromrus

    I want him convicted  so that he is barred from the possibility of future election, to allow what is left of the Republican party to move on.   

     

    • #146
  27. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Pony Convertible (View Comment):
    Ponder this.If the Senate convicts Trump in an impeachment trial, the Constitution clearly states that the President must be removed from office. Biden will be President by that time and therefore will have to be removed from office.

    Finally! A sensible proposition! But Harris and Pelosi aren’t exactly prudent leadership, either.

    What do you mean finally?  Almost everyone has been saying that.

    • #147
  28. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Caltory 

    I support impeachment and oppose conviction.
    Michael Luttig’s op-ed in the Washington Post changed my mind regarding conviction

    If there had been any substantial time left in his term for a fair process, that is what I would have advocated. Of course I could change my mind on the conviction depending on the evidence. But as I understand the events now, Trump is guilty of an impeachable offense but the extenuating circumstances (including the left wing riots that set a tone for this year) would lead me to not convict. 

    • #148
  29. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Although I’m not the initiator of the post, as someone interested in the outcome, I respectfully request that we stick to the questions posed and leave debate about the merits of particular views for later.  2 cents.

    • #149
  30. Steve K Inactive
    Steve K
    @user_553434
    1. I oppose this farce impeachment and conviction.
    2. I have not changed my mind as events unfolded.  My thoughts are more solidified than ever.
    • #150
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