Curbelo: Trump may deserve impeachment. America does not | Opinion
We all know the script by now. The Democratic House impeaches President Trump. The Republican Senate does not convict him.
The President claims victory. Divisions in the country become even more pronounced with the Republican base irate that the President was impeached and the Democratic base incredulous that an insufficient number of Republican senators broke ranks to remove Trump from office. Independent and centrist voters are left feeling even more alienated and disenfranchised than they do today. And all Americans lose even more trust and confidence in our government.
Let’s suspend the question of whether the President should be removed from office for as long as it takes to read this piece. Certainly, the inquiry has been warranted given the unusual, troubling nature of the President’s conduct with regards to Ukraine.
After all, it is clear he leveraged foreign aide to provoke the announcement of an investigation against a domestic political adversary. But despite some arguments to the contrary, removing officials from office is fundamentally a subjective matter for Congress and a decision that must be made in the context of the unique circumstances of the times. Our times desperately call for leaders who will break the vicious cycles of tribalism and political hyper partisanship that injure the country.
What if Nancy Pelosi did something unexpected and unpredictable? What if she went off script and at the conclusion of the Judiciary Committee hearings, after the committee ratifies and forwards articles of impeachment to the full House, Pelosi announced that she will not put the country through this painful, traumatic process.
That instead she will bring forward a censure resolution condemning the President’s conduct and that she will defer to the American people to make the final decision in the impeachment process in the upcoming 2020 elections. And that rather than filling the Senate calendar with a dramatic made-for-television political trial, she will dedicate the early months of 2020, to seeking compromises on important national priorities like infrastructure, the environment, gun reform, and immigration.
The most partisan Democrats will become instantly infuriated. They will call Pelosi a traitor and ask for her resignation. Other Democrats will be understanding even if uncomfortable with the decision. Base Republicans will celebrate and echo the President’s declarations of victory.
Republicans who are less politically charged might feel a bit embarrassed by Pelosi’s magnanimity and keep quiet. Millions in the middle will be grateful, take stock, and understand that they are now a part of this process - not spectators at the political circus wearing red shirts and blue shirts, but jurors who have to pay close attention and render a verdict next Fall. These, of course, are the most important voters because they decide elections in swing districts and swing states all across the country. Both parties invest hundreds of millions of dollars just trying to convince this small universe of highly-coveted voters.
Whether this course of action would be best for House and Senate Democrats is debatable. Thoughtfulness and sobriety do not push base voters to the polls like angry rhetoric and divisive actions. However, there is no question that it would be best for the country.
It would be the first time in a long time that national politicians looked beyond their base voters to put the country first. It would also create a sharp contrast with a President who, from the day he came down the escalator at Trump Tower adopted a divide and conquer strategy.
Ordinary Americans would feel trusted, empowered, and encouraged to take ownership of their government. Nancy Pelosi is in a position to deliver statesmanship - to be unpredictable by acting to heal the country. This is the kind of change our country needs.
Former Florida Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo once represented Florida’s 26th District.
This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 10:46 PM.