About 120 people turned out for Ben Ray Lujan’s town hall tonight. He’s the representative for Northern New Mexico and the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives.
No obvious MAGATs. The district is pretty thoroughly Democratic.
Lujan gave an overview of legislation the House has passed, but of course not the Senate, and then opened things up for questions.
The one question I was interested in was about impeachment. It was from a woman who said she was from Las Vegas, NM, and came from a Democratic family and had been a Democrat all her life.
The question was a little scattered, although she seemed to be disappointed in the Democratic Party – “not what it used to be” – I took this to be for not being more assertive on impeachment. Luhan started his answer with a short recap of bills passed. I think this was a bit defensive in response to the criticism, which he may have taken differently than I did.
He became visibly emotional when he addressed impeachment. “I don’t think I should look forward to investigating the President of the United States.” Coming out in favor of impeachment hearings seems to have been a difficult decision for him. He talked around the question a bit and was clearly uncomfortable in a way he wasn’t with any other question. “I don’t pride myself on this.”
He also said that Nancy Pelosi is in a different place than Jerrold Nadler on impeachment, but didn’t expand.
PsiFighter37
I’m sure Nadler would love to sic the dogs on Donnie, but Nancy is pretty lukewarm on going in guns blazing on impeachment.
As for Lujan, he’s running for the Senate and has his eyes on bigger things. He probably would prefer the House doesn’t do anything to rock the boat so as to make his shot of taking Tom Udall’s seat easier.
smintheus
Any Democrat who isn’t backing impeachment hearings ought to feel uncomfortable. Voters should point out to them that they’ll remain embarrassed for the rest of their lives on the subject unless they act on principle. Anyway, staking your political future on avoiding doing the right thing may turn out to be a sucker’s bet.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@PsiFighter37:
She doesn’t have the votes.
Another Scott
Thanks for the report!
CFR interview from June:
I think it’s clear where she stands. Remember that she said she wants to see him in prison.
But she wants the case to be strong enough that it doesn’t tear the country apart. That means following the evidence, building the case, and making it as strong as possible.
My $0.02.
Cheers,
Scott.
Ohio Mom
The nationwide denial surrounding the obvious fact that Trump needs to be impeached is beyond staggering. Just the emoluments violations alone are enough.
It’s the opposite of mass hysteria. It’s weird, really.
James E Powell
@Ohio Mom:
Completely agree with you.
stinger
@Another Scott: Agreed, and I think she’s right in that approach. I also try to bear in mind that she’s second in line to the presidency. If impeachment takes out both Thrump and Halfpence, she’s in the White House. She really can’t be seen to push too hard without clear and solid evidence, as it would look like pure self-interest.
Not that that would stop any Republican, of course.
Betty
@Ohio Mom: Agree. He is so clearly unfit and doing damage. Totally frustrating to see this foot dragging.
matt
How can you care about the country and not take pride in impeaching Donald Trump?
Ezra
“I don’t think I should look forward to investigating the President of the United States.”
Well, do you look forward to having some of those bills the House passed ever being enacted? Do you look forward to Democrats having control of the Senate/White House? Do you look forward to your party being able to implement policies/appoint judges/put people on, e.g., the NLRB? So investigating Trump is how you get there. Don’t be shy.
Cheryl Rofer
@smintheus: Lujan has come out in favor of impeachment hearings.
O. Felix Culpa
@Cheryl Rofer: He did that after the Democratic Party of Santa Fe County sent him a resolution urging an impeachment inquiry. We like to think there’s a causal effect. :)
BlueDWarrior
@matt: it’s that sense of “it shouldn’t have to come to this” that some pro-impeachment Congresspeople try to project.
That this isn’t about getting rid of a Republican because he’s doing things we don’t like (this is how a lot of the right-wing want to spin it), but getting rid of a manifestly incompetent and dangerous asshole (which is how most of us would spin it).
sam
In today’s news, politicians run on popular issue, then ignore it when elected. Film at 11.
Cheryl Rofer
@O. Felix Culpa: Yay us! Speaking broadly, of course.
sam
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Pelosi is one of the best, if not the best, whipper and vote counter in recent history. The truth is she doesn’t WANT to have the votes. She could turn the holdouts in a week if she wanted to.