As in, he got off but everyone knows he’s guilty.
Lawrence Tribe said this on AM Joy yesterday and it hit home for me. With polls showing 50% or more want him impeached and removed, people are on to him. McConnell and Graham are reinforcing the idea with their “We the jury have already judged” arrogance.
Of course, there are differences. For example, while OJ almost wrote a book “If I did it,” Trump has already written “I did it,” via the July 25 Transcript, Mulvaney et al.
The biggest difference though is
OJ did not have to run for re-election.
Conventional wisdom is Senate acquittal will be viewed as “exoneration,” and increase his chance of re-election. Maybe, but with enough repetition and disclosure of his crimes, acquittal can be a net liability, both for Trump and many Republicans.
Most people are aware Trump will likely drag down some or all of Senators Gardner, McSally, Collins and others.
But few have addressed the effect an acquittal vote might have on Republican Presidential hopefuls like Cotton, Rubio, Cruz and others in 2024 (or, with luck, even 2020).
They will have to vote to acquit to have any chance in the Republican primaries. But if Trump as OJ becomes a symbol of impeachment, an acquittal vote may doom any Republican Presidential candidate. Especially if they make one of those McConnell/Graham biased juror admissions. They have to win some purple states.
Yes, this is optimistic. But I’d rather be optimistic than wallow in gloom.
Plus, we can make it happen through:
- Spreading information and anti-Trump themes on social media
- Donating to candidates
- Fund raising with an act blue page
- Letters and postcards to voters
- All other actions everyone should be doing.