How America views impeachment as public hearings begin

House Democrats would argue that the impeachment inquiry underway in the House stands apart from politics. There certainly is a case to be made that President Trump’s actions in relation to Ukraine raise fundamental questions about presidential power and conduct that supersede partisan voting.

Fundamentally, though, impeachment is a political act, one that hinges on actions deemed unacceptable on whatever standard the House decides. It is politicians undertaking a political act, however high-minded that act might be.

The politics are inextricable. Even holding Trump accountable to what Democrats put forward as fundamentally unacceptable behavior requires figuring out where the votes lie. Potentially removing him from office means figuring out which 20 GOP senators might join a unified 47-member Democratic caucus (itself perhaps not a given) to vote to oust him. And for that to happen, a very basic political shift needs to occur: Those Republicans have to think that their voters want it, too. CONT.

Philip Bump, Washington Post

Recent polls: President Trump and impeachment