Nancy Pelosi’s delay in sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate undermines the implied urgency of the issue. Senate Democrats are getting impatient with the delay. Like most Americans, they want to get the process started. 

Why the Holdup?

Nancy isn’t getting her way. She wants a guarantee that witnesses will be called to testify in the Senate hearing. Senate Republicans aren’t preventing witnesses, but using the same guideline as the most recent impeachment trial of President Clinton. The video of a discussion between Mitch McConnell’s and Nancy Pelosi’s former Chiefs of Staff highlights the process and party strategy behind her delay.

Senate Democrats Are Growing Impatient

In anticipation of the impeachment trial, the Senate schedule was cleared for the month of January. Instead of scheduling and attending to the business of running the United States, the Senate is waiting on Nancy to send over the articles of impeachment. Senate Democrats are not amused by the delay. Sounding pragmatic, the top-ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Dianne Feinstein said,

Time plays an unknown role in all of this, and the longer it goes on, the less the urgency becomes … So if it’s serious and urgent, it should come over. If it isn’t, don’t send it over.”

When asked if other Senate democrats are growing impatient at the lack of urgency, Feinstein continued,

If it’s going to happen, yes … I’m not a big fan of impeachment but I think there’s enough to take a good look, and we should,”

Pelosi Brings Toddler Drama

Nancy Pelosi’s handling of this entire process reminds me of potty training my kids. Getting to the bathroom was a point of urgency. Nothing else mattered, and it became the sole focus of our lives. Immediately, upon sitting on the potty … nothing happened. The kids all looked very pleased with themselves, but I was left wondering exactly what the rush was about. Time dragged on as they chatted, sang songs, asked for books. Meanwhile, I was thinking, “are you kidding me?! It’s been 30 minutes and there isn’t so much as a tiny tinkle … why was this the most important thing in the world … why hasn’t the process started by now?!!” After a long while I found myself contemplating a phrase often uttered by my dad. “Either shit, or get off the pot!”

I have the feeling that Pelosi’s antics are giving Senate Democrats, and most Americans, flashbacks to potty training. It can be training dogs, kids, or a Speaker of the House. As my dad says, “Shit, or get off the pot. You’re wasting our time.”

Vulnerable Democrats Feel the Pressure, Others Trust Their “Feelings”

Senator Doug Jones, from Alabama, is perceived as the most vulnerable democrat in the 2020 election. He’s either really excited about being part of an impeachment trial, or really nervous about this delay costing him a job. Considering recent polls in Alabama show Trump with a net approval rating of 22%, and he carried the state with over 66% of the 2016 vote, I bet he’s nervous about keeping his job.  Be it party politics, or his uncertain future, Senator Jones is sharing his frustration at the delay,

It’s pretty clear there’s not going to be any agreement …. The rules are going to be what they are …. She should know that now, so let’s just go ahead and see what we’ve got.”

Great idea Doug! You need as much distance from this stink as possible. Not to mention, I’m pretty sure that the good people of Alabama are familiar with my dad’s phrase.

Fortunately for Senators Feinstein and Jones, failed 2016 candidate for Vice President (and current VA Senator) Tim Kaine offers his glorious insight.

My intuition is that we’re going to be in an impeachment trial pretty soon,”

Hey Doug, Tim’s intuition may just save your job! Yeah, uh, maybe want to polish up that resume. Just in case.

Senate Republicans are Frustrated, But Not Fearful

Senator Lindsey Graham [version 2.0] is eloquent in his statement about the delay,

You said it was urgent; if you believe it to be urgent, send it to the Senate for disposition …. She’s losing Democrats in the Senate. The impeachment dam of Nancy Pelosi is about to crack.”

He is now the epitome of a favorite Uncle. Sitting on the front porch, sipping ‘shine laced sweet tea and dropping unfiltered truth-bombs to the neighbors. He’s not wrong. The frustration is palpable and according to an excellent interactive research graph at FiveThirtyEight, over 52% of Americans support getting the process started. Their desired outcomes differ, usually along party lines. But we are weary of waiting, and want the process to proceed with the urgency we were told it deserves.

Senator John Tester, Democrat from Montana, sums it up nicely.

As far as I’m concerned, she can send them over at any time. I’m fine with that”

Featured Image: Wikimedia Commons Created by: Gage Skidmore License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Image Cropped: 400×400