Former Obama administration officials David Axelrod and Eric Holder shocked and confused Democrats when they argued that Trump’s impeachment should not be front and center going into the 2018 midterm elections.
Axelrod, who was a senior advisor in the Obama White House before leaving to be the top strategist for his successful re-election campaign, started by warning against using impeachment — or the threat of impeachment — as a “political tool.”
Dems should NOT commit to impeachment unless & until there’s a demonstrable case for one.
It is not just a matter of politics. It’s a matter of principle.
If we “normaiize” impeachment as a political tool, it will be another hammer blow to our democracy.https://t.co/vTcaDfknlC— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) April 8, 2018
And former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder was in complete agreement.
Ax is exactly right. Midterms can be, among other things, a referendum on this Administration, its policies and its supporters – at federal and state levels. Midterms should not be centered around questions of impeachment. https://t.co/EHQE8jQkPU
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) April 8, 2018
Their warnings come as more and more Republicans are using the possible threat of impeachment to drive conservatives to the polls going into the 2018 midterm elections.
The threat is not entirely unfounded, however. Democratic California Rep. Maxine Waters has repeatedly called for Trump’s impeachment, as have a number of celebrities (such as director Rob Reiner) and major Democrat donors like Tom Steyer.
Let’s be clear: Trump has already committed 8 impeachable offenses. What are we waiting for? If you haven’t signed on yet, now is the time. https://t.co/xLZe31ulzC https://t.co/KeNgoh4kWB
— Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) April 8, 2018
Axelrod stood his ground in the face of criticism — mainly from his own side of the aisle — and responded to Steyer personally.
1st, @TomSteyer, I’ve been as critical of @POTUS as anyone, so spare me the “appeasement” palaver.
2d, I know impeachment talk is galvanizing for many. It’s great fodder for your TV ads. Just don’t make the mistake of confusing your ad copy for a bill of impeachment.— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) April 8, 2018