A Vote Against Trump is Not a Vote for Betrayal, But a Vote for Freedom.
It will be up to 20 brave Republican senators to help redirect the course of the nation.
This next week, the full House will vote on approving the articles of impeachment — abuse of power and obstruction of congress — which will then move to the Senate where the president will be tried.
Sixty seven yes votes are needed to convict the president. Being that there are only 47 democratic senators, a full 20 Republicans are needed to switch sides to convict the president.
Can it happen? Odds are that it will not.
But there is always the possibility of a surprise.
Why?
History will not be kind to those who have sided with Trump in spite of the overwhelming evidence of improprieties during his tenure. Not just the articles of impeachment. And the perception of how history will view us matters to decent men and women who have made a long term commitment to the health of the nation.
Only 20 Republican senators are needed to turn out a president who shows no signs of standing up to despots the world over, be them Putin in Russia, Erdogan in Turkey, el-Sisi in Egypt or the Saudi prince.
Only 20 Republican senators are needed to turn out a president who could not stand up against the Saudi royal family after they butchered the distinguished journalist Jamal Khashoggi in their embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Only 20 Republican senators are needed to turn out a president who, after 3 years in office, has not mustered the mettle to tell Putin that interference in American elections is not allowed.
So here’s an opportunity for 20 courageous Republican senators to take a stand.
Dear senator, will you be putting your career in jeopardy if you do so?
It depends on how you view yourself. If you think of yourself as someone who understands the crisis of values that the president has thrown the country into, and realizes that Trump lacks the capacity to lead the nation in these convulsed times, then you will stand up to him and join those who vote to convict.
If you lack this awareness, then you will bow to the great showman and buy into the great deception that he orchestrates daily.
Do not forget, however, that history will not be kind to you when you side with Trump.
But then, history may not be important to you. Short term gains may be what matters to you most. If so, please consult your conscience and ask, was this nation built by shortsighted men?
When Trump goes on trial in the Senate, you will have the option of choosing how do you want history to judge you.
A vote to acquit is a vote to join Trump in his poor choices and impulsivity and self promotion.
A vote to acquit is a vote to imperil the freedoms that have made us a special place in the world.
Daily courage is needed to preserve it, for freedom does not come cheap.
Will 20 brave, visionary, responsible leaders please stand up to defend our freedoms, or will you choose to pass and have the nation wait for others to muster the courage?
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