Newhouse Shows Ignorance With Impeachment Vote (Op-Ed)

Congressional Representative Dan Newhouse released this statement Wednesday, concerning the House's rush to impeach President Trump:

“Last week, hateful and un-American extremists stormed the U.S. Capitol, attacking both the structural embodiment of our Republic and the values we promote as citizens of this great nation. This violent mob, intent on disturbing the constitutional duties of Congress, resulted in the tragic loss of American lives, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer. The mob was inflamed by the language and misinformation of the President of the United States.

This is a pivotal and solemn moment in our country’s history. I wholeheartedly believe our nation – and the system of government it was founded upon – may well be in jeopardy if we do not rise to this occasion. This is not a decision I take lightly.

Turning a blind eye to this brutal assault on our Republic is not an option.

A vote against this impeachment is a vote to validate the unacceptable violence we witnessed in our nation’s capital. It is also a vote to condone President Trump’s inaction. He did not strongly condemn the attack nor did he call in reinforcements when our officers were overwhelmed. Our country needed a leader, and President Trump failed to fulfill his oath of office.

I will vote yes on the articles of impeachment.”

  Rep. Newhouse, first of all, casts aside the large volume of evidence (including video) showing Trump did not encourage violence or swarming the Capitol. Another clip rebroadcast by Newsmax TV Tuesday evening shows Trump mentioning "peaceful" protesters who will soon be heading over to march. He also issued statements asking marchers to "go home."

 Instead of calling for a thorough investigation into the multiple 'interesting' video clips and evidence that have been circulated nationally showing different events than what's being peddled through national media, Newhouse joins the chorus of legislators who seem to more worried about their careers and standing than the truth.

 He could have condemned the incidents, while demanding a close look at what really happened. Instead, he's just getting along with the herd.

 Newhouse, you may recall, also refused to sign on to the Texas challenge to the election, completely ignoring any possiblity of fraudulent results. HIs excuse that "states select electors, not Congress" is flimsy; especially when compared to the comments from his fellow GOP House Rep Cathy McMorris-Rogers of Spokane. She signed on, saying it was not about overturning an election, but "examining allegations of potential fraud, certifying that states are protecting election integrity, and ensuring people’s voices are being heard.”.

  Perhaps he should try to 'borrow' some of the backbone of Florida GOP Rep Matt Gaetz, who's been hit with demands he resign for his resistance to the election results and support of the President, and Missouri GOP Senator Josh Hawley, who even had protesters (Antifa?) show up at his home while his wife and infant daughter were there, as reported by The Hill.

  It's interesting.  WA State Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell have been virtually invisible during this last entire election cycle, including quiet on the Pacific Northwest and Seattle (CHOP-CHAZ) violence. If they issued statements, nobody noticed.

   The same could be said for Newhouse. He didn't exactly burn up the airwaves with support for Trump during the election cycle.  Some say that's not his style, but it appears now his style is like that of a number of GOP House and even Senate members, who are more concerned with preserving the 'status quo' and their political careers by voting in favor of a meaningless and spiteful impeachment.

   It will be interesting to see what happens when he is up for re-election in 2022. You may recall when he ran against Clint Didier in 2014 to finish out the term of retiring Doc Hastings, the results were not exactly a runaway. The margin was 50-49.

At that time, Newhouse has a bit of a reputation is being an "establishment" Republican, based upon his performance as State Ag. Secretary.  Granted, that was six years ago. But voters could very likely remember January 13, 2021 when it comes to the 2022 election.

 By casting a vote for impeachment, he is condoning and endorsing spiteful revenge politics, and going against the very values he expressed in his statement.