It’s Tuesday, the traditional day for elections and for our pause-and-consider newsletter on politics and policy. 

Rudy Giuliani

It’s Tuesday, the traditional day for elections and for our pause-and-consider newsletter on politics and policy. We think of it as a mini-magazine in your Inbox.
LOOMING IMPEACHMENT DECISIONS
By Lisa Desjardins, @LisaDNews
Correspondent
Impeachment has moved from hypothetical to highly-likely in the space of just four weeks. (We first learned that a closely-guarded whistleblower complaint involved President Donald Trump less than a month ago ([link removed]) .)
As lawmakers question witnesses behind closed doors this week, Democrats and the White House both face a series of critical decisions that will determine how the impeachment process will go forward.
Democrats’ decisions
Should the full House vote on the impeachment inquiry? Such a vote opened formal impeachment proceedings during both Watergate and the Clinton investigations, and Republicans argue it is necessary for any impeachment inquiry. But it’s not spelled out in the Constitution and Democrats do not believe they need such a vote. And a full House vote is potentially a gamble either way. Holding one may put a few House Democrats who represent Trump districts in a difficult position. But, as Pelosi pointed out ([link removed]) to reporters two weeks ago, it may also be a difficult vote for some Republicans.

What will be the House rules for this impeachment? With the impeachment inquiry started, Democrats now have to decide on rules for the process. Will Trump be allowed his own attorney to speak and ask questions on his behalf? Will Republicans be given the power to issue subpoenas in order to defend the president and gather evidence on his behalf? Will all depositions and private interviews be transcribed and presented to the public prior to an impeachment vote?
When? Perhaps the most difficult questions for Democrats (and there are many), will be if and when to move to formal articles of impeachment. Lawmakers and top sources have told the NewsHour what is common knowledge on Capitol Hill: House Democrats would like to be near articles of impeachment by Thanksgiving. Many believe the end of December is more realistic, however. Either way, the idea is to get there this year, because Democrats are hesitant to impeach in a presidential election year. Complicating matters, however, are the increasing layers of witnesses connected to the Ukraine whistleblower’s complaint and what they’re revealing. Democrats may have to choose - and soon - between following all threads in their investigation, which could take months, and keeping it narrow and relatively fast.
White House decisions
The Giuliani question. The president’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani dominates both recent news coverage and lawmaker concern related to the whistleblower complaint. Afederal court just indicted two of his associate ([link removed]) s on charges related to their work in Ukraine. And today he said he would not comply with a Congressional ([link removed]) subpoena. President Trump may need to decide soon if Giuliani should stay or go as part of his legal team.
The other lawyers. Perhaps the most pivotal decision the president will make is selecting the team which will represent him to Congress in the case of an impeachment vote in the House and trial in the Senate. Anattempt to recruit former GOP Rep. Trey Gowdy ([link removed]) of South Carolina failed, at least in part because of lobbying rules blocking him. The president needs confident defenders who will be both bulldogs in pushing back against Democrats and manage to keep enough public sympathy to staunch any political wounds.
Cooperate at all or never? The president must decide whether to allow any cooperation with the House investigation or prohibit his appointees from cooperating with requests and subpoenas. Will he allow some and refuse others? So far, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has refused to comply witha House subpoena for documents ([link removed]) , but the House has not yet acted against him, an indication that the two sides are still in contact and sizing each other up. The more cooperation Trump allows, the more he risks giving Democrats evidence against him. But, at the same time, the more Trump refuses to comply with House subpoenas, the more he risks impeachment for obstructing Congress.

Both must decide

Whether to cooperate on other issues. The president and Democrats share some goals, including passing a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada and enacting new laws to bring down prescription drug prices. (In theory, they both also want to rebuild aging U.S. infrastructure, but that issue has been shelved so often it has become a punch line ([link removed]) .) The question for both parties, as they sit in the shadow of impeachment, is whether they see enough of an upside to cooperate at all.
FIVE OVERLOOKED POLITICAL STORIES FROM THE PAST WEEK
By Candice Norwood, @cjnorwoodwrites
Reporter, digital politics
Amendment 4 law an ‘administrative nightmare,’ judge says ([link removed]) -- Oct. 8. A federal judge called Florida’s system for restoring voting rights for ex-felons an “administrative nightmare.” The voter-approved Amendment 4 has run into logistical challenges, particularly after the legislature passed a follow-up bill requiring felons to first pay back court fines, fees and restitution. Why it matters: Up to 1.4 million potential voters are left unsure if they will be able to vote in the next election. -- The Orlando Sentinel

Kansas And Missouri Farmers Are Sticking With Trump Despite The Hard Times He's Caused Them ([link removed]) -- Oct. 9. As the impeachment inquiry into President Trump ramps up, many Kansas and Missouri farmers are remaining loyal to him. Why it matters: Many farmers say they have struggled under the administration’s policies on trade, immigration and ethanol. Their continued support, underscores a partisan allegiance driving many Trump supporters. -- Harvest Public Media
California will end use of for-profit prisons ([link removed]) -- Oct. 11. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill to ban for-profit prisons throughout the state. Why it matters: The move will end California’s relationship with three facilities used to house about 1,600 inmates. The new law also affects private prisons that hold about 4,000 undocumented immigrants. An ICE spokeswoman said the agency will move the immigrants to other states. -- The Hill
Gun Control Is Front And Center In Virginia Races ([link removed]) -- Oct. 11. Gun control has emerged as a key issue for Virginia voters ahead of the state’s off-year elections next month. Why it matters: Republicans hold a thin majority in both houses of the state legislature. The issue of gun safety received more attention in the state after a mass shooting in Virginia Beach in May. -- NPR

Voters critique Georgia’s new voting machines as test run begins ([link removed]) -- Oct. 14. Early Georgia voters began testing the state’s new voting machines in six counties on Monday. The $107 million system combines touchscreens with printed paper ballots. Some found it difficult to use. Why it matters: Officials in Georgia have been racing to comply with a federal court order to get the new system ready by the 2020 primary. -- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
#POLITICSTRIVIA
By Candice Norwood, @cjnorwoodwrites
Politics producer
Yesterday in 1912, former President Theodore Roosevelt was shot while campaigning in Wisconsin. What is credited with saving his life?

Send your answers to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or tweet using #PoliticsTrivia. The first correct answers will earn a shout-out next week.

Last week, we asked: Yesterday in 2003, this man -- who would go on to host the Celebrity Apprentice later in his career -- was elected to public office for the first time. Who was it? The answer is Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Congratulations to our winners: Dave Barram!
Thank you all for reading and watching. We’ll drop into your Inbox next week.


[link removed]


** Hillary Clinton says Trump is doing ‘Putin’s bidding’ ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

============================================================
Copyright © 2018 NEWSHOUR LLC, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
3620 South 27th Street
Arlington, VA 22206

** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
** update subscription preferences ([link removed])