Why Steyers Campaign to Impeach Trump Unsettles Some Democrats

(From the WSJ, but they quote some...)

California billionaire Tom Steyer is personally funding a $20 million advertising campaign calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. The move is causing anxiety among lawmakers—within the Democratic Party.

Democratic leaders fear that independent and Republican voters will view impeachment talk as Democratic overreach and undercut the party’s message in the midterm elections.

“I’ve been a very harsh critic of this president....But the impeachment message right now is not helpful to the possibility of retaking the House,” said Rep. Jim Himes (D., Conn.), chairman of the fiscally moderate New Democratic Coalition.

Mr. Steyer says he doesn’t care.

“I understand that there are people who think that from a tactical political standpoint it may not be clever,” said Mr. Steyer, a top donor to Democratic political groups. “We’re not trying to be clever.”

(snip)

More than 2.6 million have signed in the month since the campaign began, according to a signature counter on the website. Mr. Steyer says his goal is to build support so that lawmakers become more aggressive in their approach to Mr. Trump, who he says “has obstructed justice at the FBI,’’ among other actions that he believes merit impeachment.

(snip)

Mr. Steyer said he is spending to build a lasting political operation, which includes two super PACs that aim to harness grass-roots enthusiasm for progressive causes and candidates.

“If it looks like there is something where I could actually make a difference, then I would be willing to try,” he said.

His impeachment effort also carries a more personal political benefit. He is weighing a primary challenge to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) or possibly running for governor of the state, races that both occur next year.

(snip)

As Mr. Steyer plows ahead, Democrats are debating how much to focus on the president in the midterm elections. Some view an impeachment conversation as overshadowing efforts to discuss how Democrats believe their ideas could improve the economic outlook of those in the middle class.

“I like Tom, and he means well,” said Rep. Seth Moulton (D., Mass.), “and he certainly believes he’s doing the right thing for the country....[but] I don’t think the impeachment conversation necessarily helps in House races.”

More..

https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-steyers-campaign-to-impeach-trump-unsettles-some-democrats-1511438439