KT Edit: Trump impeachment probe sets stage for bigger 2020 battle

US President Donald Trump isn't going down without a fight. In fact, he relishes a fight, and the impeachment probe launched by the Democrats is the perfect opportunity to galvanise his support base ahead of the election next year as a Democratic challenger emerges bruised from the party contest. Trump loves a challenge while being adept at playing the victim card. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was reluctant and resisted calls earlier to launch an investigation as she believed it would give more media time to Trump to play to his strengths and on his turf. He takes the stage when controversy strikes and holds his ground, and that's the kind of Trump that the Democrats dread.
Reports said the president thought he would be impeached last year but the opposition delayed proceedings for want of solid evidence. Now that a whistleblower has confirmed that he abused his position to wrest information about Biden's alleged business interests in Ukraine, the Democrats believe now is the time to put constitutional pressure on the president who is fighting on multiple fronts. "The president must be held accountable. "No one is above the law," said Pelosi as she confirmed her party would launch an inquiry into the affair. Trump was as combative as ever and released transcripts of his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he seeks dirt on Biden and his son Hunter. This may be a breach of the president's constitutional responsibilities, but Trump remains unruffled and does not view the conversation as a crime. It is a battle of perceptions that is being played out. In 2016, the Dems said he was in league with Russia.
In the campaign for 2020, they claim there is presidential collusion with Ukraine. This scenario suits Trump fine. The Democrat-majority House may vote to impeach him but the GOP-controlled Senate will shoot it down. Trump's voting base loves the way he is setting this up. A combination of combativeness and victimhood will be his favoured strategy. The battle for America only gets bitter and louder with this episode. The show must go on.