#van drew

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, one of two House Democrats who do not support articles of impeachment against President Trump, is likely to switch parties.

“Several high-level sources with ties to Van Drew” said his chief of staff has notified the lawmaker’s campaign and congressional staffs that he’s switching to the GOP, the New Jersey Globe reported Saturday.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ex-Van Drew staffer staged fake attack, writing 'Trump Whore' across her stomach and alleging men held her down and cut her body - New Jersey Globe https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/van-drew-staffer-staged-fake-attack-writing-trump-whore-across-her-stomach-and-alleging-men-held-her-down-and-cut-her-body/

This letter, initially obtained by the New Jersey Globe has been transcribed in text here by The Dogood Press Staff.

Dear Congressman Van Drew,

I wanted to follow-up on a phone conversation you and I recently had regarding the upcoming impeachment vote in the House of Representatives. As you know, a majority of my members were very upset with your "no" vote on the impeachment inquiry. Candidly, it was a big distraction for my candidates and municipal leaders in Atlantic County during the tail end of the general election cycle. Now that the 2019 election is over and the House seems poised to take action, I am imploring you to vote in favor of impeachment.

Why would we bother impeaching the President where this very little chance of conviction in the Senate? Youa re correct that it is very unlikely that 20 republicans will join all Democrats to remove Donald Trump from office; however, impeachment is not about removing Trump from office. Clearly the only way to remove him from office is to elect a Democratic president next year. Impeachment is about holding the President accountable for what he did. Like Speaker Pelosi, I was too hesitant to support an impeachment inquiry until the Ukraine situation, which was a game-changer for me. It is one thing for an American President to exchange foreign aid for free and fair elections, an end to humanitarian abuses, or counterintelligence cooperation, but for an American President to make foreign aid contingent on the investigation of a political rival is clearly an abuse of power and an impeachable offense. Should we fail to hold this President accountable, we will be giving free reign to future President to engage in similar behavior.

While my letter to you primarily focuses on the policy rationale for impeachment, I must touch on the political implications of a vote against impeachment on Atlantic County. Next year, as we are defending two Freeholder seats, a constitutional officer, and Democratic majorities in two municipalities, a "no" vote on impeachment will suppress Democratic turnout down-ballot, which my organization cannot sustain. Atlantic County Democrats have a tough time as it is facing 100 years of "Boardwalk Empire;" we cannot afford to have Democrats sit on their hands in a presidential year when we usually perform well.

I recognize that our congressional district is moderate at best (though our district is much more moderate than your former state legislative district). Voting for impeachment will undoubtedly hurt your standing with some Republican voters. However, as someone who has been in elected office for 30 years and has built up so much goodwill in South Jersey, I find it hard to believe that voters that have known you for decades will ditch you over one vote. You have helped hundreds, if not thousands, of constituents over the years. If anyone has banked the political capital necessary to take a hard vote, it is you. All of us should be on the right side of history during this very difficult time in our nation's history. Charlie Sandman lost the same seat that you hold for being on the wrong side of the Nixon impeachment, and I do not to see our party face a similar fate.

Thank you for your consideration as well as your 30-year public service to the residents of South Jersey.

Sincerely,

[Mr. Suleiman’s Signature]