The House impeachment managers have left a strong impression on their fellow Democrats in what is as much an audition for bigger leadership roles down the line as a trial of former President Donald Trump.
“The star of the trial has been Rep. Jaime Raskin of Maryland,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. “He has made a powerful constitutional case against Trump and infused his legal brief with a heavy dose of humanity.”
Raskin and his team prosecuting the case against Trump, who is charged with inciting an insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6, have elevated themselves in a way the last group of impeachment managers, led by Reps. Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler, did not — even as their influence on Republican senators remains to be seen.
The trial comes at a time when the House Democratic leadership team is aging, and some positions are sure to open up in the near future. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will celebrate her 81st birthday next month and is getting close to retirement. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is already 81. House Majority Whip James Clyburn is 80. The leadership team is rounded out by Reps. Katherine Clark, 57, and Hakeem Jeffries, 50.
By comparison, the House impeachment managers are young guns. Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado is only 36. Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, on something of a rehabilitation tour after a relationship with a suspected Chinese spy, is 40. Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas is 46.
“I think the impeachment managers are doing a really good job, and it’s great to see some lesser-known members shine on the big stage,” said Democratic strategist Jessica Tarlov. “I doubt many Americans knew who Joe Neguse or Stacey Plaskett were before tuning in for the proceedings, and both built an incredibly powerful case against ex-President Trump.”
The 58-year-old Raskin has won some of the most positive reviews, choking up at times and projecting steely resolve at others, exhorting senators not to allow a “January exception” to the Constitution by refusing to impeach a president near the end of his term.
“Jamie Raskin has shown incredible strength running such an efficient and focused impeachment proceeding considering the loss of his son, Tommy, over the holidays,” Tarlov said. “At a time where Democrats have been criticized for not cultivating the next generation of talent, the impeachment proceedings show that not only do we have the talent, but they’re also getting spotlight time.”
Some Republicans were unhappy that the managers chose to go back to the 2016 presidential campaign to find incendiary Trump rhetoric. Several of Trump’s primary opponents that year currently serve in the Senate, and none of them are considered likely to vote to convict, though the managers have already picked up one additional GOP vote, that of Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, on the question of the trial’s constitutionality.
But this is also red meat for blue voters and congressional Democrats, especially the invocation of the deadly 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, frequently cited by President Biden as a major rationale for his campaign. The Democratic caucus is seeking leaders who are fighters, not methodical grinders or legislative tacticians.
“The House impeachment managers have proved that Donald Trump’s impeachment trial is not a waste of time,” Bannon said. “House Democrats have made a compelling case that is playing well in the court of public opinion. Their use of videos have graphically brought home the terror and tragedy on the day of the Capitol coup.”
The tall task of convincing 17 Republicans to join the 48 Democratic senators, and two independents who caucus with them, in voting to convict Trump means the managers won’t necessarily be judged harshly if the trial ends in acquittal. The 44 Republican votes against the constitutionality of trying a former president who is already out of office do not bode well for their prospects.
“I personally think they are doing a great job, and this is a slam dunk case,” said Democratic strategist Stefan Hankin. “Sadly, there are 40ish Republican senators who are more worried about their reelection campaigns than doing what is right for the country. If this is not an impeachable offense, what is?”
Recent polling suggests support for Trump’s conviction lags behind the share of the public that views him as at least partially responsible for the Capitol violence, though more are in favor than opposed.
