Pollsters and pundits have lately begun to discuss the possibility that Donald Trump could best Hillary Clinton in the upcoming presidential election. But they haven’t yet said that if that happens, Trump would soon face impeachment, or that his choice of a vice-president the most important decision in this scenario of gathering nightmares.
Bill Clinton faced impeachment proceedings because he lied about extra-marital affairs. As a target for impeachment, Trump is richer than that. Within months, a tax, financial or sexual scandal, or merely dishonoring the nation in diplomatic affairs, will likely provide the grounds, at least if his pledges to become more “presidential” are as airy as thus far.
And this time around, the impeachment would probably prosper because both Democrats and establishment Republicans would support the move. I think that we can be sure that both groups have already considered the possibility, because Hillaryites and indomitable and the life’s work of several important GOP big-wigs—Mitt Romney and the Bush family among them—is also at stake.
Trump’s best defense against the specter of impeachment lies in his choice of a running mate, because that’s who would replace him were he removed. Today nearly everyone in the bipartisan political establishment would be happy if a Chris Christie took his place, and that means that in order for Trump to protect himself, he must name a vice-presidential candidate whom people fear and despise more than him. Ted Cruz probably wouldn’t accept the job in the unlikely event that Trump would offer it to him, and since Hillary is already the presumptive Democratic nominee, it’s doubtful that a “qualified” candidate could be found.