Matt Glassman

Take that, @joshchafetz.https://twitter.com/Alyssa_Milano/status/872635666781401092 …

But the idea Trump is going to somehow master DC and turn this around into a powerful presidency seems like a dimmer idea by the day. /10

Of course the powers of the presidency are vast, so even the weakest of presidents has many tools to influence public life. 9/

It's true his party hasn't thrown him overboard. But that's cold comfort in a job that needs *positive* help, not just minimal tolerance. 8/

And no sense he's buliding any legitimacy. He's reduced to almost the bare bones formal powers of the office. 7/

And he's reaping the Neustadt-predicted results: no legislative successes. No one scared to challenge him. No one eager to back him. 6/

His skill set seems totally wrong for the job. He's surrounded himself with amateurs. 5/

His public prestige is the worst in the poling age. 4/

His professional reputation is zero. No elected POTUS has had so little party support out of gate. Only Tyler and Johnson compare. 3/

Everyone sees the proto-authoritarian, which obviously is one reading of the facts. But the other is a POTUS barely holding it together. 2/

I continue to believe Neustadt analysis of Trump is correct one: this is a weak POTUS in serious danger of a complete failed presidency. 1/

I can't find where @jbview said it, but key point is not all crimes merit impeachment, and plenty of non-crimes do. Legal standards = meh.

But I don't think system is broken. Trump is testing the institutions, and despite your impatience, IMO institutions are winning. /FIN

So my guess? POTUS muddles through to the 2018 election, no sweat. We’ll have more signals then. 25/

And honestly, unless crimes are truly treasonous or dangerous to national security, I don't really want those Members playing trustee. 25/

And any Member from a district that approves of trump 60% right now is thinking politically too. 24/

So by all means make a legal case. But remember you’re really making a political one. 23/

But, again, this is politics. The legal standard only matters to the degree it affects public opinion or congressional opinion. 22/

And proof of a true policy drag take a long time. And conspiracy theories aside, Trump FP looks more terrible than sinister. 21/

Until public opinion moves another 10 points against Trump---into Bush Katrina territory---the electoral fate looks bad but murky. 20/