Name:   PTClakefan - Subject:   Alan Dershowitz says Date:   1/30/2020 7:56:57 AM

I don't think Dershowitz said anything of the sort.  If you recall the whole "maladministration" discussion from yesterday, what I gleaned from that is the framers of the constitution considered and specifically rejected  such a nebulous concept as a basis for impeachment.  As such, the constution as it emerged from the convention specifically stated that "treason, bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors" were the sole bases for impeachment of a duly elected or appointed federal officeholder.  In fact, Dershowitz specifically pointed out that criminal conduct is impeachable without regard to motive, even if the president honestly believed that the conduct served the national interest. And last, if you think about it and as pointed out yesterday, almost all presidential decisions involve some degree of self-interest and self-motivation. Where Dershowitz parts company with other so-called "constitutional scholars" is whether that motivation standing alone, wiithout any underlying criminal conduct, would constitute an impeachable offense.  But, I guess if you get your news from CNN op-ed pieces you could tumble to the conclusion that what was said is that anything is fair game when it comes to presidential conduct.