71% of Americans say impeachment won't change minds
Both Democrats and Republicans have done their darndest in recent weeks to prove why President Donald Trump should -- or shouldn't -- be impeached.
But the American public isn't optimistic that minds will change.
A new poll from Monmouth University found 71% say they believe Americans are set in their opinions on the impeachment inquiry, regardless of new information that comes to light. Only 24% say that new information in the impeachment inquiry could change the minds of the American people. That's very similar to numbers from way back in March.
Overall, 45% of Americans want Trump impeached, while 50% say they do not. That's the same split as in November.
Trump's approval rating also continues to hold steady at 43% approving and 50% disapproving. That hasn't budged much over the last year. Monmouth's polling shows Trump's approval rating has ranged from 40% to 44%, while his disapproval rating has ranged from 50% to 54%, during the last 12 months.
One note on timing: This poll was conducted by telephone December 4 to 8 -- well after the House's hearings had been underway but before this week's Judiciary Committee hearings.
Trump is now the fourth president in US history to face articles of impeachment. That gives this entire process more historical gravitas and much higher stakes. Even if public opinion isn't moving, the entire saga will still go down in history. But the fact that Americans don't think new information could change opinions shows just how deeply entrenched those opinions are.
The Point: Democrats and Republicans are working hard to make their cases on impeachment. But is anyone open to being persuaded?
-- Lauren
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"This wasn't Jason Bourne. This was Beavis and Butt-Head."
-- Sen. Ted Cruz criticizing how the FBI's probe into the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation was run
A COLOR-CHANGING TEXAS?
Could Joe Biden turn Texas blue?
In a hypothetical, general election matchup between President Donald Trump and Biden, Biden is currently the only candidate to have an edge with Texas' general election voters.
Trump and Biden run about even in Texas among registered voters -- 48% back Trump to 47% for Biden. Against three other Democrats, Trump has significant leads: He holds 51% over Elizabeth Warren's 44%, and Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders each have 43% support to Trump's 50% in their matchups.
Biden is also in the lead with likely Texas Democratic primary voters, with 35%, while Sanders follows with 15%, Warren has 13% and Buttigieg has 9%.
On Wednesday, every lawmaker on the 41-member committee will have the chance to give an opening statement to kick off the debate.
Then on Thursday, any member can offer any amendment he or she wants, and the committee has little choice but to consider it. Things are expected to wrap up by 7 p.m. Thursday (just in time for a congressional ball at the White House).
Deval Patrick: Probably won't appear on the Michigan Democratic primary ballot, and his campaign is not pleased.
Andrew Yang: Will play basketball against Iowa congressional candidate J.D. Scholten on Thursday "to energize Iowans about getting involved in our democracy."
The amount of money from the Pentagon's military construction fund that a federal judge said can be used to build Trump's southern border wall. The administration tried to use billions in Pentagon funds for the wall's construction. The judge ruled against the Trump administration.
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