Even though she continues campaigning for the 2020 Democrat presidential nomination, it is now clear to me that Tulsi Gabbard’s real goal has nothing to do with wining the donkeys’ nod this election cycle. Her vote of “present” on the House’s articles of impeachment ensures that she has no chance this time around, and now, in an interview with ABC News (video not yet available), she goes even further and tips her hand.

Gabbard campaigning in New Hampshire yesterday, YouTube screen grab

The Hill reports:

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hi.), a 2020 presidential candidate, elaborated on her rationale for voting “present” on articles of impeachment against President Trump, telling ABC News impeachment proceedings will only “embolden” the president.

"I think impeachment, unfortunately, will only further embolden Donald Trump, increase his support and the likelihood that he'll have a better shot at getting elected while also seeing the likelihood that the House will lose a lot of seats to Republicans," Gabbard told ABC in New Hampshire Saturday.

Gabbard, who has announced she will not seek re-election to her House seat, said she was concerned Trump’s all-but-inevitable acquittal in the Republican Senate could ensure “lasting damage” in the event that Trump is re-elected and the GOP regains control of the House.

With Hawaii among the most heavily Democrat states, she might well have a hard time returning to the House anyway. And even if she were to return as a representative, she would no doubt face hostility from Nancy Pelosi and her Democrat colleagues, and likely would be punished. Nancy Pelosi, who prays all the time for Trump, also warns, “Don’t mess with me.”

I think that Gabbard sees the disaster that lies ahead for her party and is positioning herself as a person who can lead the it in a new direction. She is emphatically denouncing Trump, so can’t be accused of being soft on him. Instead she is criticizing the tactic of employing impeachment as a political weapon, setting herself up as a wise tactician to lead the party forward after the predictable disaster.

So far, Gabbard is the sole Democrat politician that I know of who is looking beyond the consuming fury of Trump Derangement with her eye on the future of her party beyond the next 10 months.

While I credit her for this, it is not blinding wisdom, but merely common sense. That she is unique in her party says a lot.