Twice House Democrats have passed articles of impeachment with only token support from their Republican colleagues, twice they have marched to the Senate chamber portraying “solemnity” and twice they have failed to get any more support from Republicans in the upper chamber than they were able to get in the House. Without any doubt Trump, Hegseth and others deserve to be impeached, but a better strategy might be in order.

It may be dawning on congressional Republicans that the pied piper in the diaper is in fact as he appears, leading them off a cliff. They may start to consider, in a more serious way impeachment as not only warranted, but potentially advantageous. To the point, why wait for Donald Trump to throw them under the bus … again. Why not join the Democrats and end the nightmare.

A successful impeachment begins with making the case to congressional Republicans that it is not only in the country’s best interest, but in their best interest to support Trump’s removal from office. One way to accomplish that would be to underscore how much additional damage two more years of this madness could cause, to the country and again to the Republican party. Either way yet another attempt to impeach without Republican support will be seen as a political stunt.

The case for impeachment makes itself on many levels. Blatant public corruption, Starting the Iran War, aiding and abetting Vladimir Putin’s efforts to slaughter Ukrainian civilians are but a few impeachable offenses. But there is another option which may be the most powerful of all. A number of members of congress who have viewed the Epstein files have said bluntly that there is evidence of criminal conduct by Trump contained within them. If true it’s is an issue that could easily unite both chambers in an impeachment effort.

In addition the process of delivering Articles of Impeachment to the Senate chamber should not be seen as routine. House impeachment managers having voted on and passed an impeachment resolution are not bound to deliver the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate chamber. They can hold the articles in the House while they increase public pressure on the Senators to act.

Step one get the country onboard. Trump is a dynamically unpopular President he’s not just disapproved of, he is increasingly reviled. Would the American people support impeaching him? They very well might if they are asked. Ask them.

Step two get the Republicans onboard. The Democrats ran as uniters, the time has come to prove it. Reach out across the aisle and make the case. It may be more difficult initially but will ensure success in the long run.

Step three count the votes. If you have the votes to impeach, impeach. If you don’t, don’t. Be more patient and let Trump make your case for you. He will you can be sure. Don’t move ahead if the votes are not there. Be patient and do the hard work required to make sure the votes are there. Then and only then move forward.

Step four impeach. There’s an old saying in sports, playing the game is the easy part, the hard part is the training and preparation. Do the outreach and organization first and do it the right way and the actual impeachment will sail through.