Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) said in an interview Thursday with MSNBC’s Ari Melber that the only way he can get on television is to discuss impeachment.
Sherman made the remark after Melber, the host of “The Beat,” introduced him as “a congressman who’s calling for impeachment.”
{mosads}”Actually, I’ve been trying to get on your show to talk about the Saudi nuclear program, and if it was my time we’d be talking about efforts to control drug prices,” Sherman said. “There’s this image in this country that Congress is focused on impeachment. That’s the only thing I can get on TV to talk about, but it’s not really what I’m working on.”
The remarks came after the two bickered over how Melber had described Sherman as a congressman calling for impeachment.
Sherman introduced articles of impeachment against President Trump in 2017, but noted it was only based on the real prospect of removing Trump from power, which he believes won’t happen given current public opinion polls showing a majority opposes impeachment.
“Look, the president obstructed justice,” Sherman said to Melber after some volleys around how he was introduced. “That was apparent to me in July of 2017 when I introduced articles of impeachment.”
“But I knew those articles couldn’t lead anywhere without bipartisan support because, of course, Republicans were in control,” Sherman continued.
“Prosecutors don’t indict unless they think they can get a conviction,” Sherman added, saying Democrats need to change public opinion on the issue.
After being pressed by the host on whether he was still pushing toward impeachment, Sherman said he was but only with Republican support.
“I have been pushing towards impeachment, but I want impeachment on a bipartisan basis, yes,” the 12-term congressman said.
After some more volleying over semantics regarding Sherman’s position, Melber said: “I don’t know what you’re doing, sir. You advocated for impeachment. You introduced a resolution for impeachment. Now, you’re the politician, and I want to get the other panelists in. You can use your time as you see fit, I appreciate you coming on this show. Now, do you want to talk about the case that you’re making for impeachment?”
Sherman then made the remark about how he’d been trying to get on the show to talk about the Saudi nuclear program.
“Interesting,” Melber replied. “Well, look, we do a lot of subjects here, and we can get into a lot of stuff. But Bob Mueller broke his silence yesterday and said this is an issue for the Congress if there’s a wrongdoing to be accused, so it is a big news story. I don’t think that’s in debate.”