Impeachment and Trump 2020: Will it destroy or boost re-election chances? Here’s the question: How will Donald Trump's impeachment affect the 2020 presidential election? Do you think the president will be out of office or re-elected?

Dave Bangert | Lafayette Journal & Courier

LAFAYETTE, Ind. – As the nation awaits a Senate trial on two articles of impeachment – obstruction of Congress and abuse of power – here’s the question put to a J&C reader panel: How do you think the impeachment of Donald Trump will affect the 2020 presidential election? Do you think the president will be out of office or re-elected?

► Carlos Gambirazio, West Lafayette: No. I think it has been a futile exercise of our democracy. It has not changed anyone’s mind, and whether or not Mr. Trump gets re-elected will depend on who shows up to vote on Election Day.

► Perry Cooper, Lafayette: Trump will not be removed from office, but if he is re-elected it will sundown for our republic.

► Noemi Ybarra, Lafayette: Many moderates and old-school Republicans are leaving the party or choosing not to vote for Trump. I think he will be voted out of office by the electorate. The Senate has not the guts to do what is right and vote him out, but we citizens do.

► Dan Clark, West Lafayette: I think that most people will realize that the Democrats have overplayed their hand with endless obstructions and now impeachment (for something that doesn’t rise to high crimes or misdemeanors). Since the remaining Democratic presidential candidates are socialists or worse, I think he will probably be re-elected.

► Nancy Marshall, Lafayette: The impeachment will be fodder for more political screaming. I believe he will not be removed from office, but he should be. I think the majority of Americans are disgusted by Trump, and the Republicans and will turn out in massive crowds to vote them out.

► Chloe Harshman, Lafayette: I think the impeachment process did nothing but further emphasize the bias and unjust accusations rendered by the Democrats. The number of accusations that have fallen by the wayside demonstrates the weakness of the Democrats’ case. Pelosi's unwillingness to send the articles to the Senate describes a party fearful of trial in the Senate. Yes, Trump will be re-elected in 2020.

MORE: No budging, either way, on impeachment of Donald Trump

► Tom Topping, Lafayette: I can only hope that the impeachment of Trump will help sway voters away from him. He'll be acquitted by the Senate, and then the Trump campaign flood gates will open. His chances in 2020 are better than 2016. We may be doomed.

► Claire Sudbrack Brigham, West Lafayette: The impeachment will be reflected in the campaigns by Democrats implying his guilt and by conservatives pointing to lack of any evidence and the not guilty verdict by Senate Republicans and Democrats. Yes, the president will be re-elected. Prosecute the tiny number who tarnished the reputation of the CIA, FBI and NSA.

► Tom McConville, West Lafayette: This guy is so ignorant it is scary.

► Harry H. Hirschl, West Lafayette: The impeachment of Donald Trump permanently marks him as man that cannot be trusted, with zero possibility of being elected to any office. He will be removed from office in the impeachment trial in the Senate.

► Rob Keeney, Flora: I think it's pretty much guaranteed him a landslide, and the Democrats will very probably lose the House.

► Tom Haynie, Bluffton: Too early to tell since follow-up actions may have an impact. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's attempt to control the Senate's responsibility may come across as hypocrisy and help Trump. Trump's continued responses may help or hurt him. Trump would be re-elected if the vote were today.

► Mark Rumps, Lafayette: The impeachment will all but guarantee re-election for President Trump. The left was planning this before the last election, and we all know it.

► Randy Studt, Lafayette: It's unlikely the GOP Senate will do their constitutional duty nor allow witnesses to testify. So, the Democratic candidates will have to defeat him at the ballot box. God help our republic if we cannot right this ship.

► Brian Arias, Templeton: Pelosi needs to resign and make way from some new faces. The Democratic field running for president needs some serious work, and Trump is wearing impeachment like a scar or a cool tattoo. He will be re-elected in 2020.

► Michael Morris, Lafayette: Of course, President Trump will be re-elected. And the GOP will flip the House. The whole impeachment charade is desperation on the part of the Democrats.

►Dennis Donoho, Sedalia: I have no idea how it will affect the election. I only hope he is defeated in 2020. If not, our nation is done for. He has never shown the ability to lead the nation with his constant assault on the Constitution. Regardless, the Democrats must get out and vote.

► Megan Stoner, Fishers: I think the impeachment shows the innocence of President Trump. I strongly feel he will be re-elected and that the American people will see the do-nothing disaster that Washington has become.

MORE: GOP Senator 'disturbed' with McConnell 'total coordination' with the White House for impeachment trial

► Marty Barbarich, Wolcott: The impeachment will only help Trump’s chances in 2020. This was a totally unfair process, a false case without a crime, based on the flimsiest of hearsay evidence. This will help Trump to a landslide electoral victory in 2020, a prospect already assured by kept promises and great economy.

► Carolyn Foust, Oxford: I feel this impeachment just won the election for President Trump. I feel there will be an ungodly amount of trouble with riots and such because of the way the Democrats have so much hate for Trump and the Republican Party. However, President Trump will remain our president. Thank God.

► David Dimmich, West Lafayette: I would be highly surprised if this doesn't hurt the Democrats in 2020, just like it hurt the GOP when they impeached Bill Clinton. And they had proof that Clinton lied to the grand jury. All they've got on President Trump is hearsay.

► Ken McCammon, Lafayette: I doubt he will be out of office, since the Republican Senate won't convict him. The questions are whether or not he can keep his base given the impeachment and whether it will energize people to vote against him. Chances are he will commit another crime or two before November.

► Terry Smith, Shadeland: He will be re-elected by a larger margin than the last time. Voters are disgusted by the actions of the Democrats. They cry that they want a fair trial and to be able to call witnesses. But of course, they didn't let the GOP do that in the House hearings. Get rid of Pelosi.

► JP Clauson, Lafayette: Donald Trump clearly acted inappropriately when it comes to his dealings with the new Ukrainian president. As a nation, we cannot allow foreign governments to have any influence in any way on our elections. Criminal investigations should be handled through proper channels, not through rogue investigations by personal attorneys. Trump should be impeached by the House for this conduct. I am torn if the crime rises to the level of removal from office. While I think the crime is serious, impeachment with a full trial and then an acquittal would be sufficient based on the evidence we know today. However, if new evidence emerges, or Trump continues this behavior, the Congress and the people have no choice but to remove him from office.

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► Michael Dubbs, West Lafayette: Only a Senate trial with fact witnesses, such as former National Security Adviser John Bolton, holds the possibility of turning public opinion against the president. Absent testimony from former/current Trump advisers, the Republicans will conduct a speedy sham trial with no conviction allowing the president to later campaign as an aggrieved victim. Under this scenario, either former Vice President Joe Biden or Michael Bloomberg seem to have the wherewithal to unseat the Donald.

► Glen Jonas, Dayton: I think President Trump will be re-elected for a second term. The impeachment hearings were a joke, and I think actually helped him. Our strong economy and improved image of strength in the world will decidedly carry the election.

► Nate Pfeiffer, Wabash Township: Impeachment will ensure a landslide electoral vote victory as well as a majority in the popular vote.

► Arlan Stavnheim, Lafayette: My guess is that Biden will be the nominee and will run a good campaign. The others left are not strong candidates and have not achieved much. If the economy stays strong and there are no new issues, people don’t change presidents after four years. Trump will win easily.

► Harold Williams, Shadeland: Trump is not too popular with a lot of people, however if the Democrats don't get their act together, he has a chance at winning again. Trump is his own worst enemy, with a brain that hates anyone who disagrees and a mouth that never shuts up. He has plenty of time to set his so-called base against him. If he does he will be in trouble.

► Thomas W. Anderson, Lafayette: President Donald Trump will be re-elected.

► Dan Sommers, West Lafayette: Re-elected. By a larger margin after impeachment. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Impeachment and socialism do not work. Even those who hate Trump cannot deny the results in the past three years are very positive for the country.

► Thelma Bice, Lafayette: Hopefully, enough level heads will determine that this man is totally unfit to lead our country. He has injected enough poison into our politics. It will take years to heal our differences. If he is re-elected, I dread to think what the future holds.

YOUR TURN: If you’d care to be considered for future reader panel questions, send your name and town and preferred email address to dbangert@jconline.com.

Reach Dave Bangert at 765-420-5258 or at dbangert@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @davebangert.