Given those numbers, no one should be surprised that Democrats are playing up the possibility of impeachment. It motivates their base, helps to raise money and draws attention to an issue where the public is on their side. In contrast, Republicans are deeply split on the issue — a divide that is playing out publicly among both legislators and conservative pundits.
The CNN poll also shows, however, that the proposed Republican lawsuit against Mr. Obama for his handling of the health care law is much more effective at consolidating the Republican base. Though only 41 percent of Americans over all support a lawsuit, that total includes three in four G.O.P. identifiers — a total that almost matches Democratic opposition of 84 percent.
House Speaker John Boehner thus has every reason to dismiss impeachment, which he is calling “a scam,” and focus on the lawsuit instead. It not only allows him to control his unruly party caucus, which voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to authorize the lawsuit, but it also keeps the Republican base relatively unified.
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