Reporter's Notebook: Democrats face an impeachment tractor beam that could derail their affordability message

In the original Star Wars, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca and Obi-Wan Kenobi find the Millennium Falcon under fire from Imperial TIE fighters in deep outer space. Luke speculates that the TIE fighters are "heading for that small moon."

But Obi-Wans visage grows grim.

"Thats no moon," intones Obi-Wan. "Its a space station."

Han Solo disagrees.

"Its too big to be a space station," says Han. To which, Obi-Wan instructs him, "Turn the ship around."

But as quickly as he dismissed Kenobis observation, Solo pivots. He grimaces, realizing that the wise Jedi Knight is on to something.

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"Yeah. I think youre right," Han replies. The Millennium Falcon starts to shake.

"Chewie, lock in the auxiliary power," Han commands his shipmate. "Why are we still moving towards it?" squeaks Luke.

"Were caught in a tractor beam and its pulling us in!" shouts Han.

And a few moments later, the Millenium Falcon, the fastest ship in the galaxy, is suctioned into Bay 327 of the Death Star, moored, and unable to escape. The band of ragtag heroes are now stuck. On the Death Star.

Grand Moff Tarkin describes it as "the ultimate power in the universe."

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Impeachment in Congress is kind of like the Death Stars tractor beam. You cant escape once youre in its clenches. A decision to impeach sucks a political party in, eventually marooning everyone in the political equivalent of a hangar bay.

For Democrats, they cant focus on the price of eggs and milk. Theres little debate about gas prices. Its a challenge to even address oversight issues.

You can try to "lock in the auxiliary power." But its too late.

You might think impeachment is "a moon." But its really the political Death Star.

Not for your adversary. But often those orchestrating the impeachment.

Democrats might find themselves in an impeachment bind if they capture the majority next year. Progressives and the left will possess one of the loudest voices in Congress. And even though Democrats twice impeached President Trump in 2019 and 2021, some will insist on doing it again. Thats to say nothing of trying to impeach a host of Trump Administration cabinet officials – ranging from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Some Democrats are already falling prey to the impeachment tractor beam.

Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, led the initial effort to impeach President Trump during his first term in 2017 – long before the successful impeachment over Ukraine in 2019. Republican redistricting – engineered by President Trump forced Green out of his Houston-based district earlier this year. But Green engineered yet another effort to impeach the President last week as the Texas Democrat heads for the exit.

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The House voted to sidestep Greens impeachment resolution, 232-147. So this was not a straight, up or down vote on impeachment. It was one step removed. Forty-seven Democrats voted "present." That includes the partys top three Democrats: House Minorit