Drlee wrote:The trial is an exercise in obstruction by republicans. They have no intention of judging the evidence. None at all. It is a monumental political mistake on the part of the democrats. It virtually hands the election to Trump. It is the best thing that could have happened to his campaign.
Let's wait this out a bit. Polls are suggesting a shift in public perception:
Republicans in the Senate so far have backed up the president, rejecting requests for White House documents and interviews with administration officials.
The poll showed that Republicans and Democrats want to see people like Bolton and Pompeo tell the Senate what they know about the administration's policies in Ukraine.
About 72% agreed that the trial "should allow witnesses with firsthand knowledge of the impeachment charges to testify," including 84% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans. And 70% of the public, including 80% of Democrats and 73% of Republicans, said senators should "act as impartial jurors" during the trial.
Witnesses with first hand knowledge might cover some curious creatures, eg, Lev Parnas.
I am speculating over the next few days this gap will grow, with more voters indicating their support for allowing the would-be witnesses to be heard. Republicans will risk more than just a twitter lashing from President Trump. Indeed, they risk loosing the senate.
If I'm right, the Republicans may tell President Trump he should try to quit while he can still get a pardon. I, however, would push for the impeachment of Vice-President Pence. Quickly.
“There are a terrible lot of lies going about the world, and the worst of it is that half of them are true" - Winston Churchill