Impeachment Megathread Part 3

[2016]

https://mobile.twitter.com/ABC/status/1214630003817750528

The cover up begins

McConnell has the Votes to Start Impeachment Proceedings on his Terms meaning we'll likely get Opening Statements and deal with witnesses later.
Mitt Romney backed his Proposal as did Senators Collins and Murkowski.

[2016]

https://mobile.twitter.com/ABC/status/1214630003817750528

The cover up begins

McConnell has the Votes to Start Impeachment Proceedings on his Terms meaning we'll likely get Opening Statements and deal with witnesses later.
Mitt Romney backed his Proposal as did Senators Collins and Murkowski.

Let history remember that Romney, Collins and Murkowski decided, the day after a star witness offered to testify for the first time, that a trial for the most powerful man in the world should not have any witnesses.

For Susan Collins, let voters in 2020 also remember.

If someone hurt you or your family, Collins would say "yes, let's have a show trial, witnesses are unnecessary."  Party of law and order, folks.

What do you want? The President removed from Office. That is just not going happen and you know it. There ain't 67 Votes to remove Trump. Pelosi knows it as well.
The longer she holds onto these Articles the more likely it is Impeachment will turn against the DEMS.

[2016]

https://mobile.twitter.com/ABC/status/1214630003817750528

The cover up begins

McConnell has the Votes to Start Impeachment Proceedings on his Terms meaning we'll likely get Opening Statements and deal with witnesses later.
Mitt Romney backed his Proposal as did Senators Collins and Murkowski.

Let history remember that Romney, Collins and Murkowski decided, the day after a star witness offered to testify for the first time, that a trial for the most powerful man in the world should not have any witnesses.

For Susan Collins, let voters in 2020 also remember.

If someone hurt you or your family, Collins would say "yes, let's have a show trial, witnesses are unnecessary."  Party of law and order, folks.

What do you want? The President removed from Office. That is just not going happen and you know it. There ain't 67 Votes to remove Trump. Pelosi knows it as well.
The longer she holds onto these Articles the more likely it is Impeachment will turn against the DEMS.

Trump-backing Republicans have been crowing that impeachment will backfire against the Dems ever since Pelosi made the official announcement.  Short of a few shifts here and there, that backlash hasn't materialized.  The same could be said for those that have insisted that impeachment will see a surge in popularity.

Neither has happened to a significant degree.  

While I'm wary of Pelosi's strategy here -- she, IMO, has much weaker ground upon which to stand as McConnell can do exactly what he did here: put his foot down and refuse to budge -- the numbers and data indicate that people have pretty much painted themselves into their respective corners.  

Pelosi isn't going to sent these two Articles over until after the January 14th CNN Democratic Debate in Des Moines, Iowa.

Why would she sent those Articles over to hurt Klobuchar, Warren and Sanders?

The next scheduled Debate after January 14 isn't until the after the Iowa Caucuses so plenty of time after January 14 to get this done in two and a half weeks.

[2016]

I feel pretty good where this thing is going. Let Bolton testify if he has too. Even Republican Senators don't believe what Bolton has to say would be so damaging warranting President Trump to be removed from Office.

[2016]

https://mobile.twitter.com/ABC/status/1214630003817750528

The cover up begins

McConnell has the Votes to Start Impeachment Proceedings on his Terms meaning we'll likely get Opening Statements and deal with witnesses later.
Mitt Romney backed his Proposal as did Senators Collins and Murkowski.

Let history remember that Romney, Collins and Murkowski decided, the day after a star witness offered to testify for the first time, that a trial for the most powerful man in the world should not have any witnesses.

For Susan Collins, let voters in 2020 also remember.

If someone hurt you or your family, Collins would say "yes, let's have a show trial, witnesses are unnecessary."  Party of law and order, folks.

What do you want? The President removed from Office. That is just not going happen and you know it. There ain't 67 Votes to remove Trump. Pelosi knows it as well.
The longer she holds onto these Articles the more likely it is Impeachment will turn against the DEMS.

I want an actual trial, with actual witnesses, and some semblance of an actual legal proceeding.

It's like To Kill A Mockingbird.  Everyone knew that Tom was going to be found guilty by a racist white jury.  But Atticus Finch still does his damndest to present the case, lay out the facts, and defend Tom.  Not only because that's how progress happens, by good men striving their hardest against injustice, but also because this is America, and in America we follow the laws of justice.

We don't just lay down our principles and accede to an insulting, degrading show trial simply because the jury has already been rigged and the outcome is already known.  That's what happens in oppressive, backwards countries.  Here in America, the laws of justice are the foundation of our society, and we must follow them, regardless of the outcome.

The Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell, want to have a quick show trial where they completely ignore the charges of impeachment, spend a few days giving speeches on the Senate floor about how awful Joe Biden is and how lawless the Democrats are, maybe bring in a hand-picked "legal expert" to say Trump is 100% innocent and the Democrats are the real criminals, and then vote to acquit and move on.  A complete mockery of justice, a stain on our nation's legacy and an insult to the American people.

You are the biggest hypocrite here on Atlas. McConnell is doing the excat same thing then Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle did in 1998. The Rules for the Impeachment Trail were approved 100-0. The witnesses were called in later.

Given how House Democrats operated here everything smells fishy. The Clinton Impeachment had YEARS OF INVESTIGATIONS, the Nixon Impeachment 14 Months. The Trump Impeachment 12 weeks. Absolutely INSANE by the House Democratic Leadership.

[2016]

I feel pretty good where this thing is going. Let Bolton testify if he has too. Even Republican Senators don't believe what Bolton has to say would be so damaging warranting President Trump to be removed from Office.

If that were true, they wouldn't be doing everything in their power to prevent him from testifying, you hack.

LOL, Lindsey Graham even said what Bolton might say could be good for Trump and Graham is one of the most loyal Trump Supporters.

[2016]

Here is my guess on the Senate vote over impeachment, but first something more people should understand: There is a reason Pelosi is giving the articles to McConnell right now, we just don't know what it is. She isn't that dumb to just say no and then change her mind a few weeks later. There is something she knows that we don't.

So there are 100 Senators, and 67 are needed to remove Trump. 47 Democrats (2 indy) and 53 Republicans make up the Senate. It's pretty much a given that Trump will not be removed, but the votes of the Senators will still shape their career later in life.

All but 4 of the Democrats are guaranteed to vote to remove Trump. (43)
John Tester of Montana is from a red state, but for the most part he is a Democrat in policy and is pretty likely to vote for removal.
Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona is pretty centrist and almost a conservative on some issues. She really doesn't have anything to lose either way she goes and she hasn't said anything about impeachment, so for now I will just put her as a uncertain vote that could go either way.
Joe Manchin of West Virginia is even more conservative than Sinema and is pretty much a DINO and will probably vote to acquit Trump as he supports Trump a lot and even voted for Kavanaugh.

On the Republican side everyone is going to acquit Trump. Romney. Murkowski, and Collins aren't fans of the President, but the political pressure is just to high not to support him. It could end their career as Republicans if they want to remove him. They might vote present, but that's only if sh*t really hits the fan.

Best case reasonable senario for Trump: 55 votes to acquit (all GOP + Manchin & Sinema) to 45 votes to remove (all the other Democrats)
Worst case reasonable senario for Trump: 50 votes to acquit(all GOP except 3), 4 votes present (Murkowski, Romney, Collins, and Manchin), and 46 for removal (rest of Democrats)
What probably will happen (middle ground): 54 votes acquit (all GOP + Manchin) 1 vote present (Sinema) and 45 votes to remove (rest of the democrats)

Remember that this is just my prediction and it is okay to disagree, so please be polite to me if you wish to do so

My prediction: Manchin and Doug Jones vote to acquit.  Romney and Murkowski vote to remove.

I suspect one reason Pelosi is now ready to release the articles is that she was holding them just long enough not to impact next week's Democratic debate.

That is my suspection too. On the other hand, Democratic Senators like Klobuchar, Warren and Sanders will be having to spend more time in Washington next week compared to spending time on the Campaign Trail in Iowa. I think this will help Biden and that's what Pelosi wanted. Make Biden the fact Nominee after IA. She is clearly intervening into the Democratic Race here.

The next Debate isn't until February 7th in NH meaning the Senate Trail could be over by then.

[2016]

Pelosi isn't winning, McConnell is.

Pelosi will soon be accused by Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Bernie Sanders of intervening into the Democratic Primary Process by playing Games with the Impeachment Articles and helping Joe Biden to win Iowa and therefore becoming the the facto Democratic Nominee.

Do you really think it's a coincidence that she is sending these Articles over to the Senate less than three weeks before the Iowa Caucuses? I don't think so. She wants Uncle Joe's Democratic Rivals to be in Washington while Uncle Joe can park himself in IA for the next 3 weeks.

CNN supports my claim
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/14/politics/impeachment-watch-january-13/index.html

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) has already accused Pelosi intervening into the Democratic Primary on FOX NEWS by holding the Papers this long to help Biden.

[2016]

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) has already accused Pelosi intervening into the Democratic Primary on FOX NEWS by holding the Papers this long to help Biden.

Fortunately, his accusation has no bearing on the truth of the matter.

Then you're really blindsided here. Kevin McCarthy is one-hundred percent right here. Klobuchar, Warren and Sanders are basically off the Campaign Trail for the forseeable future and of course this will help Biden and to lesser extend Buttigieg.

[2016]

Pandaguineapig is right. Voters don't care about Impeachment especially if the Election is still 10 Months way.

Voters care about the Economy, having a good paying Job, etc.

They only way Democrats will beat Trump is if the Economy is getting sluggish and there are no signs of it.

[2016]

Ridiculous! Mike Pence isn't unelectable!

[2016]

You are grasping at straws here if you think Democrats can find 20+ Republican Senators to side with them and remove Trump and so do other Atlas Democrats.

Given that Republicans control the Senate this Impeachment thingy was always going to be at the DEAD END once it arrived at the Senate.

Folks like Lindsey Graham, John Barrasso, Tom Cotton, Jon Boozeman among others won't vote to remove Trump.

[2016]

LOL, look at the face of Adam Schiff.

How can the People of California elect such a snark and work to the U. S. House.

Adam Schiff is a disgrace to the American Public and now expects the Senate to do his Homework. Such a Troll is Adam.

[2016]

Dear Mr. Adam Schiff,

Hopefully this will get into your HEAD at some Point in due course:

"President Trump will not removed from Office. Give it up!"

The Voters will decide the Presidents Fate and not you and your other Impeachment Clowns - Period!

[2016]

This could be interesting:

https://twitter.com/JoshNBCNews/status/1217520653701648386

Rachel Maddow...that says it all, doesn't it? Democratic Talking Points! That Woman should be expelled from any News or Talk Show anchoring these Days.

[2016]

https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1219365796096479233?s=21

What a joke Poll from Liberal Hack Manu Raju.

Thus far in the States that matter in the Electoral College come November. "Removing Trump from Office" is either tied or below.

How many people did SSrS have to poll from CA, NY, IL to get that 51 % Number. CNN AGAIN fabricating Polls like they did for Gillum and Nelson in FL during 2018 Midterms.

[2016]

Very, very, very smart move by Team Trump to recruit 8 GOP House Reps to help. Winning move right here.

They are not going to speak on the Senate Floor though. They will act as surrogates. Good move nonetheless cuz they were shunned out in the House Proceedings.

[2016]

Gallup contradicting CNN:
46 % Remove
51 % Remain
https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1219666693452111872

[2016]

Is McConnell even going to have the trial appear to be fair?

The Republican Trump Party is a joke, but not a very funny one; in fact, it's a very dangerous one, one that just may lead to our nation's downfall.

No, but the Republican don't have any good options here.  If Bolton testifies, the cat's out of the bag.  If he doesn't, it's a rigged trial and Democrats get to run with that to November.

Heads, I win.  Tails, you lose.

No one is going to care about Impeachment come November. People will care about the Economy, Health Care and possible Immigration.

In 2013 I remember all the fuss about the Shutdown, ObamaCare, etc. would be a Major Issue for the 2014 Midterms. It didn't turn out that way. Economy still topped Voters minds, followed by ISIS, EBOLA & Immigration.

[2016]

Is McConnell even going to have the trial appear to be fair?

The Republican Trump Party is a joke, but not a very funny one; in fact, it's a very dangerous one, one that just may lead to our nation's downfall.

No, but the Republican don't have any good options here.  If Bolton testifies, the cat's out of the bag.  If he doesn't, it's a rigged trial and Democrats get to run with that to November.

Heads, I win.  Tails, you lose.

No one is going to care about Impeachment come November. People will care about the Economy, Health Care and possible Immigration.

In 2013 I remember all the fuss about the Shutdown, ObamaCare, etc. would be a Major Issue for the 2014 Midterms. It didn't turn out that way. Economy still topped Voters minds, followed by ISIS, EBOLA & Immigration.

The President of the United States has been impeached 3 (three) times in the history of the nation.  People are going to remember, and they are going to care.

The economy was fine (well, "fine", as the corporate media has been trying to convince us such since 2011) in 2014, 2016, and 2018.  Voters didn't care and they wanted something new.

If you think Impeachment will Top Voters minds come November you're mistaken. For some it might be an issue but for most Voters they want to talk kitchen table issues which affects their Daily Lives and not this partisan hack crap by both Parties.

[2016]

Is McConnell even going to have the trial appear to be fair?

The Republican Trump Party is a joke, but not a very funny one; in fact, it's a very dangerous one, one that just may lead to our nation's downfall.

No, but the Republican don't have any good options here.  If Bolton testifies, the cat's out of the bag.  If he doesn't, it's a rigged trial and Democrats get to run with that to November.

Heads, I win.  Tails, you lose.

No one is going to care about Impeachment come November. People will care about the Economy, Health Care and possible Immigration.

In 2013 I remember all the fuss about the Shutdown, ObamaCare, etc. would be a Major Issue for the 2014 Midterms. It didn't turn out that way. Economy still topped Voters minds, followed by ISIS, EBOLA & Immigration.

The President of the United States has been impeached 3 (three) times in the history of the nation.  People are going to remember, and they are going to care.

The economy was fine (well, "fine", as the corporate media has been trying to convince us such since 2011) in 2014, 2016, and 2018.  Voters didn't care and they wanted something new.

If you think Impeachment will Top Voters minds come November you're mistaken. For some it might be an issue but for most Voters they want to talk kitchen table issues which affects their Daily Lives and not this partisan hack crap by both Parties.

I don't think a majority of Americans agree with that. Only Trump voters.

The House Impeachment Inquiry was rigged by the House Leadership in the worst way possibly. Most of it is pure speculation and assumption like Pat Cippolone said in the Brief yesterday.

[2016]

Very, very, very smart move by Team Trump to recruit 8 GOP House Reps to help. Winning move right here.

They are not going to speak on the Senate Floor though. They will act as surrogates. Good move nonetheless cuz they were shunned out in the House Proceedings.

It creates a seamless process for Trump. Those 8 House Reps know what the House Dems may be plotting. It’s a very clever move.

The outcome in all of this is pretty clear. Trump will be acquitted by a partisan-line Vote just like the House did a partisan vote to impeach him give or take a few Senators (Votes).

The Question is: How much want Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Michael Bennet spent time in Washington instead of spending it in IA, NH.

GOP Senator Cornyn from Texas said there might be a bipartisan deal with these folks and Senate Republicans to speed up the Process.

[2016]

McConnell caved on a few points regarding the trial:

https://twitter.com/GeoffRBennett/status/1219690213397712896?s=20

https://twitter.com/GeoffRBennett/status/1219690640902164482?s=20

Minor carvings in respect to the big Picture. Instead of 1AM Trail ending now 9pm ET Trail ending.

[2016]

More Days of Opening Statements though also means that Sanders & his Senate Folks won't be setting a single Foot into Iowa before February 3rd.

And everyone keeps saying Pelosi doesn't have anything to do with it. She knew excatly what she was doing to Biden's Main Rivals Sanders & Warren by sending over the Articles so late. I don't think this was a coincidence.

[2016]

I am totally onboard what WH Counsel Pat Cippolone just said on the Senate Floor. MAN, that guy is good.

The House Inquiry is a complete HOAX orchestrated by Pelosi, Schiff and Nadler.

Cipollone continued: “If I showed up in any court in this country and I said, ‘Judge, my case is overwhelming, but I’m not ready to go yet. I need more evidence’ … I would get thrown out in two seconds and that’s exactly what should happen here.”