The argument is that most polling as around 65-75% support to see witnesses in the trial. It's a easy narrative to sell the public for 2020 on why a "innocent" administration wants to hide witnesses. GOP's blatant Trump bootlicking could swings around and punch them in the face for such a blatant attempt at protecting him. GOP politicans would have a easier time to justify acquittal if they allowed witnesses. The acquittal now won't have the same punch it would if the witnesses were allowed.
I heard a true comment tonight on Brett Bairs panel. There will be a 1000 news cycles between today and the elections....things rarely are as effective after a week. Take the "WAR WITH IRAN" story from 3 weeks ago. Who's talking about that today? What will matter in November are in order: 1. The economy 2. Who the dem nominee is. Will it be a replay of 2016 where Sanders gets screwed OR an actual attempt to elect a self described Socialist as Prez? 3. The debates. Senate and Congress are way more dependent on candidates and local issues and how well folks have delivered on campaign promises.
For those who keep on saying they should've censured Trump instead of going for impeachment consider that censure isn't a Constitutionally proscribed option. If the House were to pass a censure bill it would fall under the same rules as any other bills and as such carry far less weight than an impeachment bill. Considering that people like Sondland and Vindman testified even though the Executive branch issued a blanket order to not cooperate. How likely are those people going to stick their necks out for censure? Also since censure isn't proscribed in the Constitution it will likely suffer the same fate as 100's of other bills that the House has passed and just die on McConnell's desk.
I agree with that in general. The most important issue is going to be who the democrats nominate. Trump is very vulnerable but counting on the Democrats to be smart is many times too much to ask for.
Yep, this is an easy sell, Democratic groups are already locked and loaded for relevant ads against vulnerable Senators. Will those ads hit home? We'll see. But the Democrats had nothing to lose here. It's not like any one in their base is going to say "Gee, we didn't get him removed...guess I won't vote." the impeachment has fired up the base more than anything.
How can you respect Rubio’s opinion when is supposed uphold the constitution not ignore parts of it because he thinks Trump is good for the country.
And whatever nominee comes about, they have the salvo to remind voters of the impeachment and the GOP being too afraid to call witnesses. The economy? I bet Trump is going to wish he had the 2019 economy going into Nov 2020. Populist like Trump and Bernie are so hot right now...
