witnesses and evidence are pretty basic to the concept of a trial.

remarkable that republicans struggle with such concepts when one it's a republican on trial....

testimony lands, because Trump CAN'T testify under oath.

It'll shatter the Republican lines. There will be defectors.
They lose when Bolton walks on to the Senate floor and swears in.

IF it happens, if the Republicans fail to prevent it, and IF Bolton isn't some double super reverse troll, it's going to be a moon landing moment.

i think the senate republicans' primary goal now is to make it not look like they're in on the cover-up, which they obviously are.

refusing to allow witnesses has become too blatant, so i think they're going to have to allow bolton to testify.

but "all" he will do is confirm that donnie did exactly what he's accused of doing.

the republicans in the senate can still say it "doesn't rise to the level" needed for removal. but then they're be able to claim at least they had a "fair" trial.

He's thinking he can grab control from McConnell. If he grabs power from McConnel - the landscape of this changes considerably.

I have been wondering what personal gain he was going for (because you know there is at least one) and you may have hit right on it.

to be appointed Pence's VP.

And Pelosi's House has to approve whoever it is. They still have time to impeach Pence and make Pelosi president, although that's a long shot and probably not her intention. Pence is as guilty as Trump in this matter.

If the Senate is forced by public opinion to open the Trump trial to witnesses, consider who could be called: not just Bolton but McGahn, Priebus, Kelly, Giuliani and... wait for it... Pence. If Pence is shown to have been a participant in the Ukraine scandal (which I believe he is), or if he perjures himself in his deposition and testimony, he will be tremendously vulnerable politically.

The Democrats should also try to call Trump to testify. It will never happen but the symbolism of Trump defying Congress would be a powerful one.

By the way, let the Bidens be called, too. Joe Biden would wipe the floor with any Republican who tried to lie about him. More importantly, it will add the the overwhelming lack of evidence that Hunter Biden did anything illegal.

All very good news. Speaker Pelosi is a genius. ?️

Kevin Gannon (@TheTattooedProf) Tweeted:
https://t.co/DwRxRlF5ME https://t.co/yqhPYTFJ38

Link to tweet

A leader is someone grounded in hope and, together with followers, acts with courage to make an inauthentic situation authentic.

Alas, I do not recall the source of this.

He at least doesn't want to be on the wrong side of history. And is putting himself forward a a "party leader for the future".

We should be skeptically happy with this move.

Well if memory serves me right it was Massachusetts State Health plan tagged Romneycare. Maybe Mitt likes the sound of that and would like it to be nationwide? Just a thought.

... he pretended he had nothing to do with Romney Care. He ran away from it, not towards it. (After spending years touting it as an accomplishment.)

Romney ran away because the idea of a national healthcare plan was a hot political issue. Now that Obamacare (ACA) has had the success and tens of MILLIONS want it improved to the next level. Fixing Obamacare to become in the next version Romneycare might in fact work.

And their entire party suddenly declared it the great Satan because a Democrat picked it up, foolishly thinking that conservatives might be more on board with their own plan.

I recall interviews with Republican voters in the 2022 election and a lot of voters said they didn't like Romney but beating Obama was the most important issue for them. Now that Trump is President I doubt that Romney is electable argument will win again.

against any of the leading Democratic candidates if Trump was removed from office?

I was giving the opinion of right wingers who voted for Romney even though they didn't like him.

nt

so if trump is removed, pence won’t have much time to campaign. And house can add more articles of impeachment as they continue their investigation and as court cases against trump move through - especially emoluments clause case is most straightforward.

And the Bidens have NOTHING to do with any freaking saga.

BTW SAGA was the name of the food supplier for the dorms when I was a freshman in college.!

Chilling memory!

Needed two then. Now we need four. I'm not holding my breath.

Romney’s been a Governor and a presidential candidate. That is - someone used to being in the Number-One position. The Alpha.

In the Senate, he is one-of-100. He won’t be in an officially-designated leader or “top-dog” position unless he eventually maneuvers to replace Ol’ Moscow as caucus leader.

Maybe this is part of what we’re now seeing? An attempt to stand out from the pack and assert a leader position. He certainly stands out now.