To Witness or not to Witness

First let me say, truth is always the best path. The Senate and the American people needs to hear from these people. In a sane world, that wouldn't even be the question.

Having said that, I have started wondering what happens if the no-witness track is played out.

I am working under the assumption that the Senate will acquit no matter what the witness may say. At best, we could hope for a handful of defecting Republicans to make for a moral victory. But I don't see any scenario where we get double digits of these guys to flip. In other words, it is a show trial no matter what happens.

So, in the "witness" scenario, we would have an acquittal in what "looks" like a real trial. As much as we hang on every word, the vast majority of the Country is only paying attention at the 10,000' level. At best, they only get the highlights and what their social media stream tells them. Trump will claim exoneration and the Republicans will have done enough to put a veneer of legitimacy over it.

But in the "no-witness" scenario, the trial will so obviously be a sham that I don't think any claim of exoneration or vindication will work. The stink of cover-up will linger forever.

I know there is a fear that the power dynamics are shifting to the point that Trump will be turned lose to become a tyrant. I think that is true no-matter how he gets to acquittal. I actually fear the veneer of a show trial worse. I would rather have a populous that is up in arms against a sham trial than one that has been placated by the appearance of due process.

Again, witnesses are the right thing to do. But I am not fearing the no-witness path as much as I used to. The GOP could be stepping in it big time to try and pull that off now.