McConnell lacks the votes for Trump's preferred impeachment plan

[Dennis Donovan]

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/mcconnell-lacks-the-votes-trumps-preferred-impeachment-plan

01/14/20 08:00 AM
By Steve Benen

As Donald Trump’s impeachment process moves toward the trial phase, there are a couple of provocative plans the president and his team have endorsed for the Senate proceedings. The first is something called a “motion to dismiss.”

The idea, championed by freshman Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), among others, would involve the Senate receiving the articles of impeachment from the House, only to swiftly reject the charges as meritless. In effect, senators would participate in a cover-up by refusing to even consider the allegations or the evidence.

The president has made clear that he supports such a dismissal, but as multiple news organizations reported late yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) doesn’t appear to have the votes to pull it off. As the New York Times explained:

Senate Republicans indicated on Monday that they would not seek to summarily dismiss the impeachment charges against President Trump, proceeding instead to a trial with arguments and the possibility of calling witnesses that could begin as soon as Wednesday.

In interviews, rank-and-file senators and party leaders made clear on Monday that even if they wanted to pursue dismissal, the votes simply were not there to succeed – at least not at the outset of the trial.

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), a member of the GOP leadership, told the Washington Post, “I don’t think there’s any interest on our side of dismissing. Certainly, there aren’t 51 votes for a motion to dismiss.”

</snip>

For the first time since this process began, I'm feeling like we *may* have a shot of actually removing Trump before the election!

[dewsgirl]

1. This gives me....dare I say, a glimmer of hope.😉

[mucifer]

2. problem is mitch is an evil genius. he always figures out something horrific

[getagrip_already]

3. I call bs....

They are trying to get us to let our guard down. Moscow has the votes, he is just hiding his hand.

This will be over before the sotu. Once they get the articles, they will slam it shut. jmho of course.

I don't trust them. I know what to expect.

[TheRealNorth]

6. This is what I fear, too.

Last edited Tue Jan 14, 2020, 11:32 AM - Edit history (1)

Either Lucy (the Republicans who say they support some witnesses) will pull the football again, or Trump will browbeat them.

I am not sure even Mitt Romney could withstand the pressure if Fox News and Rush turn on him at Trump's behest.

[duforsure]

4. I think some republicans realize all the truth will come out,maybe very soon,

And trump and Moscow Mitch and other loyalists are walking into a well laid trap, and if they refuse to convict trump and many others , and get exposed they're taking bribes from Putin, and other corrupt foreign governments, and organized crime to rig the upcoming election. I also think their party could be destroyed from it , and many will be facing prison for it. It's up to Moscow Mitch what his future will be. Trump will not be around long when they realize they might save the party instead of trump any longer.

[TheRealNorth]

9. I would to think that

But if Mueller and FBI were constantly frustrated at getting the records they needed, what are the chances of getting any evidence when Barr and Moscow Mitch are there to block any chance of oversight.

If the Republicans are in as deep as I kind of think some of them are, they ain't going without a fight.

[Iliyah]

5. A lot of Republicans are up for elections in 2020 . . .

That is the only reason . . .

[el_bryanto]

7. That is the most logical answer

I think though even for the ones who aren't up for reelection it doesn't look super presidential and it prevents them from the opportunity to grandstand. I haven't known any senators but I have gotten the impression that even the best of them like getting up on the senate floor and hearing themselves speak.

But mostly I think it's the election thing.

Bryant
http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[dawg day]

8. I wonder how much power CJ Roberts will have

Over the trial.