The insistence by some in the GOP to have the Bidens testify is nothing more than

[Atticus]

a brazen attempt to have GOP Senators accomplish what Trump could not with his criminal extortion attempt in Ukraine: the smearing of Joe Biden.

Putin has to be grinning ear to ear.

[kentuck]

1. However...

I think a good lawyer could stop "irrelevant" questions.

[Atticus]

2. In a court, yes, but in the impeachment trial, "relevancy" will be determined by

53 Republicans.

[The_Counsel]

4. Understood, But That Raises Another Question:

Exactly what is the Chief Justice's role in these proceedings? The Senate makes all the rules, and can essentially overrule any ruling from the presiding officer.

So what does Chief Justice Roberts actually DO?

I mean...besides just sit there and look cute in a gown...?

[Atticus]

5. I expect nothing from Robert's. He will not even attempt to function as a judge. nt

[tritsofme]

3. Senators are the jury and the court.

As long as Republicans have his back, McConnell decides what it is relevant.

[COLGATE4]

6. Yep. That's why I expect exactly zero

from the impeachment hearing (I can't bring myself to call it a trial). McConnell has the whip hand and will railroad these proceedings as surely as he railroaded Garland's nomination. Our only hope long term is to vote in a Democratic majority in the Senate and, hopefully, vote Moscow Mitch out.

[sboatcar]

7. So if they bring him in, then what?

I mean really, if it gets us to allow John Bolton, isn't that a decent compromise? I know their questioning of him will be total bullshit, but if it gets us what we want, wouldn't that be a good idea?

[Hekate]

9. No. All it would accomplish is the goal of the Zelinsky extortion: a smear of an innocent man

President Z was not even being told to open a true investigation -- I think Ukraine had already dug into Burisma of their own accord and found nothing at all on a person named Hunter Biden. The "favor" that Trump so desperately wanted was for Zelinsky to announce (on CNN, specifically) an investigation, because that alone would dirty the Biden family name.

You know, kind of like what Comey did to Hillary, only way worse.

As various lawyers have noted, you don't get to pull irrelevant witnesses into a trial, and both Bidens are irrelevant.

[jmowreader]

8. I'd trade Biden on the witness stand for Trump on it

Watching Trump get torn to shreds will be highly enlightening.

[Hekate]

10. Never