What stops McConnell from passing a rule that allows ONE witness-- Hunter Biden ?

[Gidney N Cloyd]

He's got the votes to ram through anything he wants. Why go through the motions (with Cruz) for trading witnesses with the Democrats? It's not like he's making any effort to make the rest of the trial seem on the square.

[dem4decades]

1. They don't want any witnesses , only an excuse for not having them.

[DeminPennswoods]

2. There's already a gate-keeper motion in the rules

where the Senate must first vote to allow motions to call witnesses and documents.

If they want to call Hunter Biden, they have to approve that motion first. If they do, then the door is open for anyone to ask for witnesses. Of course, it's entirely possible Rs could vote not to hear every witness but Biden, but they have to allow for witnesses and documents first.

[Raven123]

3. Nothing, if they have the votes.

However, if the current polls are close to accurate, such a decision might sink the GOP in the election. Also, I suspect McConnell wants to avoid potential surprises. He would rather have zero witnesses and documents.

[uponit7771]

7. +1, I've dug into the MSNBC poll a little and the LV numbers are HORRIBLE for Red Don

... I don't see anything changing peoples minds from 57% removal to giving Red Don another term.

[choie]

4. Because it's all a ruse...

McConnell doesn't really want Biden to testify. He knows damn well he has nothing to offer, and is just using him.

[tritsofme]

5. Based on the rule passed last night, that is not likely.

There will be a motion before the Senate at the conclusion of opening statements and questions to decide whether they will hear witnesses, if it is adopted there will be votes on specific witnesses and documents. If it fails, the trial is basically over and they will move for acquittal.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

8. That explains it. It opens a pandora's box maybe Mitch can't easily close.

But you'd think Schumer would call to consider it at the appropriate time instead of shutting down the idea of calling Biden at all.

[uponit7771]

6. K&R, McKaskil says Moscow Mitch and the kGOP is bluffing about the Bidens and doesn't

... want them at all another MSNBC analyst said a Biden subpoena would take minimum a week and elongate the trial.

I'm thinking, call their bluff ... knock them on their asses