When Ted Cruz floated this idea of witness swapping, he basically acknowledged that the Democrats have POWER in this proceeding. That was a huge mistake, it was effectively a cave. Our guys just don’t have that killer instinct to put the boot on the throat. The Rats are better at this game than us.
“When Ted Cruz floated this idea of witness swapping, he basically acknowledged that the Democrats have POWER in this proceeding.”
No, the House Democrats have no power. They are going to lose and lose big.
But it’s true McConnell and the defense team are treading carefully. There is something they want very badly and are willing to make concessions for.
They want all 53 GOP senators on board when this thing comes to a final vote. They only need 33 to acquit, and they are certain to get 49 - but they want 53 badly, because if all 53 GOP senators vote to acquit, that tells the public that the impeachment was a nothing but a partisan witch hunt, which is a full vindication of the President.
This need for all 53 Republicans gives Mitt Romney and the other three squishy Republicans a certain amount of power. That is why the defense is making concessions - to garner these four Republican votes - it has nothing to do with the Democrats.