Replies

As in the Clinton case, many Senators are unlikely to have the appetite for a high stakes trial that might take a turn that puts them at a political disadvantage. Suppose, for example, that the House case unravels under public exposure, or that Trump asks to address the Senate personally and delivers a rousing and persuasive defense of himself? Or that win or lose, he takes to campaigning against the Senators who voted against him?

I can easily see the Senate GOP and Democrats from red states summarily voting to reject a Trump impeachment on the basis that hearings were unfairly held in secret without the opportunity for the President or his party to cross-examine witnesses or to subpoena documents and witnesses themselves.

Such an approach would also play to the Senate's institutional frame of mind that being older, wiser, and more experienced, Senators often have to correct mistakes and oversights by the House and its impetuous membership. Congress and state legislatures both display that dynamic, which has a large if seldom appreciated role in American legislative politics.

All good points. And thanks for the thoughtful reply.

To be honest, things in DC are so volatile right now that I’m not sure what will happen. One thing that has been a constant however is Republican hesitation and weakness (some things never change). I just don’t trust any of them because they never give us any reasons to.