[Sherman Logan]

The popularity of the president should not be a factor in the Senate trial--only the facts of the case.

Nonsense. An impeachment trial is by definition a political act, not a legal proceeding.

[Forgiven_Sinner]

I said: "The popularity of the president should not be a factor in the Senate trial--only the facts of the case."

You said: "Nonsense. An impeachment trial is by definition a political act, not a legal proceeding."

You are quite right--there must be the political will to convict the impeached President. This is how Andrew Johnson got off--one Senator was POed by someone and did not vote to convict.

However, I recall the gist of the oath the Supreme Court Justice administered to the Senate: they must vote according to the facts of the case. They are then oath bound to do so. Perhaps some Freeper will search for that--it was heavily discussed on FR at the time.

Of course, my memory could be faulty too--that seems more common as I get older!