You need 20 GOP Senators to say YES to IMPEACHMENT!!!
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I get your point but I understand why the Dems thought they might be able to get there. Republicans have a long history of being manipulated by the Dems so, while a guilty verdict in the senate was never likely, it wasn’t out of the realm of possiblity either.
Dems were hoping that something they threw up against the wall might stick and persuade senate Repbublicans to go along with them.
Its not hard to imagine that, with competent leadership, the Dems might have been able to prod a good number of GOP senators to join them. afterall, we have some real losers and never Trumpers in the senate.) We should all be thankful that Schiff was cast in the role as chairman of the Select Committee on Impeachment (will that becomes a standing committee?) and has been roundly exposed for the hack and liar that he is. In that sense the inept Schiff did us a favor.
Look at the winning margins of the GOP senators. How many could withstand a 20% to 50% loss in GOP support if they voted for Trump removal? I guarantee if Trump is removed, the GOP base will be so demoralized that a significant number will sit at home - 20% to 50%. (I bet closer to 50%!). Not only would these GOP senate turncoats go down but so would down ticket - from governor to dogcatcher.
Also nothing beats the perks of being a senator (except maybe being Prez & VPrez!). No beltway job, no NGO appointment, no big industry job, no cabinet position, the power, prestige & moo-lah for your supporters Kith & kin would be gone! Unless you retiring and going to the rest home to die you aren’t going to deliberately jeopardize it! Yes there are fools that do, but in group of 55 people there are always a handful of fools!