Blah. The Republican Senators will hold the line against the Rats. Their phony baloney jobs depend on it.
We normals are not amused.
“Murkowski, Romney, Collins,..... that is all they need”
Add a few more who have announced retirements (Alexander and Burr for example) or may soon be announcing retirement, plus a some who are being extorted.
While conservatives have threatened to bolt the party, or stay at home to punish treachery by the GOP members of Congress, it has never happened. Even when Boehner, Ryan, McConnell and Romney during his presidential run dissed the tea party, the GOP base held their noses and went to the polls to support the party.
It is the independents the GOP insiders are concerned about, not the base. The GOP wins when Independents shift slightly toward Republicans and the minority turnout is weaker than normal. When independents tire of Republicans and minority turnout is high (2008 for example) Republicans loose.
Minority turnout tends to be higher in presidential election years which is why Republican members of Congress and Senators are more vulnerable in presidential election years. Undoubtedly the Democrats will have a minority in the top slot or VP slot in 2020 to ensure minorities and youth turnout is strong. Some of the weaker GOP Senators, in swing states or states shifting blue (Tillis of NC for example) might be persuaded they will lose in 2020 anyway. Perhaps now is the time to cast a vote to convict Trump in order to be adored by the media for a day and to receive a lucrative corporate board seat, K street lobbying job, CNN commentator job, or president’s job at a small college. You can bet those conversations are being held.