BREAKING: Looks like Collins may not get her wish. From The Hill:
“Senate Republicans emerged from a closed-door caucus meeting on Tuesday voicing renewed confidence that they will bypass a nasty witness fight in the impeachment trial.”
“The consensus is that we’ve heard enough and it’s time to go to a final judgement,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told reporters.
If we have 51 votes, I have absolutely no issue with Collins, who represents a blue state, voting to help her re-election. Better to have 50% of her than 100% of a Schumer clone in Maine
actually...a 50-50 vote kills this ..Roberts can not vote..
This was always going to be 51-49 on the question of witnesses. The only question was which 3 Rhinos would be “let out” of the vote. Collings & Romney were certainly looking for an excuse to defect. The NY Times leak gave them the excuse they needed.
This little blurb seems to be the only sliver of hope that we are not looking at months of misery. For 2 1/2 day Trump’s team has shredded the rats case and as as the 4-5 worst rinos are concerned it meant nothing.
I'd rather try to trade her for Joe Manchin. McConnell should tell Manchin that if he "does a Jeffords" and switches parties, he can have his pick of Collins' committee memberships.
Better to have 75% of him and a 100% Schumer clone in Maine.
-PJ