But if the House votes for impeachment before the holiday break, the Senate trial starts right during the beginning of primary season, and that throws all sorts of monkey wrenches into the mix. And, a Trump exoneration in late January or February puts the wind at his back for the rest of the 2020 campaign.
On the other hand, if the House holds on to impeachment and tries to time it later in the campaign, it is certain that the public, which already is not that interested, will be completely bored.
The bottom line, for the Democrats, there is no good time for a Senate trial, and Pelosi knows it. Even this inquiry isn't getting much traction outside the political junkie class.
What would be interesting is if the impeachment is delivered to the Senate. McConnell moves for immediate dismissal on ground that say it was improperly done. (Who can stop him if he has the balls to do it?) Even though they are supposed to take it up if its delivered, who’s going to make him? He might just ignore it. The general public is not going to demand he do anything. Only the “talking head” crowd will screech. One could say he has to or he will be doing violence to the Constitution. More violence that what’s already been done? Hardly! Everyone knows its politics, most would be happy to see it off their TVs.