A thought bubble on impeachment: In the Senate, the key number is NOT 67 but rather only 4. True, 67 votes are needed to convict and remove a President, but given the way the party lineup is right now, the real issue is whether or not 4 Republican senators will /1
stand up to McConnell. With 51 votes (or 50+Pence) McConnell can set whatever procedure he wants for the impeachment trial, including a shortened version that does nothing at all. But if just 4 Republican Senators break with him and join the Democrats, they can /2
force the adoption of a fuller process. Four Senators can demand (and achieve) an accounting of the President's actions over (say) a two week period, instead of a 30 minute "motion to dismiss" debate. That transparency and accountability is critical going forward. /3
And so the real question @MittRomney, @BenSasse, @MikeLeeforUtah and @SenateGOP is ... are there 4 of you willing to stand up for process and transparency? /fin
