Clear blue skies and -3 degrees for the first proper day of Trump’s impeachment trial. Will be dominated by process rows as Republicans try to pass their proposed rules. 1pm EST (6pm UK) start. 
Republican proposal for trial is...
- 24hrs for Dems to make case over two days
- 24hrs for Trump team to make defence over two days
- 16hrs of questions from senators
- Then likely vote on new witnesses
Means Trump could be cleared by mid-next week
- 24hrs for Dems to make case over two days
- 24hrs for Trump team to make defence over two days
- 16hrs of questions from senators
- Then likely vote on new witnesses
Means Trump could be cleared by mid-next week
Republicans expected to have the votes to agree their rules. (Key moderates like Romney backed last night)
Dems will push for witnesses today, not expected to succeed. (Moderate Republicans want to decide on that after opening statements).
Dems will push for witnesses today, not expected to succeed. (Moderate Republicans want to decide on that after opening statements).
A reminder of the numbers...
There are 47 Democrats / independents in the 100 senators
To make / change rules for trial you need 51 votes
So Dems need to tempt at least 4 Republicans to do anything. That will be the heart of battles to come.
There are 47 Democrats / independents in the 100 senators
To make / change rules for trial you need 51 votes
So Dems need to tempt at least 4 Republicans to do anything. That will be the heart of battles to come.
CNN poll gave a snapshot of what the country is thinking yesterday.
51% want Trump removed, 45% against
Just 8% of Republican voters want Trump removed. (89% of Dems)
And interestingly, big majority (69%) want new witnesses heard in trial
51% want Trump removed, 45% against
Just 8% of Republican voters want Trump removed. (89% of Dems)
And interestingly, big majority (69%) want new witnesses heard in trial
The key feature today will be the partisan wrangling
For Clinton’s trial the Senate party leaders made a conscious decision to avoid bickering over rules, designing them together. They passed 100-0.
No chance of that here. Dem leader called proposed rules a ‘national disgrace’.
For Clinton’s trial the Senate party leaders made a conscious decision to avoid bickering over rules, designing them together. They passed 100-0.
No chance of that here. Dem leader called proposed rules a ‘national disgrace’.
Of course outcome near universally expected to be Trump acquittal. (Dems/independents have 47 votes, need 67 votes).
The biggest unknown is witnesses. If a few Republicans rebel next week and people who haven’t testified yet (eg John Bolton) do, it’s a massive curveball.
The biggest unknown is witnesses. If a few Republicans rebel next week and people who haven’t testified yet (eg John Bolton) do, it’s a massive curveball.
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