Just counted 21 empty seats on the GOP side of the Senate, 2 on the Dem side, a couple hours into Schiff's presentation. Some are just stretching their legs, but most are not in the chamber. Some of them have been out of there for a while.
Couldn't see when lot of people left, but Graham, Cassidy and Risch were all out for a long time. Graham scooted back when Schiff was talking about Zelensky cancelling the CNN interview.
Cassidy was an interesting departure because, on the GOP, he's looked like the most active note-taker, attention-payer.
Dems don't seem too inclined to complain about this. Bob Casey thought maybe it was bathroom breaks. Sen. Blumenthal: "They want it to end. They want to move on, get it done, without witnesses and documents, taking cues from the White House, shut it down and get beyond."
Sen. Coons, on Rs wandering off: "I don't have any incite into what they're thinking, but there are moments in a trial when people vote with their feet. Jurors don't get to do that in a real jury. We are acting as if a jury, and it is somewhat disconcerting to have folks absent."
*insight.
Schiff opens with sly jab at restless Rs. Tell Roberts he may not be aware how extraordinary it is for senators to sit silently for the House. "It doesn't hurt that the morning starts out every day with the sergeant at arms warning you that if you don't you will be imprisoned."
