The real problem with witnesses is this:
Republicans can get their witnesses with a simple subpoena. Democrats will have to go through the courts, and it can take months, before they can get their witnesses, if Trump asserts executive privilege. Who benefits from such a delay?
Republicans can get their witnesses with a simple subpoena. Democrats will have to go through the courts, and it can take months, before they can get their witnesses, if Trump asserts executive privilege. Who benefits from such a delay?
While the case makes its way through the courts, senators could be free to campaign ... unless ... Mitch has something else up his sleeve to keep the senate in session and dismiss the case if senators miss key proceedings. He is a master of hard ball, and not afraid to play it.
Mitch can do a lot of stuff to make life difficult for the Democrats, and Democrats know Mitch will not shy away from doing just that. So Democrats have some hard thinking to do by Friday. I wouldn't be surprised if they let the vote for witnesses be defeated to claim victimhood.
It's notable that McConnell let it be leaked (I think) today that he doesn't have the votes to block witnesses from being called, and he did it three days ahead of the vote on Friday. He may be calling Democrats' bluff about wanting to call witnesses. Nothing is as it seems.
