# Is Pelosi withholding Impeachment articles to derail Senators?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407
**Category:** Politics & Elections
**Created:** [January 14, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407 "2020-01-14T15:26:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/1 "2020-01-14T15:26:38Z")
When the impeacent trial is going on Senators can’t campaign. (Although as a side debate: how enforceable is that rule?) Do you think Pelosi is holding off on submitting the impeachment articles until the best time to say derail Sanders in the primaries, or Republican senators trying to get reelected to the Senate?
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### Author:  [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/2 "2020-01-14T15:31:22Z")
She’s not holding onto them any more – floor vote soon to send the articles to the Senate: [Pelosi sets up floor vote Wednesday to name impeachment managers and send articles to the Senate | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/14/politics/nancy-pelosi-impeachment-meeting/index.html)
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### Author:  [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/3 "2020-01-14T15:42:29Z")
Rumor has it Sanders will fly out at night and campaign and then fly back so he won’t miss any senate sessions. That’s pretty easy for NH but a longer flight to IA.
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### Author:  [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/4 "2020-01-14T15:42:57Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#):
>
> She’s not holding onto them any more – floor vote soon to send the articles to the Senate: [https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/14/politics/nancy-pelosi-impeachment-meeting/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/14/politics/nancy-pelosi-impeachment-meeting/index.html)
Ok, so was this to derail Sanders and Warren? It is now closer to the primaries. Can Sanders and Warren ignore the rule against campaigning?
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### Author:  [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/5 "2020-01-14T15:53:54Z")
> [@Jim\_Peebles](#):
>
> Ok, so was this to derail Sanders and Warren? It is now closer to the primaries. Can Sanders and Warren ignore the rule against campaigning?
There’s no such rule. They’ll campaign, then fly in for votes, then fly out for more campaigning.
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### Author:  [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/6 "2020-01-14T16:02:07Z")
> [@Jim\_Peebles](#):
>
> Ok, so was this to derail Sanders and Warren?
What’s the evidence for this conspiracy theory?
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### Author:  [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/7 "2020-01-14T16:09:04Z")
> [@Ravenman](#):
>
> What’s the evidence for this conspiracy theory?
It is just a theory. It is not necessarily a conspiracy, as it necessitates just one schemer: Pelosi. My reasoning: the Dems were saying the impeachment article hearings had to be rushed because Trump was an imminent threat to our democracy. And they had just the right amount of time to do it before primary season. Now just before the primaries Pelosi is ready to transmit, and that severely restricts the scheduling for the Dem senators trying to win the primaries. (Unless the Dem senators scoff at the rules, which I wonder if they can get away with.)
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### Author:  [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/8 "2020-01-14T16:17:05Z")
> [@Jim\_Peebles](#):
>
> It is just a theory. It is not necessarily a conspiracy, as it necessitates just one schemer: Pelosi. My reasoning: the Dems were saying the impeachment article hearings had to be rushed because Trump was an imminent threat to our democracy. And they had just the right amount of time to do it before primary season. Now just before the primaries Pelosi is ready to transmit, and that severely restricts the scheduling for the Dem senators trying to win the primaries. (Unless the Dem senators scoff at the rules, which I wonder if they can get away with.)
Can you provide a link to a Democrat (ideally one on either committee) saying that the impeachment needed to be rushed? When I Google this all I find is Doug Collins saying that the impeachment was rushed.
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### Author:  [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/9 "2020-01-14T16:27:34Z")
> [@Jim\_Peebles](#):
>
> It is just a theory. It is not necessarily a conspiracy, as it necessitates just one schemer: Pelosi. My reasoning: the Dems were saying the impeachment article hearings had to be rushed because Trump was an imminent threat to our democracy. And they had just the right amount of time to do it before primary season. Now just before the primaries Pelosi is ready to transmit, and that severely restricts the scheduling for the Dem senators trying to win the primaries.
You are totally missing the part where Mitch McConnell announced in December he’s going to run a kangaroo court. That’s a glaring omission in your timeline.
> [@](#):
>
> (Unless the Dem senators scoff at the rules, which I wonder if they can get away with.)
I’m not sure why you are worried about this. Any Senator who doesn’t attend is subject to arrest and being carried back into the Senate chamber. The more concerning violation of the rules, IMHO, is that Republican Senators are openly saying that they will work hand-in-glove with the President’s defense team, in violation of their upcoming oath to be impartial.
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### Author:  [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/10 "2020-01-14T16:28:36Z")
> [@Jim\_Peebles](#):
>
> It is just a theory. It is not necessarily a conspiracy, as it necessitates just one schemer: Pelosi. My reasoning: the Dems were saying the impeachment article hearings had to be rushed because Trump was an imminent threat to our democracy. And they had just the right amount of time to do it before primary season. Now just before the primaries Pelosi is ready to transmit, and that severely restricts the scheduling for the Dem senators trying to win the primaries. (Unless the Dem senators scoff at the rules, which I wonder if they can get away with.)
There are no such “rules” – if you believe otherwise, can you cite these supposed rules?
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### Author:  [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/11 "2020-01-14T16:34:58Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#):
>
> Can you provide a link to a Democrat (ideally one on either committee) saying that the impeachment needed to be rushed? When I Google this all I find is Doug Collins saying that the impeachment was rushed.
> **[Schiff says House will move forward with impeachment inquiry after...](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/schiff-says-house-will-move-forward-impeachment-inquiry-after-overwhelming-n1090221)**
>
> While some officials have declined to testify, the House Intelligence Committee chairman says, "we are not willing to go the months and months and months of rope-a-dope in the courts."
says Schiff said
> [@](#):
>
> We view this as urgent, we have another election where the president is threatening more foreign interference. But at the same time, there are still other witnesses, other documents that we’d like to obtain. But we are not willing to go the months and months and months of rope-a-dope in the courts, which the administration would love to do.
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### Author:  [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/12 "2020-01-14T16:39:06Z")
Schiff was talking about “months and months and months” of delays. (see your cite.) The delay has actually been maybe two weeks, depending on how you count it.
Dude, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
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### Author:  [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/13 "2020-01-14T16:39:08Z")
> [@Jim\_Peebles](#):
>
> [Schiff says House will move forward with impeachment inquiry after 'overwhelming' evidence from hearings](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/schiff-says-house-will-move-forward-impeachment-inquiry-after-overwhelming-n1090221)
> says Schiff said
Thanks. I’m not sure I would interpret that as saying it has be rushed, but I appreciate seeing where you’re coming from.
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### Author:  [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/14 "2020-01-14T16:41:13Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#):
>
> There are no such “rules” – if you believe otherwise, can you cite these supposed rules?
Seriously?
> **[Impeachment Could Trap Top Presidential Candidates In Washington. Sorry,...](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/paulmcleod/impeachment-trial-trap-democratic-presidential-candidates-dc)**
>
> “It would be disruptive, that’s all I can tell you,” said former presidential candidate and current senator Mitt Romney, laughing.
> [@](#):
>
> An impeachment trial would consume every senator’s schedule. Under the Senate’s current rules, all senators must be in session Monday through Saturday, starting at around noon each day. The trial may last several weeks — Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial lasted five — thus taking several candidates off the campaign trail the month before the primaries start.
>
> That’s a major problem for the six senators running to be the Democratic nominee for president — Cory Booker, Michael Bennet, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren.
It is now even closer to the primaries than when this article was written.
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### Author:  [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/15 "2020-01-14T16:49:54Z")
What makes you think that Dem Senators are going to break the rules on attendance? Seems like totally baseless speculation to me. I mean, I could just as easily say that Ted Cruz is going to attack the House impeachment managers with a hatchet… oh noes, how can we stop that???
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### Author:  [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/16 "2020-01-14T16:58:32Z")
> [@Ravenman](#):
>
> What makes you think that Dem Senators are going to break the rules on attendance? Seems like totally baseless speculation to me. I mean, I could just as easily say that Ted Cruz is going to attack the House impeachment managers with a hatchet… oh noes, how can we stop that???
Well I called that a side debate. My main point is a December trial in the Senate would have been the perfect time. Instead Pelosi waited until the primaries are about to start. That sidelines any Dem Senator trying to win the Dem primary. If I were a Sanders or Warren supporter I would be upset.
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### Author:  [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/17 "2020-01-14T17:14:11Z")
> [@Jim\_Peebles](#):
>
> Well I called that a side debate. My main point is a December trial in the Senate would have been the perfect time. Instead Pelosi waited until the primaries are about to start. That sidelines any Dem Senator trying to win the Dem primary. If I were a Sanders or Warren supporter I would be upset.
Firstly, December is a terrible time to have a trial that should last weeks because of the holiday break.
Secondly, I refer you back to **Ravenman** ’s point about McConnell and company openly stating that they aren’t going to be impartial, and Pelosi asking for assurances that Senators were at least going to pretend to adhere to the oath they will take. I don’t find that unreasonable at all.
Thirdly, it’s unlikely that Pelosi would want to undermine Sanders like that. She needs his (and Warren’s) support and goodwill in Congress. If you’re thinking this is all a plot to get Biden confirmed as the nominee, it’s the DNC who is responsible for any skulduggery in that respect. Pelosi has other priorities, this trial being the main one. She’s not going to jeopardize it just to help Uncle Joe.
Finally, and more speculatively, Pelosi might be trying to time the trial so that Trump is at his most unhinged when delivering his SOTU. I have no idea if this is something she wants or is able to do but I wouldn’t put it past her. Since she knows the Republicans will be going for the kangaroo court approach, trying to get Trump to embarrass and/or incriminate himself in a high-profile speech may be the best win she can get.
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### Author:  [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/18 "2020-01-14T17:15:58Z")
If Pelosi had sent over the Articles of Impeachment right after the House vote, McConnel would have rushed through a trial by New Year’s Day. Then we wouldn’t have had the tantaliozing fight over whether John Bolton would or would not testify, and we wouldn’t have some segment of the voting public saying, “Well, I would like to hear what this guy has to say.”
In this case, it’s the prosecution attempting to create doubt, while the defense wants to rush everything through before anyone can raise any questions.
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### Author:  [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/19 "2020-01-14T18:21:12Z")
> [@Jim\_Peebles](#):
>
> Well I called that a side debate. My main point is a December trial in the Senate would have been the perfect time. Instead Pelosi waited until the primaries are about to start. That sidelines any Dem Senator trying to win the Dem primary. If I were a Sanders or Warren supporter I would be upset.
I like both Sanders and Warren and I’m not upset at all. Fighting to hold Trump accountable, as the impeachment articles are, is about the best possible type of campaigning that any Democratic candidate could do. “Sorry, I’m busy trying to hold the most corrupt, immoral, incompetent, and dangerous President of the last 50 years accountable” is just about the perfect response to any question about why they’re not campaigning.
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [January 14, 2020, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-withholding-impeachment-articles-to-derail-senators/846407/20 "2020-01-14T18:58:18Z")
Remember 2008, when McCain suspended his campaign to devote his time to dealing with the financial crisis? And when Obama kept on campaigning while also working on the financial crisis? That was right around when McCain’s polling numbers started declining significantly (though it’s hard to know how much was due to that, since that was also right around when Palin was named as his running mate).
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