Then what prevents Mitch and the Senate from just carrying on with business as usual and pretending nothing is happening until the House does send the articles over?
And if Mitch agrees to a fair trial, but then the articles are sent over, and he retracts his agreement, what will Pelosi and Co. do about it?
True, a guy who has said he has no intention of being impartial while preparing to take an oath next month to be an impartial juror has no integrity worth a bucket of spit. I just want to see him declare publicly to hold a fair trial then if he goes back on the word he’ll look like the ass that he is.
Well, I suppose you know your own intentions. Put me down for #2 then.
But nothing prevents him from claiming it was a fair trial even if it wasn’t, and his opponents from claiming that it was an unfair trial even if it was.
It’s like telling two kids, “You can fight however you want, as long as it’s fair.”
I voted for #3, but intended to vote for #2. I wish there was some way to correct errors on these polls :mad:.
This might be the best option, but the downside is that McConnell might find ways to sit on the issue until an opportune time. If he does that, they have the option of throwing their hands up, saying “We tried to do this the right way, but it’s clear McConnell is abusing his power,” and then instead issue a House censure and be done with it.
Yes, it’s frustrating that Trump is getting away with high crimes, but as I’ve said repeatedly, the best way to defeat him is at the ballot box, which may or may not be possible. But from the looks of things, not just now but really all along, impeachment has always been a long shot because Senate Republicans have known that there isn’t enough public support for it. And that’s because there’s not enough public loathing for Trump.
It’s up to American voters to preserve their political system. No amount of testimony from Ivy League lawyers is going to change that.
Actually, that could be the best result. That way trump doesnt get a acquital.
Well, now we know, at least, thanks.
Option not in the poll, Trump has a major coronary event. I believe this a real possibility.
Okay, here’s my dream.
It’s been suggested that some Repub senators might have the cojones to vote to convict, if only they could be confident that a bunch of other Repub senators will too, so they won’t be standing alone. And it’s fairly well understood, I think, that there are at least 20 Repub senators who hate Trump’s fucking guts, but none of whom will have the balls or the integrity to vote to convict.
So here’s my dream: Those 20-or-more Repub senators who hate Trump’s fucking guts will conspire in secret, privately swearing a blood oath to one another that “I’ll vote to convict if all of you do too”. I dream that they’re already planning this, very hush-hush among themselves, even as the House prepares to impeach.
And when the vote finally happens, and not until then, when the first Repub Senator votes “Guilty!”, an audible gasp arises from all in attendance! And a second Repub senator votes “Guilty!” And a third! And thick and fast they came at last, “Guilty!”, “Guilty!”, “Guilty!” And when at last the vote is through, The Donald will stand as the First President Ever Impeached and Convicted and Removed From Office! There may be others later, but The Donald will forever be the FIRST!
I have even better dreams than Chronos! :smug:
This. Collins officially wraithed herself last year over Kavanaugh.
To anyone who voted for number 1, please explain how McConnell will usurp the Constitutional power of CJ Roberts to preside?
With a twinkle in his eye and a devilish grin.
You are my hero tonight! May God bless and keep you always - May your wishes all come true…
I voted #2 but #1 is quite possible. (Sorry for the late vote; I’ve been sick.)
I see more ways he might not survive the process. But that gets into “coup” territory. So I’ll just mention non-fatal pre-trial possibilities.
And then there’s:
Trump is devastating the Republican party. It cannot survive another 4 years of Trump. But, the impeachment and trial presents an easy way out:
Resist greatly
Grudgingly agree to a trial that will expose Trumps guilt
Blame the Dems as traitorous tormentors of a maligned President
Remove Trump from office by one vote
Loudly condemn the removal and have Pence pardon Trump
Dump Pence and run Romney or Haley in 2020
RR,
He could fake a heart attack and resign while being treated by a private physician in Trump Tower.
The Chief Justice presides over an impeachment trial, but a trial doesn’t occur if the [del]court[/del] Senate dismisses the charges before trial.
The same clause of the Constitution that has the Chief Justice preside over presidential trials gives the Senate the sole power to try impeachment.
[QUOTE=U.S. Const. Art I, Sec. 3]
The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.
[/QUOTE]
Not duty, power. If the founders meant duty, they could have said “The Senate alone shall try all impeachments” or the like. Arguably, any power or right can be waived.
Note that I don’t agree with the Senate doing this, but doing so would IMHO involve less violence to the language of the Constitution than refusing to exercise advice and consent for Supreme Court appointments within the last year of a presidency. :rolleyes: