The Trump Impeachment Trial

[JohnT]

Senators are sworn in, let’s go…

[squeegee]

C-span video of the swearing in.

[JohnT]

To give you an idea as to how confident the GOP is in responding to questions regarding the Impeachment proceedings, remember that Mitch McConnell has ordered severe press restrictions, as well as the GOP handing out these flashcards which give GOP senators canned responses to our questions.

Also, yesterday, C-Span put out a statement requesting their cameras be allowed in the Senate chambers to carry the proceedings live:

C-SPAN-Letter-to-Senate.pdf

[MulderMuffin]

I’m trying to decide how I feel about limiting press access to the senators during the trial.

On the one hand, they are ostensibly the jury, and should not be making up their minds or discussing the case while the trial is in progress. As long as everyone is on the same page and following the same rules I can understand this point of view. As I understand it, the senators will be listening, not speaking, so they should not have a point of view to explain or defend.

On the other hand, they need to be accountable and accessible to the American people as a consequence of their positions. Plus, I’m nosy and want fo know how they’re reacting to the (please, please!) evidence and witnesses.

Am I a complete Pollyanna to think that there’s a glimmer of a chance that the continuing release of damning evidence will sway at least a few senators? That they’ll feel and appreciate the gravity of the task at hand and really listen?

[Happy_Lendervedder]

@MulderMuffin

Am I a complete Pollyanna to think that there’s a glimmer of a chance that the continuing release of damning evidence will sway at least a few senators? That they’ll feel and appreciate the gravity of the task at hand and really listen?

Yes.

[QuickSilver]

Susan Collins, ever the spineless weasel, is hedging her votes before the trial even starts:

@Jennifer Rubin (WaPo)

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) replied yesterday to a reporter’s question about the blockbuster Lev Parnas documents handed over to the House on Tuesday. “I wonder why the House did not put that into the record and it’s only now being revealed,” she said. When told the House had just received them, she retorted, “Doesn’t that suggest that the House did an incomplete job, then?” No, and her reply should deeply concern the voters of Maine and anyone who wants a full and fair impeachment trial.

The only gravity the craven GOP senators feel is the gravity of cash that Trump will use to either support or deny them their next election.

[Kolak_of_Twilo]

@MulderMuffin

Am I a complete Pollyanna to think that there’s a glimmer of a chance that the continuing release of damning evidence will sway at least a few senators? That they’ll feel and appreciate the gravity of the task at hand and really listen?

I continue to think there is a better than zero chance there will be 2-3 GOP Senators who will vote guilty on at least one charge. My guess would be Romney and Lee from Utah are the most likely. Beyond that I don’t really have any idea who might be inclined to vote with the Democrats. And I’m pretty certain at least one D (Manchin) will vote to acquit.

[Max_S]

Here are the articles of impeachment (PDF):
H.R. 755, 116th Cong. (2019)

~Max

[Fiddle_Peghead]

@Kolak_of_Twilo

I continue to think there is a better than zero chance there will be 2-3 GOP Senators who will vote guilty on at least one charge. My guess would be Romney and Lee from Utah are the most likely. Beyond that I don’t really have any idea who might be inclined to vote with the Democrats. And I’m pretty certain at least one D (Manchin) will vote to acquit.

I haven’t paid much attention to Lee on this, but as for Romney, I would not be at all surprised if he voted guilty on one or both charges.

In any case, given that the first page of a Google search didn’t mention it, am I to assume this will NOT be televised?

[Kent_Clark]

@QuickSilver

Susan Collins, ever the spineless weasel, is hedging her votes before the trial even starts:

The only gravity the craven GOP senators feel is the gravity of cash that Trump will use to either support or deny them their next election.

Still better than Martha McSally’s response, “You’re a liberal hack. I’m not talking to you,” when a reporter asked her the same question.

[JohnT]

@Fiddle_Peghead

I haven’t paid much attention to Lee on this, but as for Romney, I would not be at all surprised if he voted guilty on one or both charges.

In any case, given that the first page of a Google search didn’t mention it, am I to assume this will NOT be televised?

It will not be televised. As per McConnell’s and the GOP’s wishes.

[Happy_Lendervedder]

@JohnT

It will not be televised. As per McConnell’s and the GOP’s wishes.

No cameras at all, or just no live feed?

[Bijou_Drains]

I know the ending just like I knew the ending to Titanic.

[Aspenglow]

@JohnT

It will not be televised. As per McConnell’s and the GOP’s wishes.

Got a cite for that? I can’t find one.

My understanding is that there will be only one designated camera, similar to a pool camera situation for the actual proceedings and prohibited to film anything other than the actual proceedings. I’m not sure this is settled yet, but I’ll certainly accept any cite you’ve got on the subject. Pretty important stuff!

[JohnT]

TV networks ask Senate to use C-SPAN cameras for upcoming Trump impeachment...

The broadcast and cable networks have issued a joint request to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell requesting that they be able to use C-SPAN cameras for coverage of the impeachment trial of President Trump.

The current plan for next week’s trial coverage has TV depending on the video feed provided by the Senate Recording Studio, which according to C-SPAN will have a restricted view of the floor debates.

C-SPAN, the nonprofit service that carries federal government proceedings and provides them to cable and satellite operators, raised the issue in a Dec. 19 letter to McConnell.

So, yes, I stand corrected as now it’s just limited access, fewer cameras, and fed through a system controlled by the Republicans.

[Fiendish_Astronaut]

Brit here who has no idea if this is a stupid question or not: is the vote to remove from office an anonymous or public one?

[Aspenglow]

Ok, that comports with my understanding. It will be televised on a restricted basis, controlled entirely by the Senate. No independent news media will be allowed to cover it.

LOL, I wonder if Trump will make a pitch to allow only Fox cameras in.

[QuickSilver]

@Kent_Clark

Still better than Martha McSally’s response, “You’re a liberal hack. I’m not talking to you,” when a reporter asked her the same question.

Angry, stupid and afraid is no way to serve in the Senate, Martha.

[Drum_God]

@Fiendish_Astronaut

Brit here who has no idea if this is a stupid question or not: is the vote to remove from office an anonymous or public one?

The Senate can establish whatever rules they like. At this time, the vote will be recorded. Each senator will have to go on the record for his/her vote. McConnell needs this in order to keep his caucus in line. A secret ballot might have a different result.

However, in a representative democracy, these Senators should NOT have a secret ballot. We elected them and each of them needs to own his/her votes.

[Max_S]

@Fiendish_Astronaut

Brit here who has no idea if this is a stupid question or not: is the vote to remove from office an anonymous or public one?

The Constitution does not require that individual votes be public or even written down; however, Art. I sect. 5 is relevant here:
“Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from
time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in
their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the
Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire
of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.”
~Max