As a show of good faith, Democrats should make a motion that witnesses be approved?

[kentuck]

Make it the very first motion?

If Mitch McConnell objects, would John Roberts have to make a ruling?

Would it be better to take a vote for witnesses at the beginning or wait a week or two to take the vote?

They should not proceed until they know the Republicans are serious about this impeachment trial?

(If it goes beyond SOTU schedule, then so be it.)

Just my opinion.

[lark]

1. Think it would bite us.

drumpf will claim "executive privilege" against all witnesses against him, they won't testify and McConnell will end up only allowing witnesses against Dems. Of course, they will call Biden, Schiff, the whistelblower all for distraction but will do everything short of shooting people to make them not testify. Dems can protest, maybe can raise the issue to Roberts for germaneness, but Roberts is a rw hack so expect nothing good from him.

[kentuck]

2. I think Roberts should be given a chance to make a ruling....

...before we call him a rw hack.

What are the odds of Trump being acquitted, no matter what Democrats do?

Roberts could rule whether or not a president can claim executive privilege in an impeachment trial.

This is no time to be meek. This is a time to be bold.

[Bettie]

3. We've had that "oh, he cares about the rule of law..."

football pulled away at the last second so many times, it is hard to have hope that THIS TIME, this guy (Roberts) isn't going to be all-in for the Orange Pustule.

I hope he might not be what I fear, but I'm not exactly holding my breath.

But, you are right, it is a time to be bold. I mean, if they are all in the bag for him, then our side may as well go for broke, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[kentuck]

4. If Democrats make a motion to vote for witnesses before proceeding further..?

I don't see that he has any option but to rule on it? He is the judge in the chair.

There is no need to waste 24 hours of debate if there is not going to be any witnesses. They should vote up front.

[onenote]

6. See post #5

[Bettie]

7. Yes, they should

Honestly, I expect an immediate motion to dismiss from McConnell and each and every Republican to vote yes, along with Joe Manchin (making it "bipartisan&quot .

But, I agree, they should vote on that up front.

[kentuck]

10. They should be forced to put their cards on the table.

Let's see where everybody stands right up front.

[onenote]

5. It depends on what the procedural order adopted by the senate says

If the order says motions for witnesses will be entertained at a particular point in the proceedings and Schumer makes a motion for witnesses before that point and McConnell objects, Roberts likely would simply rule that the motion is out of order pursuant to the clear terms of the governing procedural order.

If there is any ambiguity as to whether a motion to approve witnesses is timely, Roberts probably won't make any ruling -- he'll just refer the question to a vote of the whole Senate.

[kentuck]

9. But they haven't voted on the rules yet, right?

I would agree that Roberts would refer it to the whole Senate.

But, isn't that the point?

Wouldn't it be better to refer the question to a vote of the full Senate up front, before going thru a charade for a couple of days and then voting?

[uponit7771]

8. YES !!! Roberts would be included no matter what, if he's silent he's a hack PERIOD !! We're not

... talking about someone lying about sex we're talking about someone attempting to affect elections by including another nation state.

The situation ... COMMANDS ... Roberts inclusion

[NewJeffCT]

12. even if he rules against Trump

Moscow Mitch can invoke the nuclear option and overrule him with 51 votes

[kentuck]

14. If he has 51 votes now, he will have 51 votes two days from now.

Hit 'em quick. Don't wait for two days.

Demand a vote for witnesses first thing on the agenda.

[uponit7771]

15. Make him and hold the votes account, I don't think Moscow Mitch has 51 votes to overrule Roberts if

... IF ... IF the headlines the next day is Republicans Overrule Roberts

That would be a two against one situation, the goal here is to high light Red Don's crimes knowing reThugs aren't interested in liberal democracy any longer.

[kentuck]

17. Good point.

Divide and conquer.

[UniteFightBack]

11. The problem is the Senate Russiapublicans have no good faith. nt

[kentuck]

13. Well, maybe it should be made public?

For all to see?

[UniteFightBack]

16. That should be the top story really just how corrupt they are but the media doesn't want to

get painted as liberal so they play this game like one side is still anywhere near normal. Plus it would be bad for business because the pukes are still attracting a lot of voters. It always shocks me at how many people still do vote for them.

We are in serious trouble here...unless we win everything in November. It's the only thing that can save us.

[kentuck]

18. Sometimes, all you can do is fight back....

...even if you don't know how it's going to end? Or even if you know how it's going to end?

[uponit7771]

19. +1, they are no longer interested in liberal democracy for the republic.

[kentuck]

20. They are only interested in maintaining power.

They are not too fond of liberal democracy or government of any kind, for that matter.