Vote on Witnesses

For John, BLUF:  While there was always the chance for things going sideways, this outcome was not unexpected.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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BREAKING:  Senate Votes Against Witnesses and Documents

From PJ Media, by Mr Tyler O'Neil, 31 January 2020.

Here is the lede plus two:

On Friday afternoon, the Senate voted against compelling more witnesses and documents in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.  The final vote was 49-51.

The vote went as expected, with every Democrat voting for more witnesses and documents and every Republican voting against extending the trial, with the exceptions of Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah).

"The House chose to send articles of impeachment that are rushed and flawed.  I carefully considered the need for additional witnesses and documents, to cure the shortcomings of its process, but ultimately decided that I will vote against considering motions to subpoena," Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) tweeted in a statement explaining why she would vote against extending the trial.

The two Republicans who voted for considering witnesses were Senators Romney and Collins.

The competing views:

Immediately after the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) claimed the acquittal "will have no value."  He said the fact that the Senate trial will not include new witnesses or documents is a "perfidy" and a "tragedy."  These remarks echoed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's insistence that Trump cannot be acquitted without any further witnesses and documents.

"A majority of the U.S. Senate has determined that the numerous witnesses and 28,000-plus pages of documents already in evidence are sufficient to judge the House Managers' accusations and end this impeachment trial," McConnell said in a statement after the vote.  "There is no need for the Senate to re-open the investigation which the House Democratic majority chose to conclude and which the Managers themselves continue to describe as 'overwhelming' and 'beyond any doubt.'"

The things to look for in the future:

1. Will there be any Kavanaugh-like surprises over the weekend, as like the John Bolton book draft from earlier?  Remember, there are no coincidences.
2. It is entirely possible that Speaker Pelosi will pull the rug on the State of the Union Speech on Tuesday, or disruptions on the House floor during the talk.
3. Speaker Pelosi, or Rep Schiff, may argue that no witnesses means no trial means Impeachment is still alive.
4. The House may crank up the Impeachment machinery again, perhaps with actual witnesses.

While this denial of the legitimacy of President Trump's election is never ending, this phase will be over late Wednesday afternoon.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff