Is Impeachment Imploding?

It sure looks like it this evening, but first things first--a special tip of the hat, hearty handshake, and pat on the back to commenter Mike Sylwester. Mike has been trying to narrow down what can be known about Sammy #1 aka the "whistleblower, and recently wrote:

I think the memo writer was a Ukraine specialist in the CIA who was assigned to Vice President Biden because Biden had been assigned to be President Obama's "point man" for Ukrainian issues. As such, the memo writer personally informed and advised Biden's pressuring the Ukrainian Government to fire the troublesome Ukrainian prosecutor.

To paraphrase Joe Biden, Well, son of a gun! The Washington Examiner is reporting:

A retired CIA officer told the Washington Examiner: “From everything we know about the whistleblower and his work in the executive branch then, there is absolutely no doubt he would have been working with Biden when he was vice president.” 

As an experienced CIA official on the NSC with the deep knowledge of Ukraine that he demonstrated in his complaint, it is probable that the whistleblower briefed Biden and likely that he accompanied him on Air Force Two during at least one of the six visits the 2020 candidate made to the country. 

A former Trump administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, said Biden’s work on foreign affairs brought him into close proximity with the whistleblower either at the CIA or when he was detailed to the White House. 

Oh my! That would explain why the WSJ is reporting:

Lawyers for the CIA officer whose whistleblower complaint helped ignite an impeachment inquiry into President Trump have asked Congress whether their client could submit testimony in writing instead of appearing in person, according to people familiar with the matter.

This is supposedly due to "persistent concerns about protecting his anonymity and safety." Excuse me! The point of being a "whistleblower" is that you have unique knowledge and need legal protection to openly state what the problem is--not so you can make anonymous accusations without being questioned! Nothing could be more obvious than that this CIA bureaucrat desparately wants to avoid the very awkward questions that will be directed at him when he finally has to testify. Yes, I'm very sure the American people will see through this con game.

Now we can see why sundance is saying: If Accurate, The Impeachment Game is Over – Fake Whistleblower Lawyers Now Retreat From Testimonial Appearance.

And it gets even better. Via Gregg Jarrett:

Kate Bedingfield, Deputy Campaign Director and Communications Director of the Biden 2020 Campaign, revealed that Hunter Biden’s position on the board of Burisma was approved by the White House in 2014. 

With this new revelation, it is extremely hard to believe that Vice President Joe Biden would not have been fully briefed about possible conflicts of interest in his dealings with Ukraine. In 2014 then-Vice President Biden was put in charge of outreach to the Ukraine. Vice President Biden has repeatedly said that he never spoke to his son, Hunter, about any of his business dealings. 

Still, in at least one interview, Hunter Biden said that he did talk to his father about his business dealings in the Ukraine and that he said to Hunter “I hope you know what you are doing.”

In other words, Hunter Biden's position at Burisma was seen as potentially problematic at the time. So much so that it had to be cleared by "the White House." So I guess Biden is referring all inquiries to Obama.

I don't see how impeachment can survive these developments, but by the same token I can't see Trump and the House GOP allowing a face saving backing down for Pelosi, Schiff, and Nadler.