Breitbart is reporting that Mitch McConnell is keeping tight control over the rules package that will run the Senate impeachment trial, and that included in that rules package is a 'kill switch'--The Impeachment ‘Kill Switch’: McConnell Dismissal Rule Corners Democrats, Blocks Antics as Trial Commences. Excerpt:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is as of now including in the U.S. Senate impeachment trial rules a “kill switch” that effectively allows for the president’s legal team to seek an immediate verdict or dismissal of the case should Democrats engage in any shenanigans like they did in the House process.
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In other words, the big picture here is that it seems as though the Senate will move forward with an actual trial—details on a number of fronts on that as of yet to be determined—but that there will be one thing that is clear: If Schiff or the Democrats try anything untoward like they did in the House, the president and the Senate have the option to shut the whole thing down and blow it all up on them. That means Republicans hold the upper hand, and should things get crazy—while there are not currently enough votes to dismiss the trial or outright off the bat acquit Trump—after Democrat partisan gamesmanship there likely would be enough votes to dismiss the whole thing. Bad behavior, in a partisan way, from people such as Schiff and Nadler and other Democrats could drive more Republicans toward the motion to dismiss—the kill switch—if that ever becomes necessary.
McConnell, ... has a history of outsmarting Democrats in the Senate. Most notably, McConnell beat them when they tried in late 2018 to tank the Supreme Court confirmation of now Justice Brett Kavanaugh. McConnell has had many other such end-run victories around the Democrats, and sources close to him expect this Senate impeachment trial will be no different.
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A former White House official added that including this “kill switch” in the resolution gives Senate Republicans the tools they need to help McConnell keep the trial on the straight and narrow.
“McConnell has proven time and time again he is a more effective Leader than Pelosi is Speaker,” the former Trump White House official told Breitbart News. “This resolution ensures the President and his team has every tool at their disposal.”
The even bigger picture here is that when it comes to the Senate trial, GOP senators—in particular McConnell—are taking an active role in ensuring it will be fair. They are leading the way in framing this.
I think it's a lock to expect Dems in the Senate to try anything and everything untoward--they're led by upChuck Schumer, after all. Dems agenda is Orange Man Bad, therefore they will continue to do everything possible to smear Trump.
ReplyDeleteWith a "Kill Switch" telegraphed in advance, that is sufficient bait for the Dems to bite. Then their media acolytes will claim unfairness for the rest of the year, as a major media talking point for the election.
E.g., "If it weren't for McConnell's unprecedented gimmick, Trump would've been convicted in the Senate trial (I know, I know!), and election of the Democrat candidate would've been assured. Instead, we've the prospect of Trump stealing two elections."
This is true. OTOH, McConnell had no control over this happening, so he's doing what he can do. I suspect that charge won't stick--I mean, that it was all a trick. The percentages of opinion will remain as they were.
DeleteI've been in the "immediate verdict/summary judgment" camp all along. The allegations are entirely bereft of evidence, much less substance. Prolonging the ordeal turns the Senate into accomplices in the circus.
DeleteAnd as I've said all along, this circus is an attempt to fill cable programming 24/7 with distraction from the Mueller report dud and any reporting or speculation on the Barr/Durham investigation. They gotta keep the Orange Man Bad Narrative alive.
In a way, you could say the Dems have forced McConnell's hand because there's no there, there. In essence, he's duty-bound to see the business at-hand disposed of promptly, for the good of the Constitution, for the good of the Republic.
If he has any say in it, that's what will happen.
DeleteSay what you will about McConnell, he is a wily old pro … I would not want to be up against him. And Pelosi & Co certainly did everything they could to antagonize him...
ReplyDeleteYes, a real pro. Under appreciated.
DeleteIf only he would let DJT make recess appointments.
DeleteGood point. Although, in fairness, appointments haven't always been a strong point.
DeleteAppointments haven't always been a strong point, at least partly because DJT knew that good ones (e.g. Ratcliffe) would be blocked by Mitch, Lindsey, etc.
ReplyDeleteBut then there was Sessions, the oil guy at State, Mattis, etc. Trump himself said he was warned against Sessions but felt he owed it to the guy.
DeleteYeah, Sessions was a special case.
ReplyDeleteNow that DJT has gotten these "debts" out of the way, I'll bet that we'd see good nominations, if Mitch wouldn't drive such a hard bargain.