*Big* news is on the (R) Senate side: There are at least 10 Republican senators who may vote for con

[MelissaB]

There are more than a dozen House Republicans considering support for the impeachment measure if Trump won’t resign.

But the big news is on the Senate side: There are at least 10 Republican senators who may vote for conviction depending on what Dems say and do in the House.

Link to tweet

Frank Luntz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Luntz

[lagomorph777]

1. I hope this is real. We need 17.

I would think even pukes can understand a threat to their lives. Trump is WAY more dangerous than a primary.

[Budi]

11. And when Corporate America starts pulling endorsements & campaign money,

they take it seriously. Money is a motivator when all else falis.

Face it, most of them would be nobodies without the big money that got them that Congressional seat.


Whatever it takes, do it!! $$$$

[Fiendish Thingy]

58. We need 50% of senators who are present, so if 3-4 get expelled/disqualified...nt

[lagomorph777]

59. Need 2/3.

[Fiendish Thingy]

60. Of those present. From the Constitution:

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

[lagomorph777]

63. Yup. Fine by me if some have only enough integrity to run and hide, and some stand up for America.

Whatever makes the numbers work.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

61. correction: 2/3 of those present

The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei#section3

[cstanleytech]

70. I suspect a number of Senate Republicans will suddenly have

to quarantine themselves due to possibly coming into contact with someone that was diagnosed with it.

[Lokee11]

62. Hope it is real too.

Here is what I do not understand, maybe I am just not smart enough.

But if these idiots, better known as "Trumpsters", can be conned, tricked, bamboozled, what have you, by this Orange narcissistic non-charismatic turd, who would NOT be able to "fool" them again? Pretty sure any convicting Rethuglican could just do the Jedi Mind trick on them rather easily -

Trumpster: "Heard you voted to convict our lord and savior Donald Trump, I will never ever vote for you! You expletive .. expletive ..This is 'Murica and we are free, something - something Patriotism, look at my Rebel flag!"

Rethuglican who did vote to convict the Orange one: "No you didn't!"

Trumpster: "Maybe I didn't?"

There is not a Rethuglican alive that would not lie, or seemingly sell his soul to the devil himself to gain personally, so lying is not an issue at all. And it is not like Trumpsters will have "protest votes" and vote Democratic, for the one thing they may hate, more than they Luv the Donald, are the "Libruls".

I guess this is my long winded way of saying - I think the "Fear of the 40" is basically BULLSHIT!

They either actually agree with this Orange Jack Ass or somewhere someone has major dirt on them that could in their eyes Kill their political careers. But Whatever - hope it is real too and that a conviction can be the result. BTW - If this shit is not at the level of an impeachable conviction - nothing is, nothing!



FDT!

[yellowdogintexas]

66. Impeachment must happen, conviction or not. Chris Christie said it all

if this isn't impeachable then nothing is.

It has to happen or the next president who tries to do something like this will know that he/she won't be held accountable


He can't get away with this scot-free

[jmowreader]

71. I'd be more comfortable with 30

Optics are why: the more GOP senators we can get to vote to convict, the worse it looks for Trump.

[wryter2000]

2. Wow

i want the list.

Even if they don't convict him, 10 Senators on the record that he needed to be removed.

[OnDoutside]

8. Well said.

[Act_of_Reparation]

17. True, but the landscape is different this time around.

I'm not holding my breath, but there's more reasons for any given cynical Republican senator to convict this time around.

[lagomorph777]

34. Reasons such as LIFE OR DEATH. They are all in danger until rebellion is crushed, top down.

[still_one]

4. Good. There will be no working with Republicans, until they admit the lies and capital

invasion was wrong

[gibraltar72]

5. That will grow as more stuff comes out.

[RockCreek]

6. Repug senators staying away from the vote

Is also helpful.
For those without the guts to vote for impeachment.
Not as helpful or as much of a statement as a vote for impeachment.
But if enough if them just stayed away that could do it.

[Wednesdays]

57. Question for Constitutional experts

If say, 30 Repugs abstain from voting, would that be enough to convict Trump? Or do we need 67 yea votes no matter what?

[RockCreek]

72. Rachel Maddow asked Lawrence Tribe last week

And Tribe said it is 2/3 of the Senators there, and not 67 senators no matter what

[Wednesdays]

75. Awesome, thanks.

[obamanut2012]

7. Let's play guess the Ten GOP Senators

Romney
Sasse
Murkowski
Thune
Collins
Burr

Maybes:

Paul
Toomey
Ernst (I know)

[MelissaB]

12. I like your list.

Great educated guesses.

[obamanut2012]

13. I know Ernst is insane and a huge Trumper

But, I have a feeling.

[MiniMe]

18. We've gotten fooled by Collins before

I think she is really concerned, but I doubt she would vote to convict

[obamanut2012]

21. I know -- I really only feel confident about Romney, Murkoski

And Thune, even more than Sasse.

[11 Bravo]

39. Yeah, but now Suze will be "REALLY CONCERNED!" Also ...

she's even more certain that this time Trump has learned a "really big lesson".

So c'mon Dems. Now that the Repukes have wrapped up their effort to overturn a free and fair presidential election, it's time for unity and healing!

[marble falls]

42. I wouldn't bet on Collins for anything except to vote for anything Donnie wants her to ...

A perfect gift for Collins: a fainting couch, so she doesn't hurt herself - what with her being so consumed by deep concern.

[yellowdogintexas]

69. Concerned Collins was just re-elected to a new 6 year term

since she won't be running again any time soon she could very well vote to convict.

[marble falls]

43. Only if it's a sincere embracenment of Democratic principle. They can defie Trump as Republican ...

... just fine.

[yellowdogintexas]

68. Manchin voted to convict the first time. This is way worse so I think he would again nt

[bearsfootball516]

24. Toomey is probably a yes.

He’s been vocal that Trump deserves to be impeached.

[obamanut2012]

30. Like Collins, he usually disappoints

But, he's also retiring, so...

[Gore1FL]

31. I have to wonder if McConnell doesn't end up on that list.

He has nothing to lose. Unless he wants to go full Strom Thurmond, he just won what is probably his last election. He's already milked Trump for everything he could get. He'll show up on the right side of history. the majority of Americans think he should be removed. He already said Biden won. He was pretty pissed on the evening of 1-6.
I don't see much gain for him not to support removal.

[marble falls]

46. I think you're right. Mitchie's time is about done. He can go retire to that little dacha ...

... outside Moscow.

[obamanut2012]

56. I almost put McConnell on the list as a Maybe

[BumRushDaShow]

45. Possibly Portman

who supposedly didn't back the Electoral College objections.

[SWBTATTReg]

65. If these senators want to send a serious msg. to the Country about insurrection (supporting, etc.,

), then they should all, republicans and democrats, vote 100% of impeachment/removal/25th Amendment. All House members too, both sides. We need to move on, and this certainly would send a strong message to trump's thugs that insurrection won't be tolerated, send a strong msg. as to who is the new incoming president.

[stillcool]

9. Yeah, right...

Mitch won't bring it the floor so what's the diff? Nancy holds on to it, and the Senate has the trial when the Speaker is good and ready, and so is Schumer. Biden takes office, they get through as much as possible right at the get-go, a few months down the line they have the impeachment trial. Republicans, including Frank Lutz of all people, are all effing liars.

[obamanut2012]

14. But Schumer will

[Wounded Bear]

10. Do we trust Frank Luntz?

Curious. Hope it's true. If ten vote with us and 10 stay home, it might pass.

[Midnight Writer]

23. No.

Frank is the guy who coached the GOP and Hate Talkers on Newspeak.

[Sugarcoated]

33. He hasn't been towing the Trump line

for a while, if he ever did. Sounded to me the last time he talked that he's not just a Biden supporter but has admiration for him as a human being. Apparently Luntz had a stroke, Biden went out of his way at a campaign stop to give him a hug, kind words. Luntz actually teared up when talking about it.

[Wounded Bear]

73. I haven't heard him apologize for all the shit he pulled...

to keep this RW bullshit going for so many years.

[dchill]

36. I will take the Trump Exit ramp with Luntz...

...but then I'm getting right back on the freeway.

[maxsolomon]

15. If taken up AFTER Inauguration, there just might be 17.

the only penalties that could be imposed then are lifetime ban from seeking office and his pension. I think plenty of them would be happy to excise that tumor.

They'd also have an avalanche of facts about the conspiracy to point to.

[robertpaulsen]

74. Hell, at that point Cruz & Hawley might do it to prevent Trump from running again.

Self-interest for selfish people.

[onetexan]

16. I had reposted a tweet by George Conway last week where he said they have the 17 votes needed to

convict.

I was also told by a couple people here that they only need 2/3 of those present, NOT the entire senate, to convict. So the others can choose to not show up if they don't want retribution by the crazies.

[DeminPennswoods]

20. Was going to cite that Conway tweet

He's still got connections in the GOP, so, of course, does his wife.

[marble falls]

47. And that's the real problem. Are they getting on the bandwagon to make things work here ...

... or are they just looking to jettison Trump and then go back to war with a Democratic government?

[marble falls]

51. And it's not just the party affiliation, it's the purposeful criminality and pork barrelling ...

... they will not rehabilitate.

[Jon King]

25. I think the plan is some don't show up for the vote...

My guess is that some don't show up so there are enough to get to 2/3rds of those present. I think the Repub leadership sees they either start ripping off the Trump band-aid and rebuilding the party or they will never live to see another Repub President.

[obamanut2012]

32. Could see that happening

Plausible deniability, so to speak.

[Liberty Belle]

27. If his vote was needed, might Pence vote to impeach?

It would be poetic irony indeed if the man threatened with assassination by this mob cast the deciding vote to remove Trump from office and block him from ever running again.

[BumRushDaShow]

49. Pence's role would be in the Senate and if this were going on while he was still in office as VP

he would only participate to break a tie and a tie would not result in a conviction in any case. However if there were a 2nd vote for banning 45 from holding any other federal office, they only need a "simple majority" that might need a tie-breaker, and he would come into play... if it comes to that.

The House does the "impeachment" ("indictment" ) and the Senate does the trial ("conviction" or acquittal" ).

[Maru Kitteh]

28. "depending on what Democrats say and do"

I really would love to know what that means.

[gratuitous]

29. Why don't these courageous defenders of our country want to go on the record?

They'll talk to Frank Luntz, but they won't talk to the American people? They won't go on record in defense of the Constitution and the country? I'm disinclined to believe that any of them have the integrity to stand up to Donald Trump if they're afraid to go public.

[bucolic_frolic]

35. This is a Constitution/Patriot/RuleofLaw vote

If they want to choose the alternative, have at it. Choosing anarchy or stupidity will be their legacy.

[Joinfortmill]

37. Do the right thing, people.

[Miigwech]

38. Dump it on the Dems to fix it, to clean up their mess! Well eff that!

No hiding behind mommy's apron (Democrats) anymore, cowards ... stand up to trump and your crazy base!

[in2herbs]

40. Not impressed. In other words they "might" vote for conviction AFTER trump is out of office.

MM said there won't be a vote until trump is out of office. That doesn't take a lot of spine to spew this righteousness.

[flibbitygiblets]

41. Here's two reasons more of the (R) senators may surprise us and vote to convict

1. By including a "do not rehire" clause, they will eliminate the competition for their own bid in the future.
2. Even those who don't plan to run for POTUS themselves really would like to never have to answer for this prick again in their lifetimes (future crimes, anyway). Including the "can never run for public office again" clause will ensure that.

[ancianita]

52. +1

[Amishman]

53. Probably doesn't mean much, they'll make sure it never comes to a vote prior to the 20th.

easy to talk big when you know you'll never have to actually do it

[qazplm135]

54. seeing

is believing.

[AdamGG]

55. When do Warnock & Ossoff get sworn in?

As that could possibly determine the result.

[catrose]

64. 10...whelmed, I am. Not over or under. Just meh whelmed.

[wiggs]

67. Wonder if many more articles can be passed in the House after dems gain access to

ALL the material related to Russia, Ukraine, elections, corrupt deals, North Korea etc.

He's only facing one article at the moment but the guy deserved impeachment every single week for something new. All the conspirators he pardoned have lost their immunity...probably MANY more former officials and staff will come forward or will have to testify.

Might take years to get to the bottom of the corruption and incompetence...if no conviction on current 1/6 article, there will likely be more. Or at least some indictments.

[AntiFascist]

76. Yes! and if enough of the others stay away we could make 2/3! n/t

[davekriss]

78. 10 doesn't get us to 67

The backers of the oligarchy need to turn up the pressure if Trump is to be convicted.