The Dam Has Broken

[TinCup]

First Mitch now Liz Cheney. The force of nature will start to overtake those who wish to continue to support Drumpf.

[Vivienne235729]

1. So how many R senators do we need to fully impeach?

[Kaleva]

2. 16?

[stopbush]

6. Considering Manchin may well vote no, we would need 18 Rs to vote for removal.

The impeachment in the House needs only a simple majority.

The other gambit is that no R Senator participates in the Senate trial. Only 2/3 of Senators present are needed to convict. All 100 don’t need to be there. If only the 50 D Senators are present only 34 need to vote for conviction.

[marlakay]

11. He may change his mind if a bunch

Of republicans go for it.

[jcgoldie]

35. theres no way Manchin votes no if hes the deciding vote

As someone else mentioned the more likely scenario if Mitch is on board is he orchestrates enough reluctant republicans to stay home to get us to 2/3 of those present.

[AntiFascist]

25. Please keep in mind...

those senators who are ashamed of Trump but don't want to cross him may stay away.
We only need 2/3 vote of those who are present.

This fact was covered by Laurence Tribe on Lawrence O'Donnell's show (and asked by Rachel Maddow)

[Vivienne235729]

26. I don't have cable. Maybe it is on you tube or something.

[Rhiannon12866]

27. The interview was posted here in V&M, he answered Rachel's question about numbers:

Laurence Tribe: Senate Could Hold Short Impeachment Trial "If Halfway Responsible" - The Last Word
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017630953

[Vivienne235729]

31. Ah, perfect! Thank you Rhiannon!

[Rhiannon12866]

33. Even if you don't have cable, highlights from al lot of news shows are posted in V&M

I've posted the late night guys for a few years, including Bill Maher and John Oliver when they're on. I know a lot of DUers don't have cable or even watch TV. But these days there is so much happening in the news, I've never seen the V&M Forum so busy. Now I also watch for important guests and breaking news from MSNBC.

[Vivienne235729]

38. I don't know how you do it. I can't keep up this week. Thanks for all you do.

[Raven123]

3. Gotta wonder why now. Did these guys get info in a briefing that makes them realize the danger?

Not that it hasn’t been clear to most of us

[secondwind]

9. It's the loss of $$$$ for campaigning that drives this.

[Straw Man]

28. Bingo.

Continued allegiance to Trumpie would be financial suicide for the Republican Party as their big corporate donors turn away. Violent overthrow of the government just isn't good for business, y'know?

[servermsh]

4. I wouldn't assume Mitch will vote for impeachment.

I'm not exactly sure why he allowed this message in the media. We'll have to watch what he does.

[In It to Win It]

20. ...and the odd part is that I believe Mitch McConnell can vote to convict and survive

I think his “brand” in Kentucky is strong enough to withstand that, assuming he chooses to run for re-election.

[Straw Man]

29. I don't think he cares about his next election.

He's 78 years old and just got re-elected to a six-year term.

[Buckeyeblue]

30. Agreed. I think he'll retire before his term ends.

[Wounded Bear]

32. Doesn't Kentucky have a Dem governor?

That could affect Moscow Mitch's decision a bit.

[In It to Win It]

34. I don't think he'll retire before his term ends but I do think we're witnessing his last term

[dansolo]

23. He probably want to pressure Trump to resign

If he tells Trump that he will definitely be convicted, he might get Trump to resign, and then they will argue that a conviction is no longer necessary. That will give them the excuse to not vote to convict.

[jcgoldie]

36. I dont think that will work

Trumps not resigning at this point because then he loses his whole "fight for Trump" populist fantasy. He will bring the GOP down in flames before he resigns for the good of anyone party or country.

[Lotusflower70]

5. Hmmm

I am not counting on Mitch. He is saying that Trump has committed impeachable offenses but will he do anything about it. Actions speak louder than words.

[onecaliberal]

7. I think a lot of pukes are for impeachment but aren't publicly saying so out of fear of the

Insurrectionists.

[Hugin]

8. "Now, will someone please get me off this pole?"

Famous Moscow Mitch Quotes. Vol. I

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

10. Impeachment occurs in the House.

No Senators are involved.

Then the articles, or in this case the one article of impeachment, are sent to the Senate which holds a trial.

And have I missed something about Mitch saying he'll vote for conviction in the Senate trial?

[cureautismnow]

12. When the levee breaks,

Mama, you've gotta move.

[Roland99]

15. Indeed.....my fave Zep tune

[Roland99]

13. she's in the House but her pro-trump-ness during his term strikes this move as encouraging

[fierywoman]

14. May 20 or so of them pull a McCain a la the ACA vote, so be it.

[dweller]

16. 2/3 of members present

needed to convict in the senate ...so depends how many show up to vote

✌🏻

[TxVietVet]

17. They had to see which way the winds of change were blowing.

POS conservanazis. The both of them.

[Bluethroughu]

18. Better late than never, I suppose.

[uponit7771]

19. ***NO IT HAS NOT !!!*** Please separate MAGA DC from MAGA Minions. Trump still has a 78% approval

... rating among MAGA Minions even after the treason there will not be enough kGOP to vote Trump out of office right now.

They made a deal with the devil and they're going to get screwed by him .. .NO DOUBT !!!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

21. I was thinking with the cold temps here in AZ that...

hell froze over, but they do vote to impeach, then we'll KNOW it.

[Hugin]

22. I'd better put out some slop for the flying pigs.

They may be migrating by soon.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

24. Good idea, just in case. n/t

[Johnny2X2X]

37. We'd need 19

We have 48 Dems, we need 67 votes to convict and remove.

It's not going to happen unless Trump does something else. Mitch will get it to the point of the vote and then hold off to have it to hold over Trump's head should the need arise between now and next week Wednesday.