Why a secret vote in the impeachment trial is a non-starter.

[TwilightZone]

The GOP senators who voted to acquit would go public (even under threat of punishment) and we'd know who voted to convict. There would be press conferences five minutes after the vote.

There isn't a single Republican who isn't already on record potentially supporting conviction that is going to take that chance and agree to a secret vote.

Seems kind of obvious, frankly.

Besides, most of them support Trump and always have. The assumption that a dozen of them (on top of the five we already know might potentially vote to convict) are suddenly going to have a change of heart was always wishful thinking.

[Nevilledog]

1. I disagree.....ALL of them would say they were one of the votes to acquit.

It's not like they're not okay with lying.

If there was ONE vote to acquit, they'd claim they were that ONE vote.

[DonaldsRump]

2. IMHO, it's better to get everyone on the record

Trump's involvement in the insurrection has to be much greater than his January 6th speech preceding it. A vote to acquit will be very damaging when the full extent of what Trump did comes out.

[Towlie]

3. Yes, make them own this! Since Trump will be acquited this is the only positive aspect of the trial.

 
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In general we can't allow secret votes for Congressional actions anyway, since voters would then have no basis for deciding who to vote for.

[TwilightZone]

4. Agreed. Plus, they're already on record.

45 of them voted to declare the impeachment trial unconstitutional, which is just as ridiculous as voting to acquit, if not more so. Their acquittal votes will further solidify the notion that it's all about their careers rather than doing the right thing.

A secret vote would almost assuredly fail anyway and would give them cover.

[Towlie]

5. I think their "unconstitutional" votes were really "don't make me commit myself" pleas.

 
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[TwilightZone]

6. It's a commitment in itself.

I agree that they were probably trying to find an easy way out, but I think most, if not all, of the 45 legitimately want to acquit Trump. It's in their best interests politically and there's very little evidence (anonymous claims that they secretly want to convict him are unconvincing) that any of them have ever wavered.

I really think this has always been less about Trump than about their political careers and about doubling down as a party. Their constituents want them to acquit. Keeping their jobs is the priority, which means they were never going to convict any GOP president, not even Trump. We keep insisting that there's a downside for them, but I'm not sure that's really true. I'm not sure any of them are going to pay for it politically.

Which makes what Liz Cheney did pretty remarkable. I strongly disagree with her politics and detest much of her family, but that was a conscientious move.

[Towlie]

9. Good points! I think we'll just have to agree to agree.

 
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[lastlib]

7. Article I, Sec. 5, cl. 3:

Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either House on any question shall, at the desire of one fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.

(my emphasis)

So if twenty Senators want the vote recorded, it will be recorded. Period. End of discussion.

[TwilightZone]

8. Good point.

Democrats, of course, would want the vote to be on record. I'm guessing there are at least 45 GOP senators who would agree.

[SCantiGOP]

11. Thanks, lastlib

I read at least 3 articles that speculated on this topic, but none of them had that essential point.

There is - I hope - some future gains to be had by making the R's go on record, especially if their votes are viewed in 2 or 4 years in the context of Trump's ongoing civil and criminal difficulties.

[lastlib]

12. Someone on CNN this morning raised the matter of a secret ballot.

I had to scream at the TV a little.

[lettucebe]

10. Actually it'd be pretty funny since they'd all claim they didn't vote to convict

yet obviously some did. The fear of being exposed would likely still encourage them to acquit. It's not about what is right, it's about politics. I for one am glad to see the repug party fall into a steaming heap of dung but it could take a decade or more to straight this mess out, so it's not a good thing. Especially since I'm up there in years. It would have been much nicer to enjoy my retirement, maybe travel, maybe go to the beach, but no, I get to watch this country be destroyed from within for the love of
money.

I'm sick for my son and grandson. I'm sick for the US of A.