Pat Toomey breaks with McConnell re: impeachment trial

[DeminPennswoods]

TPM: https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/gop-senator-itd-be-extremely-inappropriate-to-immediately-shoot-down-impeachment-in-senate

“I think it would be extremely inappropriate to put a bullet in this thing immediately when it comes over,” he (Toomey) added. “I think we ought to hear what the House impeachment managers have to say, give the President’s attorneys an opportunity to make their defense, and then make a decision about whether, and to what extent, it would go forward from there.”

Why is this important? Toomey is notorious for having his finger to the wind at all times. Presumably he's been getting an earful from his PA constituents that's making him back off being a complete Trump synchophant. It's also important to note that Toomey isn't up for re-election until 2022 although there was a report he might run for gov instead.

[zaj]

1. That's fake...

He just proposed exactly what McConnell wants, and added "and then maybe more".

It's a hustle to sound like he's pushing back without demanding anything different.

[DanieRains]

2. It's Not Like He Will Act On What Is Plainly Obvious Regarding Trump's Crimes And Abuse Of Power

Toomey is just pretending not to be a traitor.

He will be full traitor when the time comes.

I hear all Republicans have dart boards made of the constitution.

[BaronChocula]

3. He's pulling a Collins

He wants points for seeming moderate before going full WIP (White Identity Party) line.

[Scarsdale]

4. If tRump starts

tweeting insults at him, then we will know if he means this. Any of these traitors who vote NO on impeachment will have a hard time being re-elected, I think. I hope. The evidence is overwhelming.

[enough]

5. Yes, that's what he always does. NT

[DeminPennswoods]

6. Toomey tries to sound moderate and reasonable when he

needs to. He did the same thing when he beat McGinty in 2016. He's famous for climbing up on the fence and sitting there seemingly forever. It's not a surprise to anyone who lives, votes and follows politics in Pennsylvania.

But Toomey's a good weather vane to gauge how the winds are blowing. His even saying this indicates that there's a lot of unrest under the surface among GOP senators and they are not united as McConnell and Graham want the rest of us to believe.

[Freddie]

7. Toomey is a male Susan Collins

Makes moderate noises once in a while but always ends up voting in lockstep with the party. I hear he never responds to calls and emails and never has town halls - his mind is made up (do what he’s told) why bother.
I heard he plans to run for Governor after Wolf’s term is up (term limited) in 2022. Gov. Wolf is very popular and won re-election in a landslide, so hopefully the PA Dems can find a good successor.

[romana]

8. Nope

He's completely full of shit. He will vote to acquit and slink around like the coward he is to do it.

He also does not care the least little bit what his constituents think.

He's saying this because he wants to be governor and thinks this makes him look like the statesman he so obviously is not yet desperately wants to be. I hope people don't fall for it.

[DeminPennswoods]

9. I doubt anyone is "falling for it", but Toomey's very attuned to

which way the political winds are blowing. I think it's significant that he came out and said this because I believe it's a "canary in the coal mine" indicator that things aren't quite as unified inside the GOP as they'd like the rest of us to believe.