Some Democrat Senators have broken ranks and it’s not just ones in states President Trump won in 2016 or that are up for re-election. They are tired of the games from House Democrats and they want to move on; the walls are starting to close in on Pelosi.
On Tuesday, three Democrat senators and one independent – Doug Jones (AL), Chris Murphy (CT), Joe Manchin (WV), and Angus King (ME) – have publicly said they are ready for the trial to start. To date, this is the clearest sign that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has won the battle over what the trial rules will be.
“I think the time has past. She [Pelosi] should send the articles over,” Murphy, quoted by the Washington Post, said.
Also speaking with the Post, Manchin declared the same sentiments and said, “I think it needs to start, I really do… Let us do what we have to do over here.”
During his appearance on MSNBC news Senator Angus King (I-ME) said to Andrea Mitchell, “I think it is time for the Speaker to send the articles over. I think — I don’t think her holding them puts any particular pressure on Mitch McConnell. I think the key vote will come in the middle of the trial.”
Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) who is in danger of losing his seat told CNN, “I think most people are ready to get moving on this.”
On Tuesday McConnell declared he has the votes to proceed with the trial the way he and the White House want to. McConnell spoke with reporters and said, “We have the votes.” The Senate Majority Leader has decided to follow the rules of the Clinton impeachment trial, “What’s good for President Clinton is good for President Trump,” McConnell said.
McConnell has been on a tear lately and has criticized Pelosi for holding on to the articles of impeachment for almost three weeks and for trying to dictate the rules of the Senate impeachment trial.
“How inappropriate and how embarrassing to rush forward on a partisan basis and then treat … what you’ve done like a political toy,” he said. “How contemptuous of the American people.”
Pelosi is running out of time and it appears she has gone a bridge too far.
