With their base, it doesn't matter if Repubs vote for witnesses or not.

[kentuck]

All that matters is that on the final vote, they vote to acquit.

Senators should have no fear of the "base". They don't care. So their only fear is from Trump himself.

But, on reflection, if four Senators vote with the Democrats, they take the power away from Trump and McConnell. It is they that have the power, not Donald Trump.

Because the "base" doesn't care, so long as they vote to acquit.

With all arguments being weighed, it would be better for Repubs to vote for witnesses and then vote to acquit on final vote.

Unless, of course, they fear what the witnesses might say?

[PJMcK]

1. Your last sentence says it all

It there are witnesses and evidence, the Republicans will not be able to hide their votes to acquit.

It's all so painfully obvious that I cannot understand our country's collective stupidity and naiveté. That's on top of Republicans' tribalism.

[dutch777]

2. Sad but true

It is continually hard for me to admit, even think about, the fact that at least 1/3 of the voters of this country are so numb to facts, lacking even the most basic moral compass and willing to blindly follow an idiotic wallowing cow as long as it anti- Obama, not a Clinton and just doesn't kill anyone in their immediate family. That that 1/3 includes much of the so called Moral Majority and evangelicals is even more mind blowing. Admittedly its been a long while since I have spent much time in church sermons or Sunday school but what I remember of those lessons, don't jive with this behavior. I guess shame is no longer a thing.