Could a Long Impeachment Trial Derail the Senators Running for President?

[sl8]

From https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/10/impeachment-trial-a-problem-for-prez-candidates-in-senate.html

Could a Long Impeachment Trial Derail the Senators Running for President?

By Ed Kilgore


Another thing Sanders and Warren have in common: real problems if a Senate impeachment trial happens in January. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For a lot of Democrats, the impeachment timetable is of considerable interest in part because they tend to think of it as preceding, not overlapping, with the formal 2020 election season. But even if it does overlap, it’s probably not that big a deal so long as you have the time and energy to follow two very big stories at once.

But for six particular Democratic presidential candidates and their campaigns (Michael Bennet, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren), the possibility of a Senate impeachment trial occurring during the early stages of the caucus/primary season represents a potential calamity. And as the Washington Post reports, that’s a real possibility, particularly if the House drags its feet for reasons ranging from administration obstruction to the desire not to spoil the festive holiday spirit:

House Democrats increasingly expect their impeachment effort against President Trump to stretch well past Thanksgiving, possibly forcing a Senate trial into January or later — a timeline that could disrupt the final weeks of campaigning before the party starts to choose its nominee.


House leaders had initially hoped to hold a floor vote before the Nov. 28 holiday so the Senate could hold trial before Christmas. But the surprising number of witnesses agreeing to testify behind closed doors in the Capitol over the past few weeks has extended the timeline and sparked a debate over whether prolonged impeachment proceedings are politically prudent.

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[Otto Lidenbrock]

1. Another way of looking at it this is they can show off their credentials

While the other candidates who are not part of the proceedings are spectators.

Kamala Harris ran rings around Barr at his hearing. Imagine having Giuliani facing her presence. That's her chance to show the public her chops. Impeachment hearings will put the 2020 Primary on the backburner.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Senators are not allowed to speak during the trial.

All they can do is submit written questions. It’s not like a congressional hearing where they can ask questions of a witness. There will be no opportunities to “show off.” The senators will be almost completely invisible for the duration of the trial, and that’s a big problem for them.

[Otto Lidenbrock]

4. apologies, i was thinking of giuliani being called to the senate judicary committee

https://time.com/5695255/graham-invites-giuliani-testify-ukraine/

Kamala sits on that committee.

[empedocles]

3. Derail? Hope so? Dems need those Senate seats