The title "Republicans Melt Down as Evidence Against of President's Guilt Pile Up." He offers no evidence of Republican Senators "melting down" nor does he give any evidence of the President's "guilt."
As far as his first point, evidence of Republican senators are "melting down." He cites an incident of Arizona senator Martha McSally telling a CNN "reporter" Manu Raju, who Lewis described as "mild-mannered" and "well respected", “You’re a liberal hack—I’m not talking to you. You’re a liberal hack.”
That is hardly evidence of a meltdown. It is not like she told Jay Sekulow, in the middle of losing a debate, "shut up, you are a partisan hack." Gee I wonder who did that?
The other Republican senator Lewis claimed "melted down", was Maine senator Susan Collins. Lewis said she exploded in anger over the idea of Lev Parnas testifying. How so? Well, Collins simply pointed out that if House Democrats wanted to hear from Parnas they should have called him before they voted to impeach the President.
The senate has no obligation to hear from witnesses that the House forgot to talk to.
And Lewis provides no evidence of Trump's guilt. The only new thing is a GAO report that said holding Ukraine aid violated Federal law. The report came from the GAO, which is an arm of congress. And they are wrong. The President has an obligation to make sure conditions have been met before foreign aid is release.
Lewis wonders whether Republicans can “defend the indefensible, or they can risk invoking the wrath of their president.”
Two points, the constitution requires high crimes and misdemeanors to impeach and remove a President. It is not about defending the President, it is about Democrats proving a crime- a high crime and misdemeanor.
Lewis ignores the constitutional requirement and pushes a new standard. A standard that says “indefensible behavior” is impeachable. What is "indefensible behavior?" Anything Democrats and CNN hacks say it is.
As far as "wayward Republicans feeling pressure". Well, yes, the President is going to expect, and pressure, fellow Republicans to help the defense in the senate. For the sake of the party and more importantly the country. He expects that they will speak out in favor of dismissing the unconstitutional articles.
Lewis concludes with a wish:
"I suppose it’s possible that at least four Republicans will, in fact, vote to allow witnesses, and that one of those witnesses will reveal something that is so explosive that 20 Republicans, having taken that oath, are forced to finally, reluctantly, cut Trump loose."
Lewis doesn't seem to understand the constitutional process. The House impeaches, based on evidence of "bribery, Treason or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors." They send that evidence to the Senate to judge. The Senate doesn't look for evidence to boost the House's case.
Why does the senate need to hear from witnesses that the House has not already heard from. And why would the senate hear from someone that didn't witness the President commit high crimes and misdemeanors?
Lewis didn't answer those questions.
Back on November 2, Lewis wrote a column claiming that the "walls were closing in on Donald Trump." Now he claims, "Republicans senators are melting down." Both claims are false.
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