2 ms·

Is anyone genuinely surprised by this? It seemed to me that this was the obvious outcome from the beginning and it was mostly just a symbolic effort.

rvz 6y ago
It's theatre politics at its finest. A great show on how this looked almost scripted even when everyone knew that the 'nothing' was coming all along. The only ones who didn't follow the mainstream media script was Mitch McConnell who did a last minute twist for acquitting the ex-president after being in favour of the trial weeks ago and the Democrats who u-turned for calling up witnesses. Unless you had a crystal ball or a soothsayer besides you, anyone would be lying to you if they expected that those specific u-turns would happen in the trial. But I have to say that this whole trial was a great shakespearian play. Well done to the actors, clowns and the assistants helping those with symptoms of stage fright put together a dramatic sequel to the first impeachment trial, ending with another 'disappointing' acquittal.
- stevespang 6y ago
  You didn't include the court jesters in your narrative !
- fma 6y ago
  The U-turn by McConnell is no surprise. He needs the Trump supporters to remain in the GOP. It's also no surprise that after he votes to acquit, he gives a scathing speech on Trump to pretend to have any ounce of care for the constitution...to keep GOP defectors from leaving when they realize McConnell has no spine. The U-Turn by Democrats on witnesses was not expected. However I believe they knew they wouldn't have the vote and just wanted to move on and focus on legislation...rather than drag this out a few other weeks.
rat87 6y ago
It wasn't the obvious outcome as republicans could have voted for conviction. If McConnell had pushed for conviction there's a decent chance it would have happened. You think coming close to possibly being killed or hostages might have made them do the right thing

rvz 6y ago

It's theatre politics at its finest. A great show on how this looked almost scripted even when everyone knew that the 'nothing' was coming all along. The only ones who didn't follow the mainstream media script was Mitch McConnell who did a last minute twist for acquitting the ex-president after being in favour of the trial weeks ago and the Democrats who u-turned for calling up witnesses. Unless you had a crystal ball or a soothsayer besides you, anyone would be lying to you if they expected that those specific u-turns would happen in the trial. But I have to say that this whole trial was a great shakespearian play. Well done to the actors, clowns and the assistants helping those with symptoms of stage fright put together a dramatic sequel to the first impeachment trial, ending with another 'disappointing' acquittal.

stevespang 6y ago
You didn't include the court jesters in your narrative !
fma 6y ago
The U-turn by McConnell is no surprise. He needs the Trump supporters to remain in the GOP. It's also no surprise that after he votes to acquit, he gives a scathing speech on Trump to pretend to have any ounce of care for the constitution...to keep GOP defectors from leaving when they realize McConnell has no spine. The U-Turn by Democrats on witnesses was not expected. However I believe they knew they wouldn't have the vote and just wanted to move on and focus on legislation...rather than drag this out a few other weeks.

rat87 6y ago

It wasn't the obvious outcome as republicans could have voted for conviction. If McConnell had pushed for conviction there's a decent chance it would have happened. You think coming close to possibly being killed or hostages might have made them do the right thing