The jurors for this trial were the Senators -- virtually all of whom had already made up their minds based on politics, not evidence. But Americans were the audience and we needed to hear the best, most complete case of what happened. We didn't get that.
I think you're entirely correct in your point and your hypothetical was entertaining to read.
But I think for Dems the decision was different. They knew they couldn't win. The GOP knew what had happened and had made their decision. Additional evidence wasn't going to change enough minds to get a conviction.
You rightly ask why start the trial at all since that was known from the beginning. I think the answer is that they wanted to make it clear to the US public what had happened. They were balancing that against the political costs from the GOP. Once the GOP made it clear they would go to war over witnesses the Dem's backed down.
The GOP could have “gone to war” over witnesses all it liked. Who cares? Remind me who controls the Senate, again? Democrats could have chosen any witness they planned to hear from. If Trump’a lawyers had legit witnesses they also should have been heard from. If they wanted to call Nancy Pelosi then that would have been shut down and no sensible observer would be offended by that.
From what I heard, the Republicans threatened to Subpoena all phone records and emails of the democrats and depose them and make their depositions public- and that almost had Schumer stop the impeachment. Even if it wasn't accomplished - the optics would be horrible. This put up or shut up tactic is going to end impeachments all together in my opinion. The GOP may still incumber the records - Trumps lawyers are requesting that they not destroy any communications. Trump is now a private citizen and Biden controls all the communication records, the phone calls the time date length of any phone calls made on Jan 65th and why wasn't any of it released? Trump also has good lawyers, and will be suing quite a few people outside of their QA. Given the poor lawyering exhibited by the democrats - he may surprise with tremendous successes.
Pat they did it and it worked, the dems folded like a cheap tent. Actually Warnock may have to step down he's going to be indicted in the next few months for voter fraud the DOJ and the state of Georgia have told him he's under investigation for voter fraud and Arizona's senate race is being contested in the GOP controlled legislature, and a new GOP Rep (McConnell is out) may force the 1980 agreement that in case of a ties the previous party is still the majority party. Also the West Virginia legislature may pass legislation to recall any senator as they forced their entire State Supreme court to resign over a few thousand dollars in furniture - I'm sure Manchin see's the writing and will either switch parties or resign. Same for Tester.
Also Warnock and Kelly have to run again in 18 months and the state legislatures are reversing all the 2020 election changes. they are both favored to lose heavily.
The jurors for this trial were the Senators -- virtually all of whom had already made up their minds based on politics, not evidence. But Americans were the audience and we needed to hear the best, most complete case of what happened. We didn't get that.
I think you're entirely correct in your point and your hypothetical was entertaining to read.
But I think for Dems the decision was different. They knew they couldn't win. The GOP knew what had happened and had made their decision. Additional evidence wasn't going to change enough minds to get a conviction.
You rightly ask why start the trial at all since that was known from the beginning. I think the answer is that they wanted to make it clear to the US public what had happened. They were balancing that against the political costs from the GOP. Once the GOP made it clear they would go to war over witnesses the Dem's backed down.
https://www.kcrg.com/2021/02/13/joni-ernst-to-ny-times-reporter-on-impeachment-trial-total-total-s-show/
The GOP could have “gone to war” over witnesses all it liked. Who cares? Remind me who controls the Senate, again? Democrats could have chosen any witness they planned to hear from. If Trump’a lawyers had legit witnesses they also should have been heard from. If they wanted to call Nancy Pelosi then that would have been shut down and no sensible observer would be offended by that.
My conclusion from the link wasn't that the Dem's were worried about the trial, but about all the things they want to accomplish.
It's unfortunate that the Dem's are so feckless. This seems like something they should have had a plan for.
From what I heard, the Republicans threatened to Subpoena all phone records and emails of the democrats and depose them and make their depositions public- and that almost had Schumer stop the impeachment. Even if it wasn't accomplished - the optics would be horrible. This put up or shut up tactic is going to end impeachments all together in my opinion. The GOP may still incumber the records - Trumps lawyers are requesting that they not destroy any communications. Trump is now a private citizen and Biden controls all the communication records, the phone calls the time date length of any phone calls made on Jan 65th and why wasn't any of it released? Trump also has good lawyers, and will be suing quite a few people outside of their QA. Given the poor lawyering exhibited by the democrats - he may surprise with tremendous successes.
The Republicans could have threatened to do any absurd thing they like. Thanks to Trump and the Georgia runoffs, it was not up to them.
Pat they did it and it worked, the dems folded like a cheap tent. Actually Warnock may have to step down he's going to be indicted in the next few months for voter fraud the DOJ and the state of Georgia have told him he's under investigation for voter fraud and Arizona's senate race is being contested in the GOP controlled legislature, and a new GOP Rep (McConnell is out) may force the 1980 agreement that in case of a ties the previous party is still the majority party. Also the West Virginia legislature may pass legislation to recall any senator as they forced their entire State Supreme court to resign over a few thousand dollars in furniture - I'm sure Manchin see's the writing and will either switch parties or resign. Same for Tester.
Also Warnock and Kelly have to run again in 18 months and the state legislatures are reversing all the 2020 election changes. they are both favored to lose heavily.