A Democratic Senator expresses concerns that Mitch McConnell and the Republicans he leads may not uphold their responsibilities to conduct a fair, objective impeachment trial. Josh Marshall, observing that Republicans have openly embraced a contrary course of action, takes the Senator to task for not stating this plainly (“Terrible, Terrible, Terrible,” Talking Points Memo):
It is grievously irresponsible to be expressing “concerns” that Republicans may not do their job and uphold their responsibility as Senators. . . .
Republicans have made their intentions crystal clear. It is an abdication of responsibility not to state this clearly. Republicans have already decided to protect a lawless President from constitutional accountability. They’ve betrayed the constitution and their oaths. This is a point to make consistently over and over and over again. Because it is true. . . .
There’s nothing to be “concerned” about. Senate Republicans have made very clear there is no level of lawless behavior from this President that they will not defend. The public needs to know that. It needs to be said over and over. To say anything else, to express hopes this or that doesn’t happen when it already has happened only signals a damaging, demoralizing and shameful weakness.
