The Pelosi Gambit
Republicans are in a quandary about the impeachment trial of Donald Trump. (I originally wrote "ethical quandary," but there is nothing ethical about their motives.) Republican Senators want to cover-up all of Trump's offences, but they don't want it to look too obvious. If Nancy Pelosi had transferred the articles for which Trump was impeached to the Senate immediately after his impeachment, they would have had a chance. But Pelosi had other plans. Many people were involved in Trump's attempted extortion of Ukraine. And secrets are difficult to keep especially when the person you're covering for tends to shoot his mouth off and brag about his offences. (Remember the Access Hollywood tape.) Another concern is that Trump has no loyalties to anyone except Trump. He would turn on anyone in a heartbeat and tweet mean things about them. Prior to Lev Parnas's document and video release and his interview, and prior to the leak of John Bolton's...