According to a new report from Time, Pelosi got the idea to hold the impeachment articles from CNN guest John Dean.
Per Time
Pelosi, according to an aide, had been mulling the tactic since she heard former Nixon White House counsel John Dean float the idea on CNN on Dec. 5.
In the committee meeting, she added that she believed McConnell would be motivated to move. “Somebody said to me today that he may not even take up what we send. [But] then [Trump] will never be vindicated,” she said, according to the aide in the room. “He will be impeached forever. Forever. No matter what the Senate does.”
Dean is a regular CNN guest.
In a mid December appearance, Dean argued Pelosi has leverage over the Senate impeachment trial because there are no rules against her withholding the approved articles of impeachment.
WATCH:
Wednesday, Senator Mitch McConnell spoke about the impeachment process on the Senate floor, making clear that Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s leverage over the Senate’s trial is “nonexistent” and that there “will be no haggling with the House” about the process and rules of the Senate trial.
WATCH:
Multiple Democrats have begun to turn against Pelosi’s strategy to hold the articles of impeachment indefinitely.
The tide began to turn after Democrats failed to secure the votes needed for Schumer’s demand of witnesses at the offset.
McConnell was able to convince swing Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski to reject Schumer’s demand.
Per Laura Litvan, Dianne Feinstein no longer sees a purpose for delay.
Dianne Feinstein says it’s time for Speaker Nancy Pelosi to send the impeachment articles to the Senate.
“If we’re going to do it, she should send them over,” the California Democrat said. “I don’t see what good delay does.”
Dianne Feinstein says it’s time for Speaker Nancy Pelosi to send the impeachment articles to the Senate.
“If we’re going to do it, she should send them over,” the California Democrat said. “I don’t see what good delay does.”
— Laura Litvan (@LauraLitvan) January 8, 2020
Democrat Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut “I think the time has past. She should send the articles over”
Meanwhile, multiple Senate Dems saying now that it's clear GOP is dug in against witness deal, it's time to send the articles and start the trial.
"I think the time has past. She should send the articles over," said @ChrisMurphyCT https://t.co/MIUFSFkxnn— Mike DeBonis (@mikedebonis) January 7, 2020
Democrat Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia “I think it needs to start, I really do. I can’t tell the House how to do their business. I would never try to tell Speaker Pelosi. But the bottom line is,x the holdout helped force Bolton to step forward. “Let us do what we have to do over here.”
More @Sen_JoeManchin:
"I think it needs to start, I really do. I can't tell the House how to do their business. I would never try to tell Speaker Pelosi. But the bottom line is,x the holdout helped force Bolton to step forward. "Let us do what we have to do over here."— Mike DeBonis (@mikedebonis) January 7, 2020
This article first appeared on TheConservativeOpinion.com
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