Down The Middle News: Does Mitch McConnell have the votes to block impeachment? Accounts vary

A whopping 75 p.c of Individuals indicated they wished witnesses to testify in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, a brand new Quinnipiac College ballot revealed Tuesday. However Republicans have determined to disregard the overwhelming majority of Individuals and block witnesses, in keeping with NBC Information reporter Geoff Bennett.

“Mitch McConnell presently seems to have the votes he must keep away from calling trial witnesses,” Bennett tweeted Tuesday after the trial ended for the day. “Even because the GOP messaging on the witness query appears to be: We’ll make a willpower after the Q&A interval.’”

Mitch McConnell presently seems to have the votes he must keep away from calling trial witnesses, primarily based on our reporting and conversations with lawmakers this night — even because the GOP messaging on the witness query appears to be: “We’ll make a willpower after the Q&A interval.”

— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) January 28, 2020

The identical ballot additionally revealed an awesome lack of assist for Republicans amongst impartial voters.

#BREAKING through @QuinnipiacPoll : 57% of Independents consider Trump abused his energy vs. 39% who disagree. pic.twitter.com/kT9jUa8R4V

— Matt Rogers (@Politidope) January 28, 2020

Different reporters have disputed the declare, saying that McConnell says he doesn’t have the votes.

NEWS — McConnell instructed his members that he didn’t but have sufficient votes to have the ability to kill the witness vote, anticipated Friday, in keeping with folks acquainted. But a number of 2020ers spoke, saying they’re prepared to maneuver on to ultimate vote, transfer on from the trial.

— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) January 28, 2020

In contrast, the Wall Avenue Journal reported McConnell claimed earlier at the moment that he didn’t suppose he had the votes.

“Senate Majority Chief Mitch McConnell (R-KY) stated the vote whole wasn’t the place it wanted to be on blocking witnesses or paperwork, these folks stated. He had a card with ‘sure,’ ‘no,’ and ‘maybes’ marked on it, apparently a whip rely, however he didn’t present it to senators.”

After different accounts surfaced about the place Republicans had been, Bennett retracted his declare, saying that the state of affairs is clearly fluid.

https://twitter.com/GeoffRBennett/standing/1222298786908856321 T

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