Tactics

I've lived through three presidential events, two impeachments and one resignation and while certainly each is unique what we are seeing is something new in this one.

With Nixon you had an unfolding of evidence where both sides were determined to find out the truth.  Certainly he had supporters, less over time but they acted like a tribunal in search of the truth.

It seemed likely that as dramatic development unfurled he was going to be both impeached and convicted and seeing the handwriting on the wall he resigned.

With Clinton, the act he was accused of was lying about an encounter with a young intern.  Once it was proven the encounter had happened and he apologized the crime he was accused of was effectively perjury under oath.  He was clearly guilty but he was not removed from office, partly because while a serious matter it was more of a personal issue where he lied about infidelity.  It didn't really have much to do with the National Interest.

Now in the current one we see charges of attempting to use national resources to further personal interests and then obstructing the investigation.  What seems different this time is that instead of trying to determine if the events happened, it is likely they did, his supporters  are on the attack, politicizing the process while accusing the opposition of being political.

Now we know the phone call happened and we know that witnesses and documents are being withheld.  The American public would like to see these documents and hear these witnesses, so the question becomes, was there enough evidence already for the House?

There was and if in fact there is evidence that the motivation was indeed perfect, one would think the Senate supporters would roll out the documents and witnesses to refute the accusations.

They aren't going to do that, they will simply acquit based on political reasons.

They think the American public will agree and some will.

I don't think it is enough for those who aren't already rabid supporters.  We will see.