Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal told MSNBC on Wednesday that “five to ten” GOP senators voting with Democrats was a “high-end” prediction, but suggested his estimate could rise further should “unpredicted evidence” emerge in the impeachment inquiry.
The senator’s prediction on MSNBC’s Hardball show yesterday came as the House Judiciary Committee held a debate on the articles of impeachment unveiled by Democrats on Tuesday.
The impeachment articles charge President Trump with abuse of power and obstruction, and have been called “very weak” by the commander-in-chief, who has also regularly called the process a “witch hunt.”
House Democrats aim to have a full House vote on the articles of impeachment before the Christmas break. If they’re voted through, they will be passed onto the senate, which will put Trump on trial.
Asked for a ‘high end’ number of Republican senators who would vote for conviction of the president, were he to be put on trial, Sen. Blumenthal told MSNBC: “I would give the high-end probably five to ten. I think that’s a realistic number.
“But, and I want to emphasise the ‘but,’ we need to keep in mind what’s unpredictable here. Remember the Watergate case where the Nixon tapes emerged seemingly by chance through Alex Butterfield’s testimony that was completely unanticipated the beginning. The Nixon wall cracked and the tapes were produced and that was the end of his presidency.”
He went on to say that “unpredicted evidence” could see his “one to ten” estimate increase, adding: “It’s a very, very fluid situation.”
When Hardball presenter Chris Matthews wondered if there was “any hope” that Chief Justice John Roberts would “require the presence” of a “decisive witness,” Blumenthal suggested it was likely that decisions on witness appearances would be delegated to majority votes.
“We will need some Republicans to come our way on those procedural votes,” the senator said. “But I think there are a number of colleagues, some facing tough reelection challenges in states where they won as Republicans, and others perhaps retiring, and maybe some who actually demonstrate conscience and conviction and real patriotism.”
Newsweek contacted Senate GOP chairman John Barrasso via an email to his office for a response to Blumenthal’s claim and will update this article when a response is received.
The impeachment inquiry will roll on Thursday evening as the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee holds its second debate on the articles of impeachment in as many days.
It is expected to settle on the language of the impeachment articles, which will likely be approved by the committee controlled by a Democratic majority of seven.
Below is a graphic from Statista showing levels of support and opposition to the impeachment inquiry among House Representatives.
This article was updated to include an infographic.
