This week started with a supposedly “seismic shift in leverage” as Speaker Pelosi continued her refusal to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate. In case you missed it, here’s what they are saying about how it ended:
“A Win For McConnell As Pelosi Says She’ll Release Impeachment Articles Next Week”
Newsweek: “The transfer of the articles will come after a growing number of Democrats were beginning to break from Pelosi, telling Newsweek and other outlets it was time to move forward with a trial. It will also mark a major political win for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell…”
POLITICO: “McConnell’s win on impeachment trial procedure was months in the making…the Senate majority leader kept his caucus in line at a crucial moment.”
“Round One Goes to Mitch McConnell”
National Journal‘s Josh Kraushaar: “Round one goes to Mitch McConnell and this was a waiting game – a political standoff – between two of the top tacticians on Capitol Hill. Clearly now Pelosi is showing she is folding. You saw the Senators that were starting to get aggravated with the way the House was handling the delay. You also saw House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith – one of Pelosi’s top deputies – saying ‘hey, we’ve got to speed this thing up.’ She was getting pressure from her own side, the caucus was divided, she had to fold in this case.”
“McConnell Just Ate Pelosi And Schumer’s Lunch”
The Courier Journal‘s Phillip Bailey: “She blinked. @senatemajldr Mitch McConnell 1, @SpeakerPelosi 0. #KYSen #Trump”
The Washington Free Beacon: “How McConnell Outplayed Pelosi…The Republican leader unified his caucus by relying on precedent…Pelosi’s gambit fell apart. Democratic senators, from Dianne Feinstein to Doug Jones, said it was time for the trial to begin. Several Democratic congressmen agreed. The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, said it was ‘time to send the impeachment to the Senate.'”
The Resurgent‘s Erick Erickson: “So that’s a win for Mitch McConnell.”
“McConnell Did Not Flinch”
FOX News‘ Mike Emanuel: “Part of the problem for the Speaker is Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not flinch…”
CNN‘s Manu Raju: “Pelosi had demanded to see the Senate resolution first – McConnell said no. Dems demanded to have witnesses and document production agreed to up front – and McConnell said no. Now the trial will begin on McConnell’s terms”
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