When the Democrats made their first steps toward going all in on impeachment, political analysts began pointing to a potential problem the process may pose for several Democratic presidential hopefuls: If impeachment makes it to the Senate, what does that mean for the six Democratic Senators vying for the nomination?
According to The Washington Post‘s sources, Republicans are well aware of the potential stumbling block an impeachment trial in the Senate could end up being for their Democratic peers contending for the 2020 nomination — and some are considering drawing out the proceeding to make sure the Democrats’ pay for their ill-advised impeachment campaign.
Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson teased the press about the potential plot to make life hard on the Democrats. “That might be a strategy,” he said with “a coy smile.” “I’m just a lowly worker.”
Texas Sen. John Corynyn said the Senate would make sure to conduct the trial the “right” way, which would likely take five to six weeks. “Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden might like that,” he added, naming two of the leading candidates who are not senators.
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) said that while Bill Clinton’s trial took five weeks, he could see Trump’s going longer because he has denied any wrongdoing. While Clinton “admitted that he had lied to the FBI,” said Burr, as reported by the Post, “I figured it’s going to take longer for [the Democrats] to make a case, because they don’t have that.”
While the Post warns that Republicans may be scheming to hurt the Democratic senators, the outlet notes that some Republicans are pushing for a “swift dismissal or final vote.”
The six senators still in the mix are, in order of their poll numbers: Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Michael Bennet (D-CO).
Both Sanders and Warren have publicly weighed in on the potential trial, saying they will do their best to be there if and when it is necessary.