Jeff Flake says 'at least 35' Republican senators would privately vote to impeach Trump

[Kablooie]

Former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake made a bold claim on Thursday when he said "at least 35" GOP senators would privately vote for President Trump's impeachment.

Appearing at the 2019 Texas Tribune Festival, Flake, a frequent critic of the president, offered his own reaction and predicted that close to three dozen Republican senators would back impeachment.

"I heard someone say if there were a private vote there would be 30 Republican votes. That's not true," Flake said during a Q&A. "There would be at least 35."

_____________________________

I hope he's right. We need 20 to flip to rid the country of this scourge.

[BeyondGeography]

1. "Privately"

Toomey, Portman and Cornyn have already said they’re not seeing an impeachable offense. It’s going to a be a real slog getting the necessary votes in the Senate.

[DeminPennswoods]

2. Toomey's fickle

He's likely to have a formidible opponent in 2020 in current Lt Gov John Fetterman. I suspect Toomey knows he won't be able to keep backing Trump without consequences - like losing his seat.

[BeyondGeography]

5. Cornyn could potentially budge too for the same reason

It’s going to come down to the temperature level of their base and imponderables such as Fox going wobbly, more people stepping forward with dirt on Trump and/or Trump self-destructing. I don’t rule it out, but these reassurances that half the R Senate or more would really like to do the right thing if they could only not put their name on it are an indication we still have some road to travel.

[TwilightZone]

17. No chance on Cornyn

He's rubber-stamped everything Trump has done and defends him at every opportunity. Trump's approval in Texas is ~50% and 90% among Rs.

Cornyn's political career means more to him than anything, including taking a stand.

"these reassurances "

It's not a reassurance. It's an opinion from a former "moderate" Republican Congressman that has no basis in anything tangible.

[BeyondGeography]

18. Oh, I needed to put reassurances in quotes?

I’ll do better just for you next time.

[karynnj]

19. Wow - with those two numbers, Cornyn could be vulnerable

He can't move away from Trump because of that 90%. He will be seen as kicking Trump when he is down. Even if that Trump number among Republicans falls to 60 or 70%, a big drop, that could still be true.

Yet, even before all of this Trump's overall approval is 50%. I wonder how yesterday's video of Trump calling whistleblowers, spies and traitors will play.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. I hope Fetterman runs! But Toomey is not up until 2022.

Wish he was up now though. Casey just got back in during the 2018 election so 2020 will be an "off term" (by Senate class) for PA.

[DeminPennswoods]

9. I know, but it's almost 2020 and the 2022

election cycle for Senators up then will be starting shortly. 2022 will be the end of Wolf's 2nd term. Fetterman evidently isn't interested in running for gov, leaving him free to run for senate.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. He would be perfect and he has already visited all 67 counties

when he did his listening tour, so he's got a lay of the land!

[DeminPennswoods]

11. He's well-known in western PA from being mayor of Braddock

and his family is from York. That's 2 of the 3 big regions already covered.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. Since 2022 is an off-year we will have to make sure to get the turnout up

BIG TIME!

[empedocles]

4. Publically, the 'cons won't vote to impeach until their constituents get sick enough of

trump to impeach trump. The Pelosi strategy is much more likely to work effectively in the general election.

[It's no secret that most of DC hates trump, even more than trump hates everyone. McConnell's in particular can't barely tolerate trump - cite Wolff]

[Funtatlaguy]

3. Ooh, ooh 😮,,,,give them a Secret ballot. Secret ballot. Secret ballot.

[ritapria]

6. We need one more credible Whistleblower

The GOP Senators will buckle if 1 more person spills the beans on Trump ...His monstrous Presidency is hanging by a thread...

[lagomorph777]

20. You mean like this?

Donald Trump Actually Has 2 Whistleblowers To Worry About
Don’t forget the whistleblower alleging possible interference with the IRS audit of the president’s tax returns.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-tax-whistleblower-irs_n_5d8bafc6e4b08f48f4ae8978

[HopeAgain]

7. And that's the real problem

We have a very significant part of our population willing, for whatever reasons, to accept lawlessness, corruption and bigotry. Most of these politicians are just a reflection of their people at home. Mostly white, with questionable education and/or greed, religious zealotry and bigotry has turned them into a threat to democracy and decency.

[beachbumbob]

13. trump will not be removed, wishful thinking that even 20 GOP senators have any guts and ignorance

enough not to understand what happens to their party in Nov 2020

McConnel will never allow the trial to happen

[superpatriotman]

14. So brave

When there’s nothing left to gain

[PJMcK]

15. McConnell's fig leaf

What if Articles of Impeachment are passed by the House and sent to the Senate. After the trial, McConnell announces that the vote to convict or acquit will be by secret ballot allowing for Senators to vote their honest feelings without political retribution.

I bet the conviction vote would be around 90 Senators.

[ProfessorGAC]

16. Don't Senators Vote To Convict?

Not impeach? Flake should know this