Romney is whipping votes to convict Trump

[berni_mccoy]

He’s working with Bill Weld.

You heard it here first.

[dchill]

1. Do tell.

[TheBlackAdder]

76. I believe it, when I see it, in black and white.

.


Everything has changed, everything is still the same. It's all a parlor game.

.

[greblach]

115. Me too

Great song pick by the way...Todd always picks me up...got grief for Tin Foil Hat...

[scheming daemons]

2. With Mitch in control.... he won't whip up more than 2 or 3 at best

It is what it is.

[CincyDem]

14. Maybe - but 4 votes could swing the rules and that won't be trivial. n/t

[radius777]

85. Agree, then the GOP can't put on their carnival act,

which would be significant in allowing Dems to more properly make their case to the public.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

116. Would it be enough to require a secret ballot?

That would be the only way to get a Republican senator to vote to remove 45*




*Impeached

[Laura PourMeADrink]

137. Is that a bad thing. I obviously don't know enough about

It...but first thought is I don't care if it's secret...the dictator will inflict pain.

[Sgent]

142. I think you need 81 for a secret ballot

since the constitution requires a journal be kept with votes recorded as long as 20% demand it.

[Perseus]

36. Lets be positive about it..I have to think that a good number of republicans, those not compromised

despise the creature as much as the rest of the country, and the world.

[ewagner]

44. What's wrong with this thought?

Maybe Romney sees something we don't...

maybe he sees that if the leader of the cult is taken out of the picture; if his power is taken away from him (his money, his mega-phone, his ability to manipulate the executive branch to his own advantage etc), he will no longer have any power over his "base" and the Republicans can reassemble a base that isn't batdshit crazy.

If Trump is impeached and removed...there won't be any trump base.

[calimary]

47. Romney may want another run at the White House.

And he knows he’d need more than just GOP votes. If he votes no on conviction in the Senate, he may conclude that his hopes for a higher office will be dashed. All the Dems would need to do would be to remind voters who he stood with when it came to choosing the Constitution over trump.

[ewagner]

54. Thanks for the insight

Appreciate the thoughtful alternative!

[Generic Brad]

107. He deserves a run if he pulls it off

I won’t vote for him though.

[AdamGG]

121. He may try some middle ground, like Jeff Flake did with Kavanaugh

I could see Romney (if he gets a few other Repugnants to go with him) to buck McConnell on the rules to allow a fuller trial, but then ultimately vote against removal. That would be the politician's middle road.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

139. And deny us the possible future torture of Pence

[aggiesal]

89. RMoney hates Pendejo45 because of this ...

Donald Trump is now being accused of putting together a 'coordinated'
attack to punish Mitt Romney before making his Secretary of State pick.

https://us.blastingnews.com/news/2016/11/donald-trump-publicly-embarrassing-mitt-romney-as-form-of-punishment-report-details-001289529.html

This is RMoney's comeuppance.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

140. Yes! I'll kiss your ass, but if you burn me ...

[ritapria]

69. Is there a source backing up this claim ?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

138. What about the 20-30 who would if it was secret,?

[bearsfootball516]

3. What would his plan be?

Convict Trump, primary Pence and win the nomination?

Seems far-fetched at best.

[fleur-de-lisa]

5. Maybe.

Romney wouldn't do this, if this story is true, unless there was something in it for himself.

[bearsfootball516]

6. And Romney is hated by Trump's base.

He might get enough support in a primary to win the nomination because Trump's base would sit out, but he'd be slaughtered in the general when Trump's base stays home.

[Nitram]

40. Romney is not appealing to Trump's base. He is appealing to whatever conscience is left among

Republican Senators.

[LudwigPastorius]

50. Good luck with all that.

The GOP has been propping up a corrupt, sociopathic racist who puts children in cages.

They have demonstrated that they have no conscience at all.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

73. AND Romney expressed that Russia was our greatest threat back in 2012.

His concern was well founded and hopefully he can convince a handful of old school Repubs. I suspect his observations of world affairs is very much in line with the GOP of old.

Problem is how trump will tweet attack them in ways not seen before. Talk about needing anger management...

[saidsimplesimon]

91. Mitt has betrayed his Mormon values. imo

[Nitram]

92. Frankly, I don't care about anyone's "Mormon values." IMO that's a private and a personal

matter.

[saidsimplesimon]

94. I hold no religious loyalties.

I do not discount those who "claim" the "higher" ground.

[stopdiggin]

114. then don't bring it up (nt)

[Cracklin Charlie]

7. He might do it for his try at the next cycle.

I think Mittens doesn’t mind burnishing his image from time to time.

[obamanut2012]

17. That is what I think -- he knows Biden, Sanders, and Warren

Knows they are professional and experienced public servants. Let them win and fix some stuff, or try to, then go after them in four years as the Republic's Savior.

[Firestorm49]

9. It's been more than obvious that Romney wants the Oval Office.

[The Blue Flower]

49. Remember he was certain his presidency was ordained from on high

I highly doubt he would abandon that belief.

[wnylib]

100. Oh no. Not another Chosen One.

[FM123]

151. Seriously, how many did "he" choose?!?

[The_Counsel]

10. Well, "Cynical Counsel" Does See Something in It for Romney...

...I'll even submit that there are more Republican voters that would vote for Romney for President than Trump, if that's their choice. Especially having seen Trump in action the last three years.

Could happen. Not likely, I'll concede, but it could happen...

[getagrip_already]

22. The other path....

Since pence is also dorty is to oust trump, then pance nominates romney as vp and resigns with a psrdon (which trump wont give him).

Thats just as long a stretch as prlosi becoming potus.

I think he smells the coming stank, a loss for trjmp, and knows the only republican left standing will be whoever broke with him.

All we need is for him to convince 19 pf his collegues.....

[HuskyOffset]

57. Easy now, probably typing on mobile device

I know I make tons of the same kinds of typos when I'm using my phone instead of being at the computer with a keyboard.

[Captain Zero]

58. Oh it's typos,

Thats all.

[sprinkleeninow]

63. Some of the words my phone 'suggests', OY!

[getagrip_already]

75. damn.. sorry about the typos!!!!

Yes, from my phone and I was in a hurry.

Apologies!

[CreekDog]

145. nl priblmm!

[soldierant]

131. The hitch there

is that Pence can't just appoint a VP. His nominee would have to be approved by BOTH houses of Congress. Sure, the Senate will go along. But the house ... might just prefer to leave the Vice Presidency vacant. After all, there is an established line of succession which goes past the VP.

[Progressive Jones]

154. The only Republican voter who I personally know who still backs Trashdump is

my right wing whacko son.

He's a millennial flake who thinks us "Boomers purposely destroyed his future with our selfishness and drug abuse and abortions" (direct quote).

He knows absolutely nothing about politics/government/governance before 2015. He spent his early adult life previous to 2015 drinking cheap beer, smoking pot, and playing video games, after failing in college. He's even attended a Trashdump rally, "'cause he's woke to the bullshit" (another direct quote).
It's been both sad and hilarious to witness his growing insanity.

[Turbineguy]

30. Even if you don't get to be President,

saving the U.S. Democracy would be a feather in your cap.

And there's always 2024 for Romney to run.

[saidsimplesimon]

98. 2024?

NOW is the time, imo, not tomorrow.

[democratisphere]

37. The Presidency..........

[Perseus]

38. I am fine with him feeling there is something for him

If he is successful at gathering enough votes to get rid of the creature, wouldn't you agree he earned it?

[wryter2000]

113. I'd say he earned it

And maybe a Nobel Prize.

I'm convinced that if the Republicans voted what they knew is right, justice would get 20 of them easily.

[Wawannabe]

55. What story??

OP provides nothing! I have asked but no response yet????

[grantcart]

103. Convict Trump not remove

[tinrobot]

125. How about simple plan of conviction and removal

Going further... conviction and removal would be fitting revenge for this dinner:

[berksdem]

4. not sure what

that will do... with Turtle at the top it wont matter.

[ScratchCat]

8. I personally believe

That if Mitt Romney and 1 other GOP Senator held a public press conference and stated the reasons that Trump had to be removed and could not be allowed to run again(based upon trying to once again interfere in the election), enough Senators would fall in line and remove him. If someone such as Mitt spelled it out to the Fox News crowd, I think it would be over for Trump. In reality, if the Fox News crowd understands "that if Trump gets away with this, so does the next Democrat POTUS", they will finally comprehend the danger Trump presents.

[Firestorm49]

11. If there would ever be another Democratic POTUS.

[dchill]

78. There's the rub.

[crickets]

29. Interesting scenario

I'd love to see it. I don't think we will, but it would be a relief if he even tried.

[saidsimplesimon]

64. Mitt is of the LDS faith. The "Fox News Crowd"

will never support his quest. Sorry Mitt, you choose a party of bigots.

(My grandmother suffered death by MS.)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="

" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Poiuyt]

118. I've thought that too

There needs to be some leadership in the republican party and it needs to be someone who is currently in Congress. It's easy for Bill Weld or Jeff Flake to come out against trump, but there needs to be someone with flesh in the game. Like you said--Romney and one other senator. Others will fall in line as long as they know they are not alone.

[UTUSN]

12. O.K.?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

13. I wish.

Can't put much hope in ol' Mitt.

But hey, I'm up for a Christmas miracle.

[Johnny2X2X]

15. Not sure of all the rules

If they vote to acquit without a trial do they still only need 34 votes? Or would they need 50 to acquit? If Romney can get 2 others they can force a trial right?

[CaptYossarian]

16. Mitt happens.

This would be his 2nd great contribution to America, since Romneycare was the template for the ACA. I always loved telling neocons how Romneycare covered abortions, but Obamacare didn't.

That went over as well as you'd expect.

[groundloop]

25. well, maybe not a 'great contribution' but merely a step in the right direction

[CaptYossarian]

32. Blame the insurance industry for watering it down.

I'm a recovering insurance worker who's been on the wagon for 20 years.

[Wawannabe]

56. He has binders of Republicans

Waiting to impeach!

Whatevs. Ain’t none of them gonna do anything to remove. None of em!

[hlthe2b]

18. I hope it is true. Romney will increase his place in history (and in my appraisal certinly) if he

DOES.

[gab13by13]

19. Romney doesn't have the guts.

[saidsimplesimon]

20. I don't expect Mr. Romney

will stray beyond his personal financial interests. Please, prove me wrong.

[PatrickforO]

21. Good. I really dislike Romney's politics and his stint with Bain Capital,

but he's doing us a service here.

[tman]

23. Is wishful thinking a form of coping?

Get real.

[bluestarone]

24. I will be watching Mcturtle and tRUMP

If they contact Romney THEN i know something is afoot. (They will be worried about Romney)

[CaptYossarian]

35. Witness tampering is a form of obstruction of justice.

In other words, count on it.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

26. Mitt Romney can save the Nation.....

Susan Collins, Corey Gardiner, Martha McSally, Joni Ernst, Tom Tillis, plus Romney himself, can do the right thing by the US Constitution and hold up the Rule of Law.

Watch this space.

[Bucky]

80. A delightful fantasy, but

can you really believe that 6 Republicans would actually put the rule of law ahead of their party?

[TryLogic]

99. Not Corey Gardiner. He has supported everything Trump,

cabinet members known in advance to be corrupt, Kavanaugh, etc.

[Ilsa]

27. Is this his White Knight scenario?

Get trump out now and primary Pence & Mother?

I hope he does it. It might get some voters to pull their heads out of the sand.

[gab13by13]

70. It's actually a Mormon thing,

The White Horse Prophesy

[samir.g]

81. What does that entail?

[Ilsa]

82. I know. That was partly

what his support was about in 2012. I wonder if he's seeing an opportunity to make a run for it.

[brooklynite]

28. I heard it, but I don't believe it (unless you want to provide evidence)

[Wawannabe]

33. Is this observation, conjecture??

What is your basis for this statement?
Or media story? Source? Or something???

This would be good news if I had something to convince me that this is actually happening...

Are you in Romney’s home state and KNOW this to be fact somehow? Otherwise, I believe that the OP raises Romney for nothing??? Sorry but he is NOT our savior either!

[coti]

72. It's totally made up, looks like. With 100 recs. Awesome. nt

[Wawannabe]

77. I know!

I kept seeing the recs accumulate as if people are buying into this statement of NO FACT! What the hell?

On edit: I just remembered it’s Friday the 13th! Freaky Friday INDEED!

[bucolic_frolic]

34. Unfortunately, or fortunately if you ever live there,

Massachusetts Republican is a small universe

[dem4decades]

128. Isn't the Governor a Republican?

[bucolic_frolic]

129. few and very old time moderate Republicans

that have little if any sway in the party of Trump and McConnell.

[itcfish]

39. Sorry But

I believe at the end Romney will follow McConnell's marching orders.

[OnDoutside]

41. Well said.

[democratisphere]

42. More than 500 law professors can't be wrong about impeaching drumpf.

You would think some rethuglicons would get a clue and do the right thing in impeaching drumpf.

[KPN]

43. Not getting excited. nt

[FeelingBlue]

45. You are exactly why

On a busy morning I stopped by here. I’m so thirsty for a bit of good news. Could it really be that a shred of conscience still lives in the hearts of Republicans?

[Wawannabe]

60. Do you not question this statement with not one shred of support info

Or even a personal anecdote? Don’t get your hopes up, please!

And someone told me Romney has binders of Republicans just waiting to impeach!

[LovingA2andMI]

46. If Pence....

Is put in the Office of POTUS in this scenario with Trump Removed, WHO is named Vice President or does Pence get to pick a Vice President? If the latter is true, that is what Romney Quid Pro Quo will be. I.E. "I whip up the votes to remove Trump, you (Pence) name me Vice President."

[cilla4progress]

48. Fabulous...

if true. Haven't heard it anywhere else?

[jmbar2]

51. Romney may not be popular...

...but he's Mormon, which may cause him to think about future generations and the fate of Democracy. If the authoritarians, evangelicals and oligarchs take over, Mormons could be targeted. Just a thought.

[wnylib]

108. I think Romney has more faith in Wall Street

than in the LDS. He will want to be President in order to oppose Russian inroads to US government and economy.

If he helps to knock out Drama Boy he clears a future path for himself. Might run against Pence. Or might wait for another cycle.

He wants to preserve the US style of 1% rule over tbe Russian style of oligarchy.

My question is, who will we run against Pence or Romney?

[at140]

52. Romney warned us about Russia during presidential debates

and he was snickered at. Turns out he was right after all.

[The Valley Below]

59. If we could get a majority to convict--say break off 5 Republican Senators--

it would be a huge moral and political victory.

Obviously that wouldn't remove Trump, but the symbolism would be very profound in my estimation.

So if Romney is working behind the scenes towards that effort, I wish him godspeed.

[helpisontheway]

62. Romney is about Flake. All y'all and no answers..nt

[oasis]

65. If it's what you say, I love it.

[IronLionZion]

66. He's in a safe Senate seat so he might do it

It would be interesting to see who he whips. Trump probably has more enemies than he realizes.

[Mike 03]

67. Intriguing. And there's this story...

Bill Weld: As many as six GOP senators privately support convicting Trump

Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld (R) said Thursday that as many as a half-dozen GOP senators are privately in favor of voting to convict President Trump at a likely impeachment trial.

“I know most of the senior Republicans in the Senate," Weld, a long-shot candidate for the GOP presidential nomination, said in an interview at The Hill's offices in Washington. “They’re picking their words carefully when they talk to me, of all people, even though we are friends."

"I wouldn’t want to get quoted,” he added. “I don’t even like to ask someone to do something which is not in their political self-interest. But yeah, I would say they’re four to six votes for removal right now.”

Weld added that House Republicans who remain steadfast in their defense of the president will come to “regret” their decision to vote against impeachment.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/474374-bill-weld-says-as-many-as-six-gop-senators-are-in-favor-of-convicting-trump

[Chakaconcarne]

68. Is this why Mitch said he would acquit?

As a message to Romney... You (and anyone that joins you) will get nowhere with this so don't even try.

[coti]

71. This isn't a helpful post, at all.

Let's deal in reality, please.

[Retrograde]

74. I'll believe it when it happens

Since Weathervane Willard has shown so much spine in saying no to Moscow Mitch's unqualified judicial appointees. If he does manage to form a coalition to make Mitch follow the spirit of the constitution I'll be among the first to congratulate him.

[TidalWave46]

79. Romney! The Republican wet noodle.

Oh how it would be a beautiful thing if he helped to turn enough votes. It would even make me feel good if Trump is told that Romney is trying to Flip Republicans.

[blueinredohio]

83. Please Mitt do it.

[rurallib]

84. true or not, this made me smile

just at the possibility that there are cracks in the republican wall.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

86. Ha! Good one!!! nt

[TommyCelt]

87. ummmm...

Is there anything to back this assertion up?

[VarryOn]

88. I suppose even a racist misogynist like Romney...

Can be useful at time.

[no_hypocrisy]

90. Long-game/time-release revenge, or

patriotism as his motive is irrelevant.

He's doing it.

(Personally, I like both.)

[Hekate]

93. Go to it, Mitt. We know there's a good man in there somewhere.

My Massachussetts nephew benefitted a lot from Romneycare.

Plus, you were absolutely right to say Russia is our biggest problem/challenge/enemy, even if you did slip up and call it the USSR.

[Hamlette]

95. I agree

He's conservative but I too believe he has a heart.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

96. trumpolini is gonna be mad.

[coti]

97. You should delete this. nt

[TryLogic]

101. Quite possibly a politically motivated rumor -- only.

[Golden Raisin]

102. I have zero trust or faith in Romney.

I'd be pleased to be proven wrong but am not holding my breath.

[nancy1942]

104. Sure he is.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

105. I don't think he got the cojones,

just saying.

[lame54]

106. I don't even believe Mitt will whip his own vote against Trump

[keithbvadu2]

109. Maybe it's just revenge for Donald humiliating Mitt after the election.

Maybe it's just revenge for Donald humiliating Mitt after the election.

Revenge is something Donald understands.

[matt819]

110. As others have observed, I'll believe it when I see it

Opinion right now? Ain't gonna happen.

[klook]

111. I'm sure this is 1,000 percent true!!1!1

[wryter2000]

112. Even one Republican

Even one Republican lends more credence to the charges. Three or four would be great.

Dying to know who the others might be

[TruckFump]

117. They way Trump treated Romney are the 2016 election,

I would not be surprised if Romney is ready to exact a pay-back.

[DavidDvorkin]

119. He might express grave misgivings before voting to acquit.

[Orangepeel]

120. riiiight. him and susan collins

[ancianita]

122. Bill Weld, solid old school Republican, can help Romney save these senators' souls.

[ancianita]

123. Theory: Romney had a sitdown with McConnell and Weld. McConnell could force his own recusal by

dramatically prejudicing his position with Trump early, knowing Democrats would loudly call for recusal.

With the Senate's #2 guy running the trial, Romney & Weld could whip a possible vote level for removal.

With Pence taking over, Weld would have a shot at the RNC, with guess-who as his running mate.

If Pence gets investigated by the House on Ukraine, he might actually do the honorable thing and resign, which could make a Weld/Romney ticket even more possible.

Just sayin' it's a theory.

[Dopers_Greed]

133. That is doubtful

If you think McConnell would recuse himself from anything, no matter how brazen a conflict of interest he has, you are in for a rude awakening.

[efhmc]

124. Sorry, I do not believe this.

[redstatebluegirl]

126. I don't think he has the balls to go against McConnell and 45.

[doc03]

127. I don't believe it he always wimps out in the end.

[quakerboy]

130. Not unless Piere Delecto has a surprise twin

I will believe this when I see video of him making public announcements.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

132. I NEVER thought I'd hear myself say, "Go, Mitt!"

[kst]

134. I don't believe you.

If you have evidence of this, please provide it.
If it's wishful thinking, please say so.

[Codeine]

135. No he isn't.

Codswallop.

[D23MIURG23]

136. I'm not sure I believe he is...

And I don't think any of the other Republican senators can be made to give a shit in any case. Republicans are loyal to their self-interest first, their party second, their twisted version of religion third, and to America only in the lies they tell at campaign events.

My actual bet is that Romney will vote for acquittal.

[Xolodno]

141. Doubt it. But I could be wrong....

...what we do know, is Romney does things for his own benefit. What is that?

1. He see's Mitch as possibly losing his own re-election and he wants to take over.
2. Thinks he can topple Mitch in the Senate if he's left wounded.
3. Setting himself up for a new run as he thinks all real possible winners can be beaten.

[C Moon]

143. He still has his eyes on being president. Always an opportunist.

If he see's this isn't working, he'll flip back the other way.

[Sherman A1]

144. Believe it when I see it and it actually happens

There will be no GOP defections in my opinion. Even Mitt will fall in line and offer some lame reasoning or technical excuse (like Those darn Democrats from the house printed the Articles of Impeachment on beige paper and it's supposed to be white or something like that) if questioned on the topic.

[scardycat]

146. What I dont get is..

why dont the republican in the senate get together and get rid of trump. Then they wont have to put up with his bullshit..what a bunch of losers. I mean vote in numbers.

[mountain grammy]

147. Only kicking this because I WANT to believe it

But I don’t. They’ll all cave.

[R B Garr]

148. Great find!

Awesome!





Edit: Hope it’s true.

[Polybius]

149. Is this true, or just a hunch?

Any link?

[OliverQ]

150. Nah, don't believe it.

Not a single Republican is going to convict Trump.

You heard it hear first.

[RockRaven]

152. White Horse Prophecy... Constitution "hanging by a thread"... which means these fundie Xian GrOPers,

or at least *some* of them, will never give a Mormon the satisfaction of fulfilling a "heretical prophecy" etc. GrOPer Baptists and Lutherans and Methodists etc will spurn Romney on removing Trump on *religious* grounds because of the person making the argument/said person's faith tradition's babblings.

Let's all wrap our minds around that for a minute... "This dude says he belongs to a religion which some people say advocates some BS nonsense and on those grounds we've totes got to keep this traitor criminal in a position of ridiculous power." WUT???

And yet it will happen. What a ridiculous timeline we are in...

[budkin]

153. Yeah right

Not happening.

[dawg day]

155. Pierre Delecto....

Everything is so insane now... Romney with secret Twitter account. Nothing is making sense with Trump as president.
So who knows? I don't think I would be surprised if a gryphon flew past my window today.

Were I Mitt, I'd decide the rational path would be to solemnly and sadly come out against Trump. He has a safe seat, family that lives him, huge wealth, and an outsized sense of his importance. He can be irrelevant as the 52nd vote against impeachment.... or central and essential as the first Republican to come out against the tyrant.

But I'm not sure any Republican is sensible enough to do that, including Mitt.