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ancianita

(35,926 posts)

9. When the Constitution says he "presides," it doesn't mean that in ANOTHER branch, he can run

Reply to Kid Berwyn (Reply #6)

Wed Jan 22, 2020, 08:52 PM

Jan 2020

that legislative body like a JUDICIAL branch court. This is a legislative branch body holding a legislative trial. They have sole charge of their trial rules, which McConnell announced before the introduction of any amendments yesterday.

All through the days of the trial, the Chief Justice presides as a judicial witness only. That's it. That's the Constitutional separation of powers.

(The majority leader calls on the Sergeant-at-Arms to keep order.)

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Why can't Schiff ask Roberts to call witnesses? [View all] Kid Berwyn Jan 2020 OP

I think you are mistaking Roberts for someone Bettie Jan 2020 #1

Guy helped protect Poppy Bush in Iran Contra. Kid Berwyn Jan 2020 #3

The Senate makes the rules on the trial, not Roberts. It isn't a judicial activity. comradebillyboy Jan 2020 #2

The Senate may make rules for debate, Kid Berwyn Jan 2020 #4

Yes, but in an impeachment trial, it has to make the rules up front, not as it goes along. ancianita Jan 2020 #7

Thank you. Kid Berwyn Jan 2020 #13

I hear you. It all sounds counterintuitive to me, too, until you get to the strict adherence to ancianita Jan 2020 #15

The request would be out of order FBaggins Jan 2020 #5

So why did the Founders put him in charge of the trial? Kid Berwyn Jan 2020 #6

When the Constitution says he "presides," it doesn't mean that in ANOTHER branch, he can run ancianita Jan 2020 #9

Because ordinarily the presiding officer in Senate proceedings is the Vice President onenote Jan 2020 #11

They didn't FBaggins Jan 2020 #14

Because, as explained multiple times, Roberts doesn't have that authority. onenote Jan 2020 #8

Not even ensuring the rules are kept, either. He functions solely as a judicial witness. ancianita Jan 2020 #10

So he is more like a referee? nt Karma13612 Jan 2020 #12

Not even. Referees get to enforce rules, make calls. He's simply a judicial witness. That's it. ancianita Jan 2020 #16

Wow! Sounds pretty toothless. Karma13612 Jan 2020 #18

It's just something we have to face about coequal govt. ancianita Jan 2020 #20

Presiding to McConnell only means Roberts is warming a chair. Thomas Hurt Jan 2020 #17

It's not McConnell's Senate. Place belongs to We the People. Kid Berwyn Jan 2020 #21

You mean Bernie, from Weekend at Bernie's? gratuitous Jan 2020 #19

Guy earned his Sgt. Pepper stripes shepherding Iran Contra blame from Poppy. Kid Berwyn Jan 2020 #22