Note-passing and power: Moderates team up at Trump trial
Associated PressWASHINGTON — Republican seatmates Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski on Thursday passed a piece of paper back and forth, nodded — and then sent the note on an unusual journey across the Senate aisle, into the hands of Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. On behalf of the power pocket of moderates, she asked: Will President Donald Trump assure the American public that private citizens won’t conduct foreign policy unless the State Department requests it? GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who is retiring, said late Thursday that there was ‘no need’ for more evidence, boosting odds of Trump’s swift acquittal. “Will the president assure the American public that private citizens won’t conduct foreign policy unless they have been specifically designated by State Department to do so?” Roberts asked. Philbin replied, “The other party will always attribute bad motives.” Schiff’s answer: “Public officials are inherently political animals.” Republicans were keeping close and visible tabs on the moderates.
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