Sorry to be a buzzkill

.@LindseyGrahamSC said that he won’t trade executive privilege (John Bolton, Mulvaney) for testimony Hunter and Joe Biden in the trial.

This after former AG Michael Mukasey came to GOP closed door lunch to talk about the importance of executive privilege to a president.

— Leigh Ann Caldwell (@LACaldwellDC) January 22, 2020

But claims of executive privilege are not Sen. Graham's to trade. Only the President can assert executive privilege. And like the 5th Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, it has to be raised on specific issues, not as a blank "Get Out of Testifying Before Congress Free" card.  JAG Graham knows this.

Sen. Graham prefers to be disingenuous about it.

Paul is opposed to calling former national security adviser John Bolton as a witness: “He’s a disgruntled employee with an ax to grind.”https://t.co/lq5vv7ujew

— Robert Costa (@costareports) January 22, 2020

Gee, if only we had a process for deterring the veracity of such witnesses without dismissing them peremptorily on such grounds.

GOP this morning going hard after Nadler who accused senators last night of engaging in a coverup. They are arguing it undercuts the House Dem case. “It was so insulting and outrageous it was a shock to all of us,” Cornyn said to @alizaslav

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 22, 2020

And we were so close to getting GOP senators on the side of the House managers, too!

As opening arguments begin in the Senate trial, the American public remains divided right down the middle, almost exactly where it has been for weeks. In @politico @MorningConsult poll, 47% favored Trump’s removal and 45% opposed it. @caitlinopryskohttps://t.co/DXN5Bsq9DP

— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) January 22, 2020

So, is it remarkable public opinion didn't shift overnight and appear in a poll taken (at least) days ago? Or is it more remarkable how many people want to take the extraordinary step of removing a President from office before the end of his term?

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a leading ally of President Trump, told The Washington Post in an interview Wednesday that 45 Republicans are ready to dismiss the charges against the president. https://t.co/zzDhik3Jgq

— Robert Costa (@costareports) January 22, 2020

Then they should! It'll make that 47% in favor of removal rethink their position, won't it?