UPDATE: Following the Senate vote. We may never know if Romney’s decision influenced Democratic Senators Manchin and Sinema to vote to convict on both articles. I suspect it did. Collins & Gardner might as well pack up their things. -Mystic54
Mitt Romney stated on the Senate floor and then voted to remove Donald J. Trump on Article 1, Abuse Of Power, of the impeachment articles. It was broadcast on three cable news channels live. This is the first time in history that a Senator of either party has broken the party line to vote to convict and remove from office a President of the United States.
Here’s why this is so important:
1. This will hurt GOP Senators up for re-election in 2020 as they have lost much of their political cover. Their cowardice will stand out even more to voters in their states.
2. Democratic Senators who considered voting to acquit were forced to reconsider their strategy. They now have more cover and don’t want to jeopardize their reelection chances with Democrats my moving to the right of Romney, and side with Republicans.
3. The national conversation now becomes about a bipartisan vote to convict.
4. Most importantly, Mitt Romney has sway with a faction of national Republicans and center right conservative independents who now have at least one example of some modicum of moral courage. This may make them better deal with their internal conflict around the need to remain loyal to Trump given his actions.