You know how I know things aren’t going well for Democrats in regards to impeachment?

Because some Democrats are so desperate for a Hail Mary in their case that they are now entertaining a trade of John Bolton’s testimony for Joe and Hunter Biden’s testimony.

NEW: Some Senate Dems privately mull Biden-for-Bolton trade in impeachment trial, w/ interest in calling the GOP's bluff on "witness reciprocity" percolating behind closed doors. Me & @costareports@seungminkim https://t.co/OjKGUylDsY — Rachael Bade (@rachaelmbade) January 22, 2020

Here’s the thing the above reporter doesn’t get. It’s not a “bluff” if Republicans actually want it to happen. Does anyone really think Senate Republicans are fearful of what John Bolton might say? That Bolton, who’s been universally trashed by the Democrats for decades, is going to suddenly become their savior? Come on.

I suspect the Trump WH would gladly sign up for this. Far more likely to hurt Dems than Trump. https://t.co/zRdbtKyXcd — (((AG))) (@AGHamilton29) January 22, 2020

The reality is that Bolton’s testimony would likely go no further than the testimonies previously given. Bolton’s complaint before resigning was that he was out of the loop and that the President wouldn’t listen to him on certain issues. That naturally dictates that he has no inside information of any impeachable scheme, nor would he have been privy to any evidence of such. The best case scenario for Democrats is that Bolton gives a rehash of Bill Taylor’s testimony, which was easily picked apart in its aftermath.

Further, I’m highly skeptical that Bolton has any desire to deliver Democrats a victory. They’ve opposed him and his foreign policy at every turn. Does anyone really believe Bolton wants to see Trump damaged enough to catapult a Democrat into the White House? I don’t see it.

But Republicans have plenty to gain by getting Joe and Hunter Biden in front of the cameras. The optics of having having Hunter try to explain why he was getting $80,000 a year from a corrupt Ukrainian company would be a gold mine for the GOP. There are also plenty of questions surrounding Joe Biden and the use of his influence for multiple family members. Plus, anytime Joe speaks, it’s apparent just how not up to the job of President he is.

After this news broke, a multitude of responses came in the form of saying this is “a trap” and to not “take the bait.” Democrats would be wise to heed that advice. None of them know what Bolton will say and there’s ample reason to believe he could actually help Trump’s case, even inadvertently. But Republicans know exactly what they stand to gain by grilling the Bidens on national TV.

But look, Democrats have nothing left. Their only shot at this point is that Bolton lays out some bombshell that has thus far managed to remain locked away. That’s not going to happen and I think this is a deal they’d regret making.

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