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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: Impeachment trial nears endgame | Senators expect drawn-out floor fight | What to watch for | Romney, Collins to vote for witnesses; Alexander a 'no' | Three scenarios for how trial could play out | Bolton book reportedly says Trump asked him to set up Giuliani meeting in Ukraine | Race to finish line in Iowa | Biden backers worry about low-key campaign | Trump tries to steal Dem's thunder | Biden visits Dairy Queen | Super Bowl appetizers

NEWS THIS MORNING

Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyGOP set to release controversial Biden report McConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Will Republicans' rank hypocrisy hinder their rush to replace Ginsburg? MORE, rebel ~with~ a cause:

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) will vote with Democrats to allow additional witnesses and documents in the impeachment trial against President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE. http://bit.ly/38X7ZWE

I.e.: Romney wants to hear from former national security adviser John Bolton John BoltonDiplomacy with China is good for America The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep DOJ launches probe into Bolton book for possible classified information disclosures MORE.

Is this a surprising move?: Not really. Romney has said he thinks Bolton should testify and was widely expected to vote in favor or witnesses.

Is Romney the only Republican to vote in favor?: No, Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Most Americans think winner of election should pick next Supreme Court justice: poll Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election MORE (R-Maine) announced last night that she will vote in favor of calling witnesses. Collins is a moderate Republican who up for reelection, so this wasn't surprising either. http://bit.ly/3aXgZwB

Who else to watch: Sen. Lamar Alexander Andrew (Lamar) Lamar AlexanderMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Alexander backs vote on Trump Supreme Court nominee: What Democrats 'would do if the shoe were on the other foot' Toobin: McConnell engaging in 'greatest act of hypocrisy in American political history' with Ginsburg replacement vote MORE (R-Tenn.) announced last night that he will vote with Republicans. That means Sen. Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Most Americans think winner of election should pick next Supreme Court justice: poll Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election MORE (R-Alaska) is the only undecided Republican.

Where Democrats stand on the witness vote: Democrats need four Republican votes to call additional witnesses and documents. So far, they have two. It looks like Republicans will get two -- possibly three -- votes for witnesses, making a 50-50 vote. If Murkowski votes for witnesses that would put pressure on Chief Justice John Roberts from Democrats to break the tie. But senators on both sides seem confident he won't.

CAN'T STOP ME NOW:

Here's a sketch of Romney drinking chocolate milk on the Senate floor -- BYU Creamery chocolate milk, I might add. Sketch from the Senate floor: http://bit.ly/2UdbTq7

Happy Friday! January is finally coming to an end after what has felt like its own year.

Filing from New Hampshire in the lead-up to the presidential primary in 11 days, I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

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LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

Breaking — to the manuscript:

Via The New York Times’s Maggie Haberman Maggie Lindsy HabermanBiden, Pence cross paths at NYC 9/11 ceremony The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Trump floats 0M+ in personal spending for reelection bid The Hill's 12:30 Report: Washington reacts to scathing Trump military story MORE and Michael S. Schmidt, “More than two months before he asked Ukraine’s president to investigate his political opponents, President Trump directed John R. Bolton, then his national security adviser, to help with his pressure campaign to extract damaging information on Democrats from Ukrainian officials, according to an unpublished manuscript by Mr. Bolton.” More from the manuscript: https://nyti.ms/3aWkTpw

Just now — President Trump responded to the Times report: "I never instructed John Bolton to set up a meeting for Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiDemocrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Grand jury adds additional counts against Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and and Igor Fruman Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates MORE, one of the greatest corruption fighters in America and by far the greatest mayor in the history of N.Y.C., to meet with President Zelensky. That meeting never happened." http://bit.ly/2tm7ypG

Happening today -- But first, a floor fight:

Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton and Jordain Carney, "the Senate is moving into the final phase of President Trump's impeachment trial, but senators expect a drawn-out floor fight before final votes on two articles of impeachment either late Friday or early Saturday morning." http://bit.ly/3aYU7gi

Livestream of today's trial: It unsurprisingly starts at 1 p.m. EST. https://cs.pn/2RHHZIX

THREE SCENARIOS FOR HOW THE TRIAL COULD PLAY OUT:

Scenario One: The Senate rejects calling witnesses and moves to acquit Trump: "This appears to be the most likely outcome as the pool of potential Republican votes is quickly shrinking."

Scenario Two: The Senate deadlocks in a 50-50 tie: "Normally when the Senate deadlocks, Vice President Pence is taxied to the chamber so he can cast a deciding vote. But Pence does not have a role in the Senate's trial, as Chief Justice John Roberts is the presiding officer. If Roberts casts a tie-breaking vote, he would put himself in the middle of a fierce political fight."

Scenario Three: The Senate votes to call witnesses: The most unlikely scenario at this point. "Democrats must win over four GOP senators to win the witness vote, or three senators with the backing of Roberts, which would lengthen the trial. With Alexander and Sen. Jerry Moran Gerald (Jerry) MoranLobbying world This World Suicide Prevention Day, let's recommit to protecting the lives of our veterans Hillicon Valley: Zuckerberg acknowledges failure to take down Kenosha military group despite warnings | Election officials push back against concerns over mail-in voting, drop boxes MORE (R-Kansas) both saying they will oppose witnesses, this option looks increasingly unlikely."

Context and details for each scenario from The Hill's Jordain Carney: http://bit.ly/2S90YuL

NEW DETAIL -- WHY THE TRIAL COULD DRAG ON UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY:

Via Politico's John Bresnahan, "The Senate impeachment trial for President Donald Trump could drag into next week, even as GOP leaders appear to have the votes needed to prevent additional witnesses and testimony from being offered, according to Republican senators and aides." https://politi.co/2u6YKEp

Why: "Republican sources suggest the trial could extend into Wednesday of next week. The House Democratic managers and the White House want more time for closing arguments, and there are scheduling concerns due to the Iowa caucuses on Monday and Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday."

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

Show us your photos, senator!: Sen. Patrick Leahy Patrick Joseph LeahyBattle over timing complicates Democratic shutdown strategy Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (D-Vt.) has been snapping photos on his camera throughout the trial. Photo of Leahy taking a photo in the Senate: http://bit.ly/2RMRNBA

John Roberts is still perfecting his poker face: "This is how Chief Justice looked at [Sen. Elizabeth] Warren [D-Mass.] for a solid 5+ seconds after reading the question" (Via WFLA's Heather Monahan) Photo: http://bit.ly/36NufAC

^Back story to his facial expression: In her question, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenGOP set to release controversial Biden report Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt MORE (D-Mass.) asked, "At a time when large majorities of Americans have lost faith in government, does the fact that the chief justice is presiding over an impeachment trial in which Republican senators have thus far refused to allow witnesses or evidence contribute to the loss of legitimacy of the chief justice, the Supreme Court, and the Constitution?" http://bit.ly/38SOSgj

Oh mannnn, this caption is perfect:

SPOTTED: Recapping Monday’s episode of The Bachelor, sources say... pic.twitter.com/wpO6xLemQV — Ben Williamson (@_WilliamsonBen) January 30, 2020

See for yourself -- watch: http://bit.ly/37J7sXW

This is a pretty accurate impersonator: A John Bolton impersonator was on Capitol Hill yesterday. Photo: http://bit.ly/2OivDEZ

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

This sounds to me like someone who has no idea who is playing in the Super Bowl:

Via CNN's Ryan Struyk, President Trump was asked this morning who he wants to win in the Super Bowl. http://bit.ly/2RLVE1q

Trump's response: "Well, I love them both, let's just say. But I will tell you, some two very interesting teams and interesting players, some really great players. And it's going to be hopefully a great Super Bowl."

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Hello, it is me. The shiny object:

Via The Hill's Niall Stanage in Des Moines, Iowa, President Trump tried to steal Democrats' thunder last night by holding a campaign rally in the Hawkeye State. http://bit.ly/37RDLnS

"Trump's rally, held at a packed 7,000-capacity arena at Drake University, was a clear piece of counterprogramming, aimed at ensuring that Democrats 'just down the street' cannot drown out the president's voice in Iowa as the climax of their highly competitive contest looms."

ALSO FROM IOWA -- BIDEN BACKERS ARE A BIT CONCERNED:

Via The Hill's Reid Wilson in Waukee, Iowa, "as [former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll GOP set to release controversial Biden report Can Donald Trump maintain new momentum until this November? MORE's] rivals draw large crowds of energetic supporters in a variety of communities between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, some of his fans worry that Biden's decidedly more low-key approach underscores a glaring weakness: Everyone likes Joe Biden. Few seem enthusiastic about him." http://bit.ly/2S5kush

Dairy Queen sounds great right now, tbh:

At a Pella Dairy Queen, Biden offers to buy the press a round & jokingly ribs us when we reuse: “C’mon, It’s not like I’m bribing ya!” pic.twitter.com/VqTxUTnX3D — Alexandra Jaffe (@ajjaffe) January 30, 2020

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2UbSdmw

NOTABLE TWEETS

Fancy running into you here!:

Hey look it’s ⁦@MayorBowser⁩ and ⁦@MikeBloomberg⁩ just randomly getting a coffee at Sidamo on H Street! pic.twitter.com/yWb6kydTPL — Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) January 30, 2020

Behind-the-scenes — this is pretty funny to watch:

Impeachment coverage looks rad pic.twitter.com/FvBi94JjCv — Peter Hamby (@PeterHamby) January 31, 2020

Watch: http://bit.ly/37GI0Ct

ON TAP

The Senate is in. The House is out. President Trump is in Washington, D.C., and heads to Mar-a-Lago this afternoon. Vice President Pence is in D.C.

12:15 p.m. EST: President Trump speaks at the White House Summit on Human Trafficking: The 20th Anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Vice President Pence also attends.

4 p.m. EST: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump Melania TrumpMelania Trump: Ginsburg's 'spirit will live on in all she has inspired' The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - You might want to download TikTok now Warning label added to Trump tweet over potential mail-in voting disinformation MORE leave the White House and head to the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla.

WHAT TO WATCH

1 p.m. EST: The Senate impeachment trial continues. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2RHHZIX

7 p.m. EST: Bon Iver plays a concert in Clive, Iowa, in support of Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE (I-Vt.) Livestream: https://cs.pn/36NbEoe

6:30 p.m. EST Sunday: Super Bowl LIV. Game preview and how to watch: http://bit.ly/37K813H

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Hot Chocolate Day.

The best part of the Super Bowl:

Via Country Living, here's a list of 75 Super Bowl appetizer ideas. I'm looking at you, pepperoni pizza stuffed mushrooms. The list: http://bit.ly/390bcV5

And to get your weekend off to the right start, here are panda cubs trying to figure out how walking works: http://bit.ly/3b2hPIi