The most dangerous place in Washington is the space between a House Democrat impeachment manager and a microphone. Not just any House manager, mind you, but Jumpin’ Jerry Nadler in particular. When one senator asked for a closing summation from the case managers, Nadler brushed past Adam Schiff, who had clearly intended to deliver the final speech of the Q&A session. Schiff tried to get Nadler’s attention by calling out “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!”, to no avail.

Nadler then took the mic and reminded everyone why Schiff had Nadler on lockdown the last few days:

NADLER: Mr. Chief Justice, members of the Senate. What we’ve just heard from the House — er, from the president’s counsel, is the usual nonsense.

Listen to the audible gasps and groans from the Senate floor in reaction to this statement. Nadler apparently went to the Vincent L. Gambini School of Law and Persuasion:

Schiff has been keeping Nadler on a leash since the first day of the Senate trial, after he alienated some of the Republicans Schiff hoped to woo by accusing them of participating in a cover-up. Schiff has prevented reporters from talking to Nadler and has largely kept him sidelined during the trial. It’s not beyond belief that this was a rebellion by Nadler against Schiff over access to microphones in general, but all Nadler did with his closing is just remind Schiff of the necessity of keeping Nadler under wraps.

Nadler’s rush to the dais provided enough amusement for not just one but two segments on MSNBC’s coverage last night. Townhall’s Leah Barkoukis reports on Lawrence O’Donnell’s amazement at Nadler’s speed to the mic:

“Adam Schiff stood. He was ready to go to the podium. He only had to do about three steps to get there. Jerry Nadler had to do about 12. It’s the fastest I’ve seen Jerry Nadler move, in the 25 years that I’ve known him,” O’Donnell remarked.

Brian Williams and Geoff Bennett also noticed that Schiff tried to stop Nadler:

What a great way to wrap up the House Democrats’ “hey, look at us!” case, eh? Next time, maybe Schiff should use an actual leash. Or hire Vincent Gambini.