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Nancy Pelosi’s decision to delay sending the impeachment articles to the Senate has had some benefits. The New York Daily News editorial board lists three:

First, it’s allowed more incriminating information to come to light. A devastating and detailed New York Times report chronicles President Trump’s three-month obsession with blocking Ukraine military aid to extort an announcement of an investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden. … Second, the delay has forced at least two Republican senators, Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski and Maine’s Susan Collins, to share their public discomfort with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s forcing and prejudging a witness-free trial. … Third, it’s revealed how much being impeached has rattled Trump: Trump’s Twitter rants have soared.

I’ll add a fourth benefit, quoting from my colleague Gail Collins: The delay draws attention “to the fact that the jury is fixed.” Pelosi’s stated reason for the delay is a desire to see the Senate agree to fair trial rules, including the calling of witnesses.

In the slow-news period of the last two weeks, Pelosi’s gambit has worked fairly well. It may still have a few more weeks to run.

Ultimately, though, I don’t see how a refusal to send the articles will be good for Democrats.

Why? Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, is as skilled at holding together his caucus as Pelosi is at holding together hers. He is unlikely to lose the four Republicans who would need to vote against him to allow Democrats to help set the trial rules.