Bo and Ben discuss the impeachment vote. Although the impeachment failed, seven Republicans, including most surprisingly Burr and Cassidy, voted for conviction. After the vote, Mitch McConnell gave an absolutely withering speech, assailing Trump’s behavior throughout the months after the election, but claimed he voted against conviction because the Senate didn’t have constitutional authority. What was McConnell’s strategy? Was this an impulsive speech from a person appalled at Trump or was it calculated? It’s Mitch, so it must have been calculated! But for what? Does Mitch think he can defeat Trump?

Then they discuss the Biden administrations “war on fossil fuels.” Is this a smart look? Or is it a capitulation to environmentalist zealots in the Democratic coalition?

Finally, they examine Tom Cotton, the Senator from Arkansas who terrifies progressives, but might be the best hope to unite the conservative coalition. He’s a populist who worked closely with Trump, but he also avoided the excesses of other populists, such as Hawley, and refused to vote against certification.

Impeachment vote: https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates/2021/02/15/967878039/7-gop-senators-voted-to-convict-trump-only-1-faces-voters-next-year

Mitch McConnell and GOP war: https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/539514-trump-mcconnell-rift-impacts-gop-donors

Mitch McConnell’s failed strategy: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/us/trump-mcconnell-republicans.html

Biden’s “attack” on fossil fuels: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/27/climate/biden-climate-executive-orders.html

Cotton continuing the Trump mission: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sen-tom-cottons-next-mission-carrying-trump-banner-after-trump-11591542001

Cotton horrifies progressives: https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/tom-cotton-trump-2-0/