Chronology of a mere handful of days:
Act I: Senator Lindsey Graham tells an interviewer, “"If you could show me that, you know, Trump actually was engaging in a quid pro quo, outside the phone call, that would be very disturbing."
Act II: Ambassador Bill Taylor, of impeccable credibility, provides abundant evidence of precisely what Senator Graham said would be very disturbing.
Act III: Senator Lindsey Graham to introduce bill by which the Senate would condemn the House impeachment process.
Admittedly, the Senate condemnation is framed in terms of the process— but it is an entirely bogus argument: that Trump should get "the same rights that any American has if you’re giving a parking ticket to confront the witnesses against you...” But the House process is the equivalent of a grand jury process. Trump hasn’t even been charged. (No Articles of Impeachment yet, which will require a vote of the full House.) And when it comes to the “Trial,” to be conducted in the Senate, that will be the time that the President will get to confront the witnesses, and his lawyers will be able to cross-examine.
So the whole Republican game is such a travesty, a sham, a disgrace. How can this man live with himself. Is keeping Trump happy in order to keep his Senate seat really worth such self-debasement.
I’d say that debasement like this is no bargain. (Bad pun intended.)