It isn’t hard to see that the latest Bolton news, coming at the last minute had suspicious timing, just as Republicans were completely decimating the House Democrats’ case and the likelihood that new witnesses would be foreclosed, but just at the same times as pre-orders for John Bolton’s book went live.

For anyone paying attention, it bears a striking resemblance to what happened in the case of Brett Kavanaugh, as my colleague Streiff reported earlier.

It’s a ridiculous story, ultimately, because we don’t even really know what the book draft says, we’re talking the NY Times’ word for it (and that’s a really bad idea). Indeed, now there are reports that the “investigations” referenced refer to 2016 and Ukraine’s involvement then, nothing to do with 2020.

It doesn’t matter anyway whatever President Donald Trump may or may not have told Bolton because there was no actual quid pro quo or pressure on the Ukrainians per the transcript and the Ukrainians including President Zelensky repeatedly saying it.

But Democrats have played this game before of “sway the Republican” and they know there are those who will fall for it.

So are Republicans going to hold strong, realize they’re being played and end the farce? It doesn’t sound good right now.

As we reported on Sunday, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), had already indicated he was likely to vote for witnesses because he wanted to hear from Bolton.

Now he’s claiming he thinks there are other Republicans on board with the thought.

GOP Sen. Mitt Romney says it's increasingly likely that more of his Republican colleagues will want to hear from former national security adviser John Bolton. https://t.co/P4rivJ8LWn pic.twitter.com/AJjXWGK6gn

— CNN (@CNN) January 27, 2020

Typical.

Now, Sen. Suan Collins (R-ME) is leaning toward it.

My statement on Bolton developments. pic.twitter.com/3M59J7suts

— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) January 27, 2020

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) told ABC News that “I’ve said before that I’m curious about what Ambassador Bolton might have to say. I’m still curious.”

So if those three flip they would only need one more. Of course, this shouldn’t actually be the count because all the Democrats running for president should recuse themselves. The fact that they’re not is incredible.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) refused to commit, saying he would decide after the arguments were over and questions asked, and then he’d see if they needed anymore information.

A few more opinions:

GOP Sen. Fischer: “It doesn’t take a subpoena to put out a statement. So I think if Ambassador Bolton has something to say, he could do that.”

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 27, 2020

Great point. Why don’t they just ask him? Nothing prevents him from telling media.

Ron Johnson says it’s “rather exquisite timing, isn’t it,” but does not say if Bolton should be subpoenaed.

Asked if he thinks Bolton is telling truth, Johnson says, “We don’t know what’s in there other than what’s being leaked. My guess is John Bolton tells the truth.”

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 27, 2020

After 2 weeks, it’s clear that Democrats have no case for impeachment. Sadly, my colleague @SenatorRomney wants to appease the left by calling witnesses who will slander the @realDonaldTrump during their 15 minutes of fame. The circus is over. It’s time to move on! #gapol

— Senator Kelly Loeffler (@SenatorLoeffler) January 27, 2020

Barrasso on Bolton: “Truly there’s nothing new here. It does seem to be an effort to sell books. I think there’s going to be a new revelation every day. Today’s just one more day.”

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 27, 2020

Graham came to Trump’s defense saying calling more witnesses would “throw the country into chaos.”

GRAHAM sounded more open today to a Hunter Biden subpoena than he has before. He says “I don’t want to add to the record” of the trial, but if he ultimately does decide to, he wants record to “be complete.”

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) January 27, 2020

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) promising to call Hunter, Joe Biden and all the other witnesses if they go that route.

Blunt: “I don’t think it changes any fundamental information of the basic case, that the House has to put the case together…calling witnesses could be a months long effort that it’s hard to imagine would change the final outcome”

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 27, 2020

Good, someone who actually gets it, that’s it’s all about delay, fishing and damaging the president, but even assuming it were true, it doesn’t actually change the case. So what’s the point?

Sen. KENNEDY says he wouldn’t “bet my house” on Bolton’s credibility. Says everyone should “pop a Zoloft, take their meds” and wait for White House to present.

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) January 27, 2020

Best response as always.

This is why I would have argued to just dismiss outright. Yes, you want an acquittal. But you have a strong case. Don’t allow Democrats to start playing these games that you know they will play. If you get witnesses, then those will not be enough and more time will be needed and you’ll be at this for months. And the basic facts that there was no quid pro quo made to the Ukrainians will not change.

HT: Townhall,