(CNSNews.com) – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Judiciary Committee, said on Sunday that impeachment boils down to two things, as far as he’s concerned.
In terms of the substance, I think the quid pro quo is a red herring. I think there are only two issues in this case. Number one, according to Speaker Pelosi, President Trump asked for the investigation of a political rival. There is another scenario, and that is that President Trump asked for an investigation of possible corruption by someone who happens to be a political rival.
The latter would be, if proven, would be in the national interest. The former would be in his parochial, personal interests...
Kennedy said if he were teaching a law school class, he would tell his students, “There are only two questions that have to be answered here. Why did the president ask for an investigation? And, number two, this is inextricably linked to the first question, what did Hunter Biden do for the money?
“Now, you answer both of those questions and you can resolve this case fairly, and that's the way -- that's the way I view it."
Kennedy said "quid pro quo" doesn't mean anything. "What matters is whether it was an illegal quid pro quo, which leads you right into what I think is the correct analysis, which is what I just gave you. But that's just one person's opinion.”
Kennedy said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) “is acting in a manner that's insincere even by the standards of Congress.”
“ I think she's turning impeachment into a routine political weapon. I think nobody is above the law, but nobody is beneath it, and I find it unconscionable that they have not allowed the president to defend himself on the House side -- can't call witnesses, can't offer rebuttal evidence."
Kennedy refuted those who say there’s no evidence that Hunter Biden did anything wrong.
"And my response to that is that the absence of evidence is not … the evidence of absence if you don't look.”
Kennedy said he believes the Democrat-led House will issue articles of impeachment, because “Speaker Pelosi's judicial philosophy from the beginning has been guilty.
“When it comes to the Senate, I do not think that the allegations will be summarily dismissed. I think there will be a trial. And I'm in favor of doing it in accordance with the due process and let everybody offer whatever they want to in terms of evidence and bring whatever witnesses they want to.
“If it takes a long time, you know, I was sent to the Senate to be a senator. I don't -- I don't mind sitting there as long as it takes.”