Prosecutors will also focus on a handful of mavericks who have broken ranks with other Democrats on issues related to impeachment, and might do so again. We must not tarnish that provision. Far from the typical cast of nameless, faceless jurors in a high-profile case, Clinton's panel is an elite powerhouse of politicians, many of whom are dominant figures in their respective parties. The Senate is overwhelmingly white, male and middle-aged to elderly. Fifty-five senators are lawyers and a quarter are businessmen and former bankers.
Dozens are millionaires.
It is divided between 55 Republicans and 45 Democrats. Today we have senators who have their ears very much to the ground. They are not as insulated or independent. Still, under Senate rules, anyone can make a motion, propose an amendment or give a speech at any time, so no one can run roughshod over anyone else, and all senators have to go along to get along to some degree. Both these species have dwindled today, replaced by a new generation weaned on attack ads and negative campaigning and well-blooded in the ideological wars that have dominated the political landscape in recent years.