Change of Republican Tactics Makes No Sense

With the evidence conclusively proving that Donald Trump demanded political dirt in exchange for continued aid to the Ukraine (the oft-cited "quid pro quo"), and the process of the investigation having been made more formal and transparent,  Republicans have pivoted to a new defense made up of two components. First, claim that Mr. Trump's misconduct does not amount to an impeachable offense. Second, attack the character and credibility of the whistle-blower and of the witnesses whose testimony  described Mr.Trump's wrongdoing.

The first argument is absurd on its face. If demanding political assistance from a foreign state as a condition of continued military assistance is not a corrupt abuse of power constituting an impeachable offense then no misconduct can ever warrant impeachment. 

Neither Mr. Trump nor any of his defenders have cited any misstatement of fact by the whistle-blower or any of the witnesses who testified before the House Intelligence Committee. Indeed, the transcript of the telephone call released by the President corroborates their statements. Thus, the identity of the whistle-blower, his motivation and credibility is utterly irrelevant. Similarly, the uncontradicted testimony of the witnesses cannot be undone by besmirching their character or discounting their estimable record of non-partisan public service. It is time for Republican officials to put the nation's welfare ahead of their personal interests.