Good Wednesday morning. I'm Jake Sherman and welcome to your political playbook audio briefing, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

There are two ways to look at what happened Tuesday. Substantively, the Senate Republicans defeated every effort by Democrats to alter the rules of the impeachment trial to allow for guaranteed access to witness and documents.

This gave Mitch McConnell the trial he wanted, save a few

alterations and allowed the admission of evidence without a vote, and gave three days instead

of two for oral arguments. Politically, though, there is some upside for Democrats. If you accept

the argument that Donald Trump is likely going to be acquitted, isn't it better for Democrats

to own no part of the trial so they can call it a sham and beat Republicans

over the head with it later this year? They will lose procedural fights, complain loudly about it,

and waive the vote in the face of vulnerable Republicans as emblematic of a process designed

to help Trump. Republicans, of course, believe they benefit from the way things have shaken out, too,

a speedy trial that allows Republicans to move on from impeachment to anything is a goal. The trial is acutely perilous for many senators, but for perhaps no one more than

Susan Collins, who was up for re-election this fall and has built her brand around demonstrating

independence from her party. She said she would likely vote for witnesses, but not until after

both sides present their case. Senate Majority Pack,

the Super PAC supporting Senate Democrats, has brand new polling in Maine that shows the following.

53% of Maine voters believe Trump abused his office, 71% want documents it to call witnesses,

and 51% say of Collins votes to acquit Trump. It's for political expediency.

With the rules now in place,

today oral arguments begin as House managers present their case to remove the president from office.

The proceedings will kick off at around 1 p.m. and could last until 9 p.m. or later.

Annie Carney, David Gellis, and Peter Baker on A1 have Trump's mood. He appeared to relish the escape

offered by the World Economic Forum

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