Nate Cohn: “Maybe the criminal trial of Mr. Trump will not go down as ‘the greatest political spectacle of our lives’ or something similarly grandiose, but it’s hard to think of anything like it that’s ever been scheduled on the political calendar.”
“The trial promises to be the political center of gravity for the first half of the year, with the federal election subversion trial scheduled to begin on March 4 — the day before Super Tuesday in the GOP primary — and then possibly lasting through the heart of the primary season, although delays are possible.”
“It is hard to believe that a trial, in itself, will do grave political damage to Mr. Trump. After all, he endured the indictments unscathed. And he would probably amass enough delegates to win the Republican nomination even before the jury issued a verdict. The preponderance of Republican delegates will be awarded within a month of the start of the trial if it begins as scheduled.”
“But there is a way a trial could matter: It might lead to a realization by Republican primary voters and elites that Mr. Trump is likely to be convicted. And whether they see it coming or not, a conviction isn’t the same as a trial or an indictment. It might be far more consequential.”
The Independent: Trump’s GOP rivals promise to pardon him if elected.
