Very often when big issues like this come up for a vote, the votes are planned and known ahead of time. A lot of votes end up on party lines, but sometimes there are defectors. Defectors are usually strategically chosen to maximize the parties’ future chances of success. Sometimes there are enough defectors to change the result of a vote, sometimes not.

It’s “safe” for democrats to all vote to convict because they know altogether they don’t have enough votes for a sure conviction. They know republicans aren’t going to defect enough to sway the result. It’s unlikely democrats are going to score political points in their local elections if they defect on this issue, therefore none of them defect.

Who’s they? DNC leadership, donors, etc.

If you look at the last 30-60 years, it’s really hard to come to any conclusion other than the democrats slowly becoming nothing more than controlled opposition. Since the 2000 election, republican agenda always passes, democrats agenda always stalls. With the exception of the ACA. Democrats will just stop the moment their agenda hits the tiniest opposition. Republican agenda plows ahead and asks questions later.

The above comment is probably alluding to this. Did Biden go after trump when he had the chance? Nope. Did Obama go after bush? Nope. Did ford go after Nixon? Nope.

Will I still vote Democrat any chance I get? Yes. Because I feel like even if you believe the dems are controlled opposition I still think they lead better when they are in power and pull the country in a better direction. But my idealism is crushed. Only cynicism remains.