That by the time we get to the impeachment trial (probably late winter or early spring) there will no longer be any real dispute as to what happened between Trump and Ukraine. Based on the released depositions, it is clear that Trump conditioned US military aid, desperately needed by Ukraine and lawfully appropriated by Congress, on Ukraine announcing an investigation on two specific topics that Trump believed would benefit him, specifically Hunter Biden and the phantom email server. Even Trump and his most die hard loyalists will eventually be forced to concede that these are the facts.

What the Senate will be required to decide, and it really is a fundamental question for the future of our Republic, is whether that is OK. When you get past all the bullshit, they will be forced to decide whether, as time goes forward, it is OK for a sitting President to use lawfully appropriated foreign aid as a personal campaign asset. Because if it is OK for Trump to do it, it will be OK in the future (as well as the past) for Dems to do it.

This will be the question that will determine how each senator votes on impeachment, and will be the basis on which the voters will judge each Senators vote. That will permit accountability, which makes this whole shit show worthwhile

That is my bold prediction

Republican senators are scum. We wouldn't be at this point if they weren't. The only thing that would cause them to impeach Trump would be self preservation. But their voters are conditioned scum too. Put them on the record for the traitors and cheats they are. Then wipe them out at the ballot box for good like they just did in Virginia.