I would never say it couldn’t happen. If past is prologue, it very well could:
President Trump and White House officials are looking for at least one Senate Democrat to vote against removing the president from office at the end of his impeachment trial and they see Joe Manchin as the most likely candidate.
Trump took particular pride that three House Democrats voted against his impeachment, White House officials said, and he would like to be able to get at least one Senate Democrat to vote for his acquittal so he can claim the decision was bipartisan.
Manchin has sided with Trump on tough votes before, such as the confirmation of Supreme Court Brett M. Kavanaugh, but voting to acquit the president would be an even more politically charged decision, one that could help him maintain his reputation as a moderate back home but that would likely make him a pariah within his own party.AD
The West Virginian struck a conciliatory note toward the president Saturday, becoming the only Democrat to publicly praise his defense team even as he called for more witnesses, such as former national security adviser John Bolton and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.
They also name Kyrsten Sinema and Doug Jones as possibilities.
I don’t see this happening but as I said, you never know. Democrats often believe that reaching across the aisle to prove how reasonable they are is very compelling to swing voters. (It means nothing.) Sinema and Manchin aren’t up for re-election this year and Doug Jones wouldn’t have much to gain by doing it. (Sessions is already sucking up to Trump so hard he’s turned himself inside out. )
Let’s hope they hold the line. It makes no difference in the outcome but this is one where they really need to stick with the party.
Update:
By the way, Jones and Manchin have said they have an open mind and McConnell has been saying that he thinks they’re gettable. But both have said they want witnesses. They are leveraging this possible vote to acquit to get witnesses. I doubt it will make a difference but I give them credit for trying.