I don’t see any reason to doubt the sincerity of Mitch McConnell’s pre- and post-riot speeches about Trump in the Senate. It is clear that he thinks the GOP would have a brighter future without the stain of Trumpism, particularly after the debacle in Georgia. But Mitch is a pragmatist. He sees no point in trying to lead the party where it resolutely will not go.
McConnell sent a message to the other GOP senators by showing his willingness to vote for conviction without firmly committing himself one way or the other. When the rest of the group refused to take the hint, he decided that the devil of the Trump connection was less bad than the deep blue sea of a party more alienated from its base. As a result, he’s going to vote for acquittal and hope that the donor class can be mollified with the passage of time. So will the vast majority of his compatriots.
My prediction from the weekend is right on the mark, so far.