Capitol Retort: Semi-Collin, Omar's present, swamis' predictions.

Byline: Kevin Featherly

Editor's note: Welcome to Capitol Retort, our weekly review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of legal and political people in the know. Answers are edited for length and clarity. Any instances of agreement are accidental.

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Question 1: U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, DFL-Minn., has drawn criticism and praise for being one of only two Democrats to vote no on an impeachment procedural vote Thursday. No less a figure than Vice President Mike Pence said impeachment-obsessed Dems should listen to the Minnesotan. What was your reaction to the Congressman's vote?

Warren Limmer, GOP chair, Senate Judiciary and Public Safety committee: No surprisesurvivability is a strong motivator.

Dave Ornstein, former Bloomington city attorney: I wasn't surprised at all, given that he is in a district that voted for Trump last time. I understand that he needs to kind of walk the tightrope. It might be political suicide for him to support the impeachment, so it was a political decision on his part. I'd like to see him get re-elected and I am not going to hold him accountable for being one of the two to dissents. I think people like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi understand that, as well.

Peter Bell, conservative writer: Frankly, the merits of the impeachment debate notwithstanding, I thought it was a courageous stand. I tend to like it when the Democrats and Republicans go against their party elites. That kind of independence is heartening to me. It's what I think we need from both parties.

Nick Zerwas, GOP House member: His vote didn't surprise me at all. He's representing I think a plus-30% Trump district. And for his first time in Congress, he has a real challenger in [former GOP state Senate President] Michelle Fischbach. So I think he voted with his district. The real question, since he voted to seat Speaker Pelosiwho has been obsessed with trying to impeach Donald Trumpis will voters give him a pass for that, just because he voted against impeachment? My guess is no.

[Editor's note: Rep. Zerwas' memory is correct: Trump beat Hillary Clinton in Peterson's 7th Congressional District by a 61.8%-31% margin.]

Floyd B. Olson, former senior assistant Hennepin County attorney: It was entirely expected. Collin Peterson is living in the most rural, conservative area in the state of Minnesota, so it would be natural for him to vote on the Republican side.

Question 2: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, DFL-Minn., drew sharp...