BOLTON TESTIMONY IS SEEN AS A BOLD WHITE HOUSE WAGER

Sources close to the President see the testimony of former national security advisor John Bolton as an interesting and unconventional gambit. "If he testifies at the impeachment hearings, it could really go either way," said a Trump confidante who preferred to remain anonymous because she was not authorized to speak on behalf of the administration, "If he tells the truth, our goose is cooked, but if he spins like a dervish, which he might to protect his own hide, re-election is all but guaranteed."

Senate Republicans are reluctant to issue a subpoena arguing in the words of the majority leader that "the facts would destroy our case." Citing former heavyweight boxing champion of the world Muhammad Ali, he suggested that the rope-a-dope strategy is "our best option."

Meanwhile, Bolton has offered no clues as to how he will approach the prospect of sharing his narrative surrounding the July 25th phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. However, several independent producers are paying close attention and are working on pitching both fictional and documentary projects to the former official.

"I think Tom Hanks would be perfect," Bolton confided to friends, "but I could live with a slimmed down John Goodman as well."

Chris Cooper could not be reached for comment.