The best strategy for the Democrats during impeachment trial?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I think they're on top of it and way ahead of any of us.

But in an impeachment trial the Chief Justice isn't a judge as we usually think of judges. He's more like a referee - he's mostly there just to see to it that the Senate is following its own rules (which it can change by a majority vote). Don't expect him to intervene on substantive matters because that's not his job; and he also has no power whatsoever - nor does any other court - to prevent Trump from tweeting during the trial. The Dems can't "force" Roberts to do anything. Furthermore, if the Democrats were to try to influence Roberts as to how he manages the proceedings, that would probably be regarded as improper (the GOP would do it, but we're not them), like a lawyer engaging in ex parte communications to persuade a judge outside the courtroom.