Democrats may be losing the battle for public attention on the first day of public hearings in the impeachment inquiry.

US president Donald Trump is accused of trying to pressure Ukraine into investigating political rival Joe Biden.

Senior Trump administration officials Bill Taylor and George Kent have provided damning testimony and have confirmed they believe there was a quid pro quo.

But US correspondent Nick Bryant told Mike Hosking swing voters and undecided voters won't be paying much attention.

"They don’t watch from start to finish, they will watch the highlights show later on.

"But what struck me was the lack of sound bites from the Democrats, which I think will lessen the impact of the hearings."

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ABOVE