Mitch
McConnell’s speech in Congress this week was the finest a Republican could
make, suspending fears that individual conscience and honour are unable to work
under liberal democracy's party system that mainly turns representatives into
servants.
Calmly
and decently, without grandiloquence or political carping, he showed, with
examples, that Democrats have no moral superiority, no right whatever to
sermonize, but only that democracy cannot side with Donald
Trump. If principle is involved here at all, that is the principle.
A
day or so later, the news was Mitch McConnell has thought further; he feels
Republicans should 'purge' the party of this president and his legacy.
All
of a sudden, the solution seemed obvious, a clear and undeniable duty: House
Republicans must vote to impeach their rogue president. It was not an argument,
not even difficult anymore. It is democracy to do so. And so they decided.
But
a week is a long time in politics.
Now
there are at least three objections and serious concerns on both sides:
conviction will exacerbate not heal divisions in the US; a vindictive reaction
is inherently undesirable and itself undemocratic; and if the Senate fails to
convict, Trump will be vindicated and his supporters and cause encouraged, the
worst possible outcome.
President-elect
Biden and Mitch McConnell are said to have a sound working relationship. The
best solution now could well be a political deal that saves the Republican
Party's face and allows the new administration to get on with its monumental
task of building America back from Covid and a threatening period of civil
unrest.
No
doubt talks are going on through multiple channels. The wise will wait and
see.
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