This op-ed is for all the Democrats who criticized the 191 Republican representatives who did not vote to impeach Donald Trump and the 43 Republican senators who did not vote guilty. It’s easy, even justified, to say they acted cowardly and disregarded the plain facts, but we have since witnessed the wrath of the Republican Party.
For the 10 representatives and 7 senators who voted to hold Trump accountable, their state party organizations have either censured them or are planning to run primary candidates against them or both. These 17 men and women are pariahs in their own party.
It’s easy to be virtuous and criticize others, but how many of us have been tested in this way? Put aside that the Republican Party’s rancor is unjustified, these 17 men and women have suffered the consequences of voting against their party. This episode should be a learning point for Democrats as to what will be expected of them in the future. It’s only a matter of time before the tables are turned.
In a perfect world, perhaps we should expect more politicians to stand fast to principle and disregard the consequences. But our world is far from perfect. Maybe the better approach to commend these lonely 17 Republicans. They presented—if just for a moment—a light in a dark world.
Take stock of what constitutes today’s Republican Party—the big lie about the election being stolen, tolerance for the QAnon lunatic fringe and white supremists, and fabricated stories about Antifa and Trump-supporter imposters having a role in the January 6 insurrection. In the middle of all this—the kind of stuff that makes the heads of Democrats explode, or any person prone to reason, for that matter—17 Republicans voted against Trump.
If anyone from the Democratic Party stood up and publicly praised these 17 men and women, I didn’t hear it.
The parties have gotten to the point where it’s not part of their repertoire to praise someone of the other side of isle. Which is to say, we really have become tribal.
And here’s the irony. No sane person would say he likes that we’re more tribal than democratic, more prone to think only in terms of power than compromise, and resistant to any idea that might come from the other party. But getting out of this box isn’t easy and requires the same courage we saw in these lonely 17 Republicans.
They should be publicly heralded by the Democratic Party as the kind of people America needs. They may not be a source of support for the Democrats’ agenda—or maybe by showing them support the 17 could be persuaded to see things differently on certain issues. Regardless, when push comes to shove, these people put country above politics—the kind of people we want in D.C.
If the Democrats’ message is that some votes have to transcend politics, then make it clear that good deeds—no matter who performs them—will be praised. You want unity? Words alone won’t get you there. It takes concerted effort. The first step should have been a public statement supporting the 17.
We’re more inclined to make enemies or, at least, disregard our perceived opponents. But making enemies is easy work. Making friends who might become allies is tough work. It takes listening and patience and an open mind. And the Democrats missed the boat with the lonely 17.
[This post was published as an op-ed in The Columbus Dispatch on March 18, 2021.]
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Jack D’Aurora writes for Considerthisbyjd.com
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