Whether perceived as farce or tragedy or some melding of the two, the Giuliani and friends press conference held at the Republican National Committee headquarters pushed a conspiracy involving foreign dictators (one of whom died 7 years ago), foreign governments, local and state election officials, German data storage equipment, an American election technology company (erroneously described as a Venezuelan company), and the ever-villainized George Soros along with the Clinton Foundation.
This combined effort to deny President Trump the “landslide” election he purportedly won—demands that responsible GOP leaders (in addition to Senators Romney and Sasse and certain state Republican election officials) stand up and say “Stop–Enough.” Now, I acknowledge that our Senator Moran has now referred to Vice President Biden as President Elect, which is a step but no direct concern expressed about the craziness going on in general like with the President attacking Republican Secretaries of State that certified Biden’s victory. Then there is Senator Elect Marshall giving $20k to help fund these crazy sideshows.
It is unclear whether this tragicomic effort is intended only to salve the wounded ego of our narcissistic president or to do something much more sinister—like overturning the outcome of a democratically conducted American presidential election. Whatever the intent, there are compelling reasons—life and death reasons—for it to end and hopefully has by the time you read this.
First, as the transition to a Biden presidency has been stalled and Trumpian disciples continue to insist that the Covid-19 pandemic is a hoax, silence from the President as he sulks in the White House ensures that millions of Americans will not take appropriate measures to at least slow the explosive spread of the coronavirus and lower the number of Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths until a robust vaccination program is underway. His speaking out could make a real difference, particularly if joined by other Republican leadership. That consequence in itself should move our otherwise silent and apparently intimidated Kansas Senators to speak out and make clear to Kansans—many of whom may understandably be disappointed with the presidential outcome—that the election is over, that Biden won, and that speaking out clearly on the necessity of wearing masks, socially distancing, and limiting crowd size, could make a real difference in bringing this pandemic to an earlier end as well as save lives.
There is a second and equally important reason for our senators to convey a clear message to Kansans that the electoral process was fairly conducted and produced an honest result. Senators Moran and Roberts know that the Trump-Giuliani effort damages, perhaps irreparably and without justification, underlying confidence in our entire democratic system of government. Speaking the truth, clearly and unequivocally, may be uncomfortable for our senators. I realize they may receive some backlash from the more unhinged Trump supporters in the state, but a matter far more important than their comfort is at issue and that is the survival of our very system of government.
It is time for our senators to stand up for democracy. Why not put the country first? I would suggest that their children and grandchildren would be proud. I would also suggest there will be a lot of support from rank and file Kansans praying for sanity and for our system of government, as envisioned by the founders, to be preserved. Why not emulate the courage of President (then General) Eisenhower who on the eve of D-Day did not hesitate explicitly to accept full responsibility if the European landing did not succeed? His was indeed a profile in courage.
I am a Democrat, but I believe our state and country are stronger if we have a vibrant and sane two-party system. Neither America, nor the Republican Party, are served by the cowardice of otherwise reasonable leaders, including Senators Moran and Roberts—who indeed know better than to countenance the machinations of Trump, Giuliani, and their minions.
This combined effort to deny President Trump the “landslide” election he purportedly won—demands that responsible GOP leaders (in addition to Senators Romney and Sasse and certain state Republican election officials) stand up and say “Stop–Enough.” Now, I acknowledge that our Senator Moran has now referred to Vice President Biden as President Elect, which is a step but no direct concern expressed about the craziness going on in general like with the President attacking Republican Secretaries of State that certified Biden’s victory. Then there is Senator Elect Marshall giving $20k to help fund these crazy sideshows.
It is unclear whether this tragicomic effort is intended only to salve the wounded ego of our narcissistic president or to do something much more sinister—like overturning the outcome of a democratically conducted American presidential election. Whatever the intent, there are compelling reasons—life and death reasons—for it to end and hopefully has by the time you read this.
First, as the transition to a Biden presidency has been stalled and Trumpian disciples continue to insist that the Covid-19 pandemic is a hoax, silence from the President as he sulks in the White House ensures that millions of Americans will not take appropriate measures to at least slow the explosive spread of the coronavirus and lower the number of Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths until a robust vaccination program is underway. His speaking out could make a real difference, particularly if joined by other Republican leadership. That consequence in itself should move our otherwise silent and apparently intimidated Kansas Senators to speak out and make clear to Kansans—many of whom may understandably be disappointed with the presidential outcome—that the election is over, that Biden won, and that speaking out clearly on the necessity of wearing masks, socially distancing, and limiting crowd size, could make a real difference in bringing this pandemic to an earlier end as well as save lives.
There is a second and equally important reason for our senators to convey a clear message to Kansans that the electoral process was fairly conducted and produced an honest result. Senators Moran and Roberts know that the Trump-Giuliani effort damages, perhaps irreparably and without justification, underlying confidence in our entire democratic system of government. Speaking the truth, clearly and unequivocally, may be uncomfortable for our senators. I realize they may receive some backlash from the more unhinged Trump supporters in the state, but a matter far more important than their comfort is at issue and that is the survival of our very system of government.
It is time for our senators to stand up for democracy. Why not put the country first? I would suggest that their children and grandchildren would be proud. I would also suggest there will be a lot of support from rank and file Kansans praying for sanity and for our system of government, as envisioned by the founders, to be preserved. Why not emulate the courage of President (then General) Eisenhower who on the eve of D-Day did not hesitate explicitly to accept full responsibility if the European landing did not succeed? His was indeed a profile in courage.
I am a Democrat, but I believe our state and country are stronger if we have a vibrant and sane two-party system. Neither America, nor the Republican Party, are served by the cowardice of otherwise reasonable leaders, including Senators Moran and Roberts—who indeed know better than to countenance the machinations of Trump, Giuliani, and their minions.
[Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images]
RSS Feed