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Bringing Trump's Guilt Home to Kansas

2/15/2021

32 Comments

 
I think often of the old Chinese Proverb “may you live in interesting times.” And as I think back over now eight decades of living, there have been many times that fit that slogan. Going with my Dad in the morning after milking to pick up a German Prisoner of War to work on the farm certainly fit that bill. I think of the droughts, the floods, the hail, the pressures from bankers to somehow magically make the numbers work. And then all the lucky opportunities in my life for public service and now teaching, have brought many interesting times. But today, “interesting times” just don't fit. We definitely live in a time where our democracy and our Constitution are literally vulnerable.

Americans have had challenges before for sure. The great depression, WWll, and Watergate for example, but during those times there was bi-partisan leadership for dealing with these challenges. Senator Capper, a very conservative Kansas Republican, worked with FDR on much of what had to be done to overcome the great depression. WWll brought us together like never before (or since) with our own General Eisenhower playing a key role. In the Nixon debacle, fellow Republicans, Senator Howard Baker for example, played key roles in holding their Party’s leader accountable. Today with rare exceptions, Republicans are almost totally united in defending whatever President Trump has done or said. Their collective behavior makes surviving as a Democracy, a governance model that has spread around the world, to be the greatest American challenge since the Civil War.

That brings us to the Saturday vote on impeachment. Senator Moran, you were there in the 90’s for a House vote for the Clinton trial on impeachment where lying about sex with a White House Intern rose to the level for you to vote to impeach. Senator Marshall, you were not there, but I think it is fair to assume you would have likewise voted for impeachment and conviction. Given the issue involved then, compared to the actions of Trump in inciting a mob to violence on January 6th, threatening our Democracy, doesn’t that make your votes on the impeachment of former President Trump all the more difficult to defend—false constitutional challenges aside? 

And, Senator Moran, it cannot be ignored that this most recent acquittal vote follows in the wake of your earlier impeachment decision to excuse Trump’s effort to extort a foreign leader and government to create false information for the purpose of influencing this past election. What legal or ethical standard do you apply in making these fundamental decisions affecting our national interest and character? Or do you believe that your perceived interest in political self-preservation and an unrestrained commitment to partisanship must always prevail? 

Obviously, neither of you were seriously bothered by the fact Vice President Pence’s life was under real threat that January 6th day in the Capitol because he was not doing what President Trump wanted (i.e., reversing the vote of the Electoral College). That threat toward Vice President Pence was clearly provoked by Trump talking directly to his followers, taped for the world to see. Trump made it clear that, in his opinion, his Vice President had the opportunity and the need to act and have the courage to unconstitutionally invalidate the election.

Maybe most surprising is that after you were both there, front row and all, and after getting over I assume the initial shock of having your own lives at serious risk, you two cast votes as if it were no big deal that the Vice President and members of Congress, including the Speaker, were targeted to be assassinated and that the lives of police officers were threatened and lost.

What would a Republican President in the very last days of his or her administration have to do to get your concern? How many people, for example, would have to die due to the President’s instigation? How more threatened would our Constitution and Democracy have to be for you to vote for conviction? Keep in mind, the former President’s defense focused almost exclusively on Constitutional grounds with little or nothing on his innocence for January 6th. In fact, Leader McConnell used his speech after the vote to make the case that Trump was in fact guilty, before explaining his own vote to acquit, based on the situation he created by not taking up the case until after Trump's term had ended. This defense was so paper thin that it was even surprising to hear from the mouth of McConnell, who spent four years looking the other way on Trump's conduct in order to accomplish his singular focus on confirming his often totally unqualified judicial nominees. To say it's been a low point for the GOP would be an enormous understatement, and you Kansas Senators have been right there to cheer it on.

Setting aside all of the above, how do you see your actions helping the Republican Party going forward to reestablish some level of normalcy, some common sense that puts the real interests of the American people first? Today’s Republican Party is certainly not the one that included Dole, Kassebaum, Pearson, Sebelius, and Myers. Most importantly, the American people benefit when we have two strong, sane political parties that represent different positions but who, notwithstanding these differences, are always in the end working to do what is best for the Country. What is the benefit of placing the interests of one man over all the principles that have guided the Republican Party in the past? And how does this serve our nation?

Aren’t your actions of putting re-election and Party affiliation over upholding your oath to defend the Constitution and our Democracy something very awkward to explain?
Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas
[Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Associated Press]
32 Comments
Laurie
2/15/2021 08:13:52 am

Thank you!

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Ann Boughton
2/15/2021 08:30:29 am

I used to have respect for Sen. Moran even though I didn’t often agree with him. No longer. During the Trump administration he has completely surrendered his character to his need for power. I had slim hopes when Sen. Marshall was first elected to Congress. His toadying to ALEC and Trump disgust me every day.

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Garth
2/15/2021 08:41:26 am

Their behavior, as you have well described, is sickening, disgusting, repulsive and indefensible. I used to think Moran was a common sense Kansan. Even though I'm a Democrat, I contributed to and supported his campaigns and voted for him. He has betrayed that common sense for party ideologies.

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Caryl ChaceyGuba
2/15/2021 09:00:48 am

I totally concur. It is beyond disappointing that our representatives and Senators have abandoned every shred of decency they may have once had, in favor of political influence. Their oaths of office are now meaningless.

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Norm Scott
2/15/2021 09:20:43 am

Thank you Mr.Carlin for your excellent recollection of the recent Wash.D.C. events. In a very nice,but cogent, way you have described the events, the reason for the event and the results of the event. For Moran and Marshall to uphold a PRESIDENT that encouraged and provoke an insurrection on the Capitol building because he was going to lose a second term in office by the Senators of Kansas is despicable. Their vote to acquit is indefensable and requires that they be voted out of office or resign on the spot. I'm sure neither can find a reason for resignation so it becomes the obligation for all voters of Kansas to exercise their right to disqualify them to remain in office. I hope and PRAY this will be the end result.

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Marla Flentje
2/15/2021 09:59:46 am

Your best column ever, Governor, in explaining the unforgivable shame our two senators have brought upon themselves and all Kansans. I had naively thought Moran might vote to convict; sadly he must believe as Speaker Pelosi observed, that he can’t find another job. Both men will someday realize that this vote will frame how they are remembered-leaders who failed to defend the Constitution.

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Tom Holmquist
2/15/2021 11:37:48 am

Thank you my friend, for this succinct explanation of these events from your perspective. Long ago I admired Senator Moran and though I often disagreed with his positions, I thought he was working for our best interests. His betrayal of our country for his quest for personal power and party loyalty is so disappointing and he must be held accountable at he next election. As for Senator Marshall, his behavior was quite predictable, as is only the tool of his handlers, never having an original thought, and a complete lack of moral courage. I am ashamed to admit they came from Kansas. They certainly cannot be compared to Dole, Sebelius, both Kassebaums, and Edmund Ross. I am deeply troubled by what may come with those who represent us today.

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Sally Kimball
2/15/2021 12:18:12 pm

Thank you for this spot-on analysis of the GOP and specifically, our two KS senators.

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Brent Hoad
2/15/2021 12:51:03 pm

Good column- glad. I discovered this site.

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Debbie
2/15/2021 01:06:04 pm

Senator Moran's moral compass has been out of whack for quite awhile. It's hard to fathom how bad things will have to get before he will buck his party given how serious the situation was on January 6. Even before January 6 his unwillingness or inability to wrap his mind around the severity of the pandemic was difficult to comprehend - he wasn't willing to criticize the administration then - all he did was run around the state looking for photo ops and tried to appear concerned.

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J M Hansen
2/15/2021 01:20:43 pm

Well said, Governor Carlin. I was so angry about Sen Marshall’s behavior after Jan 6 - going ahead with the challenge to the electoral votes even after he’d been chased out of the Capitol by a baying mob - that I sent him a letter and a book. The book is Hett’s The Death of Democracy, about the fall of the Weimar Republic. I asked him if he wanted history to remember him as it has the morally bankrupt conservatives who allowed Hitler’s rise. No response from him, not even thanks for the book. But I think I know the answer.

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Terri
2/15/2021 02:01:24 pm

Thank you! I have been so disappointed in Senator Moran during the entire Trump Presidency. Unfortunately not surprised by Marshall at all. I am extremely concerned for our future until we can vote in better representation.

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Priscilla
2/15/2021 02:13:54 pm

Thank you for your column. Truth of character will follow both of these gentlemen through their careers and lives! Unfortunately for our country they were not strong enough to follow the moral compass that they swore to when they became representative of the people, but caved to a Republican party vote for a reprehensible man.

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David Rintoul
2/15/2021 06:15:53 pm

Well said, John. The hopes of these senators that their actions and words will be forgotten are going to be dashed. We won't forget their partisanship, their lack of respect for their oath to defend the constitution, and most of all their craven loyalty to someone who has demonstrated that he would toss all of them under a bus if it would delay justice for him.

Sad times, and very dangerous, as you say.

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Carol Swenson
2/15/2021 06:28:07 pm

Thank you! Your words have expressed the feelings and frustrations of so many!

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Roberta Keyd
2/15/2021 08:01:08 pm

Thank you Governor.. You said every thing. O WOULD LIKE TO FERL REPRESEMTED BY MY CONGRESS PEOPLE ONCE IN A WHILE.. INDTESD THE REPREDENTED A MAN WHO LIED EACH DAY. A MAN WHO ALLOWED 8 PEOPLE TO DIE. THEY DID NOT REPRESENT KANSANS.

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Ken Richardson
2/15/2021 08:43:58 pm

Very well said! After 39 years as a registered republican i changed to an independent and cannot see supporting the GOP again. I could not be more disgusted with them. Moran and Marshal are a disgrace. The party has lost is way. And history will eventually show those that voted aquittal last Saturday as the real traitors of the USA. Thanks again for your summation above of the recent events.

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Linda pullen
2/16/2021 12:43:25 am

Very disappointed in the two senators from Kansas! Moran has been thought of a thoughtful senator but not so much now!

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Duane Bender
2/16/2021 05:38:37 am

This is so accurate and to the point. Thanks for sharing!

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Bob Martin
2/16/2021 07:42:34 am

This is well written, well reasoned and well said. Thank you Governor Carlin for stating these issues so clearly and compellingly!

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Nancy schmidt
2/16/2021 12:07:32 pm

I also have respected senator Moran and often sent him emails suggesting he listen carefully to his conscience and be his best self in responding to these Trump times. He has hoped that emphasizing his work for Kansas would obscure the fact that he has always been a party man and intends to stick with Trump and Republican interests. His vote that January 6 was not the doing of Trump and our worst societal elements was the last straw for me. I was so disappointed. But I’ve given up hope for him. The fact that he has a nice demeanor and cares for Kansas and isn’t the worst example of Republican cynicism and oathbreaking cannot outweigh the consistency of his support for those who are worse. I want to be proud of Kansas and of Moran, but I will no longer fool myself that he can “change his spots”.

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Cindy
2/16/2021 01:40:15 pm

Very well written - my hope is that these two senators will take the time to really read this and, at the very least, feel even just a little bit of remorse for the shameful cowardice of their vote. The damage being done to our democracy by the loyalty to one man instead of to the people, and what they (the senators, purposely did not capitalize) vowed to uphold (the Constitution), but aren't, is sickening.

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Vera Sloan link
2/16/2021 02:44:23 pm

Well said. They are among the many misguided (by choice ) government employees who are willing to help fulfill the promise of Nikita Krueschev all those years ago when he said, “we will take you from within.” The voters of Kansas must come to our senses and make sure their employment is terminated. The attempt to overthrow our Democracy is a real threat by those who “represent” the rest of us. Do we sit still and let them continue to lie and lead with those lies? When the next election comes, will we still be as complacent as we have been in the past? How willing are we to confront them face to face in a public forum and tell them what we are saying in these posts? I I’m sick of their slick non answers and glossing it over as if we don’t “understand how government works.” Truth should be the engine that drives it and we’ve got no one to blame but ourselves if we continue to not hold their feet to the fire by letting them get by with self serving actions.

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Mildred Fink
2/16/2021 06:54:28 pm

I am just heartsick that our senators from Kansas chose to vote as they did. Making a statement after the vote that Trump is guilty of incitement and insurrection-mongering is too little, too late, not speaking up, sitting on the fence for four years is continuing. I thought Jerry Moran was sprung whole cloth from good old Kansas values and common sense; I believe I was wrong, and I am so disappointed.

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Chelle Tedrow
2/16/2021 07:00:21 pm

The scariest part of it all is the number of people who still believe the lies, even when watching the events of the day play out minute by minute, without commentary. With that being said, however, they always have pardoned every vile and inappropriate thing he ever said, “Oh he didn’t really mean that!” Are you kidding me? Since when have we not been able to take the President at his word? Holding Trump accountable for his actions is a vote against God, who sent Trump
and ordained him to lead our country...are you kidding me? Blasphemy at best, terrifying at worst. Thank you for speaking the truth, Governor Carlin. My cousin, Nel Lindner, loved you until the day she died. There was never a finer Governor in all of the land, she used to say. She spoke the truth. Thank you for your wise words and for holding these yayhoos responsible for their actions.

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Nancy Hause link
2/17/2021 09:50:39 am

Senator Moran, I have communicated often with you in the past four years, and, occasionally, you'd reply with one of your form letters, answering questions I hadn't asked. But I always felt you were a stereotypical Kansan--honest, sincere, and, as much as possible, caring. You have let us down, drastically.

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Sandra
2/17/2021 10:37:26 am

Thank you for an excellent article and giving us a history lesson. Our senators have an obligation to educate their constituents with facts and truth. They must agree with the far right in their party because they had no courage to vote for impeachment.

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Barbara DeSanto
2/17/2021 12:07:37 pm

Well-said, Governor Carlin. Your words eloquently reflect the facts & the dangers that face our nation.

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Irene
2/18/2021 05:41:17 am

Did you ever read the many letters and please I sent both of you Senators. I pleaded as your constituent to reign in Trump and then to convict him of high crimes against my country I served and love. It is clear, you don't value democracy or our Constitution - or your constituents. I never had any hope for Senator Marshall but I had hoped that Senator Moran MAY just be honorable. I am disappointed in you both.

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David Lerner
2/18/2021 11:36:09 am

Thanks for writing this. I actually remember the days when Kansas was not (as Trump would put it) a sh**hole state. We had good, responsible governors from both parties (Brownback being a notable exception). We had senators like Dole and Kassebaum. The destruction of bipartisan government incited by Newt Gingrich has polarized the US, and the state of Kansas has wound up on the wrong side of it all. With the notable exception of Sharice Davids, none of our Congressmen had the simple decency to stand against Trump and his white nationalist friends. We are in a bad place, and it's going to take a long time to recover.

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Diane Brin
2/18/2021 01:51:05 pm

It was a very sad day for so many.

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11/16/2022 10:37:01 pm

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    John W. Carlin​—​61st Speaker of the Kansas House, 40th Governor of Kansas, 8th Archivist of the United States, and student of leadership

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