Let it be known before another word of this column is read that what follows is no apologia for the life and legacy of Mitch McConnell, who is not impressive to me and who should have retired years ago.
Nevertheless, it has become extremely apparent in these opening days of the second Trump administration that I am going to need some high-intensity explaination to understand how this new "big-tent Republican-party coalition" is to be constituted.
How do the party's new MAGA masters determine who has admittance to the tent and who is an outcast?
It is clear that allegiance to conservative ideology is no longer a prerequisite, so is it all just personality driven? Is it all determined on appropriate fealty to the grand leader, or what?
If that sounds a bit snarky, forgive me, but I'm already exhausted trying to find the logic in this movement.
Out of one side of its mouth: "Hey, it's an awesome thing that the three highest profile figures currently operating in this Republican administration - Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and RFK, Jr. - are all former pro-abortion Democrats."
Out of the other side of its mouth, it shouts down retiring Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell as a "RINO" loser who has inflicted "so much destruction" on the party and country.
Seriously?
One of the most prolific claims of MAGA apologists these last several years has been that Donald Trump did what no previous Republican president would do by overturning Roe v. Wade. That has always been a specious and stupid argument considering that the two justices appointed by George W. Bush, as well as the most conservative member of the court appointed by W.'s dad, played equally necessary roles in that victory for unborn children.
But beyond that inconvenient reality, the only reason Donald Trump had the opportunity to appoint any of his three justices to the high court was because of Mitch McConnell's leadership in the Senate:
Had McConnell not stonewalled Barack Obama at the end of his lame duck term, left wing Merrick Garland would have replaced the staunch conservative Antonin Scalia.
The appalling character assassination of Brett Kavanaugh would have successfully led to his demise had McConnell not thwarted the Democrat filibuster attempt.
Then, when Ruth Bader Ginsburg unexpectedly died, Democrats demanded that Mitch McConnell play by the same rules he had established with Scalia's death, and wait to confirm a justice until after the upcoming election. McConnell said no and marshalled through the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett.
Of course Donald Trump deserves credit for picking justices who, like the other three justices appointed by previous Republicans, understood that Roe v. Wade was bad law. But the uncomfortable fact remains, had there been no Mitch McConnell, Roe would still be standing.
And yet here we are listening to Trump apologists on social media trash McConnell on his way out the door.
Again, this isn't an essay extolling the virtues of a lifelong politician who made many decisions that I personally disagree with. That's not the point. No, this is much less about Mitch McConnell's legacy and much more about the dangers of a movement willing to cozy up to leftists if they say the right thing at the right moment, but dismiss and disparage conservative-leaning pols who have compiled a lengthy track record of doing many correct things.
Journalist Bari Weiss recently delivered a speech warning Republicans to learn the lessons of the Left's recent surge into extremism and subsequent collapse. It's long, but I'll link it here 👇
One pull quote:
If that continues without being challenged, we may wind up spending the next few years watching the same story we just lived through on the other side, as the far right (not the one defined by cable news, which includes many in this room) devours what remains of the center-right.
If you aren't aware of the dangers that come with apparent victory, if you think, That's impossible, I believe you are as naive as the professors at Harvard who still email me to say, 'Can you believe what's happening?!'
Understand that's precisely why people who actually care about conservatism and the preservation of our constitutional order and system, as well as our way of life, would be wise to pump the brakes and ask why a tent large enough for radical environmentalist, climate change proponents, and abortion fanatics like RFK isn't big enough for a man like Mitch McConnell.
This "big tent" has bouncers who have kicked long-time conservative voices like Mike Pence, Jonah Goldberg, and the staff at National Review to the curb, but warmly welcome and embrace former Assad apologist and Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard.
That's surely enough to raise an eyebrow or two, right?
If not, I feel pretty confident the ecstasy of the moment will in fairly short order turn uncomfortably sour with many on the right asking each other the question Weiss alluded to:
"Can you believe what's happening?!"
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Not the Bee or any of its affiliates.
