Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senate Republican Minority Leader, has always fascinated me as a master tactician and manipulator who can and does stop Democratic initiatives behind a façade of stoic, confident resolve.
Now, while still impressed with his legislative magic and taciturn manner, I am disgusted with his not-so-subtle assault on democracy and any scintilla of bipartisanship. Determined to thwart former President Barack Obama at every turn, he has announced he will do the same with his longtime friend, President Joe Biden.
McConnell has one goal: deter the Senate from granting the Democrats any victories that might serve them advantageously in an election. Though the Democrats control the Senate by one—that being a tie-breaking one by Vice President Kamala Harris—McConnell can stop any legislation that requires a filibuster total of 60 votes.
An action that apparently gives him great satisfaction was his successful obstruction of Obama’s selection of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Garland did not even receive the courtesy of a Senate Judiciary hearing. Consequently, the empty seat on the court, formerly occupied by the late Antonin Scalia, was filled by President Donald Trump with the nomination of the conservative Neil Gorsuch as an associate justice.
The senior senator from Kentucky accomplished what he wanted: prevent a Democratic president from nominating a liberal or moderate Democrat to the nation’s highest court.
McConnell harbors a longtime obsession with the nation’s justice system, delaying Democratic nominations and expediting Republican ones. His view of democracy is one-sided; he’s proud of his obstruction. It seems a questionable achievement, if not one steeped in a mean-spirited attempt to hijack the democratic process.
Most recently, he blocked consideration of a bill to establish a commission to examine and investigate the heinous January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol by a group of people incited by Trump and his errant claims of fraud in his losing bid to serve another term as president. In his rigidly partisan perspective, McConnell thought that the commission—with membership evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans—was conceived to shine an unfavorable light on Republicans.
Intent on ensuring the defeat by the Senate of the second attempt to impeach Trump, wrongly reasoning that Trump could not be impeached after leaving office, he then uttered scathing remarks about the former president’s behavior in encouraging an unruly mob to attack our nation’s citadel of democracy. The clever and adroit McConnell executed a win-win for him and the Republican Party: a reprehensible president whom the minority leader dislikes was acquitted, and his loyal, misguided supporters were pleased with the acquittal of their beloved and amoral leader.
As I wrote at the outset, McConnell is shrewd, stolid and focused. Negative opinions are immaterial to him.
I do wonder if Mitch McConnell, cynical and hardened after 34 years in elected office, ever considers the general good in his mental calculus, or does he simply and coldly calculate the impact on ensuring that the Democrats look ineffective in passing legislation and thus enhance the elective chances of Republicans in Congress?
Has he been in Washington too long and shed any shred of idealism?
The McConnells of the world seem to embody the worst in national politics, exhibiting no pretense of wanting to work in a bipartisan manner. And, by his measure, he has been wildly successful in claiming the mantle of chief obstructionist in a legislative body once known for comity and compromise.
The very recent defeat in the U.S. Senate of the voting rights bill, one to counter voter suppression blessed by Republican state legislatures, illustrates Mitch McConnell’s power and muscle.
Two words come to mind: sad and unproductive.
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. In retirement, Howard serves on the boards of several non-profits on the Eastern Shore, Annapolis and Philadelphia.
Charles D Zvirman says
In the movie “The Usual Suspects” Kevin Spacey’s character Verbal Kint borrows a line from Baudelaire,
“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist”
I think a modified version might be aptly applied to Mitch McConnell. “The greatest trick Mitch ever pulled was distracting his constituency with ‘God, Guns and Gays’ to get them to consistency vote against their own best economic interests.”
One need look no further than McConnell’s own failed state of Kentucky which consistently ranks in the bottom 10% of all states in poverty, health care, Federal Aid and virtually every other metric.
…and for those of you keeping score at home, old Mitch was first elected to the Senate in 1985.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Charles, You say ” Good old Mitch was elected to the Senate in 1985″ What about Good Old Joe Biden?
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Charles. Actually, McConnell was elected in 1984 and began serving, I suppose, in 1985. Anyway, my math was wrong. He has served 36, not 34 years.
Stephen Schaare says
Howard, Biden was elected to the Senate in 1972.
Stephen Schaare says
Charles, Biden was elected to the Senate in 1972. Did you know this?
Stephen Schaare says
Dear Howard, How do you do it? Such effortless contempt, loathing and hatred for an elected US Senator? Perhaps you regard such rogues as Pelosi, Schumer, Nadler, AOC, Adam Schiff, quarter wit Eric Swalwell, the senior Sen. From CT with face of melting wax(I cannot recall his name), Mazey Hirona of Hawaii all peacemakers and of fine character.
I thank God and the good people of Kentucky for Sen. McConnell. Merrick Garland? Really? He believes the greatest threat to our country is “white supremacy”. What? Who are these people? Where are they? Please! Just like Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., too many guns are to blame for the crime and violence.. Sure. No mention of behavior. Garland believes if you give 100 guns to 100 people, they will then go rob a bank or just kill people because they have a gun.
One more thing. Where is the voter suppression? The harshest restriction I have seen is in Georgia. If you want an absentee ballot a person must provide their driver’s license number or Social Sec number! What? Are you allowed to vote as a citizen? Show me the number! Please, please stop spreading this suppression myth. Thank you.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Stephen. As I wrote, I don’t loathe Mitch McConnell, who is a wily, clever obstructionist. I just loathe a system that allows a senior senator to wreak so much damage to democracy and feel proud about it.
Michael Davis says
There is a small group of people, such as myself, who boycott products from Kentucky thanks to Mitch. The citizens of Kentucky send Mitch to the Senate with the sole mission to keep Republicans in power. He could not care less about the United States as he supports right-wing Republicans – even to the point of supporting traitors. He is proud of the fact he stops Congress from doing any work
I used to think I was cutting off my nose to spite my face, and maybe I still am to some degree. I love bourbon and Kentucky distills 95% of all bourbon in America. Boycotting Kentucky bourbon is hard.
But there is a small light at the end of the tunnel. In many states, including Maryland, distillers are making high-quality bourbons and ryes. It is easy to locate them on the Internet. Sadly not so easy to find in liquor stores in Easton.
This is a win-win. We can support Maryland (that sends only one traitor to Congress and he’s a nit) and at the same time protest Kentucky that sends a very powerful traitor to Congress. Buy local!
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Michael, You boycott products from Kentucky?
You approve of Pelosi? Shumer? Huh.
Robert Siegfried says
Good perspective about perhaps the second most reprehensible political leader in the U.S, behind the novice abomination called Donald J. Trump. With that said , no matter how “ shrewd and manipulative “ one may think McConnell may be, these possible traits would all come to naught if other Republican senators had backbone and principle. The days of such Republicans, with few exceptions, are long gone . Most are Trump acolytes who care only about their personal standing to be a senator in name only rather than what is in the long term best interests of their states and the country as a whole. The U.S. needs , to be a vibrant democracy , a strong policy oriented center to right of center party . McConnell and his minions are not that.
Kim Cassady says
Thank you Mitch. I hope you can keep the Dems from turning us into a failed solcialist state.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Kim. So, McConnell is saving our country from socialism? He seems to be an acolyte of do-nothingism.
Rev Julie Hart says
Do they forget that they are elected? Elected by us… to work for us? How and where do they lose their way? When does their SELF take over at the expense of others? They all take an Oath of Office to which they swear allegiance. It seems to be quickly forgotten–it surely was on Jan 6, and in the days, weeks and these months that have followed. They swear NOT to Self, or State from which they were elected, or to Political Party. They swear to defend and uphold The Constitution. Then The Congress sets about the business of GOVERNANCE. When and why does that get set aside? Who IS governing this country? Can you think of any job where there is little to no performance that allows the worker to stay on the job? Deliberate outspoken obstruction to stop Governance is nothing short of traitorous behavior in my mind. I cannot believe the continuing descent of our country. I write letters, send emails and texts, sign petitions, and make phone calls to those elected; even the Governor, and the President of our Country.
Things will only change if we, the electorate speak up and call them to account.
God bless and save our Country.
Happy 4th!🇺🇸
Rev Julie Hart
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Julie. The indeed does have the right to hire and fire its elected officials. Unfortunately, not enough people vote and value that privilege in our fragile democracy.
Deirdre LaMotte says
It is interesting that a former Senate Majority Leader, Lyndon
Johnson was superb at getting legislature passed. He twisted arms and wielded power. He looked out for all Americans: passed civil rights, voting rights, Medicare, Medicaid, protections for all elderly, sick , middle class and the poor.
The difference? McConnell is not trying to help any Americans but Republican super wealthy donors.
Johnson was not a saint but he was not pure evil.
That is why I cannot fathom the present Republican Trump/McConnell Party; despicable humans.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Deirdre, Trump is a former President, living in Florida. He has no power. However, should the tragedy of our current President continue, he will easily win in 2024.
Also, I sent a generous contribution to Rep Dr. Andy Harris
today.
Deirdre LaMotte says
I would expect nothing less; Water seeks it own level.
Howard Freedlander says
Your political choices are telling. God Bless America.
Tom Alspach says
Trump “has no power”? What planet are you on? He still runs the party he now owns.
Bob Parker says
Jim Morrison named himself the “Lizard King”, however, that moniker belongs to Sen. McConnell. While he is a talented Senate tactician, he relies on a total lack of ethics and the blind support of like-minded Republicans who are also content to subvert the democratic, deliberative tradition of the U.S. Senate. With the collusion of GOP senators, McConnell has succeeded in preventing meaningful and needed progress in formulating public policy, and now their actions threaten to imperil the basic tenets of our democracy, that being unfettered access to the ballot box. Now is the time for all Democratic Senators to speak with one voice and abolish the filibuster when voting rights are considered in much the same way McConnell abolished it for SCOTUS nominees.
john FISCHER says
Richard Feynman would write “You must be joking, Mr. Freedlander.”
You are outraged at Mr. McConnnell’s lack of bipartisanship? There is little bipartisanship in today’s House and Senate. And that’s unfortunate. But to feign outrage at Mr. McConnell when neither Mr. Schumer nor Ms. Pelosi delivered one vote in favor of a single piece of Mr. Trump’s major legislation is just silly.
You criticize Mr. McConnell for thwarting Democratic attempts to pass a bill “that might serve them advantageously in an election?” Of course, he did. You are kidding here, right?
And you are “shocked, shocked” that Mr. McConnell has delayed a number of Mr. Biden’s nominees? Really? You write that with a straight face knowing that Mr. Schumer blocked nominees of Mr. Trump for almost three years? Come on.
The assault on the senate is being tried in the courts by prosecutors far more competent than any U.S. Senator. The congressional commission was conceived by Democrats for precisely the reason you state–“to shine an unfavorable light on Republicans” for as long as possible. This is the partisan politics you decry. And you know that.
You write “The McConnells of the world seem to embody the worst in national politics, exhibiting no pretense of wanting to work in a bipartisan manner.” The McConnells of the world? Where were you when, for four years, Mr. Schumer and Ms. Pelosi blocked everything that came their way from the previous administration?
You conclude your criticism of Mr. McConnell with the tired Democratic dog whistle of state voter “suppression” unaccompanied, as usual, by examples of suppression present in the legislation. In your next piece you might describe exactly how states are suppressing votes by comparing and contrasting new legislation with that in existence prior to Covid, that is, prior to emergency measures put in place to facilitate voting during the pandemic. Good luck with that.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi John, Thank you for some clarity. Steve
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Jack. Did Schumer or Pelosi block a hearing for a Supreme Court nominee, one whom judges appointed by Democratic and Republican presidents admired and respected? Did Schumer or Pelosi approve an impeachment process that enabled no witnesses, obviating even the appearance of a fair trial? Just wondering.
John Fischer says
Had you limited your hatchet job to those two incidents, Mr. Freedlander, you would have stood on much firmer ground. Wandering off into the standard Democratic pap exposed you.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Mr. Fischer. Is reference to a proposed 6 January commission “standard Democratic pap” or recognition of McConnell obstruction related to an assault on democracy?
Tom Alspach says
John, speaking of “examples,” could you please provide your list of the “major Trump legislation” and the “everything” that was blocked by Schumer and Pelosi when these “came their way”?