Saying the ugly part out loud.

January 31, 2022

[Audio version here]

          Over the weekend, there were three instances of the GOP saying the ugly part out loud. Trump said he would pardon the January 6th insurrectionists if he were re-elected, Arizona Republicans have introduced a bill to allow the legislature to override a vote of the people without any justification, and a Republican Senator claimed that Biden’s nominee for the Supreme Court—whoever she is—will be nominated to fill a “quota.” It is a sign of desperation that the GOP has dropped all pretense of devotion to the Constitution and commitment to the rule of law. Instead, the party is content to say, “Yeah; go ahead and believe the worst. That’s who we are.”

          Such brazenness can be disheartening and anxiety-producing. It should be neither. Such acts—and dozens of others over the last few weeks—merely validate suspicions (and deeply held beliefs) that the GOP is a party bereft of conscience, morals, or decency. Let’s not spend any more time arguing the point or pretending that the GOP is a responsible partner in governing America. It is not. Let’s stop wasting time wondering why people believe the Big Lie or how they can believe that Democrats don’t care about the concerns of the working class after the proposals in the Build Back Better bill. Republicans have told us who they are, and we should believe them. As we examine the three most recent instances of outrageous and anti-democratic actions, we should not be surprised or frightened or fearful. Rather, we should be re-energized and emboldened to step outside of our comfort zone to engage in millions of small acts of democracy to defend the Constitution.

          We have known in our bones that Trump would pardon the insurrectionists if given a chance, that he would call his followers to violence if indicted, and that Republican legislatures will attempt to invalidate any election they do not win. The only relevant question is, “What are we going to do about it?” We know the answer: “Exactly what we are doing, but with more intensity and greater commitment.” That may not be the answer that we were hoping to hear, but consider the alternative if we give in to exhaustion or back away in fear. Preserving democracy is hard work, especially when the GOP views democracy as an obstacle to power. Let’s not bemoan our fates but be glad that we have a democracy to defend. So, let’s stare down the most recent examples of Republican depravity and then get back to work.

Trump calls his followers to more violence and offers pardons to insurrectionists.

          At a weekend rally in Texas, Trump said that he would pardon the January 6th insurrectionists and called his followers to violence if he is indicted. To be clear, Trump did not use the word “violence” (he said “massive protests”) and did not say he would pardon the insurrectionists (he said, “We will treat them fairly”). He didn’t have to say the ugly part out loud. As Michael Cohen said in his testimony to Congress, Trump speaks like a mob boss, resorting to “code” that tells people what to do without using words that will expose him to criminal liability. We should never again allow anyone to excuse Trump’s calls to violence by relying on quibbles and wordplay. We saw the disastrous outcome of looking the other way as Trump used coded messages calling for violence in Washington before January 6th—“Be There. Will Be Wild!”

          Trump’s promise to pardon the insurrectionists and calls for violence if he is indicted mark him as an insurgent who will overthrow the rule of law to protect himself. His statements in Texas were so repugnant that no person of good faith can remain in the Republican Party—a party that recognizes Trump as its leader. To be sure, a few Republicans recoiled in horror and disgust over the weekend. HuffPo, “‘Inappropriate’: Republicans Break From Trump’s Pledge To Pardon Jan. 6 Rioters.” But, as before, they will swallow their outrage when Trump reprimands them and calls them names. The only acceptable response from the GOP to Trump’s call to violence and promise to pardon insurrectionists is to abandon the party or repudiate Trump in unison. Do not hold your breath, waiting for a rebuke that will never come.

          We should acknowledge that if Trump is indicted for his many crimes, there will be large protests by his followers. Some demonstrations may devolve into violence. That would be a sad spectacle for our nation. The only thing worse than the damage to our country caused by indicting Trump will be the damage of not indicting him. We are a nation of laws, or we are not. Trump is daring us to make a choice. It’s an easy choice, and we should make it forthwith. (Are you listening, Merrick Garland???)

Arizona Republicans introduce a bill allowing the legislature to set aside election results without justification.

          Republican representatives in the Arizona state legislature have introduced a bill that would allow the legislature to set aside any election without any justification. The bill will also ban virtually all mail ballots and limit voting to election day. See The Guardian, “Arizona Republicans introduce election subversion bill.” Per The Guardian, one of the GOP sponsors has ties to the Oath Keepers; another GOP sponsor said that the bill would push Arizona election law “back to 1958”—an unfortunate reference, since Arizona had a racist literacy test in place in 1958. The bill is here: HB2596 . Section 16.241 of the proposed bill reads,

          “The legislature shall call itself into session to review the ballot tabulating process for regular and primary elections and shall accept or reject the election results.”

          That’s it. There are no criteria by which the legislature determines whether or why it “rejects” the election results. The bill is likely unconstitutional, but we shouldn’t wait for that fight. The Arizona legislative chambers are each within two seats of flipping from Republican control to Democratic control. Among the many tasks on your plate, add efforts to flip Arizona’s legislature. If we do that, we can end the absurd, anti-democratic platform of Republicans in the Arizona legislature.

          Let’s remember that the above bill is a proposal. It has not been passed, and it might never pass if we raise overwhelming objections to the bill. If you live in Arizona, write to your local newspapers, and call your state representatives. If you live outside of Arizona, you can help fund Democrats in Arizona legislative races by starting a Giving Circle through The States Project. Flipping a state legislative seat is way less expensive than flipping a congressional seat, so dip your toe into the water of fundraising and start a Giving Circle with friends and family. [Check out my podcast interview with Melissa Walker, who explains how giving circles work. The States Project with Melissa Walker.]

Republican Senator continues GOP racist attacks on qualifications of an unspecified nominee to fill a vacancy on Supreme Court.

          More Republicans are claiming that because Biden has promised to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court, that candidate will be unqualified and unfit for the job. Over the weekend, Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi went further, suggesting that the nominee will be selected by “affirmative racial discrimination” to fill a “quota.” Wicker said,

          The irony is that the Supreme Court is, at the very time, hearing cases about this sort of affirmative racial discrimination while adding someone who is the beneficiary of this sort of quota.

          There you have it: According to Republicans, if a Black woman is appointed to the Court, it is because of a “quota.” That is offensive and racist. But Republicans are now saying the racist part out loud.

          To be clear, every current potential nominee being considered by Biden has more impressive academic credentials and life accomplishments than Senator Wicker—who was first appointed to the Senate after Trent Lott resigned in disgrace. Of the 115 Supreme Court Justices, 108 have been white men, and zero have been Black women. Senator Wicker is correct; there is a quota system in place on the Supreme Court—one that ensures that white men are overrepresented.

Concluding Thoughts.

          It would be easy to look at the above discussion and feel discouraged about the future of our democracy. Don’t be. On the Today’s Edition Podcast over the weekend, I interviewed three high school students who are working to ensure that the future of our democracy is bright. The students—Mia, Kenisha, and Madeline—are active in YVote, a program of Next Generation Politics. The podcast is here: Next Generation / YVote | Today’s Edition Podcast with Robert Hubbell.

          I am an optimistic person by nature, but I felt even more optimistic and energized after listening to three student leaders who believe in the promise of democracy. There were so many highlights I hesitate to identify one comment, but I will anyway. A listener asked the students how they remain positive in light of the divisiveness in our current political situation. One student responded,

          I always think about the fact that in 30 years . . . government is not going to be controlled by the people it’s controlled by now. That’s when today’s young people are going to be filling those shoes of government officials. And just knowing that’s what lies in the future inspires me to think about how I can be actively involved in changing our political landscape . . .

          We should all hold that thought in our minds. Three decades hence, there will a new generation of political leadership. It will not be trying to drag election laws back to 1958 but will instead be updating those laws for 2058. Change is inevitable, and that change will favor democracy. Our nation is becoming more urban, educated, diverse, and younger by the year. Our task may be to hold the fort long enough for demographic change to overwhelm the rear-guard action that is convulsing our nation. But in the meantime, we must mentor and encourage the next generation. But most importantly, we must model leadership and commitment for young people. For them to care, they must know that we care. Next Generation Politics is a great organization that has many programs to motivate and mobilize young people to become leaders for the next thirty years. Check out the website to see how you can volunteer, donate, and learn.

          Talk to you tomorrow!