Courage and the common good
No one on the debate stage who raised a hand in support of the former president, even if convicted, can be considered worthy of protecting and defending our democracy.
Dear friends:
It’s hard to imagine, but we are already in the thick of preparing for the 2024 elections. I did not want to read about the Republican presidential primary debate. It does not seem to matter who does or says what on a debate stage while so many of the people in power in that party fall under scrutiny or indictment for the attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
On principle I avoid any coverage that focuses only on who is ahead, behind, winning. It avoids the issues and reinforces the bias of following the person who “can win” rather than the people who actually engage in solutions.
But then I glanced at an image that showed all but two of the candidates on the debate stage with their hands up, as if asking to be called upon. They’d been asked if they would support the criminally indicted former president, if primary voters chose him, even if he were found guilty in a court of law.
All but two indicated they would. (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/us/politics/trump-convicted-republican-debate-hands.html)
How can one understand this - privileged, educated people pledging to support a convicted felon (who, by most of their rhetoric, would not be allowed to vote at all with that status, much less for himself)? Especially if the charges that result in conviction include conspiring to subvert the constitution they are campaigning to declare to support and defend?
Some might see signs of cynical pandering: supporting the ex-presdient in order to court and appease his followers. Some might see signs of fear: political violence is an ever-present threat, and the ex-president never fails to remind us of his belief that his followers will fight on his behalf.
Maybe it is a toxic mix of the two, but whatever the reason, the message is clear. This is now a party that openly declares power as its ultimate, and only, goal. It is willing to undermine the rule of law, confidence in the justice system, confidence in election security, and the authority of the constitution itself in order to gain and retain power.
No one on that stage who raised a hand can be considered worthy of protecting and defending our democracy. It takes courage, and an ability to put the common good first.
By raising their hands, they opted out of both.
Stay safe and well, and do what it takes to nurture your courage, as it is needed.