“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.” – Dumbledore, Harry Potter
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American Public.” – Theodore Roosevelt
The question has been asked before: What will it take for Trump supporters to declare that enough is enough, that the president is putting our democracy at risk and that he is no longer worthy of support?
Maybe it’s helpful to retrace how we got here in the first place. A lot of voters were dissatisfied with the two major candidates during the last election. Faced with a vacuum of choice, enough Independents and swing voters decided to join the Republican base and try something different. They recognized Trump’s character flaws, didn’t much like what he said or how he said it, but thought he was a successful businessman who seemed to understand the frustrations of the working and middle class. Besides, it was taken as a matter of faith that he would become “presidential” once in office. And since the polls showed Hillary was going to win anyway, why not send a message? Well, message received. His voters put their faith in Trump, hoping for the best. What the country got was so much less.
Trump has not modulated any of his noxious behaviors. He continues to govern by tweet, is impulsive in statements and actions, places his need for praise above all else, belittles and bullies those who disagree with him, shows no empathy for others, appears to become more unstable with each passing day, has appointed inexperienced and unqualified people to important positions within the White House and as heads of Departments, stated that people chanting racial and anti-Semitic slogans and carrying Nazi banners were “good people,” and hasn’t expressed a concern about Russian interference in our election or supported committees looking to prevent interference in the future. Additionally he has antagonized our enemies and confused our friends. Whatever his political policies may be, his personal characteristics have been a key factor preventing their implementation. His only big legislative success has been the confirmation of his Supreme Court nominee which, given the makeup of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate, was a foregone conclusion.
Nine months into this presidency have seen dozens of respected conservative Republican commentators, politicos and pundits run the other way. Peggy Noonan, Charlie Sykes, Bill Cristal, David Brooks, Jennifer Rubin, Steve Schmidt, Joe Scarbourgh, Nicole Wallace and George Will, among many others, are voicing not just concern but alarm at Trump’s actions. And now, finally, a key Republican politician has demonstrated the courage to come forth and say that the emperor has no clothes.
Republican Bob Corker, Chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a fiscal hawk and acknowledged conservative, has said aloud what all but a few of his colleagues are reportedly saying behind closed doors or off the record; the President is unfit for the office he occupies.
Consider what it has taken for Corker to call out the President’s lies and actions. He endorsed and supported Trump. He campaigned for him and with him. At the urging of other Senators, Trump considered him for Secretary of State (but rejected him because he was “too short”). Corker has never voted against any Trump supported legislation. But he was the only Republican Senator to speak out about Trump’s comments following Charlottesville. Corker said then that Trump lacked the stability and competence to be successful but hoped that would change. Clearly, Corker has become more alarmed over time, now saying that the national security team of Tillerson, Mattis and Kelly provide the adult supervision “that helps separate our country from chaos” and that every day is an effort to contain Trump. Behind closed doors, senators and congressman express concern that Trump is morally, psychologically and intellectually unfit for office. Corker stated that anyone concerned for the nation would have to be concerned about this presidency and added that Trump is moving us toward World War III. Think about that. The Republican Chair of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who is privy to information requiring the highest security, believes that the President himself is a danger to this country and agrees with the White House national security team, that Trump needs to be contained.
So when will others say in public what they’re saying off the record? Who will be the next profile in courage? It’s important to note that not a single Republican Senator has contradicted Corker’s view of Trump. When asked, they dodge, obfuscate, and deflect but when will they do their job, show concern for this nation and join Corker in stating the obvious; that Trump himself is our biggest security risk and presents a clear and present danger. Corker has shown courage in his pronouncements. It’s time for others in the Senate and House to do the same. Before it’s too late.
Villager Marsha Shearer is a frequent contributor to Villages-News.com.
