It has been announced that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will be stepping down from his leadership post after the November election. It is unclear as of this writing whether he will remain in the Senate for the remainder of his term – which ends in January of 2027.
Those on the strident right of the Republican Party will celebrate. They have long considered McConnell to be a Republican In Name Only (RINO). They see him as too much of a Washington establishmentarian – a leader who compromises too often. McConnell has come under increasing fire from so-called MAGA Republicans following criticism by President Trump.
Personally, I think McConnell’s decision to step down is a good one, but not for the reasons claimed by the hardcore critics. First of all, I do not surrender my judgment of various political figures to Trump’s pugnacious and inconsistent opinions.
I am of the opinion that McConnell has done a reasonably good job in the 17 years he has served as the Republican Senate leader – sometimes minority, sometimes majority. Apparently, most of the GOP members of the Senate agree – since he has been re-elected to that post repeatedly without any serious competition. For the most part, McConnell has won the support of the more moderate senators and most of those on the right. A few exceptions, such as Texas Senator Ted Cruz, noted.
The far-right – and Trump’s — criticism of McConnell makes no sense. No one is perfect, but McConnell has been pretty damn good. In a demonstration of spine and political daring-do, McConnell confirmed three of Trump’s conservative Supreme Court nominees against an enormous political headwind. On that alone, Trump and the Pro-Life movement should be eternally grateful.
McConnell was able to thwart the Democrats’ efforts to force Trump from office with two highly politically motivated impeachments. McConnell made a mockery of the second impeachment by pushing the Senate trial – constitutionally designed to remove presidents from office — to AFTER Trump left office.
McConnell was at the helm with occasional slim numbers when many of Trump’s legislative proposals were enacted – including the tax cut. McConnell shepherded a lot of good legislation for Republican Presidents. All-in-all, I think McConnell did a pretty good job under some of the most difficult of circumstances.
So, why do I think McConnell stepping down is a good move? I would sum it up with “it’s time.”
There is the aging thing. McConnell is essentially the same age as President Biden – one year older. He is starting to be afflicted with the same issues of aging as Biden. McConnell has had his health problems and his “senior moments.” He seems more physically challenged – beyond his faulty gait resulting from childhood polio.
The ravages of time may differ from one person to the next, but they will not be denied. In general, folks over 80 do not have the physical stamina or mental acuity to take on highly demanding critical jobs. It is time for McConnell to pass the torch – as it is with Biden and others.
And that is the other reason for McConnell to step down. The Republican Party and the Senate need a fresh voice and an invigorated spokesperson and political tactician. It will enable the public to take a fresh look at Senate leadership – breaking old opinions and attitudes that stifle the political process. A new leader will not be weighed down by old perceptions and long held opinions. A new leader comes with a clean slate in terms of public opinion.
Between now and November, several senators will be vying for the job. At some point, McConnell may make an endorsement – or not. But it will be several months before a likely successor will emerge.
Republican members of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) were unnecessarily nasty in reacting to McConnell’s stepping down. In an X posting, they added “(D-Ukraine)” after his name because of his support for military aid. (Personally, I think McConnell is 100 percent correct on that issue.)
Virginia Congressman Bob Good, chairman of the HFC said that “Mitch McConnell stepping down provides a great opportunity for true conservative leadership in the Senate.” He recommends that McConnell step down immediately and that Florida Senator Rick Scott should be chosen as the replacement.
It would be a pity if McConnell’s departure is on a wave of acrimonious and unjustified criticism – especially by people whose interests and beliefs he served. As a conservative in the classical tradition, I salute McConnell’s decision and compliment him on a job well done.
So, there ‘tis.