
<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>The far-right – and Trump’s &#8212; 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.</p>



<p>McConnell was able to thwart the Democrats&#8217; 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 &#8212; to AFTER Trump left office. ; ;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>So, why do I think McConnell stepping down is a good move? ; I would sum it up with “it’s time.”</p>



<p>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. ;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.)</p>



<p>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. ;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

McConnell stepping down is the right thing to do
