Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) recently spoke against the RNC censure of Reps. Cheney and Kinzinger and by implication supported Pelosi's Jan. 6 witch-hunt committee on which both serve. While I don't agree with his sentiments, I was disposed to cut him some slack.
The Federalist's Mollie Hemingway writes a quite good column taking issue with his claims and has, I have to say, convinced me to cut him no slack. She doesn't defend those who actually rioted, trespassed, etc. They are under arrest and if found guilty will experience the law's penalties.
Some key points she makes:
All Republican elected officials should be working for the Republican Party and against Pelosi, not for her. McConnell not questioning the legitimacy of the committee, which has not a single Republican-appointed member, is insane and inexplicable. No reasonable person thinks the January 6 committee is conducting an inquiry but an inquisition.
Republican voters would like their leaders to meet the simple test of not calling them terrorists for engaging in peaceful political protest. They would like their supposed leaders to meet the simple test of not accepting the media’s routine lies about them but, instead, to fight vigorously against those lies. That McConnell failed so dramatically in this regard does not bode well.
I understand McConnell and Trump both found working together difficult, their styles are so different. Both are inclined to let that irritation show on occasion.
Their mutual vendetta is unhelpful for the GOP, which I believe both wish well. In the phrasing of Archie Bunker, they both need to "stifle" the sniping and take their frustrations out on the Dems.
