The Collateral Damage of the 2020 Election – “The Sunday Political Brunch”

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

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President Donald Trumps final days

Wow! What a two-week stretch, unprecedented in the history of American politics. Some are proclaiming the death of the Republican Party, while others are touting a Trump supporter comeback in 2022 and especially 2024. Still others see a generation of Democratic Party dominance. But none of these predictions will likely come true, so let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“Defending Hallowed, Sacred Ground” – There are certain plots of land in this nation that are sacred, (either by our founding with the U.S. Capitol, or by war, such as Ground Zero from 9/11). They are untouchable (although not off limits to protest). I worked full-time as a Congressional Fellow and Legislative Aide in the U.S. House and Senate for one year, then five years as a reporter in the Capitol. I have been in and out of the Capitol for various stories from 1991 through 2019, so 28 years in total. Protest if you want, assail the press and politicians all you wish, but how dare you desecrate sacred ground? Roundly disagree if you must, but don’t destroy what my grandfathers, my dad and my daughter defended with their military service. Don’t! And to those who forcefully broke, entered and damaged the Capitol, have you no shame?

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“But Isn’t it my Right to Protest? – Let’s me answer by just publishing the First Amendment, verbatim, with no editorial comment, or debate: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

 

“No More Trump (on the Ballot Anyway?)” – I am a political analyst, so I don’t come out for or against candidates or policies. I don’t endorse, but I do question. Certainly, Congress is within its rights and constitutional authority to impeach President Trump as it has chosen. But why? The vote comes with just days left in the Trump term and is largely symbolic. This week Sen. Joe Manchin (D) West Virginia said the me, “Let’s let the Biden administration get up and running for 100-days and then hold a trial.” To which I asked, “Isn’t that like playing the fifth quarter of the Super Bowl, on Easter Sunday, when the game was already over in February?” What’s the point? Trump, like Elvis, has already left the building.

 

“So, What’s on the Table? – The Senate can hold an impeachment trial, and while Trump will be gone from office it could still exact certain punishments. It could strip him of his presidential pension, (who as a billionaire hardly needs it anyway). It could remove his lifetime Secret Service protection, (though his private, personal security force is a small army), and it could ban him from ever running for federal office again. He says he intends to run again, but I’m more inclined to let voters decide that than having the Senate do it. It should be the citizen’s choice, not the politicians. Quite frankly, I think he’s ended his own political viability by his own words and actions.

 

“Threats to the First Amendment” – There is almost always a backlash to major events. It’s not just the law of politics, it’s literally a principle of physics. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter were quick to deactivate or ban President Trump and others. Yes, these are private companies and that’s within their rights. We certainly don’t want government censorship, but privately silencing people or groups concerns me. Converse to the famous Jack Nicholson line, “We CAN handle the truth!” Certainly, posts that pose a threat or espouse hatred and violence can be blocked, but let people exchange in political discourse and let the votes fall where they may. Sometimes, unfettered voices, have a way of silencing their own bad ideas.

 

“Midterm Elections” – Okay, by January 20, 2021 Democrats will control the White House and both the Senate and House in Congress. Huge advantage? Well, maybe. When I first moved to Washington, DC to work in Congress in 1993 they had the same advantage with First Lady Hillary Clinton leading the health care reform effort. And what happened? Nothing. Too much intra-party fighting prevented any meaningful legislation from passing. That is, until the foils in the opposing party came along, and the two sides accomplished a lot in bipartisan fashion..

 

“Why This is So Important?” – Historically, the party in power in the White House loses seats in Congress in the first midterm election. In 2022, all Republicans need to do is win one seat to take back control of the U.S Senate. One seat! Right now, Democrats hold a slim majority of 221 to 211 seats in the House with three vacancies. Bottom line, a next gain of seven Republican seats (well within reason, can give GOP control and boot Speaker Pelosi). The bottom line, Democrats can hardly rest on their heels in perceived utopia.

 

“Honoring “Honore” – One idea I can fully endorse is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi designating General Russell Honore to investigate what exactly happened inside and outside the Capitol on January 6th? Why were the Capitol Police outmanned (and maybe even outgunned?). Where was the Metropolitan Washington DC Police Department, and why was it grossly undermanned and not prepared? Where was the National Guard? Why did we failed to connect the dots between known threats and violent outcomes, (just as we failed to do before September 11, 2001)? There are just so many questions that need answering from an independent, bipartisan review. If anyone can get the answers, it’s General Honore!

 

“First 100 Days, What’s in it for Me?” – While all this is going on, we will peacefully (God we hope), transition to a new President and Congress. They have a lot to do, aside from sorting this mess from the ashes. Watch for another COVID-19 relief package, perhaps rounding the recent $600 individual stimulus checks up to an even $2,000. Stay tuned!

 

What do you think should be done in a Senate impeachment trial of former President Trump? Leave a comment below.

 

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the six Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia its five neighboring states and most of the Washington, DC media market. He is a MINDSETTER columnist for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.

 

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