Remember when, at Sen. Mitch McConnell’s presser a few weeks ago, he said, “…100% of our focus is on stopping this new administration.” That certainly rings true. We know the GOP will do anything for power. And it wasn’t just the press repeating that quote. Weirdly, Mitch himself wallowed in the controversy. He repeated his money shot quote several more times. He’s bragging that he’ll be happy to hurt us if he benefits. Does the Senator think open corruption makes him look tough? I don’t think so. McConnell is many things, from fascinating to despicable, but he isn’t tough. Most significantly, McConnell is nobody’s hero. He’s just another self-centered apparatchik clinging to his shrinking power by his fingernails. He dropped his honor long ago. It’s excess baggage in the time of Trump.
First, here’s a slightly fuller version of the original press conference. A reporter is asking McConnell about his support for Sen. Liz Cheney. (I’m using a transcript from MSNBC):
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you going to do anything to help her keep her leadership position, and are you concerned at the overall kind of trend in the Republican Party that acknowledging that the election is valid can threaten your positions of power?
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL, (R) KENTUCKY MINORITY LEADER: Yeah, 100% of our focus is on stopping this new administration.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Isn`t it a concern that a sizable chunk of the Republican base doesn`t believe that this election was valid?
MCCONNELL: 100% of my focus is on standing up to this administration.
MSNBC, May 5th, 2021, The 11th Hour
So, the question had two parts. First, what was his support for Liz Cheney? Secondly, does the GOP embrace Trump’s Big Lie because it kept them in power? McConnell, looking uncomfortable, avoided both questions by spouting that ideological doggerel. The “100 percent focused” part was classic drivel. The reporter understood, asking his question more pointedly. The good Senator just repeated his dodge a little harder. And so, another parasitic meme is born.
No, this wasn’t McConnell spontaneously announcing a new position. No, the experienced, wily Senator was not using the right question for his own purposes. It was just another mush-mouthed politician dodging an uncomfortable question. That’s all; no big plan, no timed announcement, and nobody’s hero.
For the record, we all know the true answer. Republicans act like bullying morons, tear at the heart of democracy, and even support violent insurrection because they’re clinging to privilege. Posturing drives political contributions. Honesty only damages their image.
When I used ‘corruption’ earlier, it wasn’t hyperbole. If you look up Wikipedia’s ‘Political corruption’ page, it starts with this:
Political corruption or Malpolitics is the use of powers by government officials or their network contacts for illegitimate private gain.
Political Corruption, Wikipedia, 2021-05-24
An example could be, say, if a Senator used the power invested in their position against their constituents’ best interests to keep themselves in office. Like that.
And think about how this really looks. McConnell accidentally declared his corrupt intentions. Earlier politicians knew that was a terrible thing, especially when it was true. They knew to keep that part quiet. Instead, this Republican Senate Leader brags about his sedition efforts. Does he think it makes him look like a swell? Anyway, I’m guessing he’s raking in campaign contributions from the people he’s deceived, so that part is working for him.
Sen. McConnell is many things, but he’s nobody’s hero
Update [2021-05-24]: I changed the featured image because my first choice was too close to a prior article. Unfortunately, every picture of Mitch McConnell looks about the same. He doesn't have many expressions beyond "constipated."
