Magician McConnell’s Sleight of Hand Leaves The Front Door Wide Open To Extremists*
A Vote, after all, counts the same, regardless of who casts it
If you think Mitch McConnell recently developed a conscience when he ‘denounced’ antisemitism and white supremacy, think again. It was pure political calculation.
Trump’s endorsements of extreme candidates failed to carry the GOP to prodigious midterm victories, suggesting his message and influence may be in decline. Had Trump candidates succeeded, however, and the much anticipated red tsunami swept the country, McConnell’s answer to questions about Trump’s dining with renowned antisemites and white supremacists would have been similar to non-responses he gave when previously asked about Trump’s prolific racist comments, tweets, and tropes: “I think we’re better off to talk about the policies of our adversaries.”
Because their votes are necessary for the GOP to gain and hold power, antisemites, white supremacists, and a host of other aligned extremists, in McConnell’s expert political assessment, are welcome — if not encouraged — to stay or join. After saying there’s “no room in the Republican Party for antisemitism or white supremacy,” the Minority Leader refused to say whether he’d vote for Trump if he’s the Republican nominee in 2024.