From the well of the Senate, two profiles in courage emerged. Two senators -- one a Republican, the other a Democrat -- dug into their consciences and announced, at potentially great personal cost, that they would endure whatever wrath may come and do what in their hearts they know is right: vote to convict the president.
Senators Mitt Romney of Utah, a Republican, and Doug Jones of Alabama, a Democrat, do not possess enough power to change the preordained outcome of the vote. But their decision to pay the price of doing the right thing -- the onslaught of a president and his party, and a backlash from voters, respectively -- is a balm for a traumatized nation. This deeply divided country, where partisanship and self-interest seem to be sweeping away principles and patriotism, is still home to at least two men of integrity.
Romney's decision came as a surprise, and it means that for the first time in US history, senators from both parties have voted to remove the president from office, even if they could not persuade enough of their colleagues to make it happen.
Romney is defying a party solidly aligned behind a vindictive president. He recently revealed that he has spoken to his family about this vote, because he knows his wife, children, even grandchildren will feel the blowback. Already, Trump's son Don Jr. has called for his expulsion from the GOP.
That makes Romney's decision all the more remarkable. Speaking in the Senate, he explained his decision in moving moral, ethical and patriotic terms. He paused to regain his composure, saying, "I take an oath before God as enormously consequential."
Judging the President, he said, was "the most difficult decision I ever faced." But the judgment of history weighed heavily. He faced his responsibility with modesty and gravity. "I will only be one name among many, no more, no less, to future generations who look at the record of this trial." After examining that record, he found that "what the President did was wrong, grievously wrong."
Romney was implacable in his judgment of a president who, "asked a foreign government to investigate a political rival," then "withheld funds from that government to press it to do so," and did it for personal political gain. He called it "an appalling abuse of public trust," reaching a devastating conclusion, "corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one's oath of office that I can imagine."
Romney is a conservative and said he agrees with much of what Trump has done, "but my promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and political biases aside."
It was as much an indictment of the President as an unspoken judgment of his Republican colleagues, who excused, denied and minimized the President's behavior. Some, like Sen. Susan Collins, Lamar Alexander and Lisa Murkowski, acknowledged the President acted improperly, but refused to do anything about it. Most others wouldn't even allow a real trial, blocking witnesses and then disingenuously claiming there was insufficient testimony to convict.
The decision to convict was no less wrenching for Sen. Jones, who admitted to spending many sleepless nights before making his decision.
Jones may be a Democrat, but he comes from Alabama, where Trump approaches demigod status and has his highest statewide approval rating. Jones faces a tough reelection campaign this year. His decision all but drives a nail in his political coffin. In fact, a PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell mockingly announced Jones' "impending retirement from politics."
But like Romney, Jones' own conscience stood in the way of political expediency. In announcing his vote, he quoted from Robert Kennedy: "Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues. ... Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence." But, it is "an essential quality for those who seek to change the world."
Standing before a Congress where many Republicans reportedly say they are "disgusted and exhausted" with Trump's behavior, Jones added, "country before party, is a rare commodity these days."
Jones found his courage listening to the case against Trump, hearing the president's own words. What stood out most starkly for him, he said, was the President, saying, "under the Constitution, we have Article 2 and I can do anything I want." That, he said, explains the President's actions toward Ukraine and toward Congress. In a statement, Jones said he was "deeply troubled," but Trump's lawyers calling for "virtually unchecked presidential power."
In the end, he saw, "a picture of a president who has placed his personal interest above the interest of the nation, and in so doing threatened our national security..."
Listening to the Alabama senator, I commented on Twitter that his was an example of a profile in courage. Then I heard him, almost as if replying, that some will "look at what I'm doing today and say it is a profile in courage." He corrected me. "It is not. It is simply a matter of right and wrong. And doing right is not a courageous act."
I disagree. An ethical core and stubborn integrity, are the rocket fuel of courage.
Both Romney and Jones were modest in their bravery, bracing for what comes next. But it is not they but many of their colleagues who should lower their gaze. The bravery of two members of Congress underscores the cowardice of so many others.
Philosophers have noted that our choices determine who we are. Our acts define us. With their integrity, Romney and Jones defined themselves for future generations. Americans can take solace, knowing partisanship and political self-interest have not completely destroyed patriotism. Sadly, in today's Senate, the principled politicians remain a minority.
"Opinion" - Google News
February 06, 2020 at 09:08AM
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Mitt Romney and Doug Jones' profiles in courage - CNN
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