In the weeds.
Mitt Romney’s decision to break rank and become the lone Republican senator to vote to convict the president of abuse of power was an act of courage. In a week filled with political disappointments that ranged from Iowa’s bungled Democratic caucus to Donald Trump’s gloating and triumphant reaction to his acquittal, Romney’s words will be what I remember.
.
His speech is about honor and humility, about belief in God and country, about principles over political gain. I urge you to listen to its entirety.
“What (President Donald Trump) did was not perfect. No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security, and our fundamental values. 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. …
My promise before God to apply impartial justice requires that I put personal feelings and political biases aside. Were I to ignore the evidence that has been presented, and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end, it would, I fear, expose my character to history’s rebuke and the censure of my own conscience.”
Alone.
- Romney’s speech to vote to convict.
- His constituents respond.
- A vote that should be more than an historical footnote.
- Some Republicans share his view that the president abused the power of his office for personal and political gain.
- The attacks from family, party, and fellow citizen begin.
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