Political braveness — the concept that you need to rise up and do the suitable factor, even when nobody else will — is a lot part of the American excellent that it has develop into a standard film plot.
In “Twelve Angry Men,” Henry Fonda is the lone jury vote in favor of acquittal in a homicide case. His dedication to do the suitable factor regardless of the hostility he faces finally convinces his fellow jurors to maneuver over to his facet.
And within the basic “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” an idealistic Jimmy Stewart takes on the powers that be from the ground of the U.S. Senate, dramatically collapsing after a day-long filibuster as he takes a stand towards entrenched political corruption.
That’s why the embarrassed silence that has greeted former Rep. Liz Cheney’s endorsement of Kamala Harris is so disheartening.
That is the a part of the film the place different outstanding Republicans of character are supposed to face up and say, “She’s proper. I can’t preserve silent. Donald Trump is a menace to our democracy and America’s place on this planet.”
As an alternative, we get JD Vance, doing leap scares about Hatians eating pets in Ohio.
Nonetheless, Liz Cheney isn’t distinctive. Whereas solely a handful of outstanding Republicans have matched her by endorsing Harris, together with former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Unwell.) and former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, numerous less-famous Republicans have been equally brave in defending the republic from their very own occasion’s presidential nominee.
Again in 2020, Aaron Van Langevelde, the Republican co-chair of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers, confronted monumental strain to not certify the election outcomes for Joe Biden. He resisted that strain and gave us maybe probably the most dignified soundbite in American historical past. “As John Adams as soon as stated, ‘We’re a authorities of legal guidelines, not of males.’ This board wants to stick to that precept right here immediately. This board should do its half to uphold the rule of legislation and adjust to our authorized obligation to certify this election.”
It value him his job, simply as speaking up against Trump value Liz Cheney her job. However I doubt both regrets the choice.
Cheney and Van Langevelde took a public stand and put nation earlier than occasion at a time once they had actual pores and skin within the sport. Not everyone seems to be as courageous and as selfless as they’re, and I perceive that some individuals will fail the take a look at. What actually puzzles me are the individuals who can freely converse their minds with out consequence however don’t.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney has spoken up and endorsed Harris as a result of Trump is “a menace to our republic.” You’ll be able to say numerous issues about Dick Cheney, however actually nobody can name him a liberal or a squish. If Dick Cheney has taken a public stand towards Donald Trump, any Republican can.
So when he endorsed Harris, there was numerous hypothesis that former President George W. Bush would endorse, too.
That may have an actual impression on the race. As a former Republican president, his endorsement would weigh closely with old-school Reagan Republicans. And regardless of Trump’s takeover of the occasion equipment, there are nonetheless numerous these Republicans round. Nikki Haley bought hundreds of thousands of votes in swing states like Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia even after she dropped out of the race final 12 months. That is greater than sufficient to ship these states to Harris and cease Trump from regaining the presidency.
Bush, nevertheless, is seemingly above such petty considerations. As an alternative of creating an endorsement, his workplace merely said that “President Bush retired from presidential politics years in the past.”
Nevertheless it doesn’t work that means. When your nation calls, you may’t simply roll it over to voicemail since you don’t wish to take care of it, particularly when you’re an elder statesman like an ex-president. Patriotism is for all times.
Simply ask former President Carter, who has been in hospice now for over a year. Carter, who turns 100 on Oct. 1, isn’t fascinated by his birthday. As a result of Georgia is a swing state and each vote counts, he says he’s “solely attempting to make it to vote for Kamala Harris.”
Sure, that’s appropriate — the person’s solely remaining want is to make use of his dying breath to assist defend American democracy, by voting. I used to be by no means a giant fan of Carter’s presidency, but when that sort of devotion to obligation doesn’t each disgrace you and encourage you, you’ve lived a way more righteous life than I’ve.
And the way does Bush stack up as compared? Not nice. Regardless of his lofty disdain for “presidential politics,” he’s comfortable to reap the perks by attending presidential occasions and hobnobbing with Michelle Obama. He’s additionally comfortable to make use of his standing as an elder statesman to supply the sitting president recommendation as long as he can plug his new book on the identical time. He’ll even turn up at your company occasion or bar mitzvah and inform you about “the challenges going through our nation within the twenty first century” in the event you pay him sufficient.
A smart president once said, “Terrorist assaults can shake the foundations of our largest buildings, however they can not contact the muse of America.” When one thing does threaten these foundations, we can’t stand idly by. In the event you consider that Donald Trump is a menace to our republic, then you definately owe America your trustworthy opinion, whether or not you’re a member of a state canvassing board, a former Cupboard secretary, or an ex-president.
Simply this as soon as, put your emotions apart, wave your talking charge, and do what you already know is true.
Chris Truax is an appellate lawyer who served as Southern California chair for John McCain’s main marketing campaign in 2008.
