First off, listed below are the Republican congressional leaders who voted towards democracy on Jan. 6 based mostly on nothing aside from Trump’s fantastical delusions: Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who’s main the Senate GOP’s marketing campaign arm; Home Minority Chief Kevin McCarthy of California; his high 2 deputies, Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York and Steve Scalise of Louisiana.
Each one in every of these supposed “leaders” of the U.S. authorities needs to be made to reply for his or her votes, notably now that no proof has emerged to assist Trump’s claims. Actually, simply the other: The physique of proof exhibiting that Trump tried to manufacture proof with a purpose to steal the election has solely grown.
Alternatives to re-up these questions will come up on the fly. Earlier this week, as an example, Sen. Scott took a cheap shot at President Joe Biden, questioning his psychological health for workplace following his resolution to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
This bought me serious about how mentally match a pro-seditionist is for workplace and, if I had the possibility, what I would ask Scott if I noticed him wandering the halls of Congress in non-recess instances.
On the coronary heart of the matter is whether or not Republicans who voted to overturn the need of the individuals with no proof to again their claims are match to take part in governing a democracy. The pure offspring of that query is whether or not a celebration led by seditionists is match to take part in democracy.
A standard query for reporters to ask somebody like Scott—who has been working to painting the Senate GOP caucus as mainstream—is whether or not he regrets his vote to overturn the election.
However I feel there’s a greater approach to ask that query: “Sen. Scott, just lately you questioned President Biden’s health for workplace. You voted to overturn the 2020 election based mostly on no credible proof. Since then, none has emerged. Do you query your individual health for workplace?”
If he says, “No” or laughs it off, then he is suggesting that he has no regrets about making an attempt to overturn a free and honest election based mostly on nothing however sheer fantasy. The follow-up—”Do you continue to assist democracy?”—probably results in a back-and-forth on whether or not making an attempt to overturn the election is defensible in any manner given the circumstances. Or perhaps Scott runs, will get visibly flustered, or turns his again. Any of these responses clarify that his vote is now indefensible amongst mainstream Individuals, even when it is a scorching vendor with Trump cultists.
However actually, there are a number of classes of GOP lawmakers who needs to be made to reply these questions repeatedly, notably because the midterms warmth up and primaries grow to be an element.
First is the management crew. Scott’s making an attempt to mainstream his caucus with a purpose to enchantment to swing votes whereas McCarthy’s making an attempt to radicalize his with a purpose to win over the GOP fringes. Scott’s personal Jan. 6 vote runs counter to his mission and that needs to be made completely obvious to Individuals. As for McCarthy, he’ll most probably gladly defend his vote and extra average members of his caucus needs to be made to reply for it.
This brings me to the following class: Republicans working for reelection. On the Senate aspect, GOP senators resembling Marco Rubio of Florida or Chuck Grassley of Iowa may pay a worth for Scott’s try and overthrow democracy, and they need to each be requested about his extremism.
Rubio’s in a political pickle in Florida and one potential Grassley opponent is already opening up alternatives to query the patriotism of Republicans. “For the reason that Capitol was attacked, [Republicans] turned their backs on democracy, and on us,” Abby Finkenauer, a former congresswoman who’s working to unseat Grassley, charged in her announcement video.
On the Home aspect, just about each Republican defending a toss-up seat ought to need to reply elementary questions on their dedication to defending the need of the individuals. Although their districts may change after redistricting, proper now that features the next GOP members:
- Scott Perry, PA-10
- Steve Chabot, OH-01
- Jeff Van Drew, NJ-02
- Jim Hagedorn, MN-01
- Mike Garcia, CA-25
- David Schweikert, AZ-06
The best query to ask any of those members is whether or not they would assist a seditionist for Speaker of the Home (i.e. McCarthy). However no Republican is extra primed for scrutiny on his dedication to democracy than Rep. Schweikert, who represents components of Maricopa County—floor zero for Trump’s Large Lie. Relating to the fraudit, does he aspect with the GOP-led Maricopa County board, which has openly mocked it, or state senate Republicans who’ve likely cost taxpayers millions to return up empty-handed?
The ultimate group of Republicans who should clarify whether or not they assist sedition or not is GOP candidates working to unseat Democrats. Within the decrease chamber, GOP hopefuls can merely be requested whether or not they assist the baseless sedition vote given that there’s zero proof to assist it and, subsequently, if they might vote for pro-seditionist McCarthy for speaker. Republicans working for the U.S. Senate needs to be requested whether or not they assist overturning the need of the individuals based mostly on a fantasy. In different phrases, do they assist fascism or democracy?
Earlier than they forged their ballots, voters should know the place Republicans stand on the elemental questions of whether or not they assist the American democracy that 147 sitting GOP members betrayed on Jan. 6. It is fertile materials for reporters who’ve even an oz. of entrepreneurial spirit and journalistic chops—to not point out the truth that it might be performing a civic service to the neighborhood. Simply consider it because the patriotism beat.
