The Sound of Silence

The Washington Post asked every Congressional Republican three basic questions last week. Who won the election? Do you support or oppose Donald Trump’s continuing efforts to claim victory? If Joe Biden wins a majority in the Electoral College, will you accept him as the legitimately elected President of the United States? North Dakota’s entire delegation refused to answer these basic questions.

Their continued silence and apparent fear of acknowledging reality speak volumes. Career politicians lacking the fortitude to take basic stands and lead. In doing so, they are enabling the demise of our democracy’s integrity. It is the same democracy each of them has relied on repeatedly to gain positions of power and the riches that come with the title.

It is unclear what they’re afraid of. There is very little any of them can do that will jeopardize their next reliance of the very democracy they’re letting be attacked. Is it the fear of a Trump tweet? Are they worried they’d win their reelection by 60% instead of 65%? Or, are their campaigns getting a piece of the over $200 million raised from the RNC and Trump campaigns by continuing to allow the domestic attack on our election?

Perhaps to them, selfish political calculation is paramount to upholding the integrity of our fragile institutions. Armstrong has disappeared from public view. Senators Cramer and Hoeven dipped their toes into reality by urging the beginning of the transition to a “likely” Biden administration. Folks, it is time to dive in. The truth is nice and it may allow you to hold eye contact a little longer while looking in the mirror.

It is one thing to disagree and debate policy. It is vitally important those debates hinge on a shared truth, fact, and reality. But, this public denialism is different. It isn’t about policy. It is about the foundation of self governance. They know better. They just don’t seem to care about the harm being done.