To Burn or Not To Burn

 Mike Murphy, in a New York Times editorial, argues that a slim Republican majority in the Senate would enable the Republican party to negotiate with a Biden presidency and rebuild itself, post-Trump. He says, without this, that the normally bipartisan Biden would be pulled by the Democratic left-wing, and the Republicans motivated to continue their policy of general obstruction.

 

I'd buy it if the Republicans had attempted anything other than obstruction, in or out of power, in the last twelve years. Senate rules make obstruction too easy for the party in power. The Republicans gained a Supreme Court seat by simply refusing to consider any appointments for almost a year. What's to stop them from refusing to make any Supreme Court appointment for four years?

 

Sorry. I'd like to see Republicans show an effort at governing before I'll trust them again. They can do this from the minority. Particularly with an energized Democratic left wing. Moderate Republicans interested in getting things done could easily peel off one or two Democrats in a 1-vote Democratic majority. A radical House would have a hard time explaining their refusal to compromise with a bipartisan, moderate Senate. A bipartisan, moderate Senate would empower bipartisan Biden. But life in the minority would prevent Republicans from scorched-earth, winner-take-all, obstruction. They could moderate, or they could complain helplessly from the sidelines. A Republican majority, on the other hand, would invite a continuation of their politics of paralysis.

Whether Republicans keep their Senate majority or not, I don't expect them to start compromising. Scorched-earth tactics have been too successful for them. Their refusal to pass a corona-virus relief package in July shows that they have not learned from the Trump melt-down. It would have been so easy for Mitch McConnell to forge an alliance of moderate Democrats and Republicans to force a compromise on the House, this was must-pass legislation. He didn't pass it. 

 

No deal, Mike Murphy. Republicans need to prove an interest in governing before they deserve power again. They betrayed the American people. Frankly, I think the party should dissolve. That may be easier than persuading people to trust them with government again.