America's downward spiral in political rhetoric includes labeling people and political figures with various names. For unknown reasons, the 'Moscow Mitch' label applied to Senate majority leader McConnell has set him off. He claims he has been called a Russian asset, unpatriotic, unAmerican, etc. as well, which is probably true. This ~3½ minute video discusses the origin of the label as coming from former republican congressman Joe Scarborough on MSNBC's Morning Joe show. McConnell blames left wing media for the outrageous label, and finds it deplorable that political rhetoric has sunk to such a low level.
This 5½ minute video shows the some of the public in Kentucky as not being happy with McConnell, calling him Moscow Mitch.
A local newspaper in Kentucky reported that McConnell, touts "his record reshaping the federal judiciary and how he "saved the Supreme Court for a generation" by blocking President Barack Obama's pick in 2016. He bragged about his reputation as the "Grim Reaper" for killing the progressive measures coming out of the Democratic-controlled House." That kind of rhetoric sounds rather in-your-face, so maybe it is not surprising that he is being targeted by harsh rhetoric. What goes around sometimes comes back around.
The Los Angeles Times commented: "Last month the Democratic-controlled House approved the Securing America’s Federal Elections (SAFE) Act, which requires that states use “individual, durable, voter-verified” paper ballots” during federal elections. The House also has appropriated an additional $600 million in aid to the states to enhance election security, a recognition that more federal assistance is needed to help update archaic election systems.
But the Republican majority in the Senate continues to block action on the SAFE Act and other legislation inspired by Russia’s interference, including proposals to require candidates to report offers of information from foreign countries."
It would seem that there is nothing wrong or partisan about congress trying to defend elections and requiring candidates to report offers of information from foreign countries, which is something the Trump campaign refused to do in 2016. Presumably, Trump will again refuse to do that if the Russians or anyone else offers to help his campaign in the 2020 elections, legal or not.
Given McConnell's actions and rhetoric in the Senate, or more precisely, his open pride in being the Grim Reaper, are labels such as Moscow Mitch unfair? Does it matter that, by his silence, McConnell condones name calling, including racist comments, by some populists, GOP politicians and especially Trump? Is the name calling more socially harmful than helpful? Under current political circumstances, is there another, less emotional, path for American politics to follow? Or, is this rancor and hate the only plausible way forward at present?
B&B orig: 8/4/19
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