Spineless and Shameless

2.5.20

To the editors:

Senator Robert Portman (NYT, 2.5.20) will not be spared history's judgement by simply rationalizing his decision to oppose removing President Trump from office.  He may ease his own conscience by stating that what the President did was wrong but he, along with other Republicans, has abdicated his responsibility to put country before party. As Senator Patrick Moynihan famously said: 'Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.'

What are the facts? The majority of Americans favored calling witnesses to get at the truth. President Trump continues to believe his behavior was perfect.  The proceedings in the House were hampered by the President's lack of cooperation and contempt for the process.This is the same political party that believed a President's lying about sexual misconduct warranted removal from office.

What is my opinion?  The lack of bipartisan support was evidence, not of a weak case, but of the sad state of affairs of the Republican Party.  President Trump had it right when he said during his campaign that his supporters would be fine with his shooting someone on Fifth Avenue.  I didn't realize at the time he could be referring to members of Congress.

Respectfully,

Larry S. Sandberg