It's so bad, it's almost comical at this point—almost. As Senate Republicans suddenly try to distance themselves from the monster in the White House who just might doom their majority, it's impossible to forget just how much harm these elected lawmakers have visited upon our country.
But that's not going to stop them from trying to gaslight the country two weeks before an election that could end their grip on power and, for some, even their political careers. GOP whip and South Dakota Sen. John Thune, who isn't up for reelection, is suddenly concerned about Donald Trump's attacks on the free press, as well as his tirades against infectious disease experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci trying to slow the spread of the pandemic.
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"Stay away from personal attacks. Quit attacking the media. Quit attacking Fauci and focus on issues," Sen. Thune told CNN. Gee, those critiques could have been useful months, if not years, earlier. But they were nowhere to be found as Senate Republicans dodged reporters and spent more time claiming they hadn't seen the news of Trump's latest abomination than they did actually legislating.
But if you want some insights into what really concerns sitting Republicans fighting for their political lives, it's Trump's horrific handling of the coronavirus. Not only did Trump downplay the lethality of the pandemic from the get-go, he has actually gone to war with the scientists in his own administration, most recently attacking Dr. Fauci as a "disaster"—on a campaign call, no less.
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who recently tested positive for coronavirus and is now trailing his Democratic rival Cal Cunningham by just a few points, took Fauci's side in the debate.
"I got a lot of confidence in Dr. Fauci," Tillis said.
GOP Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, who typically keeps a low profile and is also fighting off a tough challenge from Democrat Steve Bullock, telegraphed his support for Fauci without mentioning either him or Trump. "We're seeing huge spikes in Montana right now," Daines said when asked about Trump's broadside on Fauci. "We need to stay focused now in stopping this pandemic."
Even the ever-obsequious GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina sided with Fauci, offering, "I think in terms of Dr. Fauci, I trust his judgment."
Oh, and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas has suddenly found his voice, telling the editorial board of a local Texas paper that he's been voicing his opposition to many of Trump's positions but behind closed doors, where no one could see it—privately, as he says.
A lot of good that did. Anyone notice Trump making that pivot to being a competent, ethical, and law-abiding public servant? Nope.
And that's exactly because of episodes like this one, recounted by CNN.
After Trump's rocky performance at last month's presidential debate, Cornyn was speaking to two reporters about a range of topics. But when asked about Trump's refusal at the debate to disavow white supremacists, Cornyn abruptly ended the back-and-forth.
"I'm done. See ya later," Cornyn said as he walked through the halls of the Russell Senate Office Building.
What a profile in courage.
