This is what McConnell tweeted yesterday. Lofty words about consent and comity, but the real McConnell shines through in the words “scorched-earth, nightmare, I guarantee it.”
It is a direct threat, it is the language of the right, it is same tactic used by trump and his enablers — lie, deceive, change the rules, bend the law, intimidate, terrorize and bring in the mob when necessary.
Manchin, Sinema, Tester, Coons, Feinstein and Angus King — this is a threat especially against you. Let this threat be a wake-up call for all of you. Let’s not allow McConnell’s threats to guide your actions in the next two years.
Here are some angry responses, many pointing out the way McConnell has run roughshod over Senate rules for the past 12 years.
Ain't this the truth about republicans?
Most of you will agree that McConnell cannot be trusted with anything. Even if we agree to all of McConnell’s terms, he will still use scorched earth tactics. Let’s not call republicans hypocrites — they are far worse; they are unprincipled, ruthless and will do anything, including colluding with our enemies and sending in the frenzied mob, to cling to their ill-gotten power.
McConnell is a crafty conniver and it’s time we took matters in our own hands, now that we have the majority, and move the country forward. Let’s not expect any goodwill from republicans, let’s not expect them to meet halfway or even a tenth of the way in any negotiation - even Obama learnt it the hard way. The GOP is a minority party — let’s keep them that way.
One could argue that this is a desperate tweet from a desperate demagogue who knows he has lost the power in the Senate and perhaps the tweet is intended to mollify his rabid base. Who cares. Let’s hope this galvanizes Democrats in Congress to do whatever it takes to further our platform. Let’s send our sentiments of our congressional reps. Let them know that they need to go bold and that we have their back. When the need arises, kill the filibuster. Meanwhile, let’s work to improve our majority in 2022.