And it appears the GOP has walked right into the Speaker’s trap: as the resolution affirming the impeachment inquiry passes 232 (232 Democrats, 0 Republicans) to 196 (194 Republicans, 2 Democrats), with 4 not voting (3 Republicans, 1 Democrat).
You’ll hear a lot about polarization from third party analysts and about the allegedly illicit nature of the inquiry from the Republicans.
But here’s what it really comes down to:
The Republicans lack the natural patriotism required to protect the Republic.
Real patriots and leaders would have voted for the inquiry resolution, because that’s all it is. It’s not an impeachment vote. Much like the Merrick Garland debacle, the Republicans don’t even want to deal with the issue, despite the multiple offenses, alleged by the Democrats and the Special Counsel and the White House officials now giving depositions. They don’t want to even have the opportunity to affirm the innocence of their leader, despite all the evidence, just as they didn’t want to have to vote against Judge Garland, who came with recommendations from Republicans.
This absurd, absolutist loyalty to such a damaged and abusive President is the end result of the toxic team politics. This post becomes more applicable than ever to the terrible error of absolute and unending loyalty to the party and all of its apparatchiks.
And, in that sense, I suppose the Republicans never really had a chance with Pelosi holding the whip. She knew what they would do, and set the pitfall accordingly. Now she need only persuade the independent segment of the electorate that this does, indeed, constitute pure anti-patriotism.
