Sometimes politicians show us exactly what they stand for. American history is resplendent with leaders who demonstrated principled national service. Recently, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell revealed that he operates from the flip side of principled leadership.

At a campaign luncheon, Senator McConnell was asked what he would do should a Supreme Court justice die in the last year of President Trump’s term. McConnell answered with a smirk, “I would fill it.” His answer exposed McConnell as a brazenly unprincipled scoundrel whose sole aim is power.

Remember when Justice Scalia died in the final year of Obama’s term, McConnell announced he would block hearings on any Obama nominee. McConnell insisted his position was based on principle. The people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice and any appointment must wait until after the election, he contended.

Now, McConnell has dropped his façade of principled action to flaunt his successful power grab. McConnell could just as well said, “Ya’all knew it was a scam, but it worked, so I’m cool.” Shattering important norms that hold our nation together is evidently an inconsequential cost of power.

McConnell realized his comments would expose his blatant lack of principles. He did not care. McConnell believes he and his new Republican Party will never pay a price for the damage they are doing. In 2020 we must prove McConnell wrong. Each of us must vote to restore our nation’s integrity and leadership expectations.

Debra Hogenson

Waseca, MN