The call for Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the United States Senate, to step down from his post has only become louder in recent weeks. While many view McConnell as an obstructionist to progress, there are certain aspects of his leadership that shouldn’t be dismissed just yet.
McConnell has held his position as Senate Majority Leader since 2007, providing Congress with an experienced voice of reason on a wide array of issues from healthcare to immigration. Though at first, many wrote McConnell off as a hardened political veteran, one willing to do whatever it took to advance a conservative agenda, he has again and again surprised his opponents.
In 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold President Donald Trump’s travel ban from select countries, McConnell’s influence in the process was undeniable. He may have encouraged and defended the legislation but he also affirmed the Republican Senate’s commitment to upholding the law of the land.
Moreover, when it came to the historical tax cuts of 2017, McConnell pushed for bipartisanship and actually reached across the aisle to garner support for the bill. As a Republican, he could have easily stuck to his guns and guided the legislation through without any Democratic support.
But this is the aspect of Mitch McConnell’s leadership that deserves some reverence. His unwillingness to completely ignore the opposition and work alongside Democrats for the betterment of the nation cannot be overstated.
In that regard, McConnell should, at the very least, be credited for his refusal to solely operate under the auspices of the Republican party. His recognition of the importance of compromise should be applauded — even by those who oppose his views.
So, while many have called for McConnell’s ouster, this moment does not necessarily shout for his immediate departure. Through an objective lens, it is required that we take the time to consider all that McConnell has done in the name of leadership before hastily jumping to conclusions.