Last month, I had the privilege of sitting down with Ira Shapiro, author of "The Betrayal," to discuss one of the most polarising figures in contemporary American politics: Senator Mitch McConnell, a man who is not liked on either the left or the right. Our conversation shed light on McConnell's political manoeuvres while being the Republican leader in the Senate, offering a perspective on his enduring impact on the U.S. political landscape.
While neither Ira Shapiro nor I consider ourselves fans of McConnell, our discussion revealed an undeniable admiration for his political acumen. McConnell's strategic prowess and his ability to navigate the labyrinthine processes of the Senate are nothing short of remarkable. His sheer effectiveness in blocking Obama and Democratic legislation has broken with the historic more consensual style of politics in the Senate.
Our conversation ventured into McConnell's facilitation of the Trump administration's judicial appointments, 2016 was a pivotal in many ways. McConnell's dislike of Trump is no secret, but his accommodation of Trump from 2017 to 2021 underlines McConnell's significant yet controversial place in American history.
Despite being an institutionalist, McConnell has presided over a period during which the Senate has lost esteem in the eyes of the public. The increasing polarisation and the perceived erosion of bipartisan cooperation under his leadership have contributed to a growing disillusionment with the political process among many Americans.
Ira was keen to expose McConnell's impact on campaign finance reform and how his actions in this arena have had lasting repercussions on the role of money in politics. This, too, is a testament to his enduring influence, albeit one that has sparked significant debate and concern.
Whether McConnell is stepping down because of age or ill health, only he will know, but the tension between his political acumen and the broader consequences of his leadership and the standing of the Senate will have lasting consequences.
I encourage you to read Ira Shapiro's "The Betrayal" to gain a deeper understanding of McConnell's political journey and its implications for American democracy. Whether you admire, disdain, or are simply curious about McConnell, this book provides a thorough and compelling exploration of his career. Pick up your copy, and let's continue this critical dialogue with the benefit of even more context and analysis.
Quotes
"I have a sneaking admiration for Mitch McConnell. I think he is that Machiavellian master of the dark arts of parliamentary procedure. And there is something, even though I dislike every one of his policies, I admire him for that."
"My problem is that Senator McConnell has functioned totally as a partisan. Our system is a little different and complicated because it requires some degree of minority cooperation."
"He tarnished and diminished the Obama presidency through his obstruction. He made the Trump presidency through his ramming through of the Supreme Court nominees after blocking Merrick Garland's nomination."
"The first and continuing work of McConnell has been to maximize the power of money in politics, and he was very successful at it."
Mitch McConnell Legacy and Controversy - Ira Shapiro