From: Rick Scalf
Columbus
It is a sad commentary that when the experts were speculating which, if any, GOP Senators would stand up for the Constitutional separation of powers and the principle of our being a nation of laws, the names of Todd Young or Mike Braun were never even considered.
Their excuses for abandoning their sworn duty fully demonstrate why.
Mike Braun’s position for his Senate votes on impeachment were that "hopefully" the impeachment process was "instructive," and that President Trump would behave himself in the future. There was, of course, nothing in the president’s past behavior to suggest the likelihood of such a thing and his actions in the few short days since the Republicans let him off the hook. It has no doubt been an embarrassment for the senator.
Todd Young’s position is even more ridiculous. Having voted to refuse to allow the house mangers to present their witness or evidence, he then audaciously levels criticism at them for the sufficiency of their case. That bears repeating. After refusing to allow those prosecuting the case against President Trump to present witness with first-hand knowledge of the facts and documents to substantiate their changes, he then attempts to shift the blame for his acquittal vote to the prosecutors themselves.
It is important to note that neither senator defends President Trump’s actions nor denies that what he did was wrong.
How could they?
As we go forward, it will be important for us to remember every time the lawless president commits another unlawful or indecent act, our senators were among those who placed their own political fortunes ahead of the courage to fulfill the obligations of their office.
Indiana and America deserve better.
