General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWe are former senators. The Senate has long stood in defense of democracy -- and must again.
Letter published in WAPO
Dear Senate colleagues,
As former members of the U.S. Senate, Democrats and Republicans, it is our shared view that we are entering a dangerous period, and we feel an obligation to speak up about serious challenges to the rule of law, the Constitution, our governing institutions and our national security.
We are on the eve of the conclusion of special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation and the Houses commencement of investigations of the president and his administration. The likely convergence of these two events will occur at a time when simmering regional conflicts and global power confrontations continue to threaten our security, economy and geopolitical stability.
It is a time, like other critical junctures in our history, when our nation must engage at every level with strategic precision and the hand of both the president and the Senate.
We are at an inflection point in which the foundational principles of our democracy and our national security interests are at stake, and the rule of law and the ability of our institutions to function freely and independently must be upheld.
During our service in the Senate, at times we were allies and at other times opponents, but never enemies. We all took an oath swearing allegiance to the Constitution. Whatever united or divided us, we did not veer from our unwavering and shared commitment to placing our country, democracy and national interest above all else.
At other critical moments in our history, when constitutional crises have threatened our foundations, it has been the Senate that has stood in defense of our democracy. Today is once again such a time.
Regardless of party affiliation, ideological leanings or geography, as former members of this great body, we urge current and future senators to be steadfast and zealous guardians of our democracy by ensuring that partisanship or self-interest not replace national interest.
Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Bill Bradley (D-N.J.), Richard Bryan (D-Nev.), Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.), Max Cleland (D-Ga.), William Cohen (R-Maine), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Al DAmato (R-N.Y.), John C. Danforth (R-Mo.), Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), David Durenberger (R-Minn.), Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), Wyche Fowler (D-Ga.), Bob Graham (D-Fla.), Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Gary Hart (D-Colo.), Bennett Johnston (D-La.), Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Paul Kirk (D-Mass.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), Larry Pressler (R-S.D.), David Pryor (D-Ark.), Don Riegle (D-Mich.), Chuck Robb (D-Va.), Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Jim Sasser (D-Tenn.), Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), John W. Warner (R-Va.), Lowell Weicker (I-Conn.), Tim Wirth (D-Colo.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-are-former-senators-the-senate-has-long-stood-in-defense-of-democracy--and-must-again/2018/12/10/3adfbdea-fca1-11e8-ad40-cdfd0e0dd65a_story.html?utm_term=.93173850fdf0&wpisrc=al_trending_now__alert-politics--alert-national&wpmk=1
Never seen anything like this before.
DURHAM D
(32,610 posts)Also, a little surprised that Kay Hagan NC did not sign.
boston bean
(36,221 posts)to all former senators.
gopiscrap
(23,761 posts)Just a Weirdo
(488 posts)He's still a fucking turncoat, and still won't forgive him.
honest.abe
(8,678 posts)Freethinker65
(10,022 posts)They will let the country die to protect Trump and their own asses
milestogo
(16,829 posts)They are rotten to the core.
Beakybird
(3,333 posts)He must be in a public stall pondering.
JI7
(89,250 posts)lindysalsagal
(20,692 posts)Too little, too late.
boston bean
(36,221 posts)JI7
(89,250 posts)Cartoonist
(7,317 posts)we urge current and future senators to be steadfast and zealous guardians of our democracy
_
Well whoop de do
boston bean
(36,221 posts)The public is being braced for what is to come. I think it was meant for that more than for the repugs who are magats.
watoos
(7,142 posts)there were 11 Republicans who signed that letter, that's a message to the current Senators.
Every little crack helps, the tide is starting to turn.
Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)Probably not.
watoos
(7,142 posts)is going to say about how many rubles the NRA gave to him.
mcar
(42,333 posts)Current Senate Rs should hang their heads in shame that it's come to this.
shanny
(6,709 posts)RainCaster
(10,878 posts)Like others, I am doubtful that our current senate will even understand what "do the right thing" means. Corruption runs so deep in the GOP that they would go down with Komrade BoneSpurs.
hibbing
(10,098 posts)Martin Eden
(12,869 posts)Impeachment?
watoos
(7,142 posts)impeachment followed by a Pence pardon puts Trump above the law.
Lawrence Tribe was just on Lawrence O'Donnell explaining why the founders felt a sitting president can be indicted.
lindysalsagal
(20,692 posts)ffr
(22,670 posts)he'd sway back in line with his constitutional duty.
What the heck am I talking about. The guy is just pure evil.
watoos
(7,142 posts)that the Russians gave to the NRA. Funny how the NRA only gave Romney 11 million. Funny how they gave Trump/GOP 30 million when they are crying they are going bankrupt.
I hope Butina spills her guts, if she does she will definitely have to go into the witness protection program. Sending her back to Russia would be a death sentence.
NBachers
(17,110 posts)A few exceptions; obvious enough to not be mentioned.
tblue37
(65,377 posts)RainCaster
(10,878 posts)This was so wishy-washy. I was disappointed that the wording wasn't more clear. History will judge them.
burrowowl
(17,641 posts)DoctorJoJo
(1,134 posts)boston bean
(36,221 posts)AlexSFCA
(6,137 posts)lunasun
(21,646 posts)But better late than never to speak out I guess .
Plus have they checked out the R congress critters because who are they talking to
that is listening ?
KPN
(15,646 posts)This is weak. Its a war.
Cha
(297,253 posts)those former Senators!
Thank You, bean!
Azathoth
(4,609 posts)Many of them either endorsed a Democrat or were appointed to posts in Democratic administrations, and all of them are marginalized/excommunicated from mainstream Republican politics.
There's no "battle for the soul of the GOP", no influential, respected party figures trying to pull the party out of the lunatic asylum. The GOP is now a lockstep crime syndicate in the service of Donald Trump.