Opinion | The Power and Influence of Mitch McConnell


To the Editor:

While it is encouraging to see Michael Bloomberg planning to spend heavily to defeat President Trump in Florida, he should also spend whatever is needed to defeat Mitch McConnell in Kentucky. Even if Joe Biden wins the presidency, should Mr. McConnell remain in office, whether as minority or majority leader, Mr. Biden’s best efforts will most certainly be frustrated and confounded in every possible way by the country’s chief obstructionist.

Mr. McConnell’s stonewalling of President Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland and his refusal to allow witnesses to appear in the Senate impeachment hearings were inexcusable. Since then his blind support of Mr. Trump’s mishandling of the pandemic is unconscionable.

Mr. McConnell has proved to be a far greater threat to our democracy than Donald Trump. The nation’s voters will deal with Mr. Trump, but only the citizens of Kentucky can rid the nation of Mitch McConnell. Please, Mr. Bloomberg, we need all the help you can provide.

Richard Dirksen
Lexington, Ky.

To the Editor:

Can we please stop scapegoating Senator Mitch McConnell, blaming him for the myriad transgressions committed by the Senate under his leadership? The position of majority leader is not a lifetime appointment, nor is his word law. His position is dependent on the continued support of his fellow Republican senators, which he receives seemingly without question.

Each and every Republican senator is responsible for Mr. McConnell’s conduct. Making him the arch-villain only serves to obscure the complete culpability of his Republican colleagues.

Jonathan Spitz
Westfield, N.J.

To the Editor:

Re “Who Counts More in New York?,” by Cynthia Nixon (Op-Ed, Sept. 16):

Shock and sadness overwhelm me learning of inexcusable inequity in Covid precautions taken on the set of a TV program Ms. Nixon is involved with versus the lack of such precautions in the New York City public schools, attended by her son. Denying safe education to these children because of underfunding and incompetent preparation is a disgrace to citizens everywhere.

To operate a public school system in this manner, without adequate concern for children’s and teachers’ safety, leaves me deeply ashamed of my native city.

Joyce Adams
Portland, Ore.



Source link