The Line in the Sand

Dear Hakeem,

As you approach the midterms, as you approach what you hope will be a stupendous personal triumph — becoming Speaker of the House, third in the line of succession, leader of the most important branch of government of the most important country in the world — I have a question.

What’s the point? I assume, Hakeem, that among your ambitions is to make the country you love a little bit better during your time in office. Do you have a plan for how to do that? Would you like to give us voters a hint? I try to pay attention to such things, and I honestly don’t know what your intentions are.

I fear you intend to impeach Trump for the third time. As with the two prior efforts, the chances of a Senate conviction are nil, so the effort would be pure political theater. It is hard to articulate a more ridiculous waste of time than a failed impeachment effort against a term-limited lame duck President.

The alternative to political theater would be to actually try to govern. Actually try to pass legislation to improve the country you and I both love. To do that, however, the Democrats you lead would have to unite around some idea other than Trump hatred. I don’t see that happening. Do you, Hakeem?

Hakeem, here are two political clichés that sound like principled politicians working together professionally for the good of the country: they entail practicing "big tent politics” and “coalition building.” Here are a couple of other clichés that sound a tad negative: “making a deal with the devil” and “useful idiot.”

Hakeem, I believe you when you tell me that you, personally, want to build coalitions and preside over a big tent. I do not question your good faith.

What I question is your judgment. Faust, and all who have made Faustian bargains, made their bargains in good faith and with noble intentions. The point of the story is that such noble intentions never prevent ignoble outcomes. Hakeem, every member of the DSA is more loyal to the DSA than they are to (1) the Democratic Party, (2) the Constitution, and (3) the USA. Each and every DSA member hates you as a leader. They hold you in disgust. They view you as a useful idiot at best.

Hakeem, antisemitism is not just bad in and of itself. It’s a tell. I know that you know that a Palestinian woman living in “apartheid” Israel enjoys more civil and political rights and privileges than any Palestinian woman living anywhere else in the Middle East. I know that you know that “Free Palestine” is a call for the ethnic cleansing of the Middle East of all Jews. I know that you know that asserting that “Zionism is Racism” is itself racism.

The members of your party who hate you, Hakeem, have their own tent and the thing that unites them is antisemitism. They will insist, Hakeem, that you tolerate their antisemitism as the price of leadership. That is the line in the sand, Hakeem. If you cross it, you lose your soul.

If you cross it, you agree to try and convince all of America to tolerate antisemitism. That is ugly, Hakeem. That is really, really ugly. You will, of course, fail. When it comes to America, you will be on the wrong side of history (and decency).

This letter is addressed to you, Hakeem, but the line in the sand awaits every Democrat. Many generations ago, your party faced a line in the sand regarding slavery. They failed that test, and the consequences were horrific. Becoming Speaker is a great honor, Hakeem. Don’t acquire it by selling your soul. Don’t cross the line.

G-Pub