One cheer each for New York Times columnist David Leonhardt’s praise for the whistleblower and for his praise for Marie Yovanovich, Alexander Vindman, Bill Taylor, and George Kent in his November 18 column. He contrasts their behavior, their willingness to risk their careers, to risk vilification, to risk accusations of partisanship. He praises them for their courage and their integrity, their willingness to speak the truth despite danger.
Leonhardt contrasts these witnesses with two men who, in their effort to preserve their reputation for being non-partisan, endangered that reputation.
James Comey did not prosecute Hillary Clinton for her use of her private email account. Fearing Republican criticism, he announced that decision and violated Justice Department policy by criticizing her for recklessness. In an effort to appear non-partisan, he may have swayed the election.
Robert Mueller didn’t violate any policies. He read his charge as narrowly as possible. Nevertheless, Leonhardt says,“ Mueller understood that clearly laying out his conclusions would subject him to vicious criticism as a partisan.” Avoiding a charge of partisanship, he got no thanks from Trump or the Republicans. He wasn’t seen as non-partisan, just weak.
So…five cheers for genuine non-partisanship and a couple of razzberries for seeking the appearance of non-partisanship. Plus one more cheer for doing partisanship the right way. Leonhardt praises Adam Schiff for running the hearings fairly.
Like the non-partisanship of Vindman, Taylor, Kent, and Yovanovich, courage and integrity in the face of vilification is powerful. The same is true for the partisanship of Adam Schiff and the whistleblower. We should honor them all for their courage and their integrity.