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Representatives Liz Cheney (L) and Adam Kinzinger listen during a select committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol, December 1.
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drew anger/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
Polls suggest the GOP is in a remarkably good position for the November election, but never underestimate the party’s ability to blow it up. The Republican National Committee on Friday censured Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, citing their roles in the House investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The RNC pledged to “immediately cease all support for them”.
This kind of ritual cleansing is bad policy. Republicans should be talking about President Biden’s $5 trillion spending plan, 7% inflation, and Americans still trying to flee Afghanistan. Now the media is singing because the RNC says Ms. Cheney and Mr. Kinzinger’s role in the Jan. 6 inquiry amounts to “the persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.”
Republicans don’t have to agree with everything — or anything — the House committee does on Jan. 6, and we think that was a mistake on the president’s part.
to reject the nominations proposed by GOP leader Kevin McCarthy. But Republicans shouldn’t come within 10 miles of the Capitol’s riot defense. What can be gained from the RNC’s leniency for President Trump’s vendettas?
Mr. Kinzinger is retiring from Congress not seeking re-election. Republicans may think Ms Cheney is over the top in her focus on Jan. 6. But she also has a conservative record in Congress, and either way, her political fate will be decided by the people of Wyoming in a few months. Either she’s on her way out or she’ll win Wyoming’s support.
Not all Republicans agree with Ms. Cheney and Mr. Kinzinger, but some do. Similarly, not all Democrats agree with the senses. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, but some are. When political parties try to purge non-crazy dissenters, the result is that they become smaller. A GOP that really wants to take Congress in November would have better things to do.
Potomac Watch: Instead of pausing to reflect on last year’s disgraceful riot on Capitol Hill, the Democratic Party used the one-year anniversary as an opportunity to advance its voting rights agenda. Images: Getty Images Composition: Mark Kelly
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Appeared in the print edition of February 5, 2022.
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