Republican Illumination

Quote of the day:
“Problems will always torment us, because all important problems are insoluble: that is why they are important. The good comes from the continuing struggle to try and solve them, not from the vain hope of their solution.”
--Arthur Schlesinger

CNN sponsored the debate among the Republican presidential candidates on Tuesday night. Viewership was low. This is too bad, not because it’s important to learn about the candidates at this very early date, but because the program was both oddly illuminating and entertaining.

The record of the current administration and Republican leadership in Congress wouldn’t exactly lead you to turn to the GOP for illumination. Yet this unexpectedness made it all the more interesting.

One such moment came when Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee responded to a question about abortion. He articulately, authentically and concisely laid out the case for supporting a “culture of life.” He said we must do more to care for and support all human life, especially children and older people in poor or compromised circumstances. Even though I disagree with his position on abortion, I admired him for making this clear and heartfelt statement.

Another moment was also illuminating because of its unexpected genuineness. It came just after various candidates had finished pelting each other about how high and thick to build the wall to keep all nasty immigrants out. (This is evidently the extent of the immigration debate among some Republicans.)

When the dust had settled from this, John McCain stood up and said in his low-key way that immigrants had always been the strength of this country, and that they will continue to be. He said that we should focus on supporting immigrants, not just limiting or regulating them.

Imagine that. A suggestion that we approach an issue reasonably rather than with fear. And during a Republican debate. I’d call that a moment of unexpected refreshment.

Most of the rest of the debate was made up of posturing, bloviating and grasping for far-right-wing votes. (Repeat after me: “I’m more conservative than you!”) This was so obvious that it became entertaining.