The impeachment process, culminating in the charade version of a trial in which the Senate “acquitted” President Donald J. Trump, has passed to history. Now the question of his fate, and of ours as a nation in crisis, is to be determined by the people. More immediately, on March 3, Vermont will have an opportunity, if we are bold enough to seize it, to have an impact well beyond its size to express disapproval of Trump’s performance as president during these tumultuous past three years. Nothing can say it more forcefully than a vote for William Weld in the Republican primary.
Who is Bill Weld? An honors graduate of Harvard College and its law school. An economics scholar at Oxford. A former federal prosecutor in Boston and Washington who focused on public corruption. His outstanding achievement? Massachusetts twice elected him its governor. This Republican won the support of an overwhelmingly Democratic Legislature to cut taxes, balance the budget and dramatically change attitudes to create a favorable climate for business and economic development. Instead of fomenting antagonism, he cultivated the opposing party’s cooperation. Through understanding the give and take of politics and treating people with decency and respect, he was able to advance the good of all.
Vermonters who happily voted for Deane Davis, Richard Snelling, Jim Douglas and Phil Scott will recognize in Bill Weld a familiar mode of governing. Like them, he believes strongly in the traditional Republican values of fiscal restraint, moderation and conciliation. He exemplifies the virtues we teach our children: modesty, sincerity, decency, honesty, thoughtfulness and consideration for others. Aren’t these the qualities we wish to associate with our party instead of the name-calling, lying, vulgarity, deceit and arrogance that now pour unrelentingly from the White House?
Though Vermont’s presidential primary is democratic in the participation it allows, it is undemocratic in that it will not directly elect a single delegate to either party’s convention. Delegates are chosen by a party’s apparatus; the primary itself is what is known as a “beauty contest” — only a means of showing voter sentiment.
Should that dissuade voters from going to the polls? On the contrary — especially for Republicans.
Trumpists may control the party’s organization, but ultimately all political leaders pay attention to popular will, and a strong showing for Weld would temper the alarming shift to the angry right that threatens the health of the two-party system. In reality, Trump’s victory in his primary is virtually certain, and the expected landslide will be met by a few seconds of attention by the national news media.
But, given Trump’s disproportionate advantage entering the election, if Weld were to win up to 10%, or even 20%, it would be a major story, not only heartening traditional Republicans but also providing an alternative should Trump continue his descent into ever more outrageous autocratic behavior.
Democrats (and independents) should be aware that Vermont permits any voter to request a Republican ballot in this primary (which involves no future commitment). The press will ignore a win by the state’s junior senator, Bernie Sanders, as a foregone conclusion; in contrast, every vote for Weld maximizes its impact on the fall election.
The major issue in this election is how best to rid us of the scourge of Trump. Regardless of your party preference, a ballot for Weld would have the greatest weight. Gov. Phil Scott, recognizing that fact, has endorsed Weld. For the sake of an honorable future for the GOP and restoration of what has made us proud to be Americans, I urge Vermont voters to follow the wisdom of his lead.
John MacGovern, of Windsor, is active in the Weld campaign and serves as finance chair of the Windsor County Republicans.