As we enter a holiday season built on the aspirational desire for universal good will, I find myself looking to address something that’s been on my mind for a long time.
I think the most misunderstood thing about the McCarthy saga is that the Senate’s sanction was his ending. What started off as a meaningful sanction withered under pressure and ended up quite mild, a small slap on the wrist. McCarthy and his allies were actually in the process of using that that retreat into a triumph. Fortunately his alcoholism and concomitant poor health put an end to him and crippled his movement. His popularity did not really wane. At least that is the way Rachel Maddow tells it in her podcast on McCarthy Ultra 2. I think the Trump analogy is apt here, his popularity is amazingly sticky despite his terrible policies and his despicable behavior. We can only hope is “movement” does not survive him. Like MacCarthy, there does not appear to be an obvious heir.
Love the Murrow quote, Matt, and the callback to this substack name!!
Even without a moral leader, each of us can serve as an ambassador for kindness and decency by engaging in simple acts every day.
Pay kindness forward. It’s rewarding for everyone.
I think the most misunderstood thing about the McCarthy saga is that the Senate’s sanction was his ending. What started off as a meaningful sanction withered under pressure and ended up quite mild, a small slap on the wrist. McCarthy and his allies were actually in the process of using that that retreat into a triumph. Fortunately his alcoholism and concomitant poor health put an end to him and crippled his movement. His popularity did not really wane. At least that is the way Rachel Maddow tells it in her podcast on McCarthy Ultra 2. I think the Trump analogy is apt here, his popularity is amazingly sticky despite his terrible policies and his despicable behavior. We can only hope is “movement” does not survive him. Like MacCarthy, there does not appear to be an obvious heir.
Wonderful post, Matt! I'm going to restack it on my FB (and Bluesky?) pages.