The George W. Bush Presidential Center recently organized all other presidential libraries (except Dwight D. Eisenhower’s) to sign on to a letter calling for civil debate. The letter proclaimed, “Debate and disagreement are central features in a healthy democracy. Civility and respect in political discourse, whether in an election year or otherwise, are essential.”
The letter continued: “Americans have a strong interest in supporting democratic movements and respect for human rights around the world because free societies elsewhere contribute to our own security and prosperity here at home. But that interest is undermined when others see our own house in disarray.” And it ended with a bland plea for elected officials to “lead by example and govern effectively in ways that deliver for the American people” and for others to “engage in civil dialogue; respect democratic institutions and rights; uphold safe, secure, and accessible elections; and contribute to local, state, or national improvement.”
Really? Is civility the greatest problem? And, if so, isn’t the problem almost entirely of one party — the one playing footsie with racists and antisemites, demonizing law enforcement and cheering violence? Based on this letter, you would never know that a majority of one party still refuses to recognize the winner of the 2020 election, stands behind the alleged instigator of a coup and peddles in conspiracy theories.
Frankly, the letter does more harm than good in trying to recast the threat to truth, democracy and the rule of law that the MAGA movement poses as one of generic divisiveness, a concern so diffuse and amorphous as to conceal Republicans’ responsibility for sabotaging democracy. It reminds me of calls for persecuted people or invaded countries to “stop the cycle of violence” or “exercise restraint.”
The George W. Bush Presidential Center recently orchestrated a remarkable collaboration among all other presidential libraries (with the exception of Dwight D. Eisenhower) in an endeavor to encourage civil debate. Their joint proclamation emphasizes that lively discourse and dissent are integral elements of a thriving democracy. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of civility and respect in political discussions, both during an election year and outside of it. These qualities are crucial for maintaining a healthy political climate.
The letter goes on to highlight the significance of supporting democratic movements and human rights around the globe, as free societies abroad contribute to our own security and prosperity at home. However, this interest is compromised when our own nation appears to be in disarray. The letter concludes with a call for elected officials to lead by example and govern effectively for the benefit of the American people. It also urges others to engage in civil dialogue, respect democratic institutions and rights, uphold secure and accessible elections, and actively contribute to local, state, or national improvement.
But is civility truly the greatest problem? And if so, is the problem primarily confined to one party? The letter fails to acknowledge that a majority of one party continues to deny the outcome of the 2020 election, supports the alleged instigator of a coup, and promotes conspiracy theories. Therefore, it is evident that the letter does more harm than good by obscuring the true threat to truth, democracy, and the rule of law posed by the MAGA movement. It attempts to package this threat as mere divisiveness, a vague concern that conceals the Republicans’ responsibility for undermining democracy. This strategy is reminiscent of calls for persecuted individuals or invaded countries to “end the cycle of violence” or “exercise restraint.”
The letter’s attempt to normalize MAGA Republicans, portray the two parties as morally equivalent, create false shortcomings for Democrats, and downplay the Republicans’ deficits (such as their unwavering support for a dangerous leader) is deeply troubling. It reflects a failure among those entrusted with truth-telling and the defense of our democratic institutions.
Perhaps the Republican presidential libraries are beholden to right-wing donors to such an extent that they are unable to meet the bare minimum requirements: denouncing election denial, disavowing the weaponization of Congress to obstruct investigations into the former president, demanding both parties commit to accepting the outcome of the 2024 election, and unequivocally stating that the four-times indicted former president who betrayed his oath should never hold office again. As institutions dedicated to preserving history and educating the public, these libraries should also reject efforts to ban books and censor history.
These demands are not partisan; they are simply statements of fact and support for the rule of law. Yet it appears that the Republican libraries can only muster a vague and generic call for civility. This is a disappointing regression for the George W. Bush library, which previously issued an excellent statement condemning the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, as a “sickening and heartbreaking sight.” The library criticized the reckless behavior of certain political leaders post-election and held accountable those who fueled the mob with falsehoods and false hopes. The statement also acknowledged the potential damage the insurrection could inflict upon our nation and reputation.
Given that former president Donald Trump is now seeking a return to power, attacking the courts and Justice Department, and vowing vengeance against his enemies, the Bush and other libraries’ decision to overlook the greatest threat to democracy is deeply troubling. A joint statement at President Biden’s inauguration from former presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton explicitly conveyed their rejection of the insurrection. This unusual gathering was intended to demonstrate that certain issues transcend politics. As Bush stated, “The fact that the three of us are standing here talking about a peaceful transfer of power speaks to the institutional integrity of our country.”
The recent letter not only falls short of this standard; it perpetuates the moral ambiguity surrounding the defense of democracy. It represents a step backward from previous instances where presidents from both parties rose to the occasion to safeguard the rule of law and democracy. The failure to acknowledge that the danger has not subsided and that one party has embraced the very individual who repudiated the peaceful transfer of power should be deeply concerning.
We need more honesty and courage from individuals who know better, as demonstrated by Senator Mitt Romney’s commendable actions last week. Feigned civility is insufficient; we require clarity. The libraries should make another attempt at a letter that unites voters from both parties in permanently rejecting those who enabled violence on January 6 and continue to propagate lies about the 2020 election.
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