John David Dyche, a political commentator, and lawyer, recently found himself in an unusual situation when a national media outlet asked him to write an advanced obituary for Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, intended for publication after McConnell’s passing, as Newsweek reported on January 31, 2024. However, Dyche chose a different path, opting to pen a biting critique of McConnell’s tenure, which he submitted for publication in The Lexington Herald-Leader, McConnell’s local newspaper, while expressing a hope that the Senator would read and reflect upon it.
Dyche’s commentary begins with an acknowledgment of his past support for McConnell, noting a significant shift in his views around 2016 with the rise of Donald Trump to political prominence. This period marked a turning point for many, Dyche included, who found themselves reevaluating their political stances in light of the changing dynamics within the Republican Party.
This introspection led Dyche to openly regret his previous support for Republicans who, in his view, compromised their conservative ideals to support or cooperate with Trump, whom Dyche sees as a figure fundamentally opposed to the principles of true conservatism. In a candid expression of his sentiments in the Kentucky Lantern, Dyche apologized for his earlier support, highlighting his disillusionment with the party’s direction under Trump’s influence.
Given this backdrop, Dyche felt compelled to forgo the traditional approach of drafting a posthumous obituary for McConnell. Instead, he sought to voice his critique while McConnell is still active in politics, resulting in a forthright editorial piece.
Despite Dyche’s acknowledgment of McConnell’s political savvy and his contributions over the years, his critique takes a sharp turn as he delves into McConnell’s response to Trump’s ascendancy and the MAGA movement. Dyche argues that McConnell, initially dismissive of Trump’s chances against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, found himself recalibrating his strategy following Trump’s victory, seeking to use the new president to further his political objectives.
However, Dyche views McConnell’s subsequent collaboration with Trump as deeply problematic, characterizing it as an amoral, transactional alliance that contributed to the normalization of Trump’s controversial leadership style. He lambasts McConnell for this partnership, suggesting it represented a departure from principled conservatism to a form of “cruel, proto-fascist, venal, and vulgar demagoguery.”
Dyche warns of the lasting damage this alliance could inflict on American constitutional democracy, positing that McConnell’s actions in collaboration with Trump could have severe and enduring consequences for the nation.
Through his op-ed in The Lexington Herald-Leader, Dyche articulates his concerns regarding the long-term implications of McConnell’s political maneuvers, especially in the context of his relationship with Trump. The piece serves as a reflection on the internal conflicts and moral dilemmas faced by conservatives in an era dominated by divisive political figures, highlighting the complexities and challenges of maintaining ideological integrity in a rapidly evolving political landscape.
