The recent election results in the United States have seen Mitch McConnell remain as Senate majority leader but, as many have observed, his legacy within politics is far from secure. His presence in Congress has been an issue of contention for both sides of the aisle and the lack of a defined legacy is one that brings with it a certain amount of uncertainty.
As the leader of a party that is often seen as too conservative, McConnell’s tactics in Congress have been viewed as out-of-touch and insular. From his refusal to work with Democratic leadership and his hard-line behavior on healthcare reform to his questionable support of President Donald Trump and his indifference to his critics, McConnell has become a symbol of the old way of doing politics.
Not surprisingly, this has left many wondering where McConnell will be remembered in historical terms. At this moment he stands both for the resistance to change, and the hope of it; the hope that a new generation of political leadership can begin to shape the direction of the US government.
Despite McConnell’s unpopularity with some, his commitment to the conservative agenda has resulted in significant legislative accomplishments during his career, such as the confirmation of ultra-conservative justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, and the repeal of Obamacare’s individual mandate. Yet, these successes have not been enough for McConnell to escape the perception that he is out-of-touch with the American people.
McConnell’s legacy has yet to be decisively shaped, and it will be up to a new generation of lawmakers to decide if he will be remembered for representing a new era of conservatism or the last gasp of a soon-to-be-forgotten political order. Although McConnell may not be the most beloved political figure, he has nevertheless completed his job as Senate majority leader with grace and dignity, and he will be remembered for his uncompromising dedication to his party’s ideals, whether we like it or not.