One of
the most historic moments in United States history occurred this month on February
5th 2020. That is when the impeachment trial of Donald Trump occurred
in the Senate. What made this impeachment trial historic was when a Republican
voted to convict a member of his own party, the first time this has ever occurred
in history. Mitt Romney, of Utah, voted to convict Trump on Article 1 of
Impeachment. Most people might assume this would be the equivalent of political
suicide considering how polarized the country and parties have become. But, as it
turns, that has not been the case amongst Romney’s constituents. Romney said, “As
a senator-juror, I swore an oath, before God, to exercise 'impartial justice.'
I am a profoundly religious person. I take an oath before God as enormously
consequential,” Do the voters belief Mitt’s reasoning for his actions? That
data seems to show so.
According to polling,
nearly 50% of Utahns Approved of Romney’s vote. Voters who identified
themselves as Christian (including Mormon) disapproved his vote 49%-43%, while
non-Christians approved 75%-18%. A Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics
poll released Tuesday found that 49% of Utah voters had a positive response to
Romney's vote (21% proud, 13% pleased and 14% encouraged). Forty percent had
negative reactions (22% disappointed, 11% embarrassed and 8% angry). Romney does
not have much to be concerned about when it comes to re-election. He won’t be
up again until 2024, and the political landscape will be completely different.
He most definitely won over some love from independent/democratic Utah voters,
and seems to be half and half with Utah Republicans.
Romney set himself apart from the rest of the Republicans and
Democrats by following his conscience instead of party lines. It appears hat
Utah voters whether they agreed with him or not, valued that more than voting
with party lines. Romney’s heart felt testimony was a courageous move on the
Senate floor of a man speaking with conviction and morals. In an interview, Romney
stated that this was the toughest decision he has ever made in his public life.
When he saw the evidence, he knew how he was going to vote and knew the
backlash that the President and Republicans would have towards him and his
family, and that the President would never forgive him for it. From his speech,
Romney stated “The Constitution is at the foundation of our republic's success
and we each strive not to lose sight of our promise to defend it. The
Constitution established the vehicle of impeachment that has occupied both
houses of our Congress these many days. We have labored to faithfully execute
our responsibilities to it. We have arrived at different judgments, but I hope
we respect each other's good faith. The allegations made in the articles of impeachment
are very serious. As a senator juror, I swore an oath before God to exercise
impartial justice.”
Senator Romney’s case seems genuine and honest. He has a
strong conviction to his heart and wants to do the right thing. His reasoning
was that the President asked a foreign government to investigate his political rival.
Romney could not deny the charges. He plead for witnesses in hoping he could
find evidence that would change his mind, but to no avail. Overall, Romney’s
showing of complete non-partisan conviction won the appreciation of those who
disagreed with his decision but believed in him. May this be an example for
Senators and Congressmen going forward.
Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/romney-vilified-d-c-vote-convict-trump-finds-respect-support-n1133106
https://www.ksl.com/article/46720124/utah-gop-lawmakers-honor-trump-in-wake-of-romneys-vote-to-convict-in-impeachment
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