After President Donald Trump's shameful performance in Helsinki on Monday, a few Republican members of Congress mumbled acknowledgment that Russia did in fact interfere with America's elections. So, kudos on stating the obvious. But most of the GOP still seems genetically incapable of voicing the strong rebuke that Trump so clearly needs to hear.
Trump's news conference with Russian leader Vladimir Putin was, even by Trumpian standards, astounding. Asked about U.S. intelligence conclusions that Russia meddled in America's 2016 election, Trump countered with the ironclad argument that Putin personally told him it's not true.
"I have great confidence in my intelligence people," Trump said, "but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today." Understand: This isn't like lying about crowd size. This is a whole new realm, in which the nation's security and international stature hang in the balance.
A few prominent Republicans appear to understand that. Sen. John McCain, known as the "conscience of the Senate," was quick to issue a blistering statement, labeling Trump's performance as "disgraceful." He didn't wait for a backroom caucus meeting where GOP leaders could concoct a face-saving response.
Most congressional Republicans, however, have stuck to their stilted caucus-room script. House Speaker Paul Ryan: "There is no question that Russia interfered in our election. ... The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally."
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell: "The Russians are not our friends, and I entirely believe the assessment of our intelligence community."
Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.: "There is no doubt Russia attempted to interfere in our elections. ... We must make clear that we will not tolerate Russian aggression against the United States or our allies."
Notice anything missing from these statements? How about a single utterance of the words "President Trump," followed by justifiably angry condemnation of the damage to America that he inflicted from that Helsinki podium?
From the start, congressional Republicans — covetous of tax cuts and judicial appointments, and terrified of their own base — have moved the goal posts of unacceptable behavior for Trump to the point that the end zone is somewhere out in the parking lot.
Brag about sexual assault? Okay. Cage migrant children? Fine. Pay off a porn star and lie to the country about it? Sure. At what point do Republicans stand up to Trump and refuse to work with him unless he starts defending the party's core values? The party of Lincoln, Eisenhower and Reagan doesn't understand what its own core values are anymore.
Trump tried hard to tidy up his language on Tuesday, but the truth is etched in history: The president of the United States stood next to a dangerous foreign adversary and took his side over America's. There's a word for that. And it isn't any of the tepid words we've heard so far from most of our elected Republicans.
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