Republicans are upset with Biden’s speech as a result of they know he is telling the reality

On Thursday night, President Biden stepped outside of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall to deliver a compelling, heartfelt and absolutely necessary speech in which he addressed the greatest threat America has faced since at least the end of the Cold War: Ascension of fascism within our own borders. This threat has already sparked violence in cities across the country and a massive attack on the US Capitol in an attempt to assassinate members of Congress and overthrow the government. At this very moment, they are being driven by a movement to undermine and destroy democracy by openly attacking the mechanics of the elections.

The threat is real, and the danger is with candidates for county, state, and federal office, who have all agreed that, to paraphrase what Biden said before Independence Hall, there are only two outcomes in an election: You win or you go to war. Russia is not a major threat to the US China is not a major threat.

There are reasons Sen. Lindsey Graham (“Trump is racist, xenophobic, religious fanatic”) now rushes to defend him, calling on Biden to “stop lecturing.”

Why Sen. Ted Cruz (“Trump is a pathological liar who is utterly amoral”) is yelling at Biden for being “divisive” and “slandering” Trump supporters.

Why Rep. Kevin McCarthy (“Trump’s behavior is cruel and utterly wrong”) felt compelled to anticipate Biden’s speech and say that Biden was “attacking the soul of the nation.”

Biden delivered a speech defending democracy, the sanctity of free and fair elections, and the need to fight the forces pulling the nation toward fascism. And Republicans feel compelled to attack that speech. Not because they have them zeal of the converts, but because they have already yielded. Already bowed. They have already sold their souls for a “profit” that turned out to be meaner and more expensive than they ever imagined.

Now they have to act like they’re kind of the good guys, even though their leader says out there that on occasion he’ll pardon the people who put up scaffolding on the Capitol lawn. They must find a way to claim they are the real Americans, even as they work to wipe out democracy.

“You see MAGA’s failure to stop a peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election in preparation for the 2022 and 2024 elections,” Biden said in his speech. “This time they are determined to successfully thwart the will of the people.”

Not only is that true, it’s not even something they’re hiding. From Arizona to Pennsylvania, this is the theme of Republican campaigns.

“They don’t view the mob that stormed the United States Capitol on January 6 and brutally attacked law enforcement as insurgents who put a dagger at our democracy’s throat, they view them as patriots,” Biden said. Not only are the Republicans defending these insurgents, but several of the Republican candidates are these insurgents. The list includes gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, who underscored his disdain for America by wearing a Confederate uniform, not in a distant time of youthful confusion but as an instructor at the US War College just eight years ago. Mastriano is a white supremacist, racist, anti-Semitic traitor. He is also Donald Trump’s recommended candidate.

That’s them. They defend that. That’s why all the people who saw the truth about Trump five years ago are squirming in their seats and uncomfortable under their bright red hats.

Republicans are furious for embracing the darkness, and Biden is holding up a light. Not only are they on the wrong side of history and decency, they know it.