OPINION:
The eight-day odyssey that was the nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general demonstrated with emphasis a few lessons about how Washington and the larger world tend to work.
There are limits to everything. No matter how much cash, power, influence, momentum, etc., one may have, some things will remain beyond one’s reach.
In the judgment of most people, there is a big difference between not being convicted and being innocent. To borrow from Robert Bolt, courts must construe according to the law, but the world construes according to its wits. In other words, pretty much everyone makes decisions about guilt or innocence without reference to rules of evidence or the presumption of innocence.
A person’s first instinct is not always the best one, especially if it is informed by emotions rather than judgment. Many times, one’s second choice — made in the coolness of consideration — turns out to be the better answer, even if it is painful to recognize that at the time.
In this instance, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is a sharp lawyer who should be easily confirmed and would be a tremendous asset to the Trump administration.
For most people, the most precious resource is time. Presidents-elect, especially in their second term, are no different. Time spent on one thing, such as indulging one’s warranted and understandable desire for revenge, cannot be spent on another thing.
Most of us need to think carefully and prudently about what we need to do and then what we would like to do. In these considerations, the ever-diminishing resource that is time is the most important consideration.
As Gen. Douglas MacArthur noted (in referring to slightly more pressing circumstances): “The history of the failure of war can almost be summed up in two words: too late.”
With respect to the folkways of Washington, the episode was an abject lesson in how the Senate works. No Republican senator opposed Mr. Gaetz openly. Few even raised concerns openly. Nevertheless, through a variety of nonpublic pathways and public statements featuring the usual senatorial linguistic misdirection, the senatorial tribe made it clear that the confirmation process for Mr. Gaetz would be lengthy and messy and ultimately lead us right to where we wound up anyway.
So, with respect to the Senate, this whole story worked out well. They got what they wanted — what senators almost always want — which is, of course, avoidance of direct conflict with anyone, but especially with a president of their own party.
The president-elect got what he needed — a chance to remake a decision made in haste and an opportunity to make a much better one in repose.
Mr. Gaetz also got what he needed — a foil and an origin story for his almost-certain campaign to be the next the governor of Florida. He is also probably going to have the opportunity to be a senior adviser somewhere in the administration.
That, of course, is the last lesson. In the long run, things usually wind up for the best, or, if you prefer, as God intends. Both of those destinations are the same, and all of us — you, me, President-elect Donald Trump, Mr. Gaetz, even senators — are ultimately heading toward the same destination as we run out of our time here.
• Michael McKenna is a contributing editor at The Washington Times.
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