To our colleagues in this great enterprise
We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of Christian women dedicated to promoting ethical governance and committed to civility and peacemaking. Over the past few weeks, we have observed our members — from all political persuasions — mourn together as the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings brought to the forefront of our minds the individual and collective trauma women face because of the prevalence of sexual assault in our society.
As difficult and demoralizing as it has been to see political leaders and partisan operatives mock this pain as insincere or insignificant, it has been equally disheartening to see the vitriol, fractiousness, and toxic partisanship undermine our institutions and communities. These two patterns have wounded both individual citizens and our collective government. We are grateful to the handful of senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee who had the courage to take a political risk last week and work together to intervene, but we need more.
As Senators review the FBI report that will reportedly never be revealed to the public, it seems clear Senator Jeff Flake’s words from last week will remain true — “there is as much doubt as certainty” when it comes to Judge Kavanaugh. There is also significant anger. Polling indicates that a plurality of the population has reasonable concerns about Kavanaugh’s character and judgment. This will follow Kavanaugh throughout his lifetime appointment; it will color perceptions of his rulings and be a breeding ground for disaffection.
But what if there were another way? What if senators from both sides of the aisle were able to come together and recommend to the President a different conservative Supreme Court nominee who could be confirmed quickly and with broad consensus? What if the Senate could help restore the public’s faith in our most sacred governmental institutions — both Congress and the Supreme Court — by choosing not to participate in further politicizing the court? What if, instead of a nominee chosen specifically to satisfy a particular partisan agenda, the Senate were to confirm someone specifically chosen for his or her superior judgment, steady temperament, unquestionable character, rare humility, and unqualified devotion to the rule of law?
In fact, there are many well-qualified candidates for this position on the Supreme Court whose confirmation would better preserve the legitimacy of the court itself. What good might come if the Senate proceeded not only with the aim of a win for one party or another, but also a win for the American people? Isn’t it worth at least an attempt to bridge the chasm that divides us?
Judge Thomas B. Griffith of the DC Circuit Court of Appeals stated in a Constitution Day Forum at Brigham Young University, “Disagreement is critical to the well-being of our nation. But we must carry on our arguments with the realization that those with whom we disagree are not our enemies; rather, they are our colleagues in a great enterprise. When we respect each other enough to respond carefully to argument, we are filling roles necessary in a republic.”
As engaged and hopeful citizens who are committed to overcoming political divisiveness through intentionally creating peace, one interaction at a time, we plead with you to please extend a hand across the aisle for the greater good of our nation. We will actively support any Senator who makes efforts to bridge this great partisan divide, and we will continue to encourage our fellow citizens to support peacemakers in the voting booth.
With prayers and well wishes,
Mormon Women for Ethical Government
