The Republicans of Oz 

Just before her demise in the “Wizard of Oz,” the Wicked Witch of the West ordered her henchmen to pursue and capture Dorothy as she tried to escape from the witch’s castle. The chase ended when the witch melted after being doused with water. Ironically, her henchmen then unanimously declared “Hail Dorothy, the Wicked Witch is Dead.”

Sound familiar? The warm relationship between many Republican office holders and Donald Trump seems to be similarly melting as he is doused by prosecutors in multiple court cases. His Don Quixote effort to reclaim the presidency is now challenged by a growing list of candidates who claim independence from him to take a longshot at the presidency, vice presidency or some cabinet position. Other Republican office holders subtly distance themselves from unwavering support for Trump due to his mounting legal problems and his incessant harsh rhetoric against any detractor. Wary of alienating his remaining constituency, they hesitate to voice wholesale disapproval of Trump, since polls continue to show him with a wide lead over all challengers. History shows, however, that polls (17) months before an election typically reflect name recognition more than dedicated support of a candidate.

Realistically, Trump fatigue is becoming more than a minor concern for Republicans. His constant insulting of all prosecutors and critics with the same is beginning to wear thin and distancing now seems to be slowly emerging on a bipartisan basis. His henchmen haven’t issued an emphatic rejection but few are making further visits to Mar-a-Lago.

Like the Oz henchmen, Republicans are finally beginning to accept that Trump is a liability for democracy and their political survival. Although it is too soon for them to express categorically and bipartisan cooperation may still be a distant goal on many fronts, there appears to be a consensus emerging that we can and should do better.

Eventually, when an outright rejection of Trump is provided by reluctant Republicans, it may reflect the thoughts, if not the inspiration, of Martin Luther King Jr. over 50 years ago in a different time and place: “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, we are free at last.”

Steven E. Kramer is a Greenfield native who lives in Mashpee.

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