A Healthy Democracy Should Reward Tough Calls

There may be no better indicator of a democracy's health than how it treats courage from elected officials, especially in times of crisis.

Take the case of New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell. She prioritized public health and safety at every turn of the COVID-19 pandemic, often in the face of intense opposition. It's encouraging to see the mayor's leadership rewarded in the form of broad voter approval as she approaches her re-election this fall. New Orleanians have watched Mayor Cantrell operate in a crisis; they have seen her make tough calls with limited information. They value the leadership and character that make those tough calls possible.

Consider as a counterpoint Liz Cheney, ousted by her peers from a Republican leadership role in the House of Representatives. Republicans tossed her aside for voting to impeach President Trump for the January 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection – and then having the nerve to talk about that vote. We will be watching her re-election with a keen eye, hoping Wyoming voters reward her tough call and leadership. Her defeat would suggest courage doesn't have the currency it should in American politics.