Dear Reader,

Spectators of any athletic contest naturally comment on the performances of the players, often with tartness and sometimes even with strong emotion. Just consider the matchup between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open this week. Or the recent Super Bowl pitting quarterback Tom Brady against Patrick Mahomes. It’s only natural for fans to focus on the skills of the athletes. It’s a game. That’s the point. Outside of serious injury, there are no profound stakes beyond a ring or a trophy or pride. Or an advertising contract.

Now think about the fourth Senate impeachment trial of a president in history, the second for Donald Trump. Much was at stake, for the former President, for the country, for Constitutional democracy, for the rule of law. Trump stood accused of inciting a violent insurrection on the seat of our government. People died. There could be nothing more serious. This, decidedly, was anything but a game.

And yet, there was sports-like color commentary aplenty, not about the essence of Trump’s misconduct, but about the players in the drama – the Esquires. I was as guilty of this as anyone. I commented favorably on the poise and effectiveness of the House Managers, and unfavorably on the style and substance of Trump’s last-minute lawyers. There was a storm of opinion expressed about the meandering and self-pitying presentations of Bruce Castor and Michael van der Veen.