The mental shift of the last two days has been striking. Both factions are in disbelief. Is he truly gone? Are there no tweets? Can we go so many days without his all-consuming presence?
Trump retreats to Mara-Lago and Biden begins his new administration. We do not quite know what to make of it. It feels different. Dr. Fauci is unshackled and appears energized. The press is tentative-can we trust this apparent transparency? Correspondents probe and receive reassurance. Kevin McCarthy, an empty suit with a contrast-stitched lapel buttonhole, reboots each day with a new message as if probing for the shape of his political metamorphosis-hoping for a tell-tale sign and getting none. Then there’s Mitch-what can we expect of him? Has his reach now exceeded his grasp? He delivered much for “the base.” Can he exercise power without the chimera of Trump to disguise his reptilian schemes? Shall we turn to the shape-shifting Romney to offer a new face for the party?
The light dims, the curtains begin to part, and the music soon will provide us an indication of what Act 2 holds out for our country.