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The philosophical problem of moral luck has been studied and written about for ages. A classic example is the treatment of drunk drivers. Some make it home safely, some are arrested for DUI, and some have tragic accidents. The legal penalties and popular judgments attending these outcomes depend on the harm done, even though the drivers may be equally impaired in all cases. We tend to judge people on the damage they do, not the damage they might have done.
Political actions have a moral dimension, too, especially when they have consequences unrelated to whether they achieve their intended purpose. The moral standing of a politician may depend on such consequences. Case in point: I believe that history will judge Sen. McConnell largely on whether we survive the Trump era, because I believe he is responsible for there being a Trump era.
Going into 2009, McConnell’s main policy goals were to reduce the progressivity of the tax system and install conservative judges in the courts. He said his political goal was to make Obama a one-term president, but that was a stepping stone, not a policy goal. One may oppose McConnell’s goals, but working within our system to bring them about is not “out of bounds.” As it turned out, however, the way in which McConnell sought to achieve — and did achieve — his goals has had significant consequences. How they will be judged depends on…