Not justifying his actions, simply shifting emphasis from the actions of the individual to the circumstance which condition the individual’s actions. I think it avoids reductive moralization of politics and how it works. Mitch is evil? Get rid of this individual and things will improve? It’s that kind of mindset that blinds one to a more systemic critique. How about critiquing the totally impotent “left” that has been unable to mobilize any actual resistance to right wing policy? Just as an example.