Republicans are a "going going old party"
Regardless of how dedicated Republicans feel about their ideological conservatism, the fact is, the party is fractured because of Donald Trump's chaotic leadership.
US News &World Report
Donald Trump and the Disintegration of the Republican Party
As that storm consumed Washington – with the president on Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Republicans – Flake was telling The Arizona Republic he'd had enough.
The path he would need to travel to attain his party's nomination in Trump's populist and nativist-fueled era was not one he was willing to take, he said.
Then he took to the Senate floor.
"Mr. President, I rise today to say: enough!. We must dedicate ourselves to making sure that the anomalous never becomes normal," he said.
Flake never uttered Trump's name, but he bemoaned a "dangerous state of affairs. ... the personal attacks; the threats against principles, freedoms and institution; the flagrant disregard for truth and decency; the reckless provocations, most often for the pettiest and most personal reasons," as well as "outrageous and undignified behavior."
For much of established Washington, where both Corker and Flake are well-liked by their colleagues, Democrats and the press corps, the events created a funereal atmosphere. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., announced he was "saddened" by Flake's departure. So did Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware.
The Republican Party, once again, looked to be at a breaking point.
[READ: Trump: Bob Corker Couldn't Get Elected Dog Catcher]
But for brigades of Trump loyalists, Flake's demise was a shot across the bow, another victory in their effort to remake the party with Trump sycophants.
"WINNING!" tweeted Bill Mitchell, a conservative radio host and avid Trump supporter. Donald Trump Jr. chimed in with #MAGA, the hashtag representing his father's "Make America Great Again" slogan.
"Another day, another scalp," emailed an ally close to Steve Bannon, the president's former chief strategist.
A clear-eyed assessment of the situation isn't as cut and dried.
The open condemnation by Corker and Flake of Trump's brand of bellicose and impulsive politics is unique and alarming for a party holding full control of the federal government. But it's also at least partly based on their own perilous political conditions back at home.
While Corker didn't immediately appear to be in dire straits, Flake's approval rating dwelled at 30 percent and he was down by double digits in his GOP primary with Kelli Ward, a former state senator who has fully embraced Trump. It's a fair question to wonder whether he would have taken as principled a stand if he were safely headed to another term.
"Make no mistake: Jeff Flake is leaving the Senate because he doesn't fight for the conservative agenda mandated by his constituency and therefore he cannot win re-election," said David Bozell, president of the conservative group ForAmerica.
"Based on the lack of support that he has from the people from Arizona, it's probably a good move," chirped White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders when asked for reaction.
Ward is now likely to draw more Republican opponents due to the enticement of an open seat, but Democrats are already eyeing it as a prime pickup opportunity. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, the Democratic congresswoman already in the race, saw her chances significantly bolstered without an incumbent to contend with.
One poll taken earlier this month put Sinema ahead of Ward, with her lead inside the margin of error. But plenty of Republican names are already being floated as alternatives to the controversial Ward, including Rep. Martha McSally, state treasurer Jeff DeWit and Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.
US News &World Report
Donald Trump and the Disintegration of the Republican Party
The looming departures of Sens. Bob Corker and Jeff Flake s signal the heavy toll Trumpism is taking on a fracturing GOP.
Put simply, Arizona will be the site of full-contact bloodsport for both parties next year.
Put simply, Arizona will be the site of full-contact bloodsport for both parties next year.
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Arizona will be a touchstone for the future of America |
By David Catanese, Senior Politics Writer
CAPITOL HILL- Tuesday was supposed to be about tax reform.
Instead, it was a day when the Republican Party's delicate fractures gave way to a political earthquake.
Two Republican senators harshly rebuked President Donald Trump's behavior, competence and mere decency, with Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee predicting Trump would be most remembered for debasing the nation and Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona announcing he could no longer compete inside a party led by Trump.
The extraordinary episodes illuminated the boiling and increasingly public frustrations with Trump by some in his own party, just as members attempt to tackle a demanding legislative initiative requiring GOP unity.
Corker, who announced he wouldn't seek re-election last month, appeared to be itching for a fight, granting rounds of television interviews that he used to take shots at the president.
CAPITOL HILL- Tuesday was supposed to be about tax reform.
Instead, it was a day when the Republican Party's delicate fractures gave way to a political earthquake.
Two Republican senators harshly rebuked President Donald Trump's behavior, competence and mere decency, with Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee predicting Trump would be most remembered for debasing the nation and Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona announcing he could no longer compete inside a party led by Trump.
The extraordinary episodes illuminated the boiling and increasingly public frustrations with Trump by some in his own party, just as members attempt to tackle a demanding legislative initiative requiring GOP unity.
Corker, who announced he wouldn't seek re-election last month, appeared to be itching for a fight, granting rounds of television interviews that he used to take shots at the president.
Corker said he would not support Trump in the election again and charged he was unable to "rise to the occasion as president." Trump responded in predictable fashion with a series of tweets, dubbing Corker a "lightweight" who "couldn't get elected dog catcher."
As that storm consumed Washington – with the president on Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Republicans – Flake was telling The Arizona Republic he'd had enough.
Faced with daunting polling numbers in a primary election still 10 months away, Flake said he would not run for re-election.
The path he would need to travel to attain his party's nomination in Trump's populist and nativist-fueled era was not one he was willing to take, he said.
Then he took to the Senate floor.
"Mr. President, I rise today to say: enough!. We must dedicate ourselves to making sure that the anomalous never becomes normal," he said.
Flake never uttered Trump's name, but he bemoaned a "dangerous state of affairs. ... the personal attacks; the threats against principles, freedoms and institution; the flagrant disregard for truth and decency; the reckless provocations, most often for the pettiest and most personal reasons," as well as "outrageous and undignified behavior."
For much of established Washington, where both Corker and Flake are well-liked by their colleagues, Democrats and the press corps, the events created a funereal atmosphere. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., announced he was "saddened" by Flake's departure. So did Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware.
The Republican Party, once again, looked to be at a breaking point.
[READ: Trump: Bob Corker Couldn't Get Elected Dog Catcher]
But for brigades of Trump loyalists, Flake's demise was a shot across the bow, another victory in their effort to remake the party with Trump sycophants.
"WINNING!" tweeted Bill Mitchell, a conservative radio host and avid Trump supporter. Donald Trump Jr. chimed in with #MAGA, the hashtag representing his father's "Make America Great Again" slogan.
"Another day, another scalp," emailed an ally close to Steve Bannon, the president's former chief strategist.
A clear-eyed assessment of the situation isn't as cut and dried.
The open condemnation by Corker and Flake of Trump's brand of bellicose and impulsive politics is unique and alarming for a party holding full control of the federal government. But it's also at least partly based on their own perilous political conditions back at home.
While Corker didn't immediately appear to be in dire straits, Flake's approval rating dwelled at 30 percent and he was down by double digits in his GOP primary with Kelli Ward, a former state senator who has fully embraced Trump. It's a fair question to wonder whether he would have taken as principled a stand if he were safely headed to another term.
"Make no mistake: Jeff Flake is leaving the Senate because he doesn't fight for the conservative agenda mandated by his constituency and therefore he cannot win re-election," said David Bozell, president of the conservative group ForAmerica.
"Based on the lack of support that he has from the people from Arizona, it's probably a good move," chirped White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders when asked for reaction.
Ward is now likely to draw more Republican opponents due to the enticement of an open seat, but Democrats are already eyeing it as a prime pickup opportunity. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, the Democratic congresswoman already in the race, saw her chances significantly bolstered without an incumbent to contend with.
One poll taken earlier this month put Sinema ahead of Ward, with her lead inside the margin of error. But plenty of Republican names are already being floated as alternatives to the controversial Ward, including Rep. Martha McSally, state treasurer Jeff DeWit and Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.
Put simply, Arizona will be the site of full-contact bloodsport for both parties next year.
The state's senior senator, John McCain, has been one other perpetual Trump agitator, taking on everything from the president's worldview to his deferments from military service. But as he fights brain cancer, he's also operating in the twilight of a long career and likely will never have to face voters again.
That freedom from electoral pressure makes it easier for any politician to act with unbridled impunity. But with Corker, Flake and McCain all on their way out of public service, odds are Trump will outlast them.
In the long term, the question will be if other elected Republicans with more to lose will join them in arms or at least take the baton. In the short term, the question is whether they will stick the knife in Trump's legislative agenda by denying him the votes he needs for tax reform.
In his Senate speech, Flake suggested "this spell will eventually break," allowing for a healthy and functioning government that honors "shared facts and shared values."
But in the earlier interview, he acknowledged the "spell" he spoke of wouldn't pass soon – "Not by next year," he said – suggesting that he expects more Trumpian tirades.
And that means there could be greater Republican ruptures and fissures to follow.
That freedom from electoral pressure makes it easier for any politician to act with unbridled impunity. But with Corker, Flake and McCain all on their way out of public service, odds are Trump will outlast them.
In the long term, the question will be if other elected Republicans with more to lose will join them in arms or at least take the baton. In the short term, the question is whether they will stick the knife in Trump's legislative agenda by denying him the votes he needs for tax reform.
In his Senate speech, Flake suggested "this spell will eventually break," allowing for a healthy and functioning government that honors "shared facts and shared values."
But in the earlier interview, he acknowledged the "spell" he spoke of wouldn't pass soon – "Not by next year," he said – suggesting that he expects more Trumpian tirades.
And that means there could be greater Republican ruptures and fissures to follow.
Is The Republican Party Gone Forever? (Is it the "going-going old" GOP party?)
Tags: Jeff Flake, Arizona, Senate, Congress, 2018 Congressional elections, United States, Republican Party, Donald Trump, politics, government
David Catanese is senior politics writer for U.S. News & World Report and founder of the blog The Run 2016.
David Catanese is senior politics writer for U.S. News & World Report and founder of the blog The Run 2016.
Labels: David Catanese, GOP, Trumpian tirades, US News & World Report
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