The recent sparring between Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), with President Trump seems to be much more about political theater than genuine outrage. If we were to believe all the senators’ criticisms of Trump and his supposed “reckless, outrageous, and undignified behavior,” it would be a situation in which any rational person would want no part.
Yet, each has refused make any effort to remove themselves from the hostile Washington environment they so viciously describe.
By staying in the Senate and simultaneously not seeking re-election, both senators put the seats they currently hold (on behalf of those they represent) at risk. If they truly believed in principles of the Republican party such as limited government, individual liberty, and serving the American people, they should make every effort to serve their states and the conservative ideals they supposedly represent.
{mosads}Instead, these senators (and others) have decided to derail the very agenda that conservatives have waited nearly a decade to accomplish. Tax reform, repealing and replacing ObamaCare, infrastructure investment and so many other important policy matters are all in jeopardy because a few senators have decided to put petty bickering above meaningful change.
If Flake really cared about serving the people of Arizona, he could do more than just drop out of the race for re-election. He should allow Gov. Doug Ducey to appoint a replacement who could focus on real legislative priorities rather than making dramatic speeches and thwarting legislative progress.
If Corker were truly concerned about the American people and our global concerns, surely Gov. Bill Haslam could make an appointment that would please the people of Tennessee.
Open seats will be more competitive, forcing money and other resources to be spent on what will surely be hard-fought campaigns. While Corker and Flake are currently unreliable votes in the Senate for what really matters, there are benefits to a political party holding the majority. Those include the ability to set the agenda, make committees assignments, and prioritize policy debates. Even if only a procedural difference, it can help make the difference between progress and stalemate. Flake and Corker are putting this all at risk and blunting progress simply to continue their petty feud with Trump.
It is obvious these legislators, who have fought the very policies and principles they supposedly believe in, have lost their way in Washington. By joining with their political opponents on an anti-Trump bandwagon, they have decided to make this about themselves instead of the people they serve. In fact, as Trump has stated many times, neither Flake nor Corker had much of a chance for reelection in their states anyway – in large part due to their obstructionist actions. And he is right.
Flake suggested he has “regrets” about his decision to leave the Senate. But the more salient reason hastening his departure is likely poll data that shows he has poor standing among Arizona Republicans and that he would likely lose to both GOP challenger Kelli Ward, a former state senator, and U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Phoenix).
Contrary to analysis from the media and from the Democratic Party, the Republicans’ chances of holding this Senate seat actually improve with Flake’s departure. It was clear that his presidential sparring with Trump had left him worse for wear, and the GOP will likely be able to nominate a less encumbered, and thereby stronger, general election candidate.
If Flake cares about what happens next in Washington, why not increase that advantage and go now?
Trump’s promise to drain the swamp in Washington seems to have started in a place no one would have expected: Republicans in the U.S. Senate. If these officials are not willing to be part of a solution, they should go now, and stop contributing to the problem.
Dan Rene is a senior vice president in the public affairs practice at LEVICK, a strategic communications firm.