Flake’s Last-Minute Stand Draws Frustration From Fellow Republicans

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 28:  U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) speaks to members of the media after a meeting in the office of Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) September 28, 2018 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump has ordered a one-week-long supplemental FBI background investigation into sexual assault allegations made against Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh after Sen. Flake requested to delay the full Senate vote for the investigation.  (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Flake
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 28: U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) speaks to members of the media after a meeting in the office of Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) September 28, 2018 at the U.S. Capitol in... WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 28: U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) speaks to members of the media after a meeting in the office of Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) September 28, 2018 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump has ordered a one-week-long supplemental FBI background investigation into sexual assault allegations made against Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh after Sen. Flake requested to delay the full Senate vote for the investigation. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), often mocked by Democrats for initially taking a stance against his own party only to fall in line when it matters, seems to be holding firm in his conviction to oppose GOP judges until Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) allows a vote on the bill to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

And, according to a Thursday Politico report, Flake’s Republican peers are not taking kindly to his stand.

So far, Flake has reportedly pushed pause on 21 potential judges, including opposing Thomas Farr on the Senate floor.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) told Politico that Flake is carrying things “too far.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) accused Flake of pulling a fast one on voters who wanted rapid confirmation of conservative judges.

Despite the criticism, Flake seems unshaken.

“There are judges there that I want to move too. And I hope to be able to do that,” Flake told Politico. “As soon as we get a vote. We need a vote.”

He was much less certain on whether McConnell will cooperate. When Politico asked if Flake sensed that the majority leader would soon fold, Flake was blunt: “Nope.”

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Notable Replies

  1. Fine time to grow a proto-spine, Jeff…

  2. So…McConnell won’t budge but Flake should? Hatch (that creepy little sucka$$) thinks it’s gone too far and Cruz is weighing in? Lovely. I hope Flake holds but I wouldn’t put money on it.

  3. Avatar for jm_tpm jm_tpm says:

    Looks like Sen. Flake wants to have a political future in the post-Trump era. It may be ‘Too little too late’, but I’m still glad he’s doing it.

  4. Avatar for jmacaz jmacaz says:

    Who gives a shit what Hatch and Cruz think

  5. Avatar for imkmu3 imkmu3 says:

    Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) accused Flake of pulling a fast one on voters who wanted rapid confirmation of conservative judges.

    Really? The voters went to the polls for confirmation of conservative judges? Sure they did Ted, sure they did.

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