Retiring Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, expressed his desire Sunday for a Republican to take on Trump in the 2020 presidential primary.
“I do hope that somebody runs on the Republican side other than the President,” Flake told NBC’s Chuck Todd. “If nothing else, simply to remind Republicans what conservatism is and what Republicans traditionally stood for.”
He hinted that he may be that Republican, saying “it’s not in my plans, but I’ve not ruled anything out.”
He added that if he were to run, he would run as a Republican since he “can’t imagine doing anything else.”
This is not the first time Flake has hinted at his presidential ambitions, rumors about which have run rampant since he decided against running for reelection in his Senate seat back in October 2017.
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— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) May 28, 2018
There’s something hilariously charming about the way these guys play coy about this early on. The most calculatedly ambitious people on the planet act all casual, they’ll say “Well, I haven’t really done much thinking about it” and so forth, when they’ve thought of little else since they were about 14.
Considering that Flake has not opposed any of Trump’s cabinet nominees other than Haspel or anything that passes as Trump’s legislative agenda there does not seem to be any significant difference between Flake’s notion of Republican conservatism and Trumpism. Different packaging but same disastrous policy.
No Jeffy, just… NO!
Pence almost defines “opportunistic and conscienceless”, but you give him a run for the money. The bat-s#it-crazy #EverTrumpers don’t like you and anyone who has come to know you (me and my other fellow Arizona residents), thinks you should retire to a job you can handle… Faro dealer at the Alhambra in Tombstone.
Reading this - about the coy play and the long-held desire since say age 14, and the particular snapshot of Flake - with the look on his face of a mischievous 14 year old - evoked a chuckle.
I think it would be healthy for the GOP if Trump got primaried. But, dear Senator, it would be even more healthy for the country if you stood more firmly and countered more directly and in action (votes) the odious statements, and legislation emanating from the WH. Unless those really are aligned with the establishment conservatives - in which case the only thing you really object to is the president’s odious style, not his egregious actions and policies. That is - while you are still in the Senate: put up or shut up.
Well, there’s yer problem Jeffy: a complete lack of imagination.