Senior Republican Senator for Tennesee, Bob Corker, has had enough. He's throwing in the towel and won't stand for re-election. In the meantime he plans to be a thorn in Donald Trump's side.
His man/baby president took that as a personal betrayal and, in standard form, took to Twitter.
“Senator Bob Corker ‘begged’ me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said ‘NO’ and he dropped out (said he could not win without my endorsement).
“He also wanted to be secretary of state, I said ‘NO THANKS.’ He is also largely responsible for the horrendous Iran deal!
“Hence, I would fully expect Corker to be a negative voice and stand in the way of our great agenda. Didn’t have the guts to run!”
Corker, in a fine display of the regard in which he holds his president, tweeted back:
...
On the deal between Iran and six major nations including the US that restricts Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, he is an important and supportive voice. It was reported this week that Trump, against the wishes of senior advisers, will not re-certify the deal. That would put it in the hands of Congress, which would decide whether to reimpose sanctions, a move that would threaten the deal’s existence.
Corker announced his decision to retire last month. “The most important public service I have to offer our country could well occur over the next 15 months,” he said, hinting at his opposition to the president. “I want to be able to do that as thoughtfully and independently as I did the first 10 years and nine months of my Senate career.”
This week, he made headlines when he implied that Trump was leading the US to the brink of “chaos”.
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill about reports that secretary of state Rex Tillerson called Trump a “fucking moron” and considered resigning, Corker said: “I think Secretary Tillerson, Secretary [of defense Jim] Mattis and Chief of Staff [John] Kelly are those people that help separate our country from chaos.”
Corker announced his decision to retire last month. “The most important public service I have to offer our country could well occur over the next 15 months,” he said, hinting at his opposition to the president. “I want to be able to do that as thoughtfully and independently as I did the first 10 years and nine months of my Senate career.”
This week, he made headlines when he implied that Trump was leading the US to the brink of “chaos”.
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill about reports that secretary of state Rex Tillerson called Trump a “fucking moron” and considered resigning, Corker said: “I think Secretary Tillerson, Secretary [of defense Jim] Mattis and Chief of Staff [John] Kelly are those people that help separate our country from chaos.”
glad a few republicans are going rogue, might be too little too late, but I hope more follow suit.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice, as Deb suggests, if more Republicans would follow Corker's example. Their 'moral' dilemma would seem to boil down to one essential question: What do they love more, their country or their own political power?
ReplyDeleteIn the era of political capture, politicians seem most motivated by those who lavishly fund their next election campaigns.
ReplyDeleteCorker, having decided not to run again, has that millstone lifted and can speak out. I doubt he'd be so outspoken otherwise although he could have decided to leave politics just so that he would be free to speak out. Hard to tell.
Lorne, that's easy - they love power. Power is what politics is all about. Power means money, money means donors, donors mean you do as you're told. The only ones who'll speak out are leaving politics.
ReplyDeleteCap
The best and the brightest have been leaving politics for a long time. Who wants to put up with the abuse?
ReplyDelete.. Quite the weekend in American 'politics' ..
ReplyDeleteThe whining bloatface creep of the crop
howling and tweeting madly from a golfcart
with more fabulist fabrications, this time re Bob Coker..
The VP somehow changing clothes in the middle of a stadium
and only a few noticed he was still sitting in the same spot
as three years ago.. its a righteous miracle !
Who knows what Dr Bizzaro Bannon is cooking up !
Or the twisted Trumpian scions, daughter or Flotus herself
Well the Trumps have certainly exceeded the Kardashians
who no longer command the complete breathless attention of Americans
But one does hope Robert Mueller will deliver the goods & soon
The septic tank country club summer white house idiocy
is even overshadowing Jason Kenney's campaign bullshit
and the ascendancy of the ever pious Andrew Scheer
not to mention the jackassery of one Patrick Brown
stocking his election 'war room' with seasoned senior advisors
tainted from wallowing in the old Harper trough
ReplyDeleteJeebus, Sal, if you could break that down into ounces and teaspoons you would have a perfect recipe for mass assholery. You can't hardly put your foot down anywhere without stepping in dog shit these days.