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Right now, on all 3 cable news channels, Sen. Jeff Flake is announcing that he will not run again for office.
Apparently, he's not happy about serving in a screwed up Congress under a president with no leadership qualities. And, he's not just talking about Trump, he's talking about the whole government, from the backbiting and fighting in Congress between the members all the way up to Trump and the way he's doing things.
He really doesn't sound happy about the way Congress and the government has divided itself.
Arizona's Jeff Flake announces he will not seek re-election to U.S. Senate
The bombshell, which Flake, R-Ariz., intended to detail Tuesday afternoon on the Senate floor, will further roil Republican hopes of keeping the party's 52-seat Senate majority in the midterm elections of Trump's first term, when the president's party historically loses seats in Congress.
It also likely will upend the race for Flake's seat.
Flake, one of the Senate's more prominent critics of President Donald Trump, has been struggling in the polls.
He told The Arizona Republic ahead of his announcement that he has become convinced "there may not be a place for a Republican like me in the current Republican climate or the current Republican Party."
'Here's the bottom line ...'
Flake said he has not "soured on the Senate" and loves the institution, but that as a traditional, libertarian-leaning conservative Republican he is out of step with today's Trump-dominated GOP.
"This spell will pass, but not by next year," Flake said.
Among Republican primary voters, there's overwhelming support for Trump's positions and "behavior," Flake said, and one of their top concerns is whether a candidate is with the president or against him. While Flake said he is with Trump on some issues, on other issues he is not. And Trump definitely views him as a foe, having denounced Flake publicly and called him "toxic" on Twitter.
"Here's the bottom line: The path that I would have to travel to get the Republican nomination is a path I'm not willing to take, and that I can't in good conscience take," Flake told The Republic in a telephone interview. "It would require me to believe in positions I don't hold on such issues as trade and immigration and it would require me to condone behavior that I cannot condone."
He has no chance at reelection and knows it. A normal will take his place.
If you mean a Democrat, almost certainly.
But "normal" is not a word that anyone in their right mind would apply to O'Donnell 2.0.
In fact, just about zero chance a Communist democrat will win Arizona.
But you go ahead and cling to that fantasy.
This thread is about Jeff Flake being forced out of the Senate. Did you not understand that?
Actually, it's about the next election cycle.
And what the result of Flake's decision will be.
Actually, it is about Flake getting his ass handed to him by Trump.
Flake didn't make a decision, he was forced out.
Poll: Flake’s approval rating in Arizona at 18 percent
He made the decision to not run again.
But if it makes you feel better to think he was forced out, who am I to stop you?
Look at the facts ... quit being so lazy. He is being forced out ....
No. Words have meanings.
I know it makes you feel manly and powerful by proxy to believe that he is being "forced" out, but it's just not reality. He is choosing not to run, because he's likely to lose.
No apologies necessary Doc....I should have realized the typo...Typo. The primary was not the certainty you want it to be.
Apologies for confusing you.
Actually, it's about the next election cycle.
And what the result of Flake's decision will be.
Actually, it is about Flake getting his ass handed to him by Trump.
Flake didn't make a decision, he was forced out.
Poll: Flake’s approval rating in Arizona at 18 percent
He made the decision to not run again.
But if it makes you feel better to think he was forced out, who am I to stop you?
Look at the facts ... quit being so lazy. He is being forced out ....
No. Words have meanings.
I know it makes you feel manly and powerful by proxy to believe that he is being "forced" out, but it's just not reality. He is choosing not to run, because he's likely to lose.
Good for you.
I hope your faith in "words" and semantics keeps you warm at night.
Long in the future, nobody will remember Jeff Flake or his "decision".
Doesn't Sarah Palin owns some property in Arizona? Want to see libs heads explode?
You wish to see Palin lose again?
He is being forced to do something against his will. He of course is not being expelled but he is being forced to retire by a primary opponent that is kicking his swamp dwelling DC establishment ass...seems simple to me Doc... There will be more like him to come. We have just begun to fight. The swamp will be drained.Do you not understand what the term "by definition" means?
By definition, being forced out would be expulsion from the Senate. Not choosing not to run again
He's not being forced to do anything "against his will".
The election is a year away. Any number of things can change between then and now. His loss in the primary is not the certainty you want it to be.
But he doesn't want to fight. He is choosing not to do so.
I know that you guys really need to frame this as a manly and strong victory for Trump (God knows you haven't had much victory so far), but it's pretty pathetic when you're reduced to arguing that words don't mean what the dictionary says.
His loss in the primary was clear enough to him.
The time of you Stalinists is at an end. Turn coat Republicans are being routed, just as you Maoist democrats have bee. We normals are retaking our nation. We will once again enforce the bill of rights.
You know, things like this would be terrifying, if they weren't so pathetic.
You keep that faith alive!
Doesn't Sarah Palin owns some property in Arizona? Want to see libs heads explode?
You wish to see Palin lose again?
If it made a few more libs' heads explode, it might be worth it!
Doesn't Sarah Palin owns some property in Arizona? Want to see libs heads explode?
You wish to see Palin lose again?
If it made a few more libs' heads explode, it might be worth it!
Oh, okay. Seems a rather superficial 'victory', don't you think?
Doesn't Sarah Palin owns some property in Arizona? Want to see libs heads explode?
You wish to see Palin lose again?
If it made a few more libs' heads explode, it might be worth it!
Oh, okay. Seems a rather superficial 'victory', don't you think?
Meh! She sold her house anyway so I don't think she will move there.
It still would have been fun to see all of the cranial explosions on the left!
Did you look at the date? Did you read the newspaper today?Your assumption, of course, is that a Democrat will win that seat if Flake isn't running ..... fallacious, at a minimum ... daydreaming, at the most. You need to take a look at the constituency in Arizona.I'll pose the opposite question...what good is one more Republican if that Republican is going to work against you?
Cut your losses if you must, and focus your attention on Missouri, West Virginia and Montana.
Who is this "you" you're speaking of?
Do you believe that the President is owed the support of his party, no matter what?
Flake has voted with the Republican majority on essentially every vote he's ever made in the Senate - and he's voted with Trump 90% of the time since 2016.
But you're willing to trade him for a Democrat, just because he said mean things about Trump?
Well, anything can happen.
But it's undeniable that Ward will have a mich tougher time in the general than Flake would.That's not true .... she carries 62% of all Republicans .... Flake carries 18%. There are about 22% more Republicans in Arizona than Democrats ... and more Independents than Democrats. In the last election, 88% of Republicans voted for Trump, 47% of Independents voted for Trump, AND 7% of Democrats voted for Trump.Your assumption, of course, is that a Democrat will win that seat if Flake isn't running ..... fallacious, at a minimum ... daydreaming, at the most. You need to take a look at the constituency in Arizona.I'll pose the opposite question...what good is one more Republican if that Republican is going to work against you?
Cut your losses if you must, and focus your attention on Missouri, West Virginia and Montana.
Who is this "you" you're speaking of?
Do you believe that the President is owed the support of his party, no matter what?
Flake has voted with the Republican majority on essentially every vote he's ever made in the Senate - and he's voted with Trump 90% of the time since 2016.
But you're willing to trade him for a Democrat, just because he said mean things about Trump?
Well, anything can happen.
But it's undeniable that Ward will have a mich tougher time in the general than Flake would.
THAT means it is a very Republican state. Ward is a lock. Check the polling here: United States Senate election in Arizona, 2018 - Wikipedia
If Arizona is such a Republican state, how come Trump won it by less than 5%?
You should check your numbers, by the way. Your link says the latest polling puts Flake at 42%, and Ward at 58%.
Trump won Arizona by 4%...Flake opposed Trump and he's dropping out.
Trump won Tennessee by 26%...Corker opposed Trump, and he's dropped out.
If McCain were up for re-election, he'd be dropping out too.
As an aside...Trump won Missouri by 19%...incumbent Republican Senator Roy Blount eeked out a win on the same ballot by a measly 2%.
You don't get it.
Trump won Arizona by 4% (within the margin of error).
During that same election cycle, McCain beat Ward (a huge Trumpster) by double digits in the primary, and beat the Democrat challenger in the general by double digits as well.
Since then, Trump has only lost support.
So, it just a huge coincidence that the Republicans who are so far out of the realm of possibility for re-election That they are dropping out of their races and going home just HAPPEN to be the same Republicans that oppose the Trump agenda?
Come on... I was born at night, but it weren't LAST night.
I have no doubt that Flake and Corker have decided not to run for reelection because they're worried about being primaried. That's not the real issue here.
Ward will almost certainly lose the general. Flake, if he ran again, would almost certainly win.
I am not so sure of that. However Flake's chances of winning are better than Ward's. I think Flake has been damaged by his votes to kick millions off of their insurance.
Can you name one person who has been kicked off of their insurance?
I didn't think so because it hasn't happened.
You don't get it.
Trump won Arizona by 4% (within the margin of error).
During that same election cycle, McCain beat Ward (a huge Trumpster) by double digits in the primary, and beat the Democrat challenger in the general by double digits as well.
Since then, Trump has only lost support.
So, it just a huge coincidence that the Republicans who are so far out of the realm of possibility for re-election That they are dropping out of their races and going home just HAPPEN to be the same Republicans that oppose the Trump agenda?
Come on
I have no doubt that Flake and Corker have decided not to run for reelection because they're worried about being primaried. That's not the real issue here.
Ward will almost certainly lose the general. Flake, if he ran again, would almost certainly win.
I am not so sure of that. However Flake's chances of winning are better than Ward's. I think Flake has been damaged by his votes to kick millions off of their insurance.
Can you name one person who has been kicked off of their insurance?
I didn't think so because it hasn't happened.
The only reason it hasn't happened is because McCain and Collins did what was right for the country rather than playing politics.
I have no doubt that Flake and Corker have decided not to run for reelection because they're worried about being primaried. That's not the real issue here.
Ward will almost certainly lose the general. Flake, if he ran again, would almost certainly win.
It is the only issue here. Opposition to Trumps agenda is now the kiss of political death for incumbent Republicans...that is far mord important than whether Dems get a pick up or not in Arizona. You need to think more strategically and less tactically.
You're going to lose some skirmishes on the way to laying claim to the battlefield. I'm not conceding Arizona...in all honesty I don't follow state level politics in any state other than my own. Trump is solidifying his power over the political fortunes of these political insiders...and that is more important than individual races.
I have no doubt that Flake and Corker have decided not to run for reelection because they're worried about being primaried. That's not the real issue here.
Ward will almost certainly lose the general. Flake, if he ran again, would almost certainly win.
It is the only issue here. Opposition to Trumps agenda is now the kiss of political death for incumbent Republicans...that is far mord important than whether Dems get a pick up or not in Arizona. You need to think more strategically and less tactically.
You're going to lose some skirmishes on the way to laying claim to the battlefield. I'm not conceding Arizona...in all honesty I don't follow state level politics in any state other than my own. Trump is solidifying his power over the political fortunes of these political insiders...and that is more important than individual races.
When did Flake oppose Trump's agenda? He voted for everything Trump wanted. The only crime he committed was not fanatically defending Trump. This is becoming more and more like the Nazis in Germany. Everyone must fanatically support the leader or else. Even when Trump does in-conservative things.
Flake never would have gotten re-elected anyway. Why is this news?
In a closely-divided legislature, EVERY member must support the party line, or s/he will be ejected.
On every single major ballot in this Congress, every single Democrat has voted the party line, and we don't hear a PEEP about it. But here is a renegade Republican, and the media is wailing that he is FORCED to toe the Party Line!
Gimmeafukkinbreak.
I have no doubt that Flake and Corker have decided not to run for reelection because they're worried about being primaried. That's not the real issue here.
Ward will almost certainly lose the general. Flake, if he ran again, would almost certainly win.
It is the only issue here. Opposition to Trumps agenda is now the kiss of political death for incumbent Republicans...that is far mord important than whether Dems get a pick up or not in Arizona. You need to think more strategically and less tactically.
You're going to lose some skirmishes on the way to laying claim to the battlefield. I'm not conceding Arizona...in all honesty I don't follow state level politics in any state other than my own. Trump is solidifying his power over the political fortunes of these political insiders...and that is more important than individual races.
When did Flake oppose Trump's agenda? He voted for everything Trump wanted. The only crime he committed was not fanatically defending Trump. This is becoming more and more like the Nazis in Germany. Everyone must fanatically support the leader or else. Even when Trump does in-conservative things.
Oh, your liberalism is acting up again! How many votes were never even held because he stated that he would not support the bill?
I have no doubt that Flake and Corker have decided not to run for reelection because they're worried about being primaried. That's not the real issue here.
Ward will almost certainly lose the general. Flake, if he ran again, would almost certainly win.
It is the only issue here. Opposition to Trumps agenda is now the kiss of political death for incumbent Republicans...that is far mord important than whether Dems get a pick up or not in Arizona. You need to think more strategically and less tactically.
You're going to lose some skirmishes on the way to laying claim to the battlefield. I'm not conceding Arizona...in all honesty I don't follow state level politics in any state other than my own. Trump is solidifying his power over the political fortunes of these political insiders...and that is more important than individual races.
When did Flake oppose Trump's agenda? He voted for everything Trump wanted. The only crime he committed was not fanatically defending Trump. This is becoming more and more like the Nazis in Germany. Everyone must fanatically support the leader or else. Even when Trump does in-conservative things.
Oh, your liberalism is acting up again! How many votes were never even held because he stated that he would not support the bill?
Why don't you shut up about liberalism. You are the liberal. To you, Ronald Reagan would be a liberal. Some of us stand on conservative principles and hold people accountable.
Here is the takeaway for all Republican poiticians - If you run as a conservative, you better act like a conservative when it comes time to vote. If you don't, you'll be joining Corker and Flake in the private sector.
Good riddance!
I have no doubt that Flake and Corker have decided not to run for reelection because they're worried about being primaried. That's not the real issue here.
Ward will almost certainly lose the general. Flake, if he ran again, would almost certainly win.
It is the only issue here. Opposition to Trumps agenda is now the kiss of political death for incumbent Republicans...that is far mord important than whether Dems get a pick up or not in Arizona. You need to think more strategically and less tactically.
You're going to lose some skirmishes on the way to laying claim to the battlefield. I'm not conceding Arizona...in all honesty I don't follow state level politics in any state other than my own. Trump is solidifying his power over the political fortunes of these political insiders...and that is more important than individual races.
When did Flake oppose Trump's agenda? He voted for everything Trump wanted. The only crime he committed was not fanatically defending Trump. This is becoming more and more like the Nazis in Germany. Everyone must fanatically support the leader or else. Even when Trump does in-conservative things.
Oh, your liberalism is acting up again! How many votes were never even held because he stated that he would not support the bill?
Why don't you shut up about liberalism. You are the liberal. To you, Ronald Reagan would be a liberal. Some of us stand on conservative principles and hold people accountable.
You are hilarious! You don't even see that your hatred of Trump is because of your own demented belief system. We see it in every dingbat post you make!
Flake is a pro-open borders, pro-DACA, pro-amnesty, anti-wall supporter. In a border state like Arizona, this is a death knell. When he asked Trump for his support, Trump refused.I have no doubt that Flake and Corker have decided not to run for reelection because they're worried about being primaried. That's not the real issue here.
Ward will almost certainly lose the general. Flake, if he ran again, would almost certainly win.
It is the only issue here. Opposition to Trumps agenda is now the kiss of political death for incumbent Republicans...that is far mord important than whether Dems get a pick up or not in Arizona. You need to think more strategically and less tactically.
You're going to lose some skirmishes on the way to laying claim to the battlefield. I'm not conceding Arizona...in all honesty I don't follow state level politics in any state other than my own. Trump is solidifying his power over the political fortunes of these political insiders...and that is more important than individual races.
When did Flake oppose Trump's agenda? He voted for everything Trump wanted. The only crime he committed was not fanatically defending Trump. This is becoming more and more like the Nazis in Germany. Everyone must fanatically support the leader or else. Even when Trump does in-conservative things.
