The Rude Pundit: Regarding Senators Corker and Flake: So Fucking What?

[babylonsister]

http://rudepundit.blogspot.ca/2017/10/regarding-senators-corker-and-flake-so.html

The Rude Pundit

Proudly lowering the level of political discourse
10/24/2017
Regarding Senators Corker and Flake: So Fucking What?


snip//

So, yeah, relative to the silent complicity of most Republicans, it's refreshing to see two well-respected and pretty damn conservative senators state the obvious.

But so fucking what? They're both leaving. Neither is willing to get into the trenches and fight. One can imagine they're sick of getting Pepe the Frog death threats. Still, they're bailing. Other than Corker making a vague promise that "we're going to be doing some hearings on some of the things that he purposely is breaking down, relationships we have around the world that have been useful to our nation," they aren't pledging to do a goddamn thing to stop Trump, even though, according to them, he's a potential despot who stokes fear and anger, a lying ignoramus who has no desire to understand issues that involve the life and death of millions of people.

What could they do? If they were really brave, they'd say, "Yeah, you know what? Fuck the Republican Party." And they'd bail, offer to caucus with the Democrats for the rest of their terms, even if it defies their core ideology (as if supporting Trump didn't), and get Susan Collins or Lisa Murkowski to do the same. Thus that changes the leadership of the Senate and puts a halt to Trump's agenda and a mighty big fucking check on his power. Obviously, Republicans aren't gonna do anything about Trump. Otherwise, senator after senator would have risen after Flake to say they agree. If Republicans are the cowardly shitheels that Flake described, why stick with them?

Or they could have called for impeachment proceedings to begin. They could have said that the president has committed many high crimes and misdemeanors, and, c'mon, people, we fuckin' impeached Clinton for lying about a blow job. What the fuck is wrong with us now?

Not only are Corker and Flake moral cowards on this count, but, fer fuck's sake, they both eagerly support every effort by Trump, having both voted for gutting the Affordable Care Act, for the cruel budget agreement, and for every shitty administrator and judge Trump has nominated. Perhaps we should hold off on the hosannas until they fucking do something to prove they hold the beliefs they speak of. Maybe we can stop giving them rhetorical hand jobs because they said shit that we like.

Because right now, it's just words. And, sorry, that's as good as nothing, as good as a series of tweets into the abyss.

[world wide wally]

1. No shit

[BigmanPigman]

2. Exactly my thought when I heard Flake was leaving earlier today.

McCain too. He isn't actually "bailing out like rats leaving a sinking ship" but they all vote party line EVERY DAMN TIME! Their votes are actions that speakers louder than anything else! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE THEM! They are all enablers and put party and money over country every fucking time. They and their greedy, sick, hypocritical party obstructed Obama due to his race for 8 long years. They all should rot in Hell as their Karma.

[coolsandy]

3. I said earlier, if any GOP wants to stop 45, just vote against anything 45 wants to do, like they

did to Obama.

[area51]

9. Yep. n/t

[tanyev]

4. I know, I don't get the leaving.

I understand they'd be primaried, but if they stand by what they said, then by God, make that primary about Trump. Trump's going to attack them regardless, so they gain nothing there by quitting.

[rurallib]

11. my thought is that bucking the party too much might close off some million

dollar a year lobbying jobs for Republican PACs and industries.
McCain is dying, he has no fucks left to give, but Corker and Flake are just getting ready for the big score.

[gratuitous]

5. Remember, Republicans can stop this any time they want

The Trump administration goes blundering on, hurting and killing people, debasing the country, and demolishing our credibility, is because Republicans - including Corker and Flake - want it to be so.

[wiggs]

6. Corker and Flake should wonder why they share policy goals with a sociopath. nt

[druidity33]

7. Brilliant as always, K&R. nt.

[renate]

8. wow, I find myself disagreeing with the Rude Pundit

Never thought that would happen.

What could Corker and Flake do that would satisfy us that they haven't already done? (Other than switch parties, which would be super awesome--but that's not realistic.) They've spoken out as forcefully as anybody could, Republican or Democrat. I'm not going to call them cowards for doing the right thing... that's just silly.

They've done the right thing and they're still getting crap? Nope, not from me. Criticizing them rather than the majority of the Republican party, the real cowards who are still with Trump, seems unhelpful. I really don't think it's useful to let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

[Mustellus]

15. I agree Renate... How would a Russian Troll try to stop this ??

A Russian Troll would want all this discord to continue. Bernie supporters kept out. Republicans who repent.. even part way.. kicked back to the safety of their lynch mob. While our lynch mob refuses to let go of our hurt and disappointment.

Putin wants Republican Unity behind Trump !!!!

Me, I'll accept repentant sinners. You can stay on your high horse if you want.

[wendyb]

16. what corker and flake can do

ask for tax returns
begin impeachment talk

[MyOwnPeace]

20. They have NOT done the right thing, renate.

Yes, they "complain" and air their grievances, and 10 minutes later vote along the party line to continue the destruction of rights and fairness for Americans.

"Rude" is correct - if they wanted to "do the right thing" they could stop it all NOW by switching caucuses and shift the power in the Senate to the Democrats - THAT would be the right thing!

[hatrack]

23. Words, and nothing more

Last edited Wed Oct 25, 2017, 09:59 AM - Edit history (1)

The very same day, both Corker and Flake voted to eliminate a CFPB rule that allowed consumers to sue banks and credit card companies for fraud.

Pence had to tie-break to pass the bill. Of course, if Flake or Corker had voted against the measure - that is, if they chose to ACT instead of making a "forceful" speech, then the measure would have failed.

But by all means, pet and praise them for their brave, bold words. Knock yourself out.

[Marthe48]

24. Governor of WV switched parties after nov/ 2016

He was elected as a Dem, slunk back to his true colors as repuke. Jim Justice, another rich fat cat who doesn't pay his taxes.

[Neema]

35. They could stop voting lockstep with the Republicans for starters.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/10/24/wall-street-wins-big-as-senate-votes-to-roll-back-regulation-allowing-consumers-to-sue-their-banks/?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_senatecredit-1055pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.8ccc8635284f

Still screwing over the American people while grandstanding about doing the right thing. Until they actually walk the walk, what good does it do us?

[rainin]

10. They aren't offering to save the world

from this tyrant. So I guess this is the equivalent of the bended knee protest. Flake and Corker should know that their side won't respect
a silent protest.

[DonCoquixote]

12. praising Flak and corker for stopping midway

Is like wanting to give a medal to a serial killer that decided killing 25 people was ok, as opposed to an original plan of 50.

[MyOwnPeace]

36. GREAT answer!

Sad but true!

[Scruffy1]

13. Exactly right.

They are just the first rats to get worried about the ship sinkimg.

[blueinredohio]

14. Flake said he has to answer to his grandkids for all this b.s. what's he gonna say?

I could have fought but I didn't because I was too scared of the repercussions?

[Marthe48]

25. Brave Sir Robin

Monty Python Holy Grail

[mr_lebowski]

47. He bravely ran away, away!

When danger reared it's ugly head
He bravely turned his tail and fled
As Brave Sir Robin turned about
Gallantly he chickened out
Bravely taking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat
Bravest of the Brave, Sir Robin!!!

[Marthe48]

49. :)

perfect

[PubliusEnigma]

17. If we don't give credit where credit is due, why should anyone stand up to Trump???

This kind of idealistic bemoaning that they didn't suddenly become Democrats is idiocy.

As of today, they've done more than anyone else in their party to call out Trump, and they will pay for it.
They didn't have to do this. They felt they needed to. This is a turning point.

[KPN]

27. I agree.

[MyOwnPeace]

37. It IS a turning point.......

of about 10 degrees.

We need 180 degrees!

[genxlib]

40. I don't disagree with you

But there is an answer to "...why should anyone stand up to Trump"

The answer is that they wouldn't be doing it to get the approval of the Democrats. They would be doing it because they see the damage being done to the Country that they claim to love.

[OxQQme]

18. Flake's song prior to announcement

[zentrum]

19. Cowards. Stay and fight.

Instead they'll eventually get hired by some lobbying firms because they know how to deal with congressional regulations.

Same for McCain. He brought us Palin. He helped create this monstrous and ignoble, but flag-wrapped, party

[Pacifist Patriot]

21. Exactly what I said yesterday.

Except much more eloquently of course.

[MyOwnPeace]

38. Yes!

Your words are the biggestest and bestest!

[Nay]

22. That's just what I personally said in a thread yesterday about Corker and Flake.

[KPN]

26. Have to dsagree despite my general dislike for both Corker and Flake.

This is something. There's no useful reason to turn our noses up in response to something that is actually helpful and useful in the battle against Trumpism.

Don't write off what Corker and Flake can do and say in their remaining time (14 plus months) in office to undermine Trump, his policies (if you can actually call them that) and Trumpism. Every punch counts, every wound counts. However, little and however late.

[bullsnarfle]

32. Agreed. Let's not forget

how low the bar is for right-wingers to do anything remotely close to a "good" or "right" thing anyhow. I'll take it, damn right, and any more that want to bail off of the Trump Train To Hell. Every one of them that bails and tells him to "jam it" must stick in his craw like molten lava. Ha!

[citizen blues]

43. I see your point here. However, . . .

what have either Corker or Flake done so far other than roll over on every legislative vote and every nominee - no matter how unqualified.

I sincerely hope you're right that we shouldn't write them off just yet. But what the hell are they waiting for? Here is where the rubber meets the road. Now is the time for them to back up their words with actions. Otherwise, to borrow General Kelly's words, they'll be nothing more than a couple of "empty barrels."

[KPN]

45. Understand your point of view.

I just know they are Repugs and have and hold to the repug agenda regardless of who their leader is/who occupies WH. So they are going to take repug positions on issues. But Trump's about having a madman, a big time swindler/crook, and an infantile brat in the office. We need him gone for those reasons as much as -- if not more than -- policy reasons. .... Corker and Flake aren't speaking up because they disagree with Repug agenda. That has nothing to do with it and we'd be foolish to expect that. So I'll take what I can get in this case. Two less Trump supporters/two more Trump detractors is better than zero.

Who knows. Maybe they'll lead the way for more Repugs to condemn Trump and Trumpism. Maybe they'll grease the skids for actual impeachment. We can only hope.

[JayhawkSD]

28. Both are actually cowards

Both are facing opposition at home that they know will defeat them in the primary, and they are willing to destroy their party as revenge on their way out. I enjoy it, you, understand, but that doesn't mean I have to admire it.

[BlueAZure]

29. So what, indeed.

I’ve read multiple places that Flake deciding not to run in 2018 “Upends the GOP’s chances of keeping the senate”, but just the opposite is true.

The Tumpsters are moving further and further to the Right, taking the Republican Party with them. While I often disagreed with Flake, I always found him to be a (relatively) rational voice. It is these ‘rational voices’ the Republican base label “RINOs” and are targeted by Bannon, et. al.

There is a high likelihood that the seat will remain in the R column, but be held by the likes of Kelli Ward or some other much further to the Right than Flake. Meanwhile, the “Mainstream” Republicans (McConnel, Ryan, etc.) either don’t realize that they’re being eaten up by cancer, or don’t care, so long as they get their agenda through.

Flake’s speech yesterday, while it needed to be said, is just words, as is his recent book where he claimed he wished the party stood up to the racists and hate mongers during the Obama years. But they didn’t. He didn’t. Now he’s on the way out and leaving a mess. Unless he finds a way to back up his words with actual actions, history will judge him no differently than the rest of them.

If it remembers him at all.

[Merlot]

30. Thank you, Rude One!

They're jsut trying to get the trumpft stench off themselves before heading into the private sector.

[librechik]

31. Trial Balloon

Let it loose and see who grabs the line.We need Paul Ryan to grab it and climb into the basket.

He won't. He will do everything he can to drag things out to 2020. Yes, 2020.

Unless, hypothetically, Ill Douche actually shoots someone on Fifth Avenue. Then we would really have a problem, because Ryan is an immoral automaton. He wouldn't have a clue what to do about it.

[dalton99a]

33. They are Republicans. Words are cheap. Watch what they do.

[Enoki33]

34. If Corker and Flake had the courage of their claimed convictions

they would go the whole ten yards and not vote with a potential despot who clearly threatens the constitution they swore to uphold. They have handed people like Bannon a clear victory, and in a very perverse way validated the self survival actions of the moral cowards that surround him.
Even more damning is that they are smart enough to realize that the wannabe despot they so deplore has set his sights on bending the judiciary to his corrupt will, yet they still support those policies. They are their own special brand of weasels. Still, from a purely political view, their actions may eventually translate into votes if the integrity of that system can be preserved.

[DonCoquixote]

39. there is one point a trump pundit made

That sadly, I do have to agree with. Flake and Corker were targeted by Bannon, which meant they knew the gallows was already set up. A lot of this GOP hair shirt wearing is also a strategy for coming back after they hunker down and ride out the storm, or in other words, to be saviors after the clown car crashes into a wall. The problem is that Trump and Bannon have tapped into a uniquely American from of self destructive stupid, the sort where you can make as big a mess as you want and still expect to be given more.

Let's be frank, Kim Il Jung could nuke Los Angeles tomorrow, and churches full of trumpkins and Banonites would not only jump for joy, but they would see it as God's will to get rid of the cities. This is not a simple con game, it is full blown madness. And neither Falke nor Corket coudl or should be counted to to stop it, because they would profit from it!

[olegramps]

41. The politicians only question concerning very piece of legislation, is does it affect my reelection.

This is their sole concern. It isn't what is right thing for the country. I agree that Corker and Flake are no different. However regardless, if the they are not rerunning for reelection I can not total disregard their actions as insignificant. They have significantly affected the discussion on the ability of the 45's mental and moral ability to lead the government. The fact is that they have broke with the party's blind support of Trump and have added substance to the charge that he is one of the most incompetent person to ever occupy the office. I can only hope that has a lasting impact on the situation and isn't lost in the maelstrom that has engulfed the political scene since this abomination slithered into office.

[citizen blues]

42. Exactly the point I made ...

in a post early this morning. Said more eloquently though. (That's what I get for posting before 5am. Ha!)

[OldHippieChick]

44. They are both surrendering their seats to a more reactionary Republican. I

doubt a Democrat can win their seats, but I could be surprised if Dems get their acts together in those respective states. If not, we will have even more right-wing Senator and these two are doing us no favors. I understand they are saving themselves, but they are giving our country away by their cowardice.

[aikoaiko]

46. "...that's as good as nothing, as good as a series of [Rude Pundit blog posts] into the abyss."

Yes, Corker and Flake are giving us just words, but they are important to encourage and support if we are to get the Republicans to turn on Trump.

And I don't think they are as cowardly as the Rude one suggests. They could have remained silent and faded away. Breitbart assholes will undoubtedly harass them and their families for years over their mere words.

White supremacists hate "race traitors" as much as people of color. One of these days, the Trump brown shirts are going to get more violent as Republicans turn on Trump.

[tblue37]

48. Big K&R! nt