Republican backbiting, which is inevitable even in the best of times – this is not the best of times – nevertheless can yield truths, as unpleasant as they may be. Consider this remark by Senator Scott (R-FL):
Scott and McConnell have repeatedly found themselves at odds: The Floridian unsuccessfully challenged McConnell for the top GOP leadership spot in 2022 and is running again, this time against GOP Whip John Thune (S.D.) and Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), a former whip. Scott’s bid is viewed on the Hill as the most unlikely of the three to succeed, though he has some supporters, including Lee.
Scott, in a statement on Thursday, said that he was “shocked that [McConnell] would attack a fellow Republican senator and the Republican nominee for president just two weeks out from an election.” [Politico]
Maybe you’ve already heard this in a bar, but it bears repetition. Senator Scott is right – this should have come out, but a month ago, two months ago, even three.
Then it would be practical to remove Mr Trump from the position of Presidential nominee, replacing him with the only Republican with any metaphorical balls, namely former Governor Haley (R-SC). Yes, yes, given her behavior since retiring from the fray, her balls are very, very small, but at least she stuck around for a while and actually beat Mr Trump in a couple of primaries.
And she’d have behaved with general honor and maturity.
But now it’s too late. It’s Trump or, if he retires from the field, no one. And that’s what makes Senator Scott right, just not quite in the way he means.
