I see some of the most desperate Republicans incumbent Senators are trying to build separation from the Administration on one of the hottest rails of the season:
Senate Democrats’ largely symbolic bid to cut off the Trump administration’s support for a Supreme Court challenge to Obamacare failed as expected Thursday, but several Republicans facing tough reelections crossed party lines to back the measure.
Sens. Martha McSally of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Dan Sullivan of Alaska, who are trying to reassure voters about their defense of insurance protections for preexisting conditions, backed the Democrats’ measure. Another Republican, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who opposed Obamacare repeal efforts three years ago, also supported the bill.
But the bill fell 51-43, short of the 60 votes needed to advance. [Politico]
It’s interesting that Senator Graham (R-SC), who has authored some pathetic calls for campaign donations, was not in the list of Senators declaring a small shred of independence. Does he see his allegiance to Trump as his ticket back to Congress?
Less surprisingly, Senator Loeffler (R-GA), who has clung to Trump even though he’d prefer to see Rep Collins (R-GA) occupying the Senate seat, is also not on the list. Nor is her colleague in the same state, Senator Perdue (R-GA), who is considered a close ally of Trump’s. Much like Loeffler, he is in a hot race, and it’s important to remember that Georgia went to Trump by only 5 points in 2016. Republicans may be in danger of losing the state and both Senate seats to the Democrats in November.
It all comes down to where the Republican Senators see their political fortunes tied – to Trump, or to, well, competency.
This is an early step in the desperate fight to survive politically for these Senators (Murkowski is not up for reelection this year, but I think it counts for her next reelection effort). Will they dare take another step, and what will it be? Party loyalty can only go so far when your Party is shrinking. It’s too late for any of them to switch parties, so some of their options are gone. But they can still express disloyalty to Trump by denouncing his anti-democracy statements. Will they dare?
