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Jeff Flake vs. Trump: The War Within the G.O.P. Jeff Flake vs. Trump: The War Within the G.O.P.
(about 1 hour later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “In Biting Speech, Flake Denounces ‘Reckless’ Trump” (front page, Oct. 25):Re “In Biting Speech, Flake Denounces ‘Reckless’ Trump” (front page, Oct. 25):
Tuesday was a remarkable day in politics for the country and for the Republican Party. Two highly respected Republican senators spoke out resolutely and with great heart about the shortcomings of President Trump. They called out his incessant lack of truthfulness, and his penchant for debasing the ideals of democracy and free speech that are at the core of our great Republic.Tuesday was a remarkable day in politics for the country and for the Republican Party. Two highly respected Republican senators spoke out resolutely and with great heart about the shortcomings of President Trump. They called out his incessant lack of truthfulness, and his penchant for debasing the ideals of democracy and free speech that are at the core of our great Republic.
Yes, about a third of Americans don’t agree with Senators Bob Corker and Jeff Flake, or simply give the president a pass because they support his agenda. Seemingly for these people any price is worth the cost if their agenda is furthered.Yes, about a third of Americans don’t agree with Senators Bob Corker and Jeff Flake, or simply give the president a pass because they support his agenda. Seemingly for these people any price is worth the cost if their agenda is furthered.
To these people I say, Be very careful what you wish for. You may find short-run satisfaction if parts of Mr. Trump’s agenda get passed, but at what ultimate cost to our country and the office of the presidency? Stay alert; our Republic is under attack from within.To these people I say, Be very careful what you wish for. You may find short-run satisfaction if parts of Mr. Trump’s agenda get passed, but at what ultimate cost to our country and the office of the presidency? Stay alert; our Republic is under attack from within.
KEN DEROW, SWARTHMORE, PA.KEN DEROW, SWARTHMORE, PA.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
While everyone is touting the fact that Senators Jeff Flake and Bob Corker are standing up to President Trump, they are, in fact, capitulating. By not running for re-election, they have given in to the Stephen Bannon wing and have taken the heart out of the G.O.P.While everyone is touting the fact that Senators Jeff Flake and Bob Corker are standing up to President Trump, they are, in fact, capitulating. By not running for re-election, they have given in to the Stephen Bannon wing and have taken the heart out of the G.O.P.
What’s even more interesting is that Mr. Flake, one of the first Tea Party members, is not far enough to the right to be re-elected. This is not a happy day because people are standing up to the president. This is a sad day because the Trump/Bannon folks have won.What’s even more interesting is that Mr. Flake, one of the first Tea Party members, is not far enough to the right to be re-elected. This is not a happy day because people are standing up to the president. This is a sad day because the Trump/Bannon folks have won.
ED MAXWELL, SOUTH HADLEY, MASS.ED MAXWELL, SOUTH HADLEY, MASS.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
While I do not agree with many of Senator Jeff Flake’s policy views, nor those of Senator Bob Corker, the country owes them a debt of gratitude for their willingness to speak up and call out President Trump’s behavior. They have done a service to our country. If only other senators would put the country’s interests above their political future, we might return to a functioning polity where civility and problem-solving take precedence over invective and intransigence.While I do not agree with many of Senator Jeff Flake’s policy views, nor those of Senator Bob Corker, the country owes them a debt of gratitude for their willingness to speak up and call out President Trump’s behavior. They have done a service to our country. If only other senators would put the country’s interests above their political future, we might return to a functioning polity where civility and problem-solving take precedence over invective and intransigence.
DORIAN BOWMANCAMBRIDGE, MASS.DORIAN BOWMANCAMBRIDGE, MASS.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Jeff Flake is receiving kudos for his fine exit speech. But what is truly “reckless, outrageous and undignified” are Mr. Flake’s votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act, to repeal consumer protections and to delay hurricane relief to Puerto Rico. “Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”Jeff Flake is receiving kudos for his fine exit speech. But what is truly “reckless, outrageous and undignified” are Mr. Flake’s votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act, to repeal consumer protections and to delay hurricane relief to Puerto Rico. “Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
STEVE SCHINDLER, NEW YORKSTEVE SCHINDLER, NEW YORK
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Never have I agreed so much with someone with whom I agree so little. Thanks, from this Democrat, to Senator Jeff Flake for putting the core principles of mutual respect and common decency back at the top of our common agenda.Never have I agreed so much with someone with whom I agree so little. Thanks, from this Democrat, to Senator Jeff Flake for putting the core principles of mutual respect and common decency back at the top of our common agenda.
LARRY LOBERTGROSSE POINTE PARK, MICH.LARRY LOBERTGROSSE POINTE PARK, MICH.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
We know that the president is undignified, belligerent and (liberals would say) on the wrong side of most issues facing our country. We don’t expect that he’s capable of insight, learning or change. He has alienated large swaths of the population, and insulted, misunderstood and crudely challenged dangerous nations.We know that the president is undignified, belligerent and (liberals would say) on the wrong side of most issues facing our country. We don’t expect that he’s capable of insight, learning or change. He has alienated large swaths of the population, and insulted, misunderstood and crudely challenged dangerous nations.
But what is Congress’s excuse? How do most of our elected officials sit on the sidelines and just watch, Republicans especially? They all know that he is cruel and outrageous.But what is Congress’s excuse? How do most of our elected officials sit on the sidelines and just watch, Republicans especially? They all know that he is cruel and outrageous.
A friend of mine said the Republicans are happy now — like kids in a candy store, getting just what they want. Hence, their silence.A friend of mine said the Republicans are happy now — like kids in a candy store, getting just what they want. Hence, their silence.
But is deregulating coal, degrading environmental standards, stripping women of contraceptives and challenging tyrants around the world to war their candy?But is deregulating coal, degrading environmental standards, stripping women of contraceptives and challenging tyrants around the world to war their candy?
Help!Help!
AMY KNITZER, MONTCLAIR, N.J.AMY KNITZER, MONTCLAIR, N.J.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I believe that the issue of term limits is rightly left to another day given the far hotter issues in American life. But upon hearing Senators John McCain, Bob Corker and Jeff Flake speaking frankly when their careers near an end. I wonder how much more honest talk we would get from members of Congress if we had two-term limits to their service. I believe that the issue of term limits is rightly left to another day given the far hotter issues in American life. But upon hearing Senators John McCain, Bob Corker and Jeff Flake speaking frankly when their careers near an end, I wonder how much more honest talk we would get from members of Congress if we had two-term limits to their service.
DAVID F. TAMANINIHARRISBURG, PA.DAVID F. TAMANINIHARRISBURG, PA.