Posted on 03/16/2018 7:10:26 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake is retiring at the end of his term but he may not be giving up on politics altogether.
The staunch critic of President Trump said Thursday during a speech at the National Press Club that he may take on the commander in chief in 2020.
"It's not in my plan to run for president, but I am not ruling it out. Somebody needs to stand up for traditional Republicanism," Flake said. "Somebody needs to raise that, for nothing else than to give people hope that that decent party will be back. We'll get through this."
He also said the blind loyalty to Trump shown by many of his fellow Republican colleagues means the GOP “might not deserve to lead.”
While Flake acknowledged the uphill battle of defeating the president if the election were held today, the Arizona Republican said all that could change dramatically if the GOP has disastrous results in the midterm elections.
"Not today, but two years from now, possibly. Things can unravel pretty fast," Flake said. "As soon as he's viewed as one who loses majorities in the House and the Senate, and there's no chance that someone in the 30s can win re-election, people might move on."
He also said if Trump does not lose support from his base, there is still another option to run as an independent.
"I'm not ruling that out either," he said. "There are going to be a lot of other people in the party looking for something else."
Steve Duprey, who represents New Hampshire at the Republican National Committee, said his chances are not looking good.
"It's virtually impossible to beat an incumbent for the nomination,” he said, reports FoxNews.com. “But that doesn't prevent people from trying with various degrees of seriousness."
It’s difficult to say whether Flake is serious or not, considering he acknowledged in October that he wouldn’t even be able to win a GOP primary in his state.
"The bottom line is if I were to run a campaign that I could be proud of, and where I didn’t have to cozy up to the president and his positions or his behavior, I could not win in a Republican primary," he said the day after announcing he wouldn’t seek reelection." "That’s the bottom line."
We could knock that nose back the other way. Up and to the other side.
When your name says all that anyone needs to know about you!
The headlines would write themselves!
Cheap Labor Express stooges need not apply.
Flasick 20202!
Flakey Flake, running for Pres, how much did Putin offer him? Or is it something in the Arizona water? After all McCain flips and flops like a Democratic party fish too.
Bush League Republicanism is what he means, that is not traditional Republicanism.
Republicans used to believe in US sovereignty and the rule of law.
“Not today, but two years from now, possibly. Things can unravel pretty fast,” Flake said. “As soon as he’s viewed as one who loses majorities in the House and the Senate, and there’s no chance that someone in the 30s can win re-election, people might move on.”
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The Bush League Republicans will do everything they can to make this come true.
The AZ GOP is already setting up the next Amnesty Senator from AZ.
They are using Joe Arpaio’s ego to crowd out Kelli Ward, who is why Flake is quitting so they can nominate McSallycain.
Flake and Kasich can fight for top spot on the Flake/Kasich ticket.
He can’t even win his home state - that’s why he’s not seeking reelection.
He’s in total denial.
Flake is delusional if he thinks people will vote for him over President Trump. He may have support of never-Trumpers in the DC bubble, but the people will hate him for it. What a mistake, he cannot get re-elected for his current position by the people in his own state! Wonder who’s offering him money to do this? Could be the Democrats! He could run in their party! Bwahahahahahaha!
The swamp doesn’t get it. Trump, a total outsider, won against tremendous odds, and is becoming more popular everyday. Does this loser actually think America wants to go back to unipartyism?
Never has a politician been so aptly named.
Please Senator Flake go write your memoir.
(singular intended)
At least Fritz Mondale could win his home state.
since “traditional republicans” are congenital losers, a loser like Flake would be the perfect loser to represent them ... of course, being a loser who represents losers, everyone (especially flake) knows that he would lose ... so, flake, i say go for it! go out there and lose for all of the losers you represent ...
LOL. That should go well. :P
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