It was a sign of presidential weakness, and just how much some Senate Republicans can’t stand him, that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell defended Bob Corker from Trump’s attacks.
McConnell defended Corker at an event in Kentucky:
McConnell at Paris, KY event: "Senator Corker is a valued member of the republican conference in the senate and a key player on the budget."
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) October 9, 2017
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More McConnell in Paris, KY: "We're going to be turning to the budget next week, & (Corker) will be a big help in helping us get it passed"
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) October 9, 2017
The message to Trump is clear. If forced to choose between the President and their colleagues, Senate Republicans will choose their colleagues. The Senate Majority Leader doesn’t respect his own president, and what is even worse is that McConnell went out of his way to defend Corker, even though the Senator from Tennessee is retiring.
The Trump/McConnell feud is alive and well, and McConnell smells blood in the water when it comes to Trump. This president is wounded and reeling, and a top member of his own party would rather defend a guy who is cruising into retirement than Donald Trump.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association