Post # , Bob McKnight's Florida Commentary
There are many similarities between the 1972 presidential re-election of Richard Nixon and last year's re-election of Donald Trump.
Consider:
Trump and Nixon carried heavy baggage into their election.
Trump and Nixon reverted to retaliation against their perceived opponents and the press.
After their election, Trump and Nixon tested the power of the Executive Branch versus the other two branches.
Their inner circle only tolerated complete fealty and no independence from the President.
Both pushed the boundaries of power to the limit, and beyond.
In the instance of Nixon, there were a few Republican members of Congress who were troubled by the President's test of the Constitutional boundaries for the three branches of government. The House had considered filing Articles of Impeachment against Nixon and at least one member of the House spoke up and voted against Nixon--Representative William Cohen of Maine. He was considered a rising star in the GOP so his courage was widely supported in the country.
Cohen went on to outstanding service in the U.S. Senate and was appointed the Secretary of Defense in the Administration of Democrat Bill Clinton. He remains an active Republican but is critical of the work of President Donald Trump.
Looking at Trump today, there are no Republicans in office who have the courage of William Cohen and are willing to challenge Trump. However, a few have shown small signs of independence that could transfer into the courage to speak up. Here are some of the possibilities that could play the William Cohen role:
Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
Senator Susan Collins (Maine)
Senator Mitch McConnell (Kentucky)
Senator Lindsey Graham (South Carolina
Senator James Lankford (Oklahoma)
Senator Chuck Grassley (Iowa)
Senator Bill Cassidy (Louisiana)
Senator Randy Paul (Kentucky)
It would probably take a very offensive and controversial action by Trump to prompt one of these Senators to speak up. However, given Trump's history of speaking without thinking and stretching the bounds of accepted civility, it is certain that this will happen during the next four years. When it happens, it will be critical whether the objection is singular, without other Senators joining.
Who will play the William Cohen role with Trump?
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