Looking at the Republican members of the US Senate, trying to find those who “might” be considered “moderate” conservatives who have some ethics and principles, is a tormenting task.
Republican Senators, with the exception of Mitt Romney, have been unwilling to speak up against the transgressions of Donald Trump, remaining silent in the midst of so much lawlessness and evil.
So when one tries to make a list of possibly “retrievable” Republican Senators, other than Lisa Murkowski of Alaska at times, and even Susan Collins at fewer times, who makes the list?
Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska
Senator Rob Portman of Ohio
Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma
These three seem reasonable occasionally in statements and actions, but one cannot be very optimistic about them despite the occasional exceptions. The first two have been seen as potential future Republican Presidential contenders, while Lankford is young enough, and at times, rational enough, that he might also be added to a potential Presidential candidate list.
This is the sad state of the Republican Party in 2020, while in the past, there were always “reasonable” Republicans to work with “across the aisle” with Democrats.
I don’t buy into the label “Moderate.â€
An elected politician is either serving the people—the have-nots—or they are working against the people and for those who are the haves.
Nearly every elected officeholder in Washington, D.C. is working for the haves.
Doing that certainly does NOT make one “moderate.â€
D, I understand what you are saying, but it is by degree of commitment to conservatism that I am speaking about.
And I know you and I disagree about Democrats, so called “Corporate” Democrats, but I think there are many Congressional Democrats who are trying to do what is needed for the “Have Nots”, and that in the past there were some Republicans who also did so, but certainly not now in the Republican Party.
Moderates are people who aren’t ultra right or ultra left and are willing to work together to get things done.
I second the Professor and Leia. Republicans have moved too far to the right and have forgotten that compromise is important.
What Motivates the Republican Party?
The GOP seems wildly hypocritical and unprincipled, until you understand its guiding idea.
https://washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/july-august-2020/what-motivates-the-republican-party/
Senate Republicans Have the Blood of COVID-19 Victims on Their Hands
They had their chance to stop Trump and chose to not do so.
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020/07/16/senate-republicans-have-the-blood-of-covid-19-victims-on-their-hands/
Russia is trying to do cyberattacks on Covid-19 research centers in the US, UK, and Canada.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/16/politics/russia-cyberattack-covid-vaccine-research/index.html
What Republicans Must Do to Reform Their Party
They will have to finally drop the racist playbook.
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020/07/16/what-republicans-must-do-to-reform-their-party/