Partisanship is the poison that renders representative democracies dysfunctional. National needs, and often the Constitution, are ignored in the interest of defeating the opposing party and seizing political power. Civility is abandoned, leaving decent people wondering, “Why can’t we all get along?”
The U.S. Senate needs members who collaborate with members from the opposing party. Retiring Senator Ben Cardin is such a Senator. So is Mitt Romney. But both these Senators are retiring. Larry Hogan fits the bill. He worked with Democrats and won twice in the bluest of states. Marylanders, especially Democrats who see the need for bipartisanship in Washington, should vote for him. Right?
Wrong. A vote for Hogan is more than a vote for a good man. It is a vote for a party that, but for the courage of former Vice President Mike Pence, may have overthrown the 2020 election. That party, despite Trump’s accelerating mental decline and legal troubles, has improbably survived to 2024. It should be dead, but it is not.
Electing a handful of “constructive” Republicans will not cure the GOP’s cancer. November’s elections may bring Hogan to Washington, but he likely will be joined by more than a few MAGA monsters who will more than outweigh him. One example, election-denying Kari Lake, who has urged Republicans to “Strap on a Glock” in case God does not deliver the election to Trump (and presumably to herself).
Election denying and receptivity to violence are not the only reasons to conclude that the Republican party should end. Ukraine may lose its war against Vladimir Putin because Republicans delayed needed aid by months. Republicans remain hostile to persons of color and civil rights. The party once championed privacy and limited government. It now wants to ban abortion, regulate what books are shelved in libraries, and dictate whom we can love.
So, while Larry Hogan would be a welcome injection of bipartisanship in the Senate, the higher priority is to keep the Senate in Democratic hands. A vote for Hogan could result in an election denier becoming Majority Leader. Also, can we be sure he would not vote to impeach President Biden should Trump lose the White House with Republicans winning control of the House and Senate?
The Republican party has become an appendage of Trump. His daughter-in-law is overseeing the party’s finances. The Republican senators who would serve with Hogan are almost exclusively election deniers. If Trump loses in November and decides to stage another attempted coup, Hogan is unlikely to join in, but what would he do instead? Stand on the sidelines and watch Senators like Missouri’s Josh Hawley fist-pump insurrectionists as they enter the building?
America needs a party to counter the Democrats. We all benefit when proposals from both sides are challenged and honestly debated. Unfortunately, the Republican party has all but abandoned any attempt to be part of a deliberative legislative body dedicated to the people’s benefit.
When I think about today’s Republican party, I think about our own Andy “Handgun” Harris. Even after House Speaker Johnson, with the apparent blessing of Trump, signaled support for aid for Ukraine and Israel, Harris voted no. His vote suggests that MAGA will live on even if Trump loses. Remember that the Tea Party predated the rise of Trump. MAGA is likely to survive Trump’s passing.
The Republican party should be what is called a “tear-down” in real estate. It needs to be destroyed, its remnants hauled off to a dump, and something better put in its place. Larry Hogan should have volunteered to be part of the crew that dispatched the Republican party. Instead, Hogan made a mistake. He convinced himself that Trumpism and the corruption, racism, and intolerance that he represents are not part of the Republican party.
Hogan is now seeking the votes of millions of Marylanders who still believe that Trump won the 2020 election, that Jack Smith and other prosecutors are out to get Trump by “weaponizing” the Department of Justice, and who fly “F*ck Biden” flags in front of their homes. That is sad. Hogan should have disavowed the Republican party the same way he rejected Dan Cox, the MAGA nutcase nominated by the party to run for governor in 2022.
The first step to restoring order in Washington is for a new, moderate, democracy-loving party to emerge. One way to help make that happen is to vote against Larry Hogan in November.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, and, all too infrequently, other subjects.
Chris Gordon says
I completely agree with you about Hogan and will vote for the Democrat. But which Democrat? I would like to hear your views on that with the primary fast approaching.
John Dean says
I hope to focus on that in the near future. I still have work to do.
Thank you for reading the piece.
David A Turner says
Mr. Dean, I remember when I was learning to type, my arch-Republican Dad insisted I repeatedly type out “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their Party.” But my typing coach, a gentle Holy Cross Brother said to type “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” Brother Jacob was correct.
You cover a lot of territory in your editorial, but you deftly skipped over the most important reason to vote Hogan in the senate race of the upcoming general election. (Assuming Hogan wins the primary, which could well go to GOP candidate Cox who is one of those bizarre right wingers you criticize in your article).
Maybe the Democrats don’t want to loose the senate, but something higher is at stake — for the country. It’s essential that both parties (plus, hopefully, a third one) start installing sane, congenial candidates in congress. The toxic VOTE LEFT!/VOTE RIGHT! atmosphere we Americans find ourselves in must be tempered by acting as thoughtful voters who can recognize moderation and independence when we see it in our candidate choices. If ever there was a time to elect an independent candidate, like Larry Hogan, it’s this November. Let’s vote to cool off our national political angst.
John Dean says
Thank you for the comment. You make a good point on the need for an independent candidate. I respectfully disagree, however, that Hogan is independent. He could have run as an independent and possibly won. By running as a Republican, he becomes part of a Republican party that is nothing more than part of The Trump Organization.
If elected to the Senate, I would expect Hogan to oppose Trump on some matters (hopefully many), but he would still organize with the Republicans and could be the vote that puts the likes of Josh Hawley or some other Trump loyalist in charge.
David A Turner says
Mr. Dean, Thank you for your thoughtful assertion re. Hogan’s candidacy. Allow me to make a couple of assertions. I will place my ability to discern honest “independents” alongside anyone’s. I have heartfelt political views that have resulted — in this most confusing political era — in making me an undecided, former Biden voter, and all-American conservative Democrat. I live in independentland.
Your second assertion that Hogan would only govern as an independent if there were many, many more such people already in congress to back him up. Isn’t that disingenuous? The truth is Americans have to start somewhere if we’re going to install a sensible, congenial congress. Isn’t Hogan as good a start as any you can think of? Might most of your “moderates” bear more than a slight tinge of liberalism? Can you agree on that, or do you want to provide a list of Maryland independents you prefer and can, with a straight face, label clean independents? Speaking of disingenuous, you may be lowering yourself by saying that if Hogan were a honest moderate independent he would prove it by declining the Republican nomination and run instead as a third party independent. Really now? Let’s both assume that he wants to actually win the election.
It’s appropriate for civilized Maryland to send Hogan to the Senate because the nation must start somewhere if we’re going to moderate our nation’s uncivilized political climate. Truthfully, Trone and Alsobrooks are textbook, left-leaning liberals. What moderating influence can candidates such as Alsobrooks offer our suffering nation? I grant you that your list of liberals posing as moderates is matched by the conservative version of that. But lets elect Hogan on the understanding that nobody is a perfect moderate.
I believe that you are not posing. You are just a mostly liberal gentleman who doesn’t want any party but a safely left wing one running the senate during a potential Trump second term. Might that best describe you? You yourself says so.
Alvin Schuster says
Totally untrue.Hogan is very bipartisan and one item you failed to state.He is rational unlike many senators on both sides of the aisle.He has no problem speaking up for the moderate You fail to mention the 94 democratic congressmen and progressives who are part of the squad.They are totally irrational and dangerous to this country.Hogan must win against the candidates put up by the dems
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the editorial. We are on slightly different pages. I believe a Republican-controlled Senate under President Trump would be a disaster. That is why I don’t want Hogan in the Senate. He could be the Republican that puts Trump’s party in power.
I am not commenting on Democrats. I did not know there were 94 members of “The Squad.” I thought there were only four.
Chuck Schuster says
I do not agree that a vote for L. Hogan is not needed. Trone buys his endorsements, Alsobrooks lacks experience.
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the piece and for the comment. My point in urging people not to vote for Hogan is his affiliation with the Republican party, which is controlled by Trump. Anything that could further empower Trump, like winning control of the Senate, is a problem.
Muriel Cole says
This is a very well-reasoned article and an excellent explanation of why a vote for him, regardless of his personal attributes, endangers our democracy.
John Dean says
Thank you for your very kind words. Much appreciated.
David Sutherland says
Mr. Dean is a bright and polite public relations marketer. And I nice guy.
As I read the opinion from an independent perspective, I kept thinking that the opinion is fraught with contradictions in what is stated as your goal for Democracy. Frankly, you made the best reason TO vote for Hogan. He is an across the isle man and his own person. Most importantly, you make the point that you solely see Democrats control being the answer, yet at the same moment show a disingenuous political statement about parties working together for Democracy. As a lawyer one would think that you of all people believe that democracy was built around and as a vehicle to represent all varying thoughts, values and ideas. Not just 1 party rule because you don’t like what they think or say..so, darn them. That might be a Democrat ideal not a ideal of democracy?
Barbara Belden says
While I mostly agree with Mr. Dean’s positions and commentary, in this case I must respectfully disagree. While Harris and Trump drove me from the Republican Party to nonaligned I will not believe a true bipartisan devoted to actually governing should be sidelined. As to participation in some bogus impeachment proceedings it would not happen. If the Party to co-govern with Democrats is to be made up of the likes of Bob Dole, John McCain and Liz Chaney we cannot throw Larry Hogan out with the bath water
Weida Stoecker says
Larry Hogan would be the best thing to happen to the United States Senate. We need a Senator that will work with the opposition. We need to end the current “draw the line in the sand and dare your opponent to cross over it” mentality. We are the greatest nation in the world it’s about time we start acting like it.
As a middle of the road republican, I am backing Larry Hogan. Do I agree with him 100% of the time no but I trust him. Trust is the key. Trust to do what is right for Maryland and the United Ststes
Ros says
[email protected] I disagree with you, Mr Hogan is a great man I only wish he run to be president. He would be one of the best president the United States every had he is for the people what’s best for the people and country. Joe Biden is killing the United States letting all those illegals into the country now we have more than the people running around they’re bringing a dope they’re killing people and they’re taking away our funds away from their older seniors who works so hard to get their social security it’s a very sad situation I don’t want Biden for the president anymore. He killing us
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the piece and for your comment. As you might guess, I disagree with you that President Biden is killing us.
james durham says
Mr . Dean is mostly correct, except no other party is going to surface, and we need a 2 party system, especially to counter the tax-and-spend Democrats who raised fees and taxes on just about everything.
So if someone can come up with a party to replace Republicans, fine, ..if not, well, what goes around comes around, again & again.
J. Durham
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment. I also worry that it could be impossible for a new, moderate party to emerge to replace the Republican party. Where we differ is that I believe the Republican party has been broken beyond rehabilitation. The racism, xenophobia, and general incompetence of Trump has infected the rest of the party.
I expect Trump to lose in November, in part because he has put his daughter-in-law in charge of the Republican party.
Gren Whitman says
We don’t need yet another rich white man in the U.S. Senate. For this reason, I voted for Ms. Alsobrooks in the Dem primary. If she beats Mr. Trone, Maryland’s racial demographics and the abortion issue will enable her to also beat her likely GOP opponent, Mr. Hogan.
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the piece and sharing your perspective on the Democratic candidates. I have been impressed with Alsobrooks’s endorsements. I also believe that Alsobrooks would appeal to Maryland’s demographics.
Diana Kunkel says
We used to live in the 8th district. Connie Morella was a moderate Republican for whom we voted, while the Democrats controlled the US House. However, when the GOP took control, she voted for the more conservative Newt Gingrich for Speaker. As a moderate, she often opposed her party’s leadership on issues and was never a committee chair, despite having seniority. She went on to lose her Congressional seat. I fear the same fate awaits Mr Hogan should the GOP gain the majority. He would be sidelined in his own party and our state’s influence would be lessened as a result. Perhaps he should consider joining former-Republican Senator Angus King, declare his independence and caucus with the Democrats. The fact he hasn’t explored that option may indicate he’s not really as bipartisan as he claims to be.
Mary Darnell says
This article isis so true.When Hogan was Govenor I believe he did a good job for both parties but now he is starting g to speak “Maga” more than I ever expected and that disappoints me and I hope he doesn’t get elected.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Yes, it and was democrats in the state House/Senate that kept him a “moderate”.
Additionally, I would never trust him nor any member of the Republican Party with women’s health
care.
Vote blue until the GOP grows up and joins the 21st century.
Howard Hoffberg says
Hogan expects the voters to make a hard choice for him yet he ducked to make a meaningful decision involving the 2020 presidential election in which he voted for a dead man Reagan
This optimizes the hypocrisy of political parties
Litsha Butler says
I agree. Hogan’s ideally would not matter amongst the many republicans that sides with trump. Therfore he would just be out numbered and he ideally would not matter in the voting process. He would matter in the senate rules situations, as the senate controls most decisions. We would need a lot more Hogan’s gor the parties to work together.
Casper says
And the writer of this article likes the Joe Biden agenda
Maybe will pay for our gas and food. Typical liberal lawyer
Deirdre LaMotte says
LOL! And you think the chaos of the Trump years was a bonus to anyone but the very top wage earners?
Perhaps you can leave your MAGA hat in the garbage momentarily and please examine what is happening for our economy under Biden. It is extraordinary.
Trump is a nothing. He excites the primal anger of dissatisfied people who do not want to really examine
our economy and the amazing drama-free administration. Don’t believe it? Go ahead and read what
MOST every former Cabinet member in the Trump administration has publicly said: he is unfit to be anywhere near the Oval Office.