Years ago, under entirely different circumstances, I was generally a Republican voter unless a good friend was on the other ticket. Donald Trump changed that and several years ago I changed my registration. Independent always in attitude and now in affiliation as well.
The US Senate race in Maryland is for me an opportunity. An opportunity to comfortably vote on the Republican side of the ballot. Having dealt with both Houses of Congress, let me explain my attitude.
I am going to presume that not everybody understands the position of Party Whip with his/her several deputies. Their Congressional role is to make sure everybody in their Party’s caucus votes the Party line. Few, in history, stand up to the Whip even when their principles are in conflict with the Party line. The Whip office has deep ties with those that control campaign funds and few who are elected want to risk losing that support. Re-election is fast on the dreamscape.
In present day Washington, notable independent-minded and voting Senators include Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema and on the other side Mitt Romney and Lisa Murkowski. John McCain, a Republican, was especially independent and by many called a “Maverick”. Perhaps most famously, in my lifetime, was Democratic Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas. He took on his Party’s President Lyndon Johnson in opposing the Vietnam War. His advocacy was the beginning of the end of the war.
In the Maryland Senate race there is only one person whose principles and history will assure voters a stiff spine. Former Governor Larry Hogan. I can think of few moments in the American history I have lived when courage to push back is more needed. And it is an especially important characteristic to have on the Republican side of the aisle. Trump, if elected, will not run over Hogan.
Much will be said about political leverage (read benefits) in this campaign. The Democratic nominee will be said to have leverage and especially by many who will be voting for Kamala Harris. And if the Democratic Party clears the table, that will probably be right. But if the Democratic Party clears the table, I will certainly want our former Governor in the Senate. Most Presidents want to make their mark by enacting new programs with big price tags that add to the deficit. Governor Hogan’s record as a fiscal conservative who got things done was impressive.
But if indeed the former President wins a second term a Senator Larry Hogan will be able to join other more independent-minded Republican Senators to push back on extremes. Who doubts the former Governor would do that? Or if he feels it necessary, stand alone and speak out? Policy proposals are cheap as taxpayers pick up the tab; courage is politically expensive. Courage is telling in history even when it is often unpopular in the present.
Larry Hogan has been thoroughly vetted by Maryland voters. He served eight years as Governor. He always faced a Legislature controlled by the Democrats. He learned how to move forward without giving away the farm. He is seasoned, has an abundance of courage, and my vote.
Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al writes on themes from his book, Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books.
Bob Moores says
I vehemently disagree. Courage is not on the ballot, strategic thinking is.
You have to hand Republicans one thing: They are better at taking the long view than we are. Many voted for Trump not because they thought he was a good man, but because they trusted him to promote the conservative agenda by way of the judges he appointed. Trump rewarded their trust by making the Supreme Court lopsided enough to give us Dobbs.
The Senate is up for grabs this cycle. We Demos, to get anything done (or prevent Trump from doing more harm) can’t take the chance that “maybe” Hogan, good man that he is, will sometimes side with Democrats. We need a liberal Senator who will surely support our values. Alsobrooks is that person.
Gretchen F Stroh says
Exactly. If the Senate comes down to one vote, Hogan, for the majority. the Senate Majority leader will be some scary maga follower. Even though I’d like to see Hogan in, there are larger ramifications.
Chris Gordon says
Al, when I go into that voting booth in November I won’t be choosing hetween Hogan or Alsobrooks, I’ll be choosing between Schumer or McConnell to lead the Senate. I’ll go with Schumer.
Clark Bjorke says
I would not count on “other Republican Senators” to push back on anything of Trump is elected. Larry Hogan will be isolated in any opposition he has to Project 25, Agenda 47 or whatever else you want to call the MAGA plan to unravel our democratic republic. I like Larry Hogan too, but this year can not be his year in the Senate. There is too much at stake.
Mary Ann Mason says
Biden entered office with the quaint belief he could work across the isle with like minded citizens and have a reasonable dialogue resulting in the best outcome for the citizenry. Has that happened? No. Hogan is a good person, fair and decent. But we can’t trust that he won’t consistently vote with Mike Johnson, Chip Roy and Mitch.
Manchin and Sinema are hardly model politicians. These two consistently put themselves, their donors and their personal business interests above country and constituents.
The closest we come today is Angus King, a decent human who puts country above himself.
Gretchen F Stroh says
Manchin held the senate hostage in the past. Not a good example.
Richard H Caldwell says
Sorry, Al, but nothing about Larry Hogan matters this cycle except that, if elected, he will caucus with the MAGA Rs and that risks giving the MAGA Rs control of the senate. That is a non-starter.
This is not your father’s Larry Hogan who’s running for office; this is your sick uncle Mitch McConnell’s Larry Hogan. No for Hogan and Maryland.
Gren Whitman says
Larry Hogan is not a moderate Republican: As our governor, he vetoed reproductive rights, a $15 minimum wage, family leave, gun safety, and climate protection measures. If elected to the U.S. Senate, he will caucus with the GOPs and his presence will help the GOP control that chamber, to the detriment of any progressive legislation. Other than lower bridge tolls, Hogan accomplished little of a positive or forward-looking nature as governor.
Ron Jordan says
Gren, please repeat what you wrote again and again. Some folks in the back didn’t get the memo about Hogan. Wash, rise and repeat until election day.
Many thanks to you, many times I thank you.