Amna Nawaz:
As Democrats celebrate their historic gains, Republicans are beginning to take stock of the major upsets and what’s next for their party.
Joining us today is former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal Republican critics during his first term and the author of the 2017 book “Conscience of a Conservative.”
Senator Flake, welcome back to “News Hour.” Thank you for joining us.
Sir. Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ):
Thank you for inviting me.
Amna Nawaz:
I’d like to start with this news today that President Trump has elevated Stephen Miller to his new chief of staff. This is the man who is the architect of the president’s hard-line immigration agenda, as well as many other policies.
What does this decision tell you, just a few days after the huge Republican defeats in the midterms?
Sir. Senator Jeff Flake:
Well, that suggests the president is doubling down.
I had hoped that, on the issue of immigration, this was an area where the President could reach agreement on some immigration-related issues. I know, when I was in the Senate and the president was in his first term, he seemed willing to do it, but he was always rebuffed by people like Stephen Miller.
And so I’m a little disheartened to see that, because, on some issues, he might be inclined to work with the Democrats, but not so much now.
Amna Nawaz:
Does this tell you anything about what we should expect over the next two years?
Sir. Senator Jeff Flake:
Yes, I – unfortunately, I think that’s the case.
I think the president would not have elevated Stephen Miller if he hoped to reach agreements with Democrats on certain issues. I hope I’m wrong, but that’s kind of the story.
Amna Nawaz:
We know there are still a few more elections to be called after this election, but the picture is very clear. We’re talking about generational losses for Republicans. The level of extinction is how Florida Governor Ron DeSantis put it.
And I’m sure you’ve seen President Trump and Vice President Vance basically saying this is all about the war in Iran. Do you agree with this?
Sir. Senator Jeff Flake:
No. Certainly, that played an important role, but the economy and affordability were obviously the biggest issue for voters. This administration’s original economic sin was the tariffs. Tariffs have raised prices for everyone.
And that was long before the war started. So no, it wasn’t just the war. And then, it wasn’t just a question of politics. It was just like, Republicans calling Democrats or anyone they disagreed with socialists, communists, pedophiles, or jihadists, a simple hope that gratefully ran its course, and people got tired of it.
Amna Nawaz:
And it was reported today that Arizona Democrats won a threesome to control the House, Senate and governor’s office for the first time in 60 years. What does this tell you about what’s happening in your state?
Sir. Senator Jeff Flake:
Yes, it was huge.
An anecdote to tell you how a Maricopa County Superior Court clerk feels – Maricopa County is the fourth largest county in the country with nearly four million residents – a 19-year-old Democrat, won that seat over a former Republican lawmaker who was not plagued by scandals. He was just a Republican. And a 19-year-old Democrat won that seat by about 100,000 votes.
That’s kind of how it happened in Arizona, and I think it’s been replicated elsewhere in the country.
Amna Nawaz:
So in 2019 you wrote this in a tweet.
You said, “One day in the not-so-distant future, Republicans will wake up and say, ‘We did this for this man?’ »
Has this day come? What are you hearing from other Republicans?
Sir. Senator Jeff Flake:
Well, I think so, from some other Republicans, yes, but then you hear some of the talking heads or those who have aligned themselves closely with the president, whether they’re think tanks or other advocacy groups, and you see they’re sticking to that.
So I hope that Republicans, and certainly elected officials, those who remain, will realize that this is not a victory here and that we are at a dead end as a party unless we change course.
Amna Nawaz:
But when you decided not to run for office, like so many others who opposed and spoke out publicly against President Trump, you left office, and now the party is almost entirely the party of Donald Trump. Where does he go from here?
Sir. Senator Jeff Flake:
Well, nothing focuses the mind like a huge election defeat, and we suffered through it.
And now we need to find a candidate for president. And I can tell you, I don’t think it will be someone who will be in sync with the current president. We must chart a different course and, in some way, recapture and return to some of the principles that have animated the party for generations: limited government, economic freedom, a modicum of free trade, American leadership abroad, recognition of our allies from our adversaries.
These are winning issues if we can find someone who has a certain distance from the president, because I think that to have a certain visibility with voters, we will have to have distance from the president.
Amna Nawaz:
I guess that means you don’t think JD Vance will be the party’s nominee. So who would you like to see? Would you support someone like Marco Rubio?
Sir. Senator Jeff Flake:
Yes, Marco managed to keep a certain distance. It kind of depends on how long he stays in the position he has. I don’t think he can stay there very long without linking himself directly to the president. He has been successful so far.
So yes, Marco could do it. Marco is very intelligent and you know where his heart is. I’ve known him for years and I think he really disagrees with some of the things the president has done. So yes, he is one. There are others. I hope some new faces will emerge, or maybe some governors, if there are any left, can actually breathe new life into the party.
Amna Nawaz:
And you? Would you ever consider running?
Sir. Senator Jeff Flake:
I don’t think so. I’ve been an elected official for 18 years, and that’s probably enough.
Amna Nawaz:
Former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, thank you very much for being with us tonight. Enjoy your time.
Sir. Senator Jeff Flake:
Thank you for inviting me.
Gn usa
