by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
Missouri politics received an unexpected jolt yesterday when one of our two Republican US senators, Josh Hawley, voted with four other Republican senators and all of the Democratic senators to advance a war powers resolution that would bar Trump from putting US boots on the ground in Venezuela without first coming to Congress to seek its approval.
Hawley, who still operates in the Middle Ages when it comes to some issues - abortion, for instance - has a background in constitutional law and has apparently read the US Constitution - and has a basic understanding of that document. In explaining why he voted with four other Republican senators (Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Todd Young of Indiana, and Susan Collins of Maine) to essentially place limits on what Trump seems to believe is his God-given right to be an armchair general, Hawley referred to Article One in the Constitution which grants Congress the sole authority to declare war.
Not surprisingly, Josh Hawley's exceedingly rare direct challenge to Trump's effort to totally control the US government and its military put him on the MAGA cult leader's naughty list. Trump exploded on social media saying that the rebellious five GOP senators "should never be elected to public office again!"
Ouch! Piggy was pissed.
The resolution passed 52-47. Thanks, Josh.
Historically (over the past few election cycles) Trump's endorsement or lack thereof has been a critical factor in the campaigns of many Republicans. His rebuke of Marjorie Taylor Greene was seen as a key factor in her resignation from Congress which took effct this past Monday. All of Missouri's statewide elected officials are Republicans as are seven of nine congressmen and both United States senators, but Trump is still the biggest fish in the show-me pond. He carried my rural Missouri county with 80% of the vote last November. Which means that Josh Hawley's vote yesterday has the potential of costing him his cushy job and lifestyle.
The young senator, however, has a couple of things working in his favor. Trump's poll numbers seem to have peaked and are on the slide, and he is beginning to face successful challenges to his political power. The recent revolt by the Republican state senate in Indiana when they killed his plan to redistrict the state and gain more Republican seats - or the rebellions in Congress from a few specific GOP representatives also show Trump's increasing political weakness. Instead of committing political suicide, Josh may have caught a political wave at just the right moment.
The other thing Josh Hawley had going in his favor is that he is not up for re-election until 2030, a time when Trump should no longer be a player on the US political scene. A lot can be forgotten or forgiven in four years.
But Missouri does have a limitless supply of Republican goobers who probably think they have the political smarts and connections to get elected to the Senate. Congressman Jason Smith, maybe you should throw your MAGA cap into that race. Your tongue has been coated with Trump's shoe polish for a decade, and you would be a heavy favorite to kick Hawley's butt in Cape Girardeau and Sikeston! Think about it, Jason.
Thank you, Josh Hawley, for for letting the Constitution of the United States of America be your guide. Now, try to make it a habit!
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