I think while it is true that most Republicans will kowtow to Trump, either outta fear or for some advantage, I doubt that many will just 100% kneel to him aside from the most blindly loyal sycophants. You gotta remember at the end of the day, reelection impending aside, Collins and many others still strongly value their influence as sen…
I think while it is true that most Republicans will kowtow to Trump, either outta fear or for some advantage, I doubt that many will just 100% kneel to him aside from the most blindly loyal sycophants. You gotta remember at the end of the day, reelection impending aside, Collins and many others still strongly value their influence as senators - and a swing vote at that. Collins is not about to just make herself politically irrelevant just to appease Trump for picks that are so blatantly atrocious, even for many conservatives. Everyone in Congress knows that Trump's on a timer, and whether it be his declining health or the impending midterms, his time and influence will wane. For a swing state vote like Collins, its to her benefit to exert as much leverage with Trump as possible and being a doormat does the total opposite.
I absolutely agree with most of your analysis. Specifically, I do not think the Senate will recess on Hair Furore’s request, just so he can push through his most extreme and unqualified appointments. Nor will the House do so, allowing Trump to order the Senate too to recess or adjourn. With such a narrow advantage, Speaker Mike Johnson can’t afford to lose even three or four Republican votes – and surely there will be at least a handful resisting the White House’s power grab.
That said, given that Republicans will have a 53–47 majority (after Vance is replaced), I don’t think the Senate will reject terribly many of Trump’s unqualified extremist nominations, which is a very long list!
I think while it is true that most Republicans will kowtow to Trump, either outta fear or for some advantage, I doubt that many will just 100% kneel to him aside from the most blindly loyal sycophants. You gotta remember at the end of the day, reelection impending aside, Collins and many others still strongly value their influence as senators - and a swing vote at that. Collins is not about to just make herself politically irrelevant just to appease Trump for picks that are so blatantly atrocious, even for many conservatives. Everyone in Congress knows that Trump's on a timer, and whether it be his declining health or the impending midterms, his time and influence will wane. For a swing state vote like Collins, its to her benefit to exert as much leverage with Trump as possible and being a doormat does the total opposite.
I absolutely agree with most of your analysis. Specifically, I do not think the Senate will recess on Hair Furore’s request, just so he can push through his most extreme and unqualified appointments. Nor will the House do so, allowing Trump to order the Senate too to recess or adjourn. With such a narrow advantage, Speaker Mike Johnson can’t afford to lose even three or four Republican votes – and surely there will be at least a handful resisting the White House’s power grab.
That said, given that Republicans will have a 53–47 majority (after Vance is replaced), I don’t think the Senate will reject terribly many of Trump’s unqualified extremist nominations, which is a very long list!