Heading into their big lunch with Donald Trump on Tuesday, Senate Republicans were openly critical of the White House for not apologizing for an aide’s crass remarks about Sen. John McCain. But did they confront Trump about it? Of course not.
They didn’t ask about the Russia investigation or, well, really anything else, either.
… there were just two questions — statements, really, according to Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. — about immigration and about how well Republicans have done with power in Washington.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., urged Trump to talk about the GOP's record, and passed out copies of of a pocket card with accomplishments — from military spending to the confirmation of Supreme court Justice Neil Gorsuch — listed on it.
"We were very positive in there," Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby said. "We mainly listened."
Ahead of the lunch, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst said that “I hope that we have a discussion about” the White House’s treatment of McCain. Apparently hope was the only action she took. Reporters should remember this moment the next time they get a quote from any Republican critical of Trump—the follow-up question always has to be “what are you going to do about it,” and Republican actions must always be checked against Republican claims.
Because Tuesday’s lunch is the reality of today’s Republican Party: they listened and rather than challenging, they fawned and sucked up.
Let’s elect a Senate that won’t give Trump a free pass! Can you give $3 to elect Democrats in Nevada and Arizona?