The Washington Post
Whatever the Republican Party's problem is, the solution isn't for Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., to quit the Senate or Roy Moore and Kelli Ward to become Republican Senate nominees.
The fact is, Flake is a good man and is part of the solution in Washington - not part of the problem. A lot of what he said on the Senate floor Tuesday is the undeniable truth. But instead of staying in the fight, he just sounded the alarm and now is now heading for the door. Not exactly heroic.
Leaders such as Flake need to stay and fight the good fight. The Republican Party needs more principled conservatives walking the halls of Congress, not fewer.
Flake stood for something, and he should continue doing exactly that. Surrendering to a potential defeat in 2018 is not the example that he should set. In this political environment, quitting is the definition of being selfish.
And while we are at it, I see the people who criticize those serving in the Trump administration as being enablers of the president. After all, Trump needs minding. I think a lot of people serving in this administration are guardians of the galaxy. Thank God they are there. If the rational, level-headed thinkers are discouraged and quit, the void will be filled by less competent, less committed individuals who will only encourage the president's worst instincts.
Flake is wrong; in Congress, the choices aren't to either be complicit or quit. There is the option of staying, being intellectually honest and trusting the voters that you have always said you trusted.
I hope Flake's shortsighted choice of quitting doesn't have a snowballing effect within the Republican Party. But the liberal media will treat Flake like a hero - and this is only the beginning of the retirement season. Let's remember, the mainstream media wants nothing less than to see the destruction of the Republican Party.
