“Corker was once seen as a Trump ally. However, Corker grew critical of Trump due to his remarks over the Charlottesville incidents.”
Senator Bob Corker, a Republican from Tennessee, has put President Trump in an increasingly antagonistic Twitter war. Corker is retiring and will not seek reelection in 2018. The Senator is considered an establishment Republican and has emerged as a fierce critic of Trump and his populist movement.
The clash between Corker and Trump has escalated dramatically in recent days. Corker has unleashed a volley of vitriol rarely seen between members of Congress and Administration officials hailing from the same party. Corker blasted the Trump administration:
“It’s a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.”
Corker was once seen as a Trump ally. However, Corker grew critical of Trump due to his remarks over the Charlottesville incidents. Trump’s refusal to more forcefully denounce the white supremacists and effort to spread some of the blame on opposing protesters upset many.
Trump took to Twitter to respond to Corker’s insults:
Senator Bob Corker “begged” me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said “NO” and he dropped out (said he could not win without…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
Trump’s accusation would be damming, if true. It’d be a low blow to first beg a President for support, and to then denounce him for not extending it. If you didn’t agree with the President, why would you ask for his support? Of course, politicians make deals all the time with people they don’t like.
However, Corker’s office claims that the President is upset precisely because the Senator will not run for office again. According to the Senator’s office, the President urged Corker to seek re-election and promised his support. Corker claims that he declined the opportunity and did not want to seek office again even with the President’s support.
It’s hard to say who is telling the truth and who is lying in the most recent feud. What is certain is that the President could endanger his administration by going after Corker. The Senator chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. As such, he is in charge of confirmations for Ambassadors and the Secretary of State post, should it come open.
Trump also blasted Corker for being behind the Iran deal. Back in 2015 Corker refused to assert the “Treaty Clause” that would have forced the Obama administration to secure 2/3rds of the support of the Senate. As a result, the Obama Administration was able to lock up support for the Iran Deal with a simple majority.
As of July, Corker enjoyed an overall approval rating of 52% and a disapproval rating of 29% among Tennessean voters. These numbers are quite solid. However, Corker was not beyond challenge from either Democrats or a Republican primary challenger.
It remains unclear if these poll numbers influenced Corker’s decision to not seek reelection. Many believe, however, that Corker would have been challenged during the Primary. The spats with President Trump and a long establishment record would have made Corker vulnerable to a populist outsider.
