Years ago, under entirely different circumstances, I was generally a Republican voter unless a good friend was on the other ticket. Donald Trump changed that and several years ago I changed my registration. Independent always in attitude and now in affiliation as well.
The US Senate race in Maryland is for me an opportunity. An opportunity to comfortably vote on the Republican side of the ballot. Having dealt with both Houses of Congress, let me explain my attitude.
I am going to presume that not everybody understands the position of Party Whip with his/her several deputies. Their Congressional role is to make sure everybody in their Party’s caucus votes the Party line. Few, in history, stand up to the Whip even when their principles are in conflict with the Party line. The Whip office has deep ties with those that control campaign funds and few who are elected want to risk losing that support. Re-election is fast on the dreamscape.
In present day Washington, notable independent-minded and voting Senators include Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema and on the other side Mitt Romney and Lisa Murkowski. John McCain, a Republican, was especially independent and by many called a “Maverick”. Perhaps most famously, in my lifetime, was Democratic Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas. He took on his Party’s President Lyndon Johnson in opposing the Vietnam War. His advocacy was the beginning of the end of the war.
In the Maryland Senate race there is only one person whose principles and history will assure voters a stiff spine. Former Governor Larry Hogan. I can think of few moments in the American history I have lived when courage to push back is more needed. And it is an especially important characteristic to have on the Republican side of the aisle. Trump, if elected, will not run over Hogan.
Much will be said about political leverage (read benefits) in this campaign. The Democratic nominee will be said to have leverage and especially by many who will be voting for Kamala Harris. And if the Democratic Party clears the table, that will probably be right. But if the Democratic Party clears the table, I will certainly want our former Governor in the Senate. Most Presidents want to make their mark by enacting new programs with big price tags that add to the deficit. Governor Hogan’s record as a fiscal conservative who got things done was impressive.
But if indeed the former President wins a second term a Senator Larry Hogan will be able to join other more independent-minded Republican Senators to push back on extremes. Who doubts the former Governor would do that? Or if he feels it necessary, stand alone and speak out? Policy proposals are cheap as taxpayers pick up the tab; courage is politically expensive. Courage is telling in history even when it is often unpopular in the present.
Larry Hogan has been thoroughly vetted by Maryland voters. He served eight years as Governor. He always faced a Legislature controlled by the Democrats. He learned how to move forward without giving away the farm. He is seasoned, has an abundance of courage, and my vote.
Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al writes on themes from his book, Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books.
Dennis Mesko says
Hogan is a Repub and as such will vote the party line, making him a danger to democracy.
Gerry Early says
Larry Hogan is a good man and, although I’m a Democrat I voted for him twice for governor. But a vote for Hogan for senator is to help make it highly likely the Republicans will once again gain control of the Senate.
Given the corrupt way Senate Republicans handled two appointments to the Supreme Court when they were last in the majority, not to mention stacking the US district and appellate courts with MAGA acolytes (e.g., Judge Cannon in Florida), no sane Democrat or Independent should vote for Hogan this time around.
Linda Cades says
If you think that “Trump, if elected, will not run over Hogan,” I’m afraid you are being naive. The party of which you used to be a member no longer exists. It is now Trump’s party, and Republicans serving in Congress do what he tells them to. A recent example: Republican Senator Lankford worked for months with a bi-partisan group of Senators to create a new, strong border bill which Biden was willing to sign. Then Trump told Republicans to vote against it because it actually would have begun to solve problems at our border, and Trump wanted the issue to continue to fester so he could run on it. They all caved. There is not a lot of courage in that group.
Of the three independent minded legislators you mention only Murkowski remains. She has indeed been independent and courageous, but she has also been censured by the Alaska Republican Party. She is one of only 3 Republican Senators who voted to convict Trump the last time he was impeached who will still be in the Senate after this election. The other two who remain are Susan Collings and Bill Cassidy. It’s a lonely group. There are three actual independents in Congress, all of whom caucus with the Democrats. You mention John McCain. McCain’s son Jimmy just announced that he will vote for Kamala Harris. He spoke out after Trump’s recent stunt at Arlington National Cemetery. You will recall that Trump demeaned John McCain, who spent over 5 years in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp after he was shot down. Trump said he “preferred people who were not captured” and has also called people killed in combat “losers and suckers.”
Hogan was a decent governor although I never voted for him, and I won’t this time. He is to be admired for speaking out against Trump. However,I don’t think he has much chance of standing up against Trump all by himself if he is elected given the lack of courage and integrity displayed by most of his Republican colleagues. You don’t say who you are supporting for President. I’m hopeful that you understand the terrible cost of another Trump administration and that you will split your ticket.
Michael Pullen says
What happiness the Senate affects much more than Maryland. Handing control of the Senate to the current Republican Party will be a disaster. No single Republican Senator can prevent those consequences.
Angela Alsobrooks can, and will. This is not comparable to a Governor’s race, nor can a Governor’s record translate to the Senate. Republican power politics runs the Senate when they hold the gavel. Recall Mitch McConnell’s refusal to consider Merrick Garland’s nomination, then rushing Amy Comey Barrett’s nomination through at the last minute.
Giving Republicans the gavel again is inexcusable. Voting for Alsobrooks is the only responsible choice.
Francine DeSanctis says
I must question the referral to ” other Independent-minded Republican Senators”. Where are they? Have we heard from any during the past years? Most run from the press who try to get their opinion on Trump. And what about Committee chairmen? These are based upon the political party in charge. Hogan is a Republican and whether he admits it or not, his win will insure these chairs to Republicans who will support a Trump agenda. We can’t afford to be “independent”. Too much is at stake.
Anne C Stalfort says
I couldn’t disagree more. A vote for Hogan is a vote for a Republican Senate majority. Voting for Hogan is a vote for a federal abortion ban. Hogan is not moderate – look up his veto record.
Peter Gallagher says
Al, I agree Gov Hogan is decent and independent, but I have 5 reasons why I won’t vote him;
McConnell
Paul
Cruz
Graham
Hawkeye
It’s really scary to think of them in the majority. Respectfully, your admirer, Peter
Brice R Gamber says
The knee jerk reaction from Democrats almost knocked the tablet out of my hand. I am not surprised given the discourse in the Spy over the past few weeks. However, I’m disappointed that the normally objective people won’t admit that it may not be Trump that people are voting for, but rather against the increasingly liberal agenda that is flowing from the Democrats.
With a 70/30 percent majority, the Democratic candidate should be blowing Hogan away. Yet, the lead is 47% to 42%. What does that say ? A significant number of Democrats in Maryland look at results, not dogma.
While disparaging Hogan and suggesting he will not vote for what is best for Maryland ignore his track record and ignore their own Party’s lock step performance. Oops, there was Joe Mancin, what happened there ?
Reef fawell 3 says
An intelligent comment by Brice. Thanks so much.
Barbara Denton says
Excellent comment. We need Larry Hogan in the Senate. Take a look at the state Prince Georges County is in before you pull that lever for Angela Alsobrooks.
Deirdre LaMotte says
So, can you elaborate the “liberal” agenda?
I do hope you are not parroting Trump lies about “schools do sex change operations”.
Are you suggesting women should be forced
to continue an unwanted pregnancy? Are you suggesting we not support Ukraine against
an aggressive Russian invasion? Are you
bothered that the USA has, with NATO, kept
peace for nearly 80 years? Do you have a problem with book access for everyone?
Do you have a problem with environmental
laws that keep your water clean and air breathable?
Are you spouting concerns not from listening
to real news, but “news” made to fit a
certain agenda?
If so, please reset.
Michele La Rocca says
I agree
Wilson Dean says
Larry Hogan is a very likable guy who deserves credit for bucking the Republican shift from Conservative Party to Trump’s cult. But I still will not vote for him in this election. As Governor, he attempted to stall and weaken Maryland’s efforts to deal with climate change, refused to sign legislation to ease restrictions on abortion, sided with business over labor, and resisted family leave legislation. I respect him, but his values do not represent what the Democratic Party stands for.
David Lloyd says
Agree with these comments. Hogan opposed many concerns — the climate change, abortion restrictions, and more listed above here — and I can still remember wondering why he was doing so. Aiming to be a better politician, he failed. Period. His vote in the Senate would give Mitch McConnell’s-like the majority and we Americans will suffer.
Kathleen Carroll says
I can’t vote for Larry Hogan. He will caucus with the Republicans no matter how independent he claims to be. That could put Mitch McConnell in charge of the Senate again–after he blocked a vote for Merrick Garland because it was too close to an election (even though it was months) and then crammed through Amy Barrett just weeks before an election. I don’t want to risk Republicans controlling the House, Senate, and presidency.
Jay Plager says
After reading the comments below I had to comment – Al, if I were still living in Maryland I would absolutely follow your lead here and vote for Hogan. As Vice-chair of the Md Environmental Trust when I lived there, I was so grateful for having Hogan as Governor. He understood MD’s needs, and was ready to put his support behind the program. He deserves your vote for Senate (and everyone else’s) for the reasons you stated.
Mickey Terrone says
Al, I think the Republican Party you once knew is long gone. These days, if any Republican speaks out against Trump, they are likely to start receiving death threats, along with the thugs showing up at their house. When Trump announced Lynn Cheney would be the subject of a military tribunal for her comments and actions, which Republican member of Congress or US Senator spoke out against Trump’s outrageous statement? Which “independent” Republican had the courage to condemn such an insane and brownshirt nazi threat? None that I am aware of. Republicans are afraid. They fear for their safety. They are forced out of any party leadership position or retire from politics. Trump even complains that his supporters don’t support him enough.
Trump demands his congressional and state-level supporters go further and become involved in his effort to undermine or reject the results of the 2020 election. Numerous Republicans sought pardons from Trump for their acts. Trump is demanding his “supporters” become his “accompliices” in his horrendous crimes against the US and our Constitution. And look at how Republicans behaved. They voted to reject the January 6th Committee and did everything possible to impede and demean the investigation. Which Republicans showed any “spine” whatsoever?
Many of them aided and abetted Trump’s heinous January 6th crimes and refused to confirm the Electoral College count. The question becomes why do good, honest Republicans and former Republicans continue either to nominate Trump for President or work to hand him majorities in the House or Senate or hand him the ability to evade justice?
I don’t believe for a minute that Larry Hogan would act as you suggest he would. We need Angela Alsobrooks and a Democratic majority in both Houses to support Kamala Harris’ Democratic Party agenda to protect womens rights, small business, support NATO and Ukraine, fairly tax the wealthiest Americans and not allow Trump to dismantle our justice system, public education and health insurance program.
Hogan may be a good person, but IMO, he’s an opportunist looking to extend his career. He will not and can not represent the vast majority of Marylanders’ desire to deal Trump one, final smashing defeat.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Agree. There is no more Republican Party because the problem is from the down up;
no moderates will be able to control this because “the Party” is a cult of personality.
What is outrageous, to me, are those Rs who
remain silent. Wow, betting on sliming into a
job with a future Trump administration ? Is that worth selling one’s country down the drain? Trump is saying he wants to be
an autocratic strong man, Democracy stands
in his way.
Are our “citizens” that clueless? I hope not.
Katherine LaSalle says
Governor Hogan if elected will vote for a new republican leader, he will vote for Trump’s conservative judges, he will caucus with republican leaders supporting their conservative policies including a national wide abortion ban. Please don’t be fooled. A vote for Hogan is a vote for Trump.
Eva M. Smorzaniuk, M.D. says
The number of independent minded Republicans in our legislature is no match for the overwhelming majority of Republicans who have become shills for Trump. Although most of us think highly of Hogan in terms of his performance as our governor, he will be ineffectual as our Senator. If he doesnt tow the Republican party line he will be be blocked from any committee or leadership positions by party officials. Witness what happened to Liz Cheney because of her role on the House Select Committee – censorship by the Republican National Committee, and revocation of her membership by the Wyoming Republican Party. Hogan will be effectively neutered. As for the independent minded Senators you speak of, both Krysten Sinema and Mitt Romney have declared they will not run for re-election. Of the five Republicans who voted for the second impeachment of Trump, only Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski will remain. Moderate Republicans have left the premises!
Steve Forrer says
Right on All… maybe he will be the first step in recovering the Republican Party!
Richard Marks says
Steve,
A better first step would have been to move to the First District and knock the other Harris out of Congress.
R.
Ken Sadler says
Al,
What you say about Hogan makes sense. My concern is that his election will give the Republicans control of the Senate with serious ramifications.
William Dalton says
I understand that a vote for Larry Hogan would be a vote for the 2025 project and if elected he will be in lock step with Mitch McConnell. He will be a quick learner in understanding you have to go along to get along. His election to the Senate would
tip the scales in favor of the passage of a national ban on the ability of a woman to control her own body. It is wishful thinking to believe he could exercise his own independent judgment on a Republican-Trump 2025 project agenda. But I forget- Trump knows nothing, like Sargeant Schultz, about the 2025 project. “I know nothing!”
Marianne Mackey says
If you want to see Mitch McConnell running the Senate, vote for Hogan. Regardless of how he votes, and I believe he’d vote with his party, his declared party matters. Additionally, his track record on women’s rights to healthcare is very problematic. Hogan is a self identified Republican. Period.