Partisanship is the poison that renders representative democracies dysfunctional. National needs, and often the Constitution, are ignored in the interest of defeating the opposing party and seizing political power. Civility is abandoned, leaving decent people wondering, “Why can’t we all get along?”
The U.S. Senate needs members who collaborate with members from the opposing party. Retiring Senator Ben Cardin is such a Senator. So is Mitt Romney. But both these Senators are retiring. Larry Hogan fits the bill. He worked with Democrats and won twice in the bluest of states. Marylanders, especially Democrats who see the need for bipartisanship in Washington, should vote for him. Right?
Wrong. A vote for Hogan is more than a vote for a good man. It is a vote for a party that, but for the courage of former Vice President Mike Pence, may have overthrown the 2020 election. That party, despite Trump’s accelerating mental decline and legal troubles, has improbably survived to 2024. It should be dead, but it is not.
Electing a handful of “constructive” Republicans will not cure the GOP’s cancer. November’s elections may bring Hogan to Washington, but he likely will be joined by more than a few MAGA monsters who will more than outweigh him. One example, election-denying Kari Lake, who has urged Republicans to “Strap on a Glock” in case God does not deliver the election to Trump (and presumably to herself).
Election denying and receptivity to violence are not the only reasons to conclude that the Republican party should end. Ukraine may lose its war against Vladimir Putin because Republicans delayed needed aid by months. Republicans remain hostile to persons of color and civil rights. The party once championed privacy and limited government. It now wants to ban abortion, regulate what books are shelved in libraries, and dictate whom we can love.
So, while Larry Hogan would be a welcome injection of bipartisanship in the Senate, the higher priority is to keep the Senate in Democratic hands. A vote for Hogan could result in an election denier becoming Majority Leader. Also, can we be sure he would not vote to impeach President Biden should Trump lose the White House with Republicans winning control of the House and Senate?
The Republican party has become an appendage of Trump. His daughter-in-law is overseeing the party’s finances. The Republican senators who would serve with Hogan are almost exclusively election deniers. If Trump loses in November and decides to stage another attempted coup, Hogan is unlikely to join in, but what would he do instead? Stand on the sidelines and watch Senators like Missouri’s Josh Hawley fist-pump insurrectionists as they enter the building?
America needs a party to counter the Democrats. We all benefit when proposals from both sides are challenged and honestly debated. Unfortunately, the Republican party has all but abandoned any attempt to be part of a deliberative legislative body dedicated to the people’s benefit.
When I think about today’s Republican party, I think about our own Andy “Handgun” Harris. Even after House Speaker Johnson, with the apparent blessing of Trump, signaled support for aid for Ukraine and Israel, Harris voted no. His vote suggests that MAGA will live on even if Trump loses. Remember that the Tea Party predated the rise of Trump. MAGA is likely to survive Trump’s passing.
The Republican party should be what is called a “tear-down” in real estate. It needs to be destroyed, its remnants hauled off to a dump, and something better put in its place. Larry Hogan should have volunteered to be part of the crew that dispatched the Republican party. Instead, Hogan made a mistake. He convinced himself that Trumpism and the corruption, racism, and intolerance that he represents are not part of the Republican party.
Hogan is now seeking the votes of millions of Marylanders who still believe that Trump won the 2020 election, that Jack Smith and other prosecutors are out to get Trump by “weaponizing” the Department of Justice, and who fly “F*ck Biden” flags in front of their homes. That is sad. Hogan should have disavowed the Republican party the same way he rejected Dan Cox, the MAGA nutcase nominated by the party to run for governor in 2022.
The first step to restoring order in Washington is for a new, moderate, democracy-loving party to emerge. One way to help make that happen is to vote against Larry Hogan in November.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, and, all too infrequently, other subjects.
David Taylor says
And we wonder why our political landscape is rife with hyper partisan dysfunction? We have a man, Larry Hogan, who is moderate, honest, bi-partisan, and has all of the qualifications to effectively represent the citizens of Maryland in the Senate. So don’t vote for him so we can elect far less qualified candidates who are on “my team”. The extremes of both parties are a danger. Look at who supports the violent, antisemitic protests. The far left, defund the police faction, needs to be reined in by electing more moderates, like Larry Hogan. It’s a shameful argument to encourage people to vote against the most qualified candidate. Again, this logic simply encourages and perpetuates our dysfunction.
Nancy Young says
David Taylor I agree with you.
Marcia Libby says
I agree with you 100%. If we keep electing only democrats, we will be the next California. Maryland needs a balance!! We are getting killed by Virginia, which is a friendly business state! Enough!
Eric Ploeg says
Agreed!
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment, despite your calling my argument “shameful.” If Hogan were running as an independent with a pledge not to organize with the Republicans, I would not have written the article. By running as a Republican, Hogan becomes part of the problem–a Republican party that is effectively part of The Trump Organization. Trump has already announced an agenda that will be before the Senate in 2025 if Trump wins. Everything possible needs to be done to make sure that agenda (most of it) is not enacted.
In any case, thank you for reading the piece.
Al DiCenso says
As a life-long, and now ashamed, Republican, I totally agree. Hogan, if he won, would be totally overwhelmed by the MAGA maggots.
Brian Spector says
I rarely read the liberal bias posted on this mini NPR wannabe site.
“Make America Great Again Maggots”, really bud? You definitely posted your tripe on the correct far left website. Your Democrat party is the new Nazi party. I guarantee that every one of these pro Hamas anti-Semitic protesters is a brainwashed liberal.
I miss the days of no wars, low inflation, a southern border under control, low fuel prices and yes, even mean tweets. Your boy Biden only took a mere 3 1/2 years to ruin the country. I’ll take Trump over the anti-American idiot that occupies the WH .
I stand with Israel. Remember October 7.
Barbara Denton says
You are so correct. All the items that Mr. Dean spewed out are exactly what the current Demented Democrats are doing. They are a perfect following of Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals. As usual his Trump Derangement Syndrome permeates his ridiculous article. As he well knows Larry Hogan is not a Donald Trump fan. However, he is one level better than the progressive Democrats who are running. Ben Cardin never was and never will be a deep thinker. Trump did win the 2020 election. We are not going to put up with ballot harvesting unless it is done legally under Maryland law. We are not going to put with up more votes in a County than there are registered voters. We are not going to put up with Talbot County saying a ballot was blank because a voter chose to not vote on an issue or because they chose to leave a vote for a particular office blank. If anything we need people on the Board of Elections who can actually run an election.
Charles Barranco says
Hey Brian,
Thanks for nothing! No evidence, pure conjecture and hate language.
BTW,
Joe continues to do a fantastic job bringing the country back from four years of Trump. Have you looked at the stock market lately just in case you haven’t, it’s the highest it’s ever been. To me that is economic recovery and strength.
It’s apparent that you have bought into Trump‘s fraud and that you would vote for a convicted felon And dictator.
John Dean says
Thank you for the response. I agree with you, despite my respect for Governor Hogan.
Willard Engelskirchen says
I agree with Mr. Dean. I voted for Larry Hogan twice. If he was running for governor again, I would vote for him. However, he is not. He is running for the Senate. The body that must advise and consent on many issues – including Supreme Court nominations. We have had several of the recent ones testify – under oath – that they would respect precedent “stare decisis” and then not do so.
I am older than dirt and have always voted for the man and not the party. The recent drift of the Supreme Court to the right forces me to change that policy. Working across the isle has its limits.
John Dean says
Thank you for the comment. You are absolutely right about the Supreme Court. If Hogan is elected to the Senate and Trump to the White Houe, I would expect him to vote in favor of any nominee that Trump put forward.
Maggie Andersen says
Agree! I fugure he will either be co-opted by the crazy Republicans or he won’t get be able to get anything done. Keep Maryland blue!
John Dean says
Maggie: Thanks for reading the piece. I’m glad you agree with my thoughts.
Jim Moses CDR, USN (Ret.) says
Mr. Dean is completely correct. Anyone old enough to remember the party of Eisenhower, Ford, Reagan and G.H.W. Bush will agree. They will also agree that despite his popularity while Governor, as a senator he cannnot be counted on to vote in accordance with the wishes of the majority of his constituents. The pressure to conform in Congress is great, and the penalties for nonconformance even greater.
John Dean says
Thank you for the comment. Today’s Republican party has nothing in common with the Party of Eisenhower, Ford, Reagan, or G.H.W. Bush.
William C Keppen says
I think Mr. Dean is exactly right and on point. The party, with Trump at the helm, is a sinking ship. It belongs on the bottom of the Atlantic, like so many ill manned ships.
John Dean says
Amen.
Thank you for reading the piece.
Jan Bohn says
Mr. Dean, your argument does not hold water. Don’t vote for a man who has shown he thinks for himself, can work across the aisle and could possibly persuade others to do the same because we can’t let his party potentially take control of the Senate? Let’s just make sure that the other party stays in control because – why?? Me thinks thou dost protest too much. Perhaps you should take a break and consider, truly consider how your comments sound to any thinking person who considers both sides.
John Dean says
Thanks for reading the piece despite your disagreement with me. The point of the article is that anything that furthers the MAGA agenda and the power that Trump would have if elected in November, hurts America. As a Senator, Hogan would think for himself on some issues but is virtually certain to support the Republican party controlling the chamber. That is the problem, in my view.
Lyn Banghart says
I respect your opinion, Mr. Dean. But as a Democrat, I will vote as I always vote. For the person I feel is the best candidate. I understand all your reasoning but I also feel that we need to start somewhere. Just maybe, Larry Hogan will be strong enough to make a difference. To quote you, “ The U.S. Senate needs members who collaborate with members from the opposing party.”
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment. If Hogan were an independent and pledged not to organize with the Republicans, I would not be urging people to vote for him. My concerns about the policies and, most importantly, the leadership of the party (Trump) are so great that I believe everything possible should be done to keep them out of power.
Lyn Banghart says
I totally understand that! And actually agree for the most part. This is a predicament we find ourselves in that I don’t think has any good answers. (I will probably rethink voting for Hogan, but we’ll see…)
Craig Fuller says
While I agree that there is much in the Republican Party to be fixed, my own conclusion is that we need more people like Governor Hogan IN THE ARENA than fewer.
Consider the reality that Republicans and Democrats in the House have discovered they can accomplish something by working together. And, if Marjorie Taylor Green seeks to unseat the Speaker, he will survive because he is working with the Minority Leader in the House.
The bleak future you describe seems to be the very abyss thoughtful people on both sides of the aisle are seeking to avoid.
Laurie says
Craig Fuller, I agree with you and the others who believe we need more people, not fewer, like Larry Hogan in Congress. Hyper-partisanship, as advocated by Mr. Dean, is part of the problem. Balance and a collaborative spirit in both parties has to be part of the solution.
John Dean says
Craig, thank you for reading the piece. I would welcome more bipartisan cooperation but I am sufficiently fearful of a second Trump term that I believe everything possible needs to be done to minimize the damage he can do if elected. Today’s Republican party is nothing more than part of the Trump Organization. I believe that Hogan would oppose some Trump policies but that his membership in the Republican Senate caucus would be the problem. I do not expect anyone independent from Trump will be elected Republican Leader in the Senate in 2025.
Deirdre LaMotte says
But the reality is Hogan will never be the rogue in MAGA world. He would run as an Independent otherwise. Until the GOP is smashed, it is a threat to
democracy because the GOP’s essence is that democracy threatens them.
And I bet he writes in Reagan or Haley when he votes in November. Pathetic. He needs to call Steve Schmidt, Liz Cheney or Bill Kristol for a reality check.
I bet his father is rolling over in his grave.
Nice man but he needs the strength to do what is morally right. I don’t think he has it.
Cindy Buniski says
Dear Mr. Dean: Governor Hogan is exactly the kind of new bi-partisan representative our country needs. Ignoring much of your essay I will agree with your last paragraph with one word change.
“The first step to restoring order in Washington is for a new, moderate, democracy-loving party to emerge. One way to help make that happen is to vote FOR Larry Hogan in November.”
John Dean says
Thank you for sharing your view. As I wrote, I like Hogan but his affiliation with the Republican party is the problem.
Thanks for reading my piece and for the response.
Michael Callahan says
There is a lot wrong with the parties today, as Mr. Dean points out. One of the problems is that elections are now National elections, and his position seems it’s more important to elect a Democrat for National national party reasons rather than concentrating on a candidate who will act responsibly and wisely for the interests of Maryland, whether that be Republican or Democrat seems contradictory to his lead-in, and the merits he attributes to Mr. Hogan.
Alvin Bailey says
J.E Dean may be an attorney but he is just the type of person who is the problem he doesn’t want by partnership he wants George Soreos type policies
John Dean says
Ouch!
Pat Marshall says
I agree with Mr Dean. What you are voting for in 2024 is democracy. Until Mr Trump and MAGA politicians are a page in history books, we have to look beyond party. Traditional republicans are retiring rather than continue to be members of the chaotic Republican Party under the direction of Mr Trump. I too voted for Hogan, but like other Republicans, he will be in his party’s minority and powerless. We need to keep the MAGA party in the minority until the country heals and the Republican Party realigns itself with responsible governance. Again, this is a fight to preserve democracy and not about “only voting for democrats.” As a nation, we’re a far cry from California, but we are on the precipice of becoming like Russia.
Take a moment to read the plan for the country in the event a Republican assumes the office of the president.
https://www.project2025.org/
Also take a look at the recent Time magazine interview of Trump and his plans for a second term.
Vote for democracy. Thanks for listening
John Dean says
Thank you for your response. I agree with you. I share your fear of what a second Trump term might mean for our future.
Tom Ettinger says
We need to elect candidates who know how to govern not those focused on politics. Hogan knows the importance of representing all citizens irrespective of their political leanings. He has demonstrated his ability to govern effectively and counter the extremism of both political parties. We need to elect Hogan to the Senate and many more like him.
John Dean says
I agree with you and would recommend a vote for Hogan but for the “side-effect” of empowering Trump and the Republican party, which I believe threatens our future.
We are on different pages, but thank you for reading the piece and sharing your view.
Eric Ploeg says
Apparently Dean’s message here is “Please vote don’t vote” for the most qualified candidate.
John Dean says
I understand your point, but my call for voting against Hogan is to keep the Senate out of Trump’s party’s control. Hogan may very well be the most qualified candidate, but the Republican party is a danger to democracy. I wish Hogan had run as an independent. Had he done so, I would not have written this piece.
Thank you for reading my piece and for your comment.
Wilson Dean says
The article is right on point. Larry Hogan is a good man, but his effort to be elected as a Republican is no better than someone trying to get a job as a navigator on board the Titanic after it hit the iceberg. We do need a viable second party to the Democrats, but it is now clear the MAGA Republican party is beyond help. Voting for a Democrat now is not a vote for single party rule in the US, it is a vote for the only party that currently supports democracy, human rights and decency. I long for the emergence of a second party that can substantively address the important issues facing this country. That can only happen when enough people desert the toxic Trump cult.
John Dean says
As always, thank you for your insightful comment. I agree we need a viable second party to the Democrats. As you imply, the Republican party is no longer that party.
Mickey Terrone says
Hi John. I think you are absolutely correct about Hogan. What people forget is that Hogan was forced to work as governor with Democratic super majorities in both houses of the Maryland legislature and that clearly impacted his approach to legislation and oratory. An appreciable amount of the legislation passed under his “leadership” was framed by the necessity to receive the legislature’sassent and much of what was passed in Annapolis that benefits the public at large was passed over his vetoes.
In the US Senate, his new MAGA environment, Dr. Jeckyl will quickly become Mr. Hyde, and as a politician, he’ll very likely fall back into the ranks of obedient, subservient Republicans. Republicans go nowhere in the MAGA Cult by opposing anything Trump dictates. Hogan is clearly a politician’s politician and won’t aspire to become a pariah to Trump or his bigoted, authoritarian colleagues who survive only with Trump’s approval.
What our Republican friends in Maryland apparently fail to see is that by defeating Trump and Democrats winning both the Senate and House, their plague of Trumpism will be dead as of the second inauguration of Joe Biden. NB, I wrote “inauguration” of Biden because we know that Trump will foment another, more violent attempt to overthrow our system of government when he loses the electoral vote count. We need Democratiuc majorities in both houses of Congress to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. We can rely on Trump’s congressional accomplices to support any and all of his revolutionary criminal plans to usurp the power of the presidency to save himself from numerous criminal convictions which is so desperately seeking to avoid. He is a desperate man and will abuse his power to avoid justice at all costs, including the cost of our American democratic republic.
I have no doubt whatsoever that Larry Hogan will support Trump as a subservient Republican senator. I think our Maryland senate race will be a clear acid test for this state’s Republicans (and Republicans nationwide). They can vote to elect Biden or simply not to vote for a presidential candidate, and thus ensure their party a fresh start without having to deal with the factor of Donald Trump as their party leader. Trump’s influence will wither away and die without the possibility of him becoming president again (and likely being convicted of multiple felonies). This should be the goal of every American who appreciates and understands our history and the value of our freedoms. It should be the goal of every American who cares about equal rights, who rejects ugly bigotry, tyranny, rewarding criminality and truly believing in “liberty and justice for all”. Republicans can be true and respectable Republicans again by removing the malignancy of Trumpism. This is the moment. Larry Hogan’s presence in the US Senate will give another vote to Republicans trying to cover for Trump and create a legislative bloc much the same as the House has served as Trump’s fortress against justice.
Hogan is an utter opportunist who came forth only because Ben Cardin is retiring. This is Hogan’s wedge back into the spotlight, but a very diffferent environment than the Governorship of Maryland. He cannot be trusted to oppose Trump or Trumpism. Trump must go and Hogan must go with him. Republicans with Trump as their party leader have demonstrated almost complete incompetence at governing, supporting Putin, subverting Ukraine and NATO, demeaning the US Intelligence community and abandoninhg the needs of average Americans by handing massive tax breaks to the wealthiest few (to buy their dark money financial support). Hogan will jump right in and support that agenda.
I doubt Trump will ever spend time in jail (other than a day or two if he doesn’t stop overtly demonstrating his contempt for the justice system in his NY trial). I predict he will lose the 2024 election, make an effort to create an armed revolution, fail at that, too, and flee to Russia to remain Putin’s Puppet and a thorn in the side of republican democracy worldwide. He’ll be convicted in absentia of the January 6th crimes and his accomplices will get away with their conspiratorial crimes.
But the American democratic republic will survive because enough Republicans will reject Trump, Trumpism and keep enough Republican sycophants -like Larry Hogan, out of the halls of Congress in the process. Thus, the Republican Party can work to earn back the support of the millions of their rank and file and avoid falling back into finding the next Trump-wannabee to lead them.
Anne Stalfort says
Agree!
Glenn Baker says
Can we get a break from Mr. Dean for the rest of the year?
The man only knows how to throw stones and make outlandish statements.
Meg says
Amen
Paul Rybon says
I agree with Mr. Baker.All we read from Dean is Trump hatred and made-up imaginary scenarios. When Donald Trump was POTUS, he was the most doggedly scrutinized one we ever had. Including unlawful spying, nasty characterizations of him and his family, (orange man, little hands, etc.) and a blizzard of frivolous lawsuits and Left-Wing harangues against any proposals that could benefit the American people.
Why Donald Trump continues to fight on against overwhelming imperialism of a absolute mad leftward lurch, without any personal or financial gain is a mystery and source of inspiration to his admirers.God bless Donald Trump and God bless the USA.
John Dean says
I can help. Trump hopes to win re-election so he can pardon himself. He also wants to free the “January 6 patriots.”
If you haven’t already done so, I would recommend reading the indictment for the Washington, D.C. election interference case. I would not call the charges frivolous.
In any case, I appreciate your reading the piece despite your suggestion that I make up “imaginary scenarios.”
Mickey Terrone says
Oh Mr. Rybon! Have we forgotten Little Marco, Low Energy JEB, Crooked Hillary, Lock Her Up, Lyin’ Ted Cruz, Pochahontas Warren, Ron DeSanctimonious, Sleepy Joe Biden, Mr. Magoo Jeff Sessions, Failing New York Times, etc? FYI, Trump has been scrutizined because he has constantly lied to the public. That’s you and me,but you are willing to be lead and believe his lies. That’s how you have become part of his cult.
You remember, he said he’d surround himself with the best people. Many of those “best people”,
mostly Republicans, have trashed him worse than Democrats and have sternly warned their fellow citizens that Trump is a clear and present danger to our country. Have you forgotten that? Some of Trump’s worst critics are his former cabinet members and administration appointees. Rex Tillerson, John Kelly, John Bolton, Gen. James Mattis, Mark Espey, Gen. Mark Milley, Nicki Haley, Chris Christie, HR McMaster, Mick Mulvaney, Betsey DeVos, Stephanie Grisham, White House lawwyer Ty Cobb, Sarah Matthews and Cassidy Hutchinson – for starters – all have trashed him and warned of his incompetence and unfitness to be POTUS. But I’m sure you know Trump better. LOL. Looks like your pathetic little plaintive objections are as baseless as The Trump Bible.
Frivilous lawsuits? You mean when he was convicted of raping E. Jean Carroll? Or the one where he was convicted of cooking the company books and received a massive fine? Or the closing of The Trump Foundation due to Trump’s self-serving, corrupt abuse of charitable giving laws. Or the lawsuit that found Trump University had defrauded hundreds of “students” and Trump was fined about $35 millions to pay them back. Hope Hicks just dropped Donald into the Deep Fat Frier with hwre testimony today, too. The Georgia election fraud case and the January 6th trial both have mountains of evidence, much of which is being provided by Republicans, are two more serious cases in which Trump is in desperate trouble.
God bless America and God bless Joe Biden! And God protect our US Constitution from any demagogue who would try to overthrow our precious democratic republic. Oops, that would be Donald Trump, wouldn’t it?
Charles Barranco says
Mickey, both of your responses are masterpieces.
As for Mr.Rybon’s Delusional piffle, his attempt at facts only bears out his absurdity.
Thank you for your time and research in presenting great insight into the problems a Trump reelection would present. As Mr. Dean has pointed out, a Trump Presidency would burn America to the ground.
Barbara Denton says
Amen!
Barbara Denton says
AMEN!
Deirdre LaMotte says
So funny. Mr. Dean makes MAGAs look at themselves in the mirror. It is not a pretty sight.
As a former Republican who loved the GOP when it supported the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, I am happy when people point out the obvious: the GOP is an autocratic, anti democratic
party now. Real patriots leave it just as some Germans fought fascism. Patriots do not make excuses for
fascism nor to they put Party before our nation.
Melissa Cona says
Greatly disagree. We need MORE from Mr. Dean. He observes, analyzes, and puts forward thought-provoking, smart ideas that are different from the echo-chamber of main-stream/cable news. It’s good to hear and consider other points of view. If you are seeking more of the same, there are lots of other publications and sources.
John Dean says
Thankfor your very kind words. They are much appreciated.
James Brennan says
I vote that John Dean continue to write insightful articles in the Spy. John is right about Hogan needing to sever ties with the Republican party.
Mickey T. did a good job of describing Hogan’s shameful record as governor, which includes allowing his in-law’s family business overseas to defraud Maryland’s citizens and steal several million dollars from the State coffers in exchange for bogus COVID-19 testing kits. Some of that money was returned, but an audit of the illegal behavior was never completed nor punishment exacted. I wish we had that money back so we could spend it on education and job training for Maryland residents trying to lead productive, law-abiding lives. Hogan was also and early investor and salesman for the blighted Lakeside development in Trappe twenty years ago.
Larry Hogan is a real estate developer and hedge fund investor whose business acumen made him quite wealthy. Good for him, but that doesn’t make him a good man or a good candidate for serving Maryland as a U.S. Senator.