Althouse: "Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is required by law to fill vacancies in the state's U.S. Senate delegation...."

August 26, 2018

"Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is required by law to fill vacancies in the state's U.S. Senate delegation...."

"The governor has only said he will not appoint himself. But does Ducey want a temporary caretaker to hold the office only until the 2020 election? Or someone he hopes would seek re-election?..."

AZ Central looks at the 8 names that "have been floated," beginning with Cindy McCain and including former Senator Jon Kyl, both of whom fall in the "temporary caretaker" category. 2020 is a long time for a temporary caretaker to serve, I would think.

79 comments:

AllenS said...: The wife? Why? Is that the best the Gov could think of? Again, why?; 8/26/18, 10:20 AM
Bad Lieutenant said...: Why would you think that, Althouse? Or, what do you mean by it?

Bourgeois sentiment AllenS. To those who have, much will be given. Nobody owes the McCains anything. He seized his draught of power and drained it to the dregs, then licked the bowl clean. If Ducey wants to lose next primary he should definitely do this.; 8/26/18, 10:24 AM
Bad Lieutenant said...: If you want a caretaker who will not likely run again, how about Joe Arpaio?; 8/26/18, 10:28 AM
mccullough said...: Appointing the wife has some tradition behind it. Mel Carnahan’s wife got his Senate seat, which he won when he was dead. We should elect more dead men. But they should be bachelors.

Nepotism should have no place in US politics. Unfortunately it does. We get presidential races between a senator-turned-vice-president whose dad was a senator and a governor whose dad was president. That’s a no win situation. Two douchebags who would be selling insurance if they were born to different families.

Then we get the wife of a guy who was president as one of the nominees while an ex-governor whose brother and dad were president tried to become the other nominee.

Then we wonder why the country is thriving.; 8/26/18, 10:28 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "Why would you think that, Althouse? Or, what do you mean by it?"

There are 2 categories of potential choices: 1. a temporary caretaker to hold the office only until January 2021, and 2. someone who will run for re-election in 2020.

I think I would go with category 2, someone who would begin to build what he or she intended to make a continuing career, because that would be someone who'd have more motivation to work aggressively for the state of Arizona.

If the seat were up this year and candidates were already running for it, the "caretaker" type would be the obvious choice. Give it to Cindy McCain if she wants it or to Jon Kyl.; 8/26/18, 10:31 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Read the entry on Cindy McCain. She has been involved as a public servant. She would be a dignified choice.; 8/26/18, 10:32 AM
rhhardin said...: Appoint somebody who lives near the border.; 8/26/18, 10:35 AM
Eleanor said...: By not resigning his position on or before May 31st, McCain signaled he trusts the Governor to make the choice more than he trusts the people of Arizona.; 8/26/18, 10:37 AM
Kate said...: "Read the entry on Cindy McCain. She has been involved as a public servant. She would be a dignified choice."

If Gov Ducey wants to lose his reelection bid, this would be his best choice. A wife legacy pick? Althouse is trolling.; 8/26/18, 10:43 AM
Gahrie said...: Read the entry on Cindy McCain. She has been involved as a public servant. She would be a dignified choice.

isn't there at least one man or woman who has better qualities than "married the right man"? Haven't we learned our lesson from Hillary?; 8/26/18, 10:43 AM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: Why the HELL would they even consider putting McCain's wife in as Senator.

The position or the title of Senator is not inherited. As if McCain or the position of Senator is the same as an Earl or Lord or Prince of Wales. We had a revolution to get rid of that shit.

The position or title of Senator does NOT belong to John McCain. Nor is it something to be inherited by his family.

The position of Senator belongs to THE PEOPLE of Arizona. Not to the man. John McCain. Not by inheritance to a relative.

To just give Cindy McCain this job/position is unconscionable, an injustice to the people, and personally I would consider this type of action similar to those abuses of power which started the American Revolution.; 8/26/18, 10:44 AM
rhhardin said...: You don't want a woman. The screechy voice alone is enough to put you off.

It would be okay if they were insightful about something but this would be a politician.; 8/26/18, 10:47 AM
Michael K said...: If Ducey appoints Cindy, I will not vote for him.

She has been a drug addict stealing drugs from a charity she ran.

Kyle would be an interesting choice. He could also appoint the loser of the primary Tuesday.

I think Martha McSally will win. Kelli Ward got about 40% of the vote against McCain in 2016 and could be a credible appointee.

McCain, as usual, was re-elected making promises he had no intention of keeping.; 8/26/18, 10:48 AM
Molly said...: (eaglebeak)

Is it Cindy McCain's turn, the way it was Hillary Clinton's turn?; 8/26/18, 10:48 AM
Michael K said...: She has been involved as a public servant. She would be a dignified choice.

Yes, she was stealing drugs from the "public service" she was involved with.; 8/26/18, 10:49 AM
The Drill SGT said...: I think that the biggest issue on Cindy is whether she would promise not to run in 2 years.

Maybe not the perfect caretaker, but Kyl would not take the job; 8/26/18, 10:50 AM
tcrosse said...: At least Lurleen Wallace stood for election.; 8/26/18, 11:02 AM
Original Mike said...: I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that McCain held onto his seat (and maybe his life) past the May(?) deadline because he had a promise from the governor he would appoint Cindy.; 8/26/18, 11:03 AM
Yancey Ward said...: He should appoint someone who intends to run for reelection in 2020. I don't know if McCain's wife would do so or not, but I suspect not, and if Ducey is unsure, he should just ask and act accordingly.

Of course, if the party affiliations were completely changed, you would see no essays written about how Ducey should accede to McCain's wishes.; 8/26/18, 11:05 AM
jj121957 said...: The primary election for Flakes seat is Tuesday. The second place finisher would be the obvious choice.; 8/26/18, 11:05 AM
mccullough said...: If Cindy Mac wants to run, then fine. Run in 2020. But appointing a dead guy’s wife isn’t dignified. It’s part of what’s wrong with politics. We already have enough Kennedys, Browns, Bushes, Cuomos, and Clintons.

That’s how we got Trump. The dynasties did a terrible job. Adding the McCains to the dynasty crews will ensure Kanye is the next president. At least Kanye worked hard and has talent. He earned his success. He would make a terrible president but so would Hillary (and W was a terrible president).

This isn’t medieval Europe.; 8/26/18, 11:08 AM
President-Mom-Jeans said...: Senate Seat's are not a title of nobility to be passed amongst family members. Arizona deserves to have a Republican finally after all these years.

Hopefully the Governor appoints someone who will be able to run again when the term is up, and is qualified other than being a rich whore who McCain left his first wife for.; 8/26/18, 11:09 AM
Michael K said...: The second place finisher would be the obvious choice.

Yes, I think Kelli Ward would be OK as she polled 40% against McCain in 2016. She has a reputation as a bit of a nut, though.

I think McSally would win the general in November. It would be weird to have the loser in the primary be the senior Senator over the winner, though.; 8/26/18, 11:10 AM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: The problem with McCain is that he thought that HE owned the position of Senator and that HIS preferences in policy were supreme. He forgot....or more likely didn't care....that the policies and preferences of his position were supposed to be those of THE PEOPLE who elected him.

He forgot, or more likely didn't give a shit, that he promised to repeal Obamacare and that was one of the reasons he was elected. Instead he used his office and his own personal vendetta against Trump to not follow through on his promises.

WHY would you consider putting his wife into that position....especially if the reason is to continue with the policies and preferences of the man John McCain, instead of the preferences of those who elected him.

The job of Senator does not belong to the MAN. It belongs to the people who voted him in to (supposedly) represent their interests. He didn't do that. He lied to his voters. There is no reason to believe that his wife would put the voters over her husband's petty agenda either.; 8/26/18, 11:11 AM
mccullough said...: I feel bad about Cindy McCain’s drug addiction and theft just as I felt bad about Jeb’s adult daughter.

But a “nation of laws, not men” would treat the women from powerful families the same as poor boys.

Just reinforces the disdain for The Ruling Class; 8/26/18, 11:12 AM
Michael K said...: Maybe Ducey should appoint McCain's first wife, Carol but she lives in Virginia Beach.

She worked in the Reagan White House.; 8/26/18, 11:13 AM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: President Mom Jeans said: Senate Seat's are not a title of nobility to be passed amongst family members.

EXACTLY. My comment earlier in this thread.

We had a revolution to stop that shit. We don't need to bring the hereditary nobility back again.; 8/26/18, 11:14 AM
Anonymous said...: Appoint the right person and 538's odds of a 2/3s Senate impeachment conviction will go from 0.005 to 0.006. Worth considering for the betting man.; 8/26/18, 11:19 AM
Trumpit said...: "She has been a drug addict stealing drugs from a charity she ran."

You've called your fellow Arizonian a drug addict and thief. If true, you have a lot in common with her. It's typical of Rethuglicans to steal from the U.S. Treasury to give themselves tax windfalls. Stealing drugs in order to feed one's drug habit is hardly a reason to disqualify a person. If she lowers the price we all pay for medicine, then she's a solid pick, and a sentimental favorite.; 8/26/18, 11:20 AM
Narayanan said...: Am I hearing that Patriotic John McCain III plea bargained his death benefits to include Senate Seat like season tickets left in a Will?

As Yaakov Smirnoff says "What a great country"; 8/26/18, 11:23 AM
Rabel said...: "WHY would you consider putting his wife into that position"

Cindy McCain is worth well north of 100 million.

There's precedent.

"I've got this thing, and it's fucking golden. I'm just not giving it up for fucking nothing."

- Blago (not Bago)

Where's Roland Burris nowadays?; 8/26/18, 11:28 AM
Narayanan said...: Is residency a requirement for appointment? Or mere corrective paperwork?

Or better Q : how likely to be indicted by Robert Mueller.
This should be codicil to all decision made by Republicans.
Again "What a great country" ... Y S

You're welcome.; 8/26/18, 11:32 AM
Michael K said...: Stealing drugs in order to feed one's drug habit is hardly a reason to disqualify a person.

trumpit weighs in with more evidence of insanity.

Good work. The authorities would probably like to know where you are so they can come with their butterfly net.; 8/26/18, 11:44 AM
Achilles said...: Trumpit is performance art.

This needs to be reiterated every now and then.; 8/26/18, 12:07 PM
gilbar said...: The Dr. beat to it, but:
Trumpit said... Stealing drugs in order to feed one's drug habit is hardly a reason to disqualify a person

SOOOOO, in Trumpit's "Mind", what (besides being a 'reThuglican'), WOULD be a reason to disqualify a person. Seriously, i'm wondering What Would Be?

in other news:
Narayanan Subramanian said. residency a requirement for appointment? Or mere corrective paperwork?

For about half of my life, my state's senior senator (Tom Harkin*) had his Primary residence in Georgetown near DC, with his Secondary residence in the BRITISH Virgin Islands... He had a PO Box at a Des Moines Hotel. That was IT, a PO Box at a Hotel. He spent more time in the BRITISH Virgin islands than he did in iowa

Tom Harking* the Only politician** who looked me in the eye, and Lied*** not once, but twice
only politician** I don't get out much
Lied*** Yes, it was about flying F-4's in combat in South Vietnam. We were alone, one on one each time; and i paid CLOSE attention, because
A) it was the 1st time (then 2nd time) i'd ever talked one on one with a congressman
B) it was the 1st time (so i thought) i'd ever talked to someone who'd flown F-4s in combat; 8/26/18, 12:12 PM
The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...: “Trumpit is performance art.

This needs to be reiterated every now and then.”

And it isn’t like he’s subtle about it. Indeed, he’s had to make his statements even more explicitly cuckoo because some people persist in believing he’s some kind of off-brand Inga.; 8/26/18, 12:16 PM
chickelit said...: Rabel wrote: “Cindy McCain is worth well north of 100 million.”

One thing we’ve learned from Trump is that independent wealth can also mean less dependence on special interests. The question is do you want Harry Reid style wealth in the Senate or Trump style wealth? Or just old fashioned impecunious goodness? I’d say give Cindy a chance.; 8/26/18, 12:24 PM
chickelit said...: As for Trumpit, the bit about being vegan yet buying cheeseburgers to feed to seagulls was priceless performance art.; 8/26/18, 12:26 PM
Francisco D said...: If the appointee wants to run for reelection, Shadegg seems like the only one with a chance.

If Ducey goes with a caretaker, Kyl would be the best choice. Then AZ Republicans can work on finding a suitable candidate.

Cindy McCain would be a terrible choice. I hope Ducey knows that it would hurt him.; 8/26/18, 12:30 PM
cronus titan said...: In 2010, after the Chappaquiddick Kid died, there was a special election Scott Brown won. His opponent, Martha Coakley, would relentlessly refer to "the Kennedy seat." She mentioned it during a debate, and Brown effectively said that it is NOT a Kennedy heirloom but belongs to the people of Massachusetts. it was a key moment because it challenged a basic tenet of the ruling class -- namely, that they are a ruling class and public offices belong to them, not the people.

This seat belongs to the people of Arizona. After reading the backgrounds of potential nominees, each of them are more appropriate than Cindy McCain. She has worked for good causes but nothing that qualifies her for the Senate.; 8/26/18, 12:32 PM
tcrosse said...: In 1976 Walter Mondale gave up his Senate seat to become Vice President. The governor of Minnesota, one Wendell Anderson, resigned so that the Lt Gov, Rudy Perpich, could become governor and appoint Anderson to the Senate. This was too much for the voters, and Anderson was turned out in 1978.; 8/26/18, 12:41 PM
mockturtle said...: The primary election for Flakes seat is Tuesday. The second place finisher would be the obvious choice.

Yes. While I support Keli Ward for Flake's seat, McSally would do as a McCain replacement who would likely defeat any Democratic insurgent.; 8/26/18, 12:53 PM
Darrell said...: Meghan Marguerite McCain (born 1984) is eligible.
I even got her slogan--Why the fuck not?; 8/26/18, 1:02 PM
Big Mike said...: @Althouse, no to Cindy McCain. Just, no.; 8/26/18, 1:02 PM
Francisco D said...: I just emailed Gov. Ducey with my opinion on filling John McCain's seat.

I suggest others who live in AZ do the same.; 8/26/18, 1:05 PM
hombre said...: If he appoints Cindy, I suspect it will end him in November.suspect

Matt Salmon or John Shadegg are the best choices. A non-McCain woman the best political move.; 8/26/18, 1:10 PM
gadfly said...: What? No mention of Meghan McCain?; 8/26/18, 1:18 PM
hombre said...: Michael K is far more attuned to Arizona politics than I, but I don't get the idea of appointing the loser of the primary. A loser is not the people's choice.; 8/26/18, 1:21 PM
mockturtle said...: Francisco D, I just emailed Gov. Ducey with the suggestion: Since the GOP primary is Tuesday, why not appoint the candidate who comes in second for Flake's seat? It's literally a 'win-win' solution. [Hat tip to jj121957].; 8/26/18, 1:22 PM
Francisco D said...: @mockturtle,

That sounds like a good idea.; 8/26/18, 1:24 PM
gadfly said...: Or perhaps the Governor should screw up America's Mobster and appoint Jeff Flake!; 8/26/18, 1:24 PM
Trumpit said...: I love seagulls more than life itself. I make no apologies for my humanity.; 8/26/18, 1:25 PM
mockturtle said...: Hombre: The AZ primary for Flake's seat has two very qualified candidates and the race promises to be very close. [I'm referring to Ward and McSally, not, of course, to Arpaio, who is running but only just]. Assuming that the results are close, the 'loser' would still represent a lot of support. Most Republicans here in AZ would be happy with either. The only reason I am supporting Ward is because she has been a Trump supporter from the onset while McSally has only recently jumped on board. Plus, she is already a Congresswoman so she would have to be replaced.; 8/26/18, 1:27 PM
Darrell said...: gadfly said...
What? No mention of Meghan McCain?

Wrong again. See 1:02 PM.; 8/26/18, 1:34 PM
hombre said...: mockturtle: Thx. I think the operative phrase must be, "Assuming the results are close."; 8/26/18, 1:50 PM
Michael K said...: The only reason I am supporting Ward is because she has been a Trump supporter from the onset while McSally has only recently jumped on board. Plus, she is already a Congresswoman so she would have to be replaced.

I was at a McSally reception last night and she is pretty impressive.

She had the big battle with Rumsfeld about the burkha in Saudi. She won but she said he has donated the max to her campaign.

She is pretty confident of the Tuesday primary but Ward did a respectable job with McCain in 2016, when he lied his way to re-election.

You can't appoint her to Flake's seat. That is the election. She could be appointed to McCain's but it would be weird to have the loser of the primary be the senior Senator.

Too late to have Ducey appoint McSally and let Ward win the primary. I think Ward would have more trouble in the general than McSally.

I've been a McSally fan since she first ran for Congress but was not a resident. I tried to get my daughter, who was, to volunteer for her first campaign but kids are not always open to parent's suggestions.

I am concerned about the CD2 election.; 8/26/18, 1:57 PM
Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...: I wouldn’t want to make a pick until the NYT publishes photos of all the candidates.; 8/26/18, 2:07 PM
gadfly said...: A Republican win for the Flake seat is likely. Martha McSally has been leading since Joe Arpaio entered the race and split conservatives between Arpaio and Kelli Ward. But Ward publicly accused McCain of dying to screw-up her campaign chances - honest, she did!

So liberal McSally will win, forget about the the governor appointing Arpaio and after this the foot-in-mouth publicity stunt on Ward's part, she represents an incomprehensible embarrassment.; 8/26/18, 2:10 PM
khematite said...: Definitely not unprecedented for a caretaker appointment to last for a couple of years. In 2009, Biden's top aide, Ted Kaufman, was appointed to fill the seat Biden vacated when he was elected VP. He served approximately two years, and then declined to run for a full term.

One of the more famous cases was the appointment of Ben Smith, JFK's old college roommate, to fill the Senate seat vacated when JFK won the presidency in 1960. It was pretty widely known at the time that Smith was merely a placeholder for Ted Kennedy, who could not serve in the Senate until he turned 30. That happened in 1962 and he was then elected to serve out the rest of his brother's Senate term.; 8/26/18, 2:14 PM
Browndog said...: I think the deal was already made for Cindy. Probably not much to do with her, but if she performs well and keeps the McCain legacy alive, there sits Meghan.

As a Tucson resident, John McCain was my Senator during the Keating 5--there was no way he could survive, They had him dead to rights. He was the only one to walk scott free.

Why?

I'm not saying McCain used his position to facilitate international arms dealing, but I am saying his power went beyond American politics and Wall Street.; 8/26/18, 2:15 PM
Trumpit said...: "I've been a McSally fan since she first ran for Congress..."

If you like McSully, then she must be a loser, so no go. You sully this blog with every comment you leave, so please leave.; 8/26/18, 2:27 PM
Browndog said...: McSally, ushered into power under the Tea Party Movement, has spent her time of late scrubbing her 'Hate Trump' rhetoric from the internet, and avoiding the press.; 8/26/18, 2:30 PM
Phil 314 said...: Once again demonstrating AZ Central has one of the most irritating websites. They used to have a paywall. This constant blanking out and text shifting due to add gains no new readership.

I stopped subscribing to the Arizona Republic over 10 years ago. Their website does nothing to lure me back.

On the replacement question I would say no to Cindy McCain. I’d like Shadegg or Kyl. I don’t believe either would want to run in 2020. I think Ducey is looking at folks who will simply fill the seat till 2020 and not some who’s looking at future prospects.; 8/26/18, 2:50 PM
Bad Lieutenant said...: Browndog said...
I think the deal was already made for Cindy.

What deal could possibly have been made? What's the quid pro quo? McCain didn't resign early. He stayed Senator exactly as long as he could. Nobody owes the McCains a thing.; 8/26/18, 2:53 PM
Bad Lieutenant said...: Why not Arpaio? He wouldn't run again.

Honestly I only care that the new Senator is a firm, thinking Trump supporter.; 8/26/18, 2:55 PM
M Jordan said...: How long before it will be safe to go back to watching the news again?; 8/26/18, 3:02 PM
mockturtle said...: Honestly I only care that the new Senator is a firm, thinking Trump supporter.

That's what Keli Ward has been all along.; 8/26/18, 3:03 PM
Michael K said...: You sully this blog with every comment you leave, so please leave.

Those of you who think this nut is dong "performance art" or something are probably wrong he/she has a thing about doctors and drugs. That makes me wonder if there is a connection.

I think this person is a nut and not just in the pejorative sense. I think it is crazy,; 8/26/18, 3:46 PM
Michael K said...: As a Tucson resident, John McCain was my Senator during the Keating 5--there was no way he could survive, They had him dead to rights. He was the only one to walk scott free.

Why?

Keating was a constituent and the others were Democrats from other states.

They needed him to make the corruption bipartisan.

The problem is that it made him obsessed with corruption, his reputation and campaign finance.

He was a new Senator and didn't know what the hell was going on.

Keating's son is a SEAL.; 8/26/18, 3:49 PM
glenn said...: The thing about “Temporary Caretakers” is one they get their snout in the trough they never want to take it out.; 8/26/18, 3:51 PM
Browndog said...: Oh, c'mon Mr. K-

He was on tape.

You're right how most of them were Dems, as was the political make-up of Arizona at the time. I was wrong about McCain being the only one to get off scott free-

Dennis DeConcini retired, and got a big, beautiful library built with his name.; 8/26/18, 4:24 PM
Francisco D said...: "I am concerned about the CD2 election.

I'm in CD1 at the very southern edge. It looks to be safe Democratic. There are zero political ads running for that race. The incumbent is a Dem who pretends he is moderate.

In contrast, the CD2 Dem primary is very active. Kirkpatrick and Heinz are constantly running ads attacking each other for not being progressive enough. The ads seem really dishonest.

I have heard almost nothing from the Republican side. A Hispanic woman named Peterson might be a good candidate if she had even a tiny amount of publicity. Hopefully, the Reps are saving their ammunition.

I am struck by the level of duplicity by both parties in how candidates portray themselves. Things seemed much more straightforward in Chicago and Iowa.; 8/26/18, 5:07 PM
paminwi said...: DBQ on fire! Love the comments!
If I were a feminist I would say we need to support Cindy McCain because she has a vagina. But, because I am not, I say support almost anyone who is a conservative that is NOT related to John McCain. If a deal was worked out I want that Governor to be cell mates with Blagojevich. Have we not learned anything about family dynasties in politics? They suck and need to stop!; 8/26/18, 5:24 PM
mccullough said...: Maybe Ducey can appoint McCain’s mom to the seat.; 8/26/18, 7:01 PM
Michael K said...: I have heard almost nothing from the Republican side. A Hispanic woman named Peterson might be a good candidate if she had even a tiny amount of publicity. Hopefully, the Reps are saving their ammunition.

I am going to her campaign office in the morning to set up to make calls for her.

I hope she can pull it off. McSally was joking about her first election, which she won by 167 votes.

Tucson has lots of lefties. The teachers are running big state initiatives to turn AZ into a combination of California and New Jersey.

Lots of Steyer and Soros money. Soros spent about $8 million to defeat Arpaio in 2016. I understand the voters are not happy with the left wing Sheriff who got elected in 2016 with that Soros money.; 8/26/18, 7:12 PM
rcocean said...: "WHY would you consider putting his wife into that position....especially if the reason is to continue with the policies and preferences of the man John McCain, instead of the preferences of those who elected him."

Bravo. Well said.

Of course, we have no idea what Mrs. McCain's politics really are. She's never run for office. McCain said 'She shares my views' but what exactly those views are, is anyone's guess. For example, McCain's view that we should opposed Obamacare - or his other view that we should keep it. And does she want to "Build the dang fence" and not want Roe v. Wade overturned?; 8/26/18, 9:35 PM
Thorley Winston said...: I agree that appointing Cindy McCain should be a non-starter. If I were advising the governor, I would advise him to appoint a Republican who would be likely to win in 2020 and keep the seat. My own preference would be someone like former Congressman John Shadegg who was more libertarian/conservative than McCain and smart enough not to get sucked into bad deals because they’re “bipartisan.”; 8/27/18, 10:29 AM
Anthony said...: Yes, it is state law that the gov has to appoint someone from the same party.

Odd that the floated names are all Republican. . . . . .; 8/27/18, 11:58 AM
Gospace said...: mccullough said...

Appointing the wife has some tradition behind it. Mel Carnahan’s wife got his Senate seat, which he won when he was dead. We should elect more dead men. But they should be bachelors.

Yes, she was. Unlawfully so. Missouri law is very clear. The eligible person with the most votes is elected. Mote the eligible person So if a 30 year old runs for Senator and gets the most votes, the second place finisher is elected. If a DEAD MAN is elected, the second place finisher is elected. But Ashcroft was a good little wimpy Republican and didn't take to court, where he would have won. And what was his reward? All the Democrat senators who praised him for his statesmanship in allowing her to be seated in a stolen seat savagely attacked him when he was subsequently nominated for attorney general.

How much id the people of Missouri support that unlawful seating? 2 years later she ran for the seat on her own- and lost.; 8/27/18, 7:26 PM