Flake wrote that Republicans gave in to the “politics of anger.” They embraced the “belief that riling its base can make up for failed attempts to broaden the electorate.” He said, “These are the spasms of a dying party.”
He told the Washington Post that he was compelled to criticize Trump in the press and in his book. Flake said he was repeatedly disgusted by the President’s distasteful behavior.
Flake knew many Republican primary voters do not agree with him
According to him, “I knew that when I spoke out at that time, I was out of step with a lot of the Republican primary voters. But, I felt that I had to do it. I had hoped – and I still hope and I’m confident at some point – the fever will break. But, it just became more and more apparent that it certainly wasn’t going to break by next year.”
Based on polling data, Flake is unlikely to win the Republican primary next year. His challenger is former State Senator Kelli Ward, strong supporter of Trump. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who declared a war against GOP incumbents, is supporting Ward’s senate bid.
