All of you recognize the danger. All of you have expressed deep concern about what is occurring.
Senator Flake recently introduced a non-binding resolution acknowledging Russian involvement in the 2016 elections, expressing support for the Justice Department investigation and calling for oversight hearings about what happened in Helsinki. But Flake's fellow Republicans blocked that resolution, and it failed.
Senator McCain said the President has "proved not only unable, but unwilling to stand up to Putin;" that Trump "made a conscious choice to defend a tyrant against the fair questions of a free press, and to grant Putin an uncontested platform to spew propaganda and lies to the world;" and that the President has "failed to defend all that makes us who we are--a republic of free people dedicated to the cause of liberty at home and abroad."
Senator Corker has likened the Republican Party to a "cult," and conceded "it's not a good place for any party to end up with a cult-like situation as it relates to a President that happens to be of purportedly of the same party."
Moreover, the three of you have decided against seeking reelection. You have no reason not to follow your consciences.
Senator Collins represents a state that has had a long and distinguished history of independent-minded politicians (the other current senator from Maine, Angus King, is an Independent). Her constituents will surely forgive her if she leaves the Republican Party.
There is a scene in Robert Bolt's play "A Man for All Seasons," in which Thomas More, having angered Henry VIII, is on trial for his life. After Richard Rich commits perjury against More in exchange for the office of attorney general for Wales, More says: "Why, Richard, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world ...But for Wales!"
You have not pledged yours souls to the Republican Party. You have pledged yourselves to America. Now is the time to deliver on that pledge.
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