CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Sen. Bob Corker refuses to say whether he’ll seek a third term, but he has carefully said and done all the right things to avoid provoking a spirited primary challenge next year.
The Tennessee Republican has limited public appearances back home largely to friendly civic clubs and chambers of commerce meetings, where he can regale members with tales of his pro-business agenda and blunt assessments of congressional dysfunction – all the while steering clear of direct criticism of President Donald Trump.
Until last week.
Trump’s defense of white nationalists following a violent rally in Virginia that left a protester dead caused Corker to issue a blistering rebuke, raising questions about the president’s stability and competence and demanding “radical changes” in the White House.
“If I’m going be a respectable public official, it had to be spoken to,” Corker told Rotarians and Kiwanians a day after making those comments. “I’m an American first.”